Urban public spaces and high modernist authoritarianism: A comparative case study of Tiananmen Square and the Plaza de la Revolucion (China, Cuba)

The public square has played a central role in the evolution of all societies. From the ancient Greek agora to its modern-day manifestations across the world, urban public spaces such as the square have taken on a variety of functions, ranging from security and trade to relaxation and entertainment, in every society. In the 20th century, however, the function of the square has been transformed and the concept of the square has become inherently political. Using the Plaza de la Revolución, in Havana, Cuba, and Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, China, this project explores the idea that urban public spaces can act as windows onto society as a whole. The goal of this thesis is to provide a historical and theoretical examination of the role of urban public spaces (such as squares and plazas) in authoritarian countries, and, using the history as well as the daily experience of each public space, evaluate each country's level of individual freedom, assess the efficacy of the country's revolution, and even hypothesize as to the nature or direction of the country's future.