These two readings talk about on the relationship between urban citizens and the public space in the city. It is amazing to see the preferences to small urban spaces of people. As a person who lives in a big city I can not agree more on William H. Whyte. I am impressed by his detailed observation and research of plazas.
There are some public spaces that near our school like union square are always full of people. I sometimes wait my friends or have chat with friends there. Diversity happens in this place. It can be regarded as a small market for some sellers, a little amusement park for children or a transfer station for passengers. Diversity people being concentrated here makes this place a inclusive place that provides all kinds of people a most important thing: sense of safety. And I believe sense of safety is an emphasis thing for people especially for urban people. Because being exposed in metropolis is a hateful thing for urban people. So like William mentioned the tendency to choose a place where there are some shield things. It is an interesting thing that people love grouping at the social public space but at the same thing they also want privacy. As for me, I think I may have two reason to choose this spot. First, my surrounding, a noise crowd can gives me a sense of identity. That makes me feel like I am a part of this city. Second, choosing a spot that has some shield structures like a sculpture can provide me privacy. In a word I want some people surround me but do not want them know what I’m doing. So how to make such privacy for people at public space is a design question for designers.
Reading Response
