The result of William Whyte's research is an extremely human, often amusing look at what goes on in our cities' streets. Illustrated.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"Informal, spontaneous interactions give the modern city its vitality, so Whyte's ( The Organization Man ) enemies are urban planners who evince disregard and even contempt for street life. Part meditation, part design manual, this marvelously observant tour of cities will please anyone who cares about urban livability," lauded PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Whyte's Street Life Project studied the use of urban spaces for 16 years. This follow-up to The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces ( LJ 4/15/80) is an engaging look at the variety of human interactions which make "downtown" vibrant. Whyte looks at such diverse topics as pedestrian movement, concourses and skyways, sunlight and its effects--all from the perspective of a confirmed city-lover. His observations and recommendations can be read with profit and pleasure by professional planners and readers interested in what makes a city tick.
- Diane K. Harvey, SAIS-Johns Hopkins Univ. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Diane K. Harvey, SAIS-Johns Hopkins Univ. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is terrific because William Whyte doesn't relie on any theory. Instead, he logged countless hours watching street corners, public parks and plazas to see how people actually use them, and draws conclusions on how to make them better, safer, and useable. His ideas of planning public areas were first used to a great extent in redeveloping Bryant Park in NYC. Formally a haven for drug users, the city used his findings from this book and turned it into one of the city's most livable and exciting public areas. If only we could design all our streets and plazas with such good common sense!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In my opinion, part of being a successful business owner is learning about how your business is impacted by different influences. In City, Whyte discusses urban renewal and development and what is effective vs ineffective urban development as well as the impact it has on businesses. I learned a lot from this book and was able to apply some of it to a recent class on leadership that dealt with economic development. Economic development is definitely tied into urban development. This book explains a lot of that and also provides insights into the social life on the streets of any city.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a must-have for any architect, urban designer, sociologist, or anyone interested in how people work, how places work, or how people and places work together. I flew through this book faster than any book I've read in the last five years; it is an absolute joy to read. Whyte's sense of humor is so much fun and his extensive research drives home the points he is trying to make. Whyte's research is fascinating, from human personalities to human interaction, and from physical street design to the amenities that make spaces lively. No matter what you do for a living or what you enjoy, I think there's a small part in everyone that is intrigued by people and how we operate, and I also believe that there is a part of everyone who is interested in designing things. This book gets down to business right from the start at identifying these things that pique our interest and explaining them in great detail, in a plain-language, easy to read way. You will be hard-pressed to find a book - in any genre - where so much genuine and relevant research is so simply and clearly explained. Just buy it. If you're on the fence, just get it. You won't regret it.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By algo41
Format:Paperback
This book is a very valuable supplement to Jane Jacobs' "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", but it is considerably longer than it should be, so that skimming is a must. Alternatively, you might begin with chapter 16, "The Rise and Fall of Incentive Zoning". Whyte's book was copyrighted in 1988, but it has not lost its relevance, no more than Jacobs' book has.
In zoning there is a tension between GOOD standards and allowing variances. In theory the latter is fine, but community groups/planners can succumb to pressures or "take ownership" of bad designs by being allowed to play with models and make suggestions, most all of which are subsequently ignored.
I now view plaza's in a new light. Do they allow for enough seating, if only on comfortable ledges at a proper height, are they easily accessible (few stairs), is there grass, trees, sculpture, or even fountains, are they within 3 blocks of high density concentrations of people, do they permit good views of street life (and visa versa for security)? Whyte talks of dysfunctional trash receptacles which did function as tables - I would add almost all plazas skimp on or totally lack tables. I wholeheartedly endorse Whyte's call for more public restrooms, even as part of zoning. Surprisingly, setbacks with arcades find little use (this is where Whyte's time lapse cameras had a role to play), as people will stick to the main sidewalk unless it is raining hard. Blank walls facing the street are anathema.
Tall buildings blocking the sun can create dark canyons, especially on side streets, and impact on plazas. Reflected light can be important, and the quantity and quality depends on the building facades, with porous surfaces best as in brownstones. Whyte suggests reflectors on skyscraper roofs.... Read more ›
In zoning there is a tension between GOOD standards and allowing variances. In theory the latter is fine, but community groups/planners can succumb to pressures or "take ownership" of bad designs by being allowed to play with models and make suggestions, most all of which are subsequently ignored.
I now view plaza's in a new light. Do they allow for enough seating, if only on comfortable ledges at a proper height, are they easily accessible (few stairs), is there grass, trees, sculpture, or even fountains, are they within 3 blocks of high density concentrations of people, do they permit good views of street life (and visa versa for security)? Whyte talks of dysfunctional trash receptacles which did function as tables - I would add almost all plazas skimp on or totally lack tables. I wholeheartedly endorse Whyte's call for more public restrooms, even as part of zoning. Surprisingly, setbacks with arcades find little use (this is where Whyte's time lapse cameras had a role to play), as people will stick to the main sidewalk unless it is raining hard. Blank walls facing the street are anathema.
Tall buildings blocking the sun can create dark canyons, especially on side streets, and impact on plazas. Reflected light can be important, and the quantity and quality depends on the building facades, with porous surfaces best as in brownstones. Whyte suggests reflectors on skyscraper roofs.... Read more ›
8 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I'd give it five stars as an urban planning book, but only four stars in comparison to Whyte's landmark The Organization Man, a truly great, but nearly forgotten book of the fifties.
The analysis of corporations moving from Manhattan to the suburbs, wherein Whyte plots distance from the CEOs home to the new headquarters is priceless.
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