What Makes a Public Space Work? Reflections on Whyte’s Study

“It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people—what is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished,” said William H. Whyte. Nowadays, most public spaces are neither inviting nor vibrant. Public spaces should attract people because they serve as perfect locations for individuals from different backgrounds to interact and connect. Their significance lies in their ability to facilitate human encounters, allowing people to express themselves through movement, conversation, dress, and interactions. Without public spaces, such encounters would not happen as naturally.

This essay explores two main problems that prevent public spaces from functioning as true hubs of human interaction and cause them to lose their “publicness.” The first issue involves physical barriers that make public spaces uninviting. The second concerns restrictions and accessibility, which determine who can or cannot use these spaces freely.

Physical Barriers to Public Spaces

Analyzing public spaces through Whyte’s perspective, the most apparent obstacles preventing them from being effective often stem from physical design flaws. One of the most crucial factors is location. If a public space is placed next to a blank wall or a dead zone, the design process starts on weak foundations. How can a space attract people if a blank wall severs its connection to the street? Street interaction is vital for public spaces to be dynamic, and a dynamic public space, in turn, enriches urban life. The surrounding environment plays a critical role in determining the success of a public space.

Another issue is the lack of seating areas. If seating is uncomfortable or insufficient, people are less likely to stay, socialize, and engage with their surroundings. Comfort is not just about shape or softness; sometimes, it is about access to shade or sunlight. A well-designed seating arrangement encourages people to linger, fostering a stronger sense of community.

A third physical challenge is poor entrances. If the entrance to a public space is narrow, dark, or located in an isolated area, it discourages pedestrian circulation. An inviting entrance is essential for drawing people in. A relevant example is Bryant Park in New York City, which once had an unwelcoming, dark entrance that kept people out. After renovations that widened the entrance and added kiosks, the park became significantly more inviting and vibrant. Clearly, both management and design must be carefully considered to create successful public spaces.

Accessibility and the Loss of Publicness

Public space should be accessible to and usable by all. As Hannah Arendt (1958) suggested, urban spaces cannot be strictly divided into public and private; instead, they exist on a spectrum of privacy. Just as people value privacy in their private spaces, they must also respect the openness of public spaces. True public spaces should ensure accessibility for every individual, regardless of background or identity.

If certain groups or individuals feel unsafe or restricted from entering a space, this is a fundamental issue. Public spaces should not privilege one person (Person A) or one group (Group X) while excluding another (Person B or Group Y). Such exclusion undermines democracy.

Political scientist Ira Katznelson provides a compelling example of a successful public space: the New York City subway. In an interview, he described it as a public space that “moves.” The subway, being portable, makes the city permeable. It embodies the core elements of public space in two ways: first, it is democratic because everyone pays the same fare; second, it fosters social interaction by bringing together people from diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and lifestyles in a shared environment. Public spaces must uphold these democratic values. They cannot be partially public and partially privileged.

This essay examined two primary issues that hinder public spaces from functioning as effective platforms for human interaction: physical barriers and accessibility restrictions. The first issue highlighted how poor location choices, inadequate seating, and uninviting entrances prevent public spaces from fulfilling their purpose. Attracting people is the key to a successful public space, and design and management must prioritize this.

The second issue addressed the necessity of accessibility. Public spaces must be open to all people, providing equal access to activities, discussions, and the space itself. True public spaces allow individuals of all ethnicities, genders, and lifestyles to coexist freely. The fundamental purpose of a public space is to foster interaction, and every individual has the right to engage in that experience.

Aylin Satı

2020

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