REPUBLIC SQUARE Republic Square functions as a cultural hub and green oasis in downtown Austin. Nudge Design has been working with the Downtown Austin Alliance to restore and manage the garden operations since 2020, taking a hands-on role in the care of soils, diversification of plants, improvement of ecologic function and optimization of the irrigation system. Through this process we have developed a multi-step approach for management of civic or public gardens that can be applied to sites with similar challenges.