people sitting in outdoor plaza

The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces

What makes good public spaces work, and why are some public spaces underused? Over the course of this film, William Whyte details insights into seven basic factors of successful public spaces: suitable space, interaction with the street, the sun, food, water, trees, and, finally, a term Whyte calls triangulation, or the ability of a public space to bring people together.

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Course Info

  • Duration 7 video lessons (60 Mins)
  • Published Published
    1980
  • 4.68
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Browse Course Chapters

  • Chapter Locked
    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Overuse and Underuse of Public Spaces
    Chapter Duration 11 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Sittable Spaces
    Chapter Duration 11 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    Streets and Plazas
    Chapter Duration 9 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    Sun, Water, and Trees
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Vendors and Cafes
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    Bringing People Together
    Chapter Duration 16 mins

Course Description

What makes good public spaces work, and why are some public spaces underused? Those are the questions that drove William Whyte to study public spaces, as captured in the film, "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" (1980). Whyte's groundbreaking methodology of "simple, direct observation" revealed an extraordinary diversity of activity, and numerous surprises about how humans use public space. Whyte lends voiceover work to the documentary footage captured to describe those discoveries, and what they mean for planning and urban design.

Over the course of the film, Whyte details insights into seven basic factors of successful public spaces: suitable space, interaction with the street, the sun, food, water, trees, and, finally, a term Whyte calls triangulation, or the ability of a public space to bring people together.

Both the methods and the insights described in this film have proven tremendously influential over the four decades since its release, and it's fascinating to see how some of the most ambitious and progressive design ideas are still being implemented in cities all over the country. Of special relevance to planners, are the connections Whyte makes between these findings and to zoning changes proposed for, and eventually adopted by, the city of New York. The reinvigoration of public spaces spurred by Whyte in the '60s, '70s, and '80s is still very much underway today.

Learn these skills

  • Civic Engagement
  • Land Use
  • Pedestrian Planning
  • Urban Design
  • Urbanism
  • Walkability

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1.5 SACPLAN CPD point.

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A classic work of planning and urban design research. Thank you for making it available.
- Jeff B.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
One of the best films I've ever seen about this subject. Part lesson and part celebration.
- Daniel P.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
Possibly the best thing I have seen in decades!
- William N.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
One of the best films I've ever seen about this subject. Part lesson and part celebration.
- Daniel P.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review

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