The idea of a town or city square is almost as old as civilisation itself. Sitting at the heart of a community, it is a place of gatherings, markets, political rallies and other events that focus and bring people together. Surrounding it will be buildings of civic and cultural significance together with shops, cafes and social meeting places. But the city square and its streets is also a powerful metaphor for individual hopes and aspirations that often lie shattered within the proud facades that form its shell. This dichotomy was memorably encapsulated in the song Boulevard of Broken Dreams, from the 1934 film Moulin Rouge. Referring to Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, the song’s title has taken on an iconic significance, spilling into the fields of art, literature, film and music. Those who have performed it include Juan García Esquivel, Marianne Faithfull, Hanoi Rocks, Joaquin Sabina and Green Day. Its title was also used for Paul Alexande...