<p>Vibrant public spaces are critical to a city's livability and identity, with built environment features such as spatial function and façade design significantly shaping user behavior and activity patterns. Grounded in Environmental-Behavior Studies, this research investigates the interplay between façade characteristics, functional spatial organization, and user behavior in public street spaces functioning as pocket parks. The case study focuses on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City, a former roadway repurposed as a thematic pedestrian space promoting reading culture and serving as an open green public hub. The study identifies five key façade characteristics that inform an evaluation framework for aesthetic preferences in urban design. It also reveals three distinct patterns linking façade features to user behavior and spatial activity distribution. These findings highlight the importance of visual and spatial coherence in enhancing public engagement. The research offers actionable insights for urban policymakers and planners, emphasizing the integration of façade strategies in street space governance and sustainable urban development. It further provides practical guidance for designing culturally resonant, multifunctional public spaces in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian urban contexts.</p>