Documents William H. Whyte's research on the design and use of small urban spaces. Investigates the factors which encourage and inhibit the use of plazas and parks, and makes recommendations for their successful design. Whyte's strongly humanist approach takes pleasure in all facets of the urban environment, from the "undesirables" and "street people" who often gravitate to open spaces, to pushcart vendors. He sees the street as a "River of life," noting that people come to these parks and plazas not to escape from the city, but to partake of it.