wellness

People Are Treated Like Cars
(Well Not Really .. Cars Are Treated Better)

“Professionals” of one stripe or another think that the reason - the prime reason - that people are found on sidewalks (the prime type of Hard Surfaced Public Open Space in any city) is that they are going to just pay a bill or are going from place A to place B.

But the fact is, that more often than not - people are present on a sidewalk (or other public open spaces) - not be on the move - but in fact to stay in one place ... and stay for a long time - if the elements are present that enable staying for a long time (for hours and hours). The reason for staying is quite simple - people want to be with other people! They either want to watch other people and/or ..... want to talk to strangers ..... and/or simply be amongst others while reading or just hanging out. It’s that simple.

Sometimes people will go out on a sidewalk (or a front porch) with a very strong desire to be a PRESENTER. What’s a PRESENTER? Someone who really, really needs to interact with other people, at that moment. Cutting the front lawn or shoveling snow on sidewalks is often the act of PRESENTING. A PRESENTER (without saying a word) by actions (by being out in semi-public space or in a public open space) and by body language is sending a strong message: “ Hullo anyone, everyone ... here I am .... anyone want to come out and talk to me .... or play with me!” Of course children do this all the time; but, so do adults.

So what are the needed elements that enable, encourage people to stay for long periods of time on Hard Surfaced Public Open Spaces of all kinds. It’s real simple ... it’s not rocket science .... you just have to provide the same elements that you would provide if you invited friends to a house party - and wanted those friends to stay at your house for a long time. If people never stay at you house party for a very long time - then the elements are missing. Two pages over is the first element - but first.