Urban Sociologist William Whyte

…(One of Danny Gordon’s duties) has been, for the past 5 years, to count the number of visitors to Bryant Park (New York City). …

He counts with 2 clickers: one in his right hand for the men, one in his left for the women. …

On most weekdays, there are more women than men. This is how his boss likes it. The president of the Bryant Park Corp. was a protégé of urban sociologist William Whyte whose theories about public space included the idea that the presence of women indicates civic health.

Women pick up on cues of disorder - homeless people, crumbs on picnic tables, foul odors. “They’re your purest customers. If women don’t see other women, they tend to leave. …

LINK: The New Yorker

LINK: Project for Public Spaces