Take Back The City

In this blog post, "author" refers to William Whyte, and the chapter mentioned is the sixth chapter of his book City.

1. What do you feel were the author's key points in this chapter?
   
   People like being with other people, thus, sometimes crowded sidewalks can be appealing. A smaller sidewalk can easily be perceived as a crowded sidewalk.Obstacles can be placed in such ways on to the sidewalks that people will be drawn into the stores. However, the entrance to a store should be as open as possible; it should be large and left open when possible.
   Window shopping is still alive, thus, window displays are important. A window shopper will bring other window shoppers and increase the chance of having an actual customer. When one element of the display attracts a person, his attention is likely to be drawn to other elements. Window display designs should be aware that most pedestrians view the display from close and they rarely stand and stare at the middle of the display. Also, motion, enigma and sound contribute to drawing attention.
   Multi-function objects on the sidewalks are good, like trashcans that can be used in other purposes.
    
2. Compare Whyte's ideas on design to Norman's concepts that we studied earlier. What's similar? What's different?
   Use of visceral design elements is the greatest similarity. Most of the points Whyte makes are use of visceral elements to grab people's attention. Some other points of Whyte would be named as behavioral success by Norman, like covering a window with brown paper except a few eye holes. This is functional as in being successful in what it aims; drawing attention. The subject of entrance is also similar in both points of view. It should be easy to use. One big difference is the people on the sidewalks. While Whyte states a clutter as functional, Norman would disagree.
    
3. Create a checklist, based on Whyte's chapter, that could be used to analyze an urban area.
   
   
   • Vegetation
   • Wide entrances to stores
   • Large display windows of stores
   • Medium wide sidewalk
   • Cleanness
   • Benches, trash cans, etc.
   • Traffic flow
   • Buildings in all perspectives