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Many of the things or "patterns" we might think of are "archetypal" or "universal." They are so deeply rooted in our human nature, that it seems likely they will be a part of human nature, and human action as much in five hundred years, as they are today. History has shown that Towns and Buildings will not be able to come alive unless they are made by all the people in society, and unless these people share common values with their lifestyle and community. This is fundamental. When you build a thing you cannot merely build a thing in isolation, but also must repair the world around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that one place becomes more coherent, and more whole.
- It is community territory for the group it serves; it is made in a way which invites people in for service, spontaneously, to debate policy, and the open space around the building is shaped to sustain people gathering and lingering;
- It is located at the heart of the local community and is within walking distance of everyone it serves.
- Town Halls can die if they are badly located; twenty times as many people drop into community centers when they are located near major intersections.
- Local Town Halls will not be an honest part of the community which lives around it, unless it is itself surrounded by all kinds of small community activities and projects, generated by the people for themselves.
- It is natural for every public street to swell out at important nodes where there is the most public activity. It is only at these widened public squares which can accommodate public gatherings, small crowds, festivities, cultural events, dancing, speeches and other things that support their place in their life of the Town.
Over 100 years ago, Maitland's History started with its patterns. Are any of these still embedded in the current status of our Town? Some of us might think of our neighborhoods as being identifiable to each of us in terms of friendly streets, gateways, parks, sidewalks, bike paths, architectural styles, etc. Other patterns might be Lake Lily and the Waterhouse Residence.
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