I am intrigued by the semantics of the NYU 2031 Plan. In this post I consider an excerpt from the plan that discusses the size and feel of the interior of Washington Square Village which the plan has named the North (Super)Block. On page 165 of Chapter 6 - The Core (or page 30 of 36 if you are reading the NYU2031 pdf ), the plan's authors describe the proposed changes to the existing courtyard including the playground between the two buildings of Washington Square Village: The intent is to break the vast interior of Washington Square Village into smaller and more intimate spaces, promoting a park-like atmosphere (emphasis added). Here is a Google Map view of the courtyard in 2011: Image: Washington Square Village courtyard: Hideo Sasaki Garden (2), playground (3). Area 1 includes park strips and retail and commercial space on LaGuardia Place. The courtyard looks park-like in the above aerial image and when you are in the Hideo Sasaki Garden and in the playground,