We try to make buildings last long and be resilient but also be not so idiosyncratic that they can't change.
Elizabeth DillerRead
It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people. What is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Designing spaces that fail to attract people is surprisingly common, despite being challenging.
William H. Whyte highlights the inherent challenge in creating public spaces that naturally draw people in. He points out that, even though successful designs should promote interaction and engagement, many spaces are still created that end up isolating rather than inviting people, a phenomenon that is noteworthy and demands attention in urban planning.
Themes
DesignSpaceArchitecturePublicPeopleUrban Planning
In practice
Example use cases
During a presentation on urban development, this quote can illustrate challenges in creating inviting public areas.
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