Let $\ell$ be a length function on a group $G$, and let $M_{\ell}$ denote the operator of pointwise multiplication by $\ell$ on $\bell^2(G)$. Following Connes, $M_{\ell}$ can be used as a ``Dirac'' operator for $C_r^*(G)$. It defines a Lipschitz seminorm on $C_r^*(G)$, which defines a metric on the state space of $C_r^*(G)$. We show that if $G$ is a hyperbolic group and if $\ell$ is a word-length function on $G$, then the topology from this metric coincides with the weak-$*$ topology (our definition of a ``compact quantum metric space''). We show that a convenient framework is that of filtered $C^*$-algebras which satisfy a suitable ``Haagerup-type'' condition. We also use this framework to prove an analogous fact for certain reduced free products of $C^*$-algebras.

We investigate the problem of whether every immersed flat plane in a nonpositively curved square complex is the limit of periodic flat planes. Using a branched cover, we reduce the problem to the case of $\V$-complexes. We solve the problem for malnormal and cyclonormal $\V$-complexes. We also solve the problem for complete square complexes using a different approach. We give an application towards deciding whether the elements of fundamental groups of the spaces we study have commuting powers. We note a connection between the flat approximation problem and subgroup separability.