Leeds Millennium Square is located right in the centre of Leeds town. The square is a £12m production to mark the year 2000. It's surrounded by local landmarks such as Leeds City Museum, Town Hall and General Infirmary. Not only these but near access to restaurants (Whetherspoons, Revolution and Spice Quarter). Millennium Square's location provides simple access between districts and is a key area for pedestrian movement, with openings (and exits) into the wide public space from each side. The space is represented by it's open plan layout, bordered by grand buildings, and uses cleverly situated walls, steps and bollards to deter any auto-mobile traffic. Pedestrians are invited to take time in the area due to several benches dotted around the square.
Concerning the 'practise of space', many public events are held in the square and these are easily encountered by the flow of the public across the square. The landmarks provide tourist attention whilst the useful location provides convenient short-cuts for various members of the public such as students and workers. Annual events such as the German Market, music concerts, Ice skating rink and sometimes significant sporting events are hosted on the Square. The constant traffic of people leads to very successful and worthwhile opportunity for theses events to return.
The relaxed modern design and aesthetics of the square, complemented by grand steps and 'greenery', provides a desirable social space for when such events aren't held. Initially Millennium Square would have been ideal for a constant circulation of events, but having the only cash-point in the area and several restaurants means there is a consistent flow of people regardless. The varying routine of the public affects the representational space. Tourists, for example, will interact more so with the surrounding buildings whereas locals are more inclined to use the space for daily functions.
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