FAQ NYC Episode 467: One Simple Secret for Pleasantly Populated Public Spaces
Dec 28, 2025
Keri Butler, President of the Municipal Art Society and expert in city planning, shares her insights on enhancing public spaces. She discusses William H. Whyte's influential film, highlighting key design principles like movable chairs and triangulation that foster interaction. Keri also critiques hostile architecture and emphasizes the need for community engagement in urban planning. With thoughts on revitalizing underused spaces and the balance of planning versus organic use, she paints a vision for livelier, more inclusive public realms.
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Small Design Moves Drive Big Social Life
- William H. Whyte's Street Life Project revealed small design moves drive big social interaction in plazas and streets.
- Simple elements like moveable chairs, seating orientation, sun, water, and 'triangulation' shape how people gather.
Design Seating To Encourage Interaction
- Design seating for social interaction by angling benches and creating pathways that encourage crossing and facing.
- Use 'triangulation'—shared focal points like performers or activities—to spark connections among strangers.
Residents Push Back On Overly Strict POP Rules
- Keri Butler described converted Midtown plazas where children played until building management banned balls.
- Residents pushed back because they felt those spaces should serve neighborhood life, not just strict rules.