W9.1 Whyte’s book The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces—JIA YUAN

 Recently, I read William White's book "Social Life in Small City Spaces," an American urban researcher. Although this book was published in 1980, it remains relevant today. It is not only a classic in urban design but also a social observation note on how people use cities. It made me realize that what truly brings a city to life is not the skyscrapers or broad roads, but the pauses, conversations, and chance encounters people make at street corners, on stairs, and under the shade of trees.

How much have you read?

I didn't read this book all at once; instead, I read it slowly in several installments. Initially, I recommended some chapters of the book for a sociology course and found them very interesting, so I delved deeper into most of the content and also watched White's observation video of the city square. The overall reading experience is like a process of "following the author to explore the city." Every time I finish reading a chapter, I can't help but begin to observe the space around me: why are people sitting here? Why is it always empty over there? The way this book is read, like the content itself, encourages you to "read" it in person.

Do you find it interesting?

Very interesting, unexpected kind. This book is not just about urban theory; it more resembles a "notebook of observing urban behavior." White acts like a patient detective, capturing people's genuine behavior in urban public spaces through video recordings and on-site documentation. He made many delightful discoveries, such as "people prefer places with people," "sitting space is more important than walking space," and "a lively small square doesn't need to be large, but it does require comfortable seats and sunlight." These seemingly simple observations actually reveal the overlooked "humanity" in urban design. The most interesting part is that you'll begin to ponder why there are always chairs around you that nobody is sitting on.

Is it difficult?

From a textual standpoint, this book is not difficult to read. White's language was clear, unacademic, did not preach, and even had a touch of humor. He presents extensive observations of urban spaces through a combination of images and text, making them easy to understand. But the real "challenge" is that he asks you to change your perspective—from that of a city manager or designer, to that of an ordinary user or observer. This "cognitive shift" requires some patience and reflection. Especially for social science students who are accustomed to starting from structure and theory, this approach to studying microbehavior may offer a fresh but challenging reading experience.

Do you think this is a good book for social science students in the 2020s?

I think it's perfect, even more so, a book that becomes increasingly important today. In an era increasingly focused on "efficiency" and "technological solutions," White's work reminds us that genuine social science research cannot ignore people themselves, especially their behaviors and interactions in the real world. No matter whether you are studying urban management, social psychology, communication behavior, or public policy, this book offers a very valuable methodology—starting from observation, practical application, and finding patterns in life.

Especially in today's context of widespread discussions about digital and smart cities, we need researchers like White who return to "humanity." After all, a truly livable and pleasant city relies not just on data-driven approaches, but also on our meticulous understanding of "what people need."