#88 street cafe
A street cafe is a place where people can lazily, legitimately watch life go by. Humane cities are full of them. Because people have the right to sit there as they are paying customers they feel an great amount of comfort. Street cafes are also seen as social glue. A place where people can come together. When a place gets a lot of regulars it creates a community of its own. It offers people a place to sit and relax and most importantly have some simple food and drinks that everyone enjoys. A coke or beer and a bittergarnituur. It is also very important for students to talk over a beer. It provides them an atmosphere to relax and to be more open about opinions and have interesting discussions and conversations that help with development.
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Why did I choose this pattern?
What makes a square a good square? For research I looked at the most famous, best etc squares in the world. I noticed that quite a few of these had a terrace/ street cafe. I found this to be interesting and because of it's clear succes I decided it was an element I would like to add on my square. Also a big thing I wanted for my square was to be a place people could visit and sit for hours on end enjoying a nice summer day for example. When reading about this pattern and the fact people feel comfortable and spend hours on end somewhere because they feel that they have a right to, because they are paying customers. I knew right away this would be a great element to use and because of it have a lot of people sitting on my square for hours on end, while also profiting surrounding restaurants and cafes.
Field research
Stadhuisplein, Rotterdam
On this square there are a lot of cafes/bars that all expand on into to square. This square it is know for it's bars and terraces. When the weather is nice they are fully pact. And looking out on what? Nothing special actually. The only view they have is the towering buildings around them and of course the City Hall, but this is not often looked at. The most entertaining factor are the people walking by to look at.
Oudehaven, Rotterdam
Witte de With straat, Rotterdam
Another street cafe that is fully pact from 1 in the afternoon till 1 at night. With a view of the water holding old boats and a piece of Rotterdam behind it. Also having a lively stream of people walking past at most parts of the day.
The longest street cafe in Rotterdam. This full street has a lot of street cafe's. With a lot of businesses there that expand onto the streets. Also fully packed when the weather is nice, the whole day through.
After doing my field research I saw that these places of course all have a lot of bars/cafe's or restaurants because these expand outside to make the street cafe's. Apart from OudeHaven they don't really have a great view. Looking out over a street and buildings. Nice enough buildings to look at for 15 minutes, but hours? no. What makes these places great is the atmosphere. People really visit for the location and the vibe that is there. For other people. A big amount of them. To look at other people, either on the cafe or walking by. People love looking at people and being around people. A big amount of people creates a feeling described best in dutch "gezelligheid".
References
My model
A classic simple terrace is never wrong. Dont get to fussy and complicated and just have a seat and enjoy the view. For people who just want to enjoy being on a terrace with a nice overview of the square. No huss and fuss. Seperated by water from the rest making its own space
High terrace , climb your way up through a beautiful flower path and rest at the top terrace. Enjoying the view.
Reflection
The value of this pattern is getting people together and have them chill out. There are different possibilities when making a street cafe. I thought it was possible to pull this into a square and have a really big street cafe. And pull it into the air by having a street cafe on top of a hill. I used this pattern to attach the city to the square and most importantly to make the square alive. having people enjoy it and fill the terrace. Providing people with a place to spend hours enjoying themselves. A place where a lot of people will feel comfortable because they have the right to sit there as paying customers, having them be in a more relaxed state. And also providing people with a place to get something to eat and drink an have a rest. And a view of my great square!