In cities throughout the world, communities often center on public squares. These outdoor living rooms continue to play an important role as gathering places and event grounds in cities across the United States.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Public Square are as follows:
- Centerway Square - Corning, New York
- Decatur Square - Decatur, Georgia
- Santa Fe Plaza - Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Rittenhouse Square - Philadelphia
- Campus Martius - Detroit
- Jackson Square - New Orleans
- Fountain Square - Cincinnati
- Healdsburg Plaza - Healdsburg, California
- Wright Square - Savannah, Georgia
- Black Lives Matter Plaza - Washington, DC
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning public squares!
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The Experts
James Brasuell
James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Read More
James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Planetizen since 2014. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
James Brasuell

James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Planetizen since 2014. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for... Read More
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman

Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.