Civic center

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A civic center or civic centre (see spelling differences) is a prominent land area within a community that is constructed to be its focal point or center. It usually contains one or more dominant public buildings, which may also include a government building. Recently, the term "civic center" has been used in reference to an entire central business district of a community or a major shopping center in the middle of a community. In this type of civic center, special attention is paid to the way public structures are grouped and landscaped.

[edit] Notable civic centers

[edit] Civic Centers in the UK

In most cases Civic Centers in the UK are a focus for local government offices and public service buildings. With reforms of local government in London in 1965 and across England in anticipation of the implementation of the Redcliffe-Maud Report in 1974 a number of local authorities commissioned new civic centers sometimes funded by disposing of their 19th Century Town Hall buildings. Basil Spence was responsible for three noteworthy civic centers:

Swiss Cottage (1966) - planned as the administration centre for the London Borough of Camden the masterplan was only partially completed.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1967) - planned as administration centre for larger unitary authority.

Sunderland (1970) - as above.