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facades of the building receive their own forecourts. At
times, the interplay of figure and ground results in a patch-
work of multiple buildings and squares alongside one another,
for example those arranged around Salzburg Cathedral. Ru-
dolf Arnheim (1977/2009) characterizes the relationship be-
tween the centrifugal force of expansion exercised by the figure
of a square, and the counterforce of the architectural masses
that delimit it, as a sensitive balance. The spaces of intimate
squares with an enclosed character and minimal size have the
effect of ‘urban rooms’, yet require a minimal extension if
they are to assert themselves with sufficient counterforce as
spatial figures against the masses of the delimiting structures.
Conversely, an excessively large square sacrifices its coherence
when the edges are too weak in relation to its extension. As a
rule, the Prägnanz and force of extension of a circular square
is so strong that the surrounding contour offers only passive
resistance (> force field). By virtue of its distinct > concavity,
a rounded form offers the greatest degree of closure. The con-
cave spatial effect is strengthened in section when the ground
slopes down towards the centre and large roof overhangs gen-
tly enclose the space from above as well. If the > ground of a
square arches upwards, it offers a special form of resistance
to those stepping onto it. A square or street zone is experi-
enced as an > interior in particular when the facades bear
traces of occupancy, like the walls of inner rooms, or when
the pavement, set with > ornamentation, resembles a carpet.
Unlike the interiors of a building, squares and streets flow
into one another, and serve movement between urban spaces
rather than inviting us to stay in one place. Decisive for their
forms, then, is the way in which they link movements with
one another to form > sequences. The upbeat to historic se-
quences of squares is often formed by those which originally
marked entrances to the town, and set directly behind the
gates, an example being the Piazza del Popolo in Rome and
the Königsplatz in Munich, or waterside squares such as the
Piazzetta in Venice and the Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia in Tri-