Mexico City, DF, Mexico

Today, the Zócalo is the ceremonial heart of Mexico City and the nation. It is a huge open-space resource that is used for the celebrations of Mexica and national culture, political protests (in front of the national palace), and recreational nonsense that means nothing to anybody. [2008]

Amsterdam, Netherlands

From the Amstel River two things took their names: Amsterdam and Amstel beer. In fact, the beer was originally made from water drawn from the Amstel. [2015]

Ephesus, Turkey

The Ephesus amphitheater is built into the hillside (the way the ancient Greeks did it!) along the road from the port to the town. The apostle Paul visited and wrote letters to the early Christians here. Those letters have become the Biblical book of Ephesians. And, we know Paul walked past this amphitheater at least once in his life. [2007]

Lima, Ohio, USA

Don't worry! The Lima Fire Department has more modern engines than that. In fact, this one is an optical illusion. The cab of an antique engine has been grafted onto the firehouse as a visual reminder of the past. [2001]

New York, New York, USA

You may be in Long Island City, but you are served by FDNY, which is the largest fire department in the United States and out-sized only by Tokyo's. This engine house was built in 1932. [2012]

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Government-run fire departments appeared on the scene around the time of the Civil War, but the first fire company goes back to 1736 in Philadelphia. When Charleston built this engine house in 1887, it was at a time when governments used architecture to brag about their abilities to provide public services like fire fighting. [2008]

Gardiner, Maine, USA

The New England village green: place-perfect, iconic, communal. It is a reminder of what we mean by a "pure public good." Only collectively can we have it. That is why we also call it a commons. [2019]