Improving Quality of Life in Urban Areas

How Public Spaces Can Be Prescribed Medicine for Urban Loneliness The Bentway in Toronto just released groundbreaking research that should reshape how we think about public space as public health infrastructure. Their "Rx for Social Connection" report, developed with Gehl Studio and University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, offers compelling evidence that thoughtful design can combat the loneliness epidemic plaguing our cities. The context is sobering: Toronto was named Canada's loneliest city in 2024, with 43% of residents never seeing their neighbors and 37% feeling lonely at least three times weekly. The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a global health threat equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Key Research Findings: 71% of Bentway visitors reported improved physical health 62% experienced better mental health 64% felt more socially connected 67% of visitors engaged with others during their visit Interactive art installations generated 20% more social interactions What Makes It Work: The research identified four critical design elements: "sticky" spaces that encourage lingering, quality seating that promotes sociability, interactive public art at human scale, and participatory programming that transforms spectators into participants. The space's emphasis on soft materials, natural landscapes, and adequate lighting creates an environment where 97% of visitors feel safe—compared to 85% in other Toronto public spaces. The Bigger Picture: As cities densify and solo living increases, we must recognize parks, squares, and public spaces as vital health infrastructure. The Bentway demonstrates how transforming underutilized urban infrastructure (in this case, space under an expressway) can address both physical and social health challenges simultaneously. For architects, urban planners, and public health professionals, this research provides a blueprint for designing spaces that don't just serve functional needs but actively combat isolation and foster community resilience. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gfA-DguQ How are you incorporating social connection into your design work? Let's discuss the intersection of public health and public space. #PublicHealth #UrbanDesign #SocialConnection #LonelinessAwareness #DesignForWellbeing

What if we designed cities for people, not just cars? Lancaster, CA, is proving it’s possible—in just 8 months, they transformed a five-lane road into The BLVD, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined street that has become a model for urban revitalization. What did the transformation look like? Before: A five-lane thoroughfare dominated by cars, with vacant storefronts and limited community engagement. After: A pedestrian-friendly boulevard with a central "rambla" inspired by Barcelona, fostering a thriving downtown with increased foot traffic and economic growth. What’s great is that this wasn’t just an environmental benefit, it was also economic. The $11.5 million initial investment attracted $130 million in private investment and is estimated to generate $273 million in economic output within 4 years. By encouraging people to park once and explore on foot, the redesign has boosted community engagement and safety. Lancaster’s approach reflects the New Urbanism movement, prioritizing walkable, people-centered downtowns over suburban sprawl. Having lived in the Bay Area for nearly 10 years, there’s so much I love about the area — the public transit, the weather, and the people. But I see so much room for improvement. Lancaster’s development is a testament to the future of what cities can look like if we invest in sustainable urban design. I’m a huge fan of mixed-use developments to boost local economies (and imagine living above a local grocery store—no more lugging bags for blocks!). By making sure all stakeholders are involved in the planning, we can integrate green spaces and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to create welcoming and useable public areas. Lancaster’s transformation proves that cities CAN be people-first, green, and economically booming. What would you change about your city? Drop your thoughts below! #UrbanRevival #CityDesign #SustainableCities #Placemaking #WalkableCities #UrbanPlanning #SmartGrowth

If we’re serious about fighting America’s loneliness epidemic (or improving our social fitness), the way we create new places needs to change. But we also need to think about renovating existing spaces — ideally, with public and private capital working together. Japan offers an inspired an example of how to do this (see further below). Whether it’s a single-family home, an apartment complex, or a community of townhomes and condos, upgrades in a community at all three “levels” can make a big difference in fighting loneliness. Those three levels are: ▶Level 1: Physical Dwelling Certain home renovations make it more likely that a resident can stay in a house longer. This applies to both young families and older adults, creating homes that are “age-friendly.” Those sorts of renovations include but are not limited to: easy-use levers, elevated electrical sockets, walk-in showers, improved lighting and a bedroom on the main floor. The ability to stay in a dwelling longer allows residents to live longer in a place they enjoy and that may provide strong social connections. The alternative — moving to a new place — often comes with a loneliness risk. ▶Level 2: Common Areas A well-designed building can foster connections among neighbors, particularly by creating places for people to interact intentionally or spontaneously. Lobbies with gathering spots, coffee stations, gyms, all-purpose rooms and more can be vital in facilitating social connection.  ▶Level 3: “Third Places” in the Neighborhood. Parks, libraries, community centers and restaurants near home can add significant quality of life for residents. They are places that facilitate social interaction and, if done right, they just make us comfortable. In Japan, both the government and popular household goods maker Muji are investing in “danchi” housing complexes with goals that match those described above. Danchi are large complexes built as affordable options after World War II, but many have fallen into disrepair and are losing residents. As a recent CityLab piece reports, (link: https://bit.ly/3v655zA), the public and private sector both see potential for reinvigorating neighborhoods by renovating danchi. The government has plans to relax laws to allow shops within danchi and is offering subsidies for local governments and businesses to build daycare centers or housing for older adults. On the private side, Muji’s parent company is “working to breathe new life into danchi [by] revamping outdated features like kitchens and traditional tatami flooring in its attempt to attract younger residents." Muji is also planning renovations in surrounding neighborhooods to address social isolation. It’s an interesting example to follow. In our country, if well-heeled capital — public and/or private — can influence all three levels, it could have a real impact on the plague of loneliness. And it could provide a strong value proposition for the investors, as well.

Jobs, investment, planning, marketing, and ambitious “silver bullet” projects are often touted as the keys to revitalizing struggling communities. Yet, they rarely address the underlying issues at the heart of the matter: low self-esteem, apathy, and civic dysfunction. These are the real challenges, and they require an entirely different set of tools. Once you acknowledge that these are the core problems, it’s easy to see why the usual approaches often fail. They aren’t designed to address the fundamental issue of a community that has lost belief in itself. A town has to reach a certain level of health—of pride and readiness—before it can successfully implement plans, attract jobs, or draw visitors. For most struggling places, this readiness simply doesn’t exist. Improving your community doesn’t require advanced degrees or fancy consultants. It starts with something very simple: look around, see what doesn’t look right, and fix it. This approach is as straightforward as improving yourself. Everyone knows how to get healthier: eat better, exercise more, go to bed earlier. The same principles apply to towns. Make small, consistent improvements every day, and the trajectory will change for the better. If you wish your town had more social connections, a prettier downtown, better shops and restaurants, or safer streets, chances are your neighbors feel the same way. These shared desires point to solutions that are both obvious and achievable. Create pride in place by improving conditions consistently. Clean up public spaces, maintain infrastructure, and beautify neglected areas. When people see progress, they begin to feel pride. Foster social connections by making it easier for people to meet and build relationships. Host events, create gathering spaces, and ensure your town feels welcoming. A connected community is a thriving community. Focus on growing local ownership in real estate and commerce. When people have a stake in their town, they care for it. Local ownership builds resilience and fosters long-term investment. These ideas are not revolutionary or controversial—they are common sense. They’re also not quick fixes. Improving a community takes time, effort, and a commitment to doing the work yourself. You can’t outsource pride, connection, or ownership. At the end of the day, the steps to improve a town are no mystery. Consistently make things better. Bring people together. Foster local ownership. These efforts, repeated over time, will combat apathy, build attachment, and create lasting change. There are no shortcuts. Improvement requires effort—every single day. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. A community cannot improve without the effort of its people. But once you accept this truth, you have all the answers you need to move forward. Start small. Fix what’s wrong. Build pride, connection, and ownership. And watch as your community begins to believe in itself again.

We love our neighborhoods, but the older we get the less likely we’ll be able to enjoy them . . . When it feels too complicated to get out and about, we may feel ‘stuck at home’ and become more sedentary and lonely . . . How might we retrofit built environments to accommodate aging populations?  We had a fascinating conversation at #CES2025 with Rodney Harrell, PhD, AARP and William Chernicoff, PhD Global Research and Innovation, Toyota North America on the call-to-action to develop comprehensive, inclusive, thoughtful urban design strategies that work for all ages: > Transform communities from ‘transit-centric’ to ‘human-centric’ > Connect discreet transit infrastructure components together and pay attention to the gaps and details e.g. train stations are not ‘usable’ if the stairs to get there are steep, rusty or not well-lit > Optimize more pathways for personal mobility and safety, e.g. dedicate lanes for micro-mobility, mini vehicles, tech-enabled wheelchairs and assistive devices, eScooters, etc. > Open up more green spaces to encourage people to gather together in nature, better for mental health and physical activity (on-demand autonomous vehicle networks free up paved parking lots) > Accommodate for intense Climate change: the ground is heating up and older adults are more affected by the heat so outdoor spaces, especially around retail and healthcare settings, need a ton more shade-covered walk paths, properly spaced seating for resting, etc. >>> and so so so much more . . . . Check out the AARP Livability Index (https://lnkd.in/eNQds9ki), type in your zip code to see how your community scores against 50 criteria (and then work with your elected officials and city planners to improve it!): Housing (affordability and access), Neighborhood (proximity and security), Transportation (safety and convenience), Environment (clean air and water), Health (prevention, access, and quality), Engagement (civic and social involvement), Opportunity (inclusion and possibilities) To experiment and model cities of the future, check out the NOGAS toolkit (https://nogas.mit.edu/), developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Norman B Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism and P-REXLab at MIT and Toyota Mobility Foundation which uses “unique scenario-based modeling workflow to generate optimized suburban land use patterns, mobility frameworks, and urban design for a future where autonomous vehicles are ubiquitous ” . . . It's inspiring and illuminating to see how decisions we make today will impact how we'll live 50 years from now . . . #agetech #agetechinnovation AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP

The concept of the 15-Minute City was popularized by Carlos Moreno, a Colombian-French urban planner, researcher, and professor at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Moreno developed this framework to reimagine urban living, creating cities that are more livable, sustainable, and community-focused. The 15-Minute City emphasizes access to essential services—work, education, healthcare, groceries, and recreation—within a short walk or bike ride from home. It’s a response to challenges like urban sprawl, climate change, and the declining quality of life in car-dependent cities. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo brought this idea to international attention by integrating it into her urban policies, transforming Paris into a walkable, bike-friendly, and sustainable city. As Americans move back into urban centers, this concept feels more relevant than ever. Essential services shouldn’t require a 20-minute drive. Large retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target are already recognizing this shift, investing in smaller, neighborhood-focused stores that prioritize pedestrians over parking. Across the U.S., smaller towns are revitalizing their downtowns to encourage walkability, bikeability, social engagement, and economic development. Patio dining is on the rise, and once-empty storefronts are being reimagined as thriving local businesses. These efforts show that even smaller communities can embrace the principles of the 15-Minute City to create vibrant, connected places. In order to keep the momentum going - Municipal government needs to eliminate redundant, restrictive zoning. Follow the lead of cities like Birmingham and Cincinnati and remove parking minimums to allow a higher density of housing (if you can walk everywhere, you don't need a car!) If we follow the lead of cities like Lyon, France and prioritize pedestrians streets will become a more vibrant and social place to hang out (and spend money!) The images below show how the 15 minute city is shaping Paris & Rue de la République, the high street in Lyon which was closed to vehicular traffic to become a commercial shopping district. #urbanism #architecture #design

In our modern urban landscapes, where concrete often dominates the scenery, a transformative trend is reshaping city planning: the greening of parking lots. This innovative approach isn't just about aesthetics; it attempts to address critical environmental and social issues inherent in urban environments. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 Urban centers struggle with air quality, urban heat islands, and biodiversity loss. Parking lots, typically vast expanses of asphalt, contribute significantly to these problems by absorbing and radiating heat, reducing permeable surfaces, and offering little environmental benefit. Introducing greenery into these areas can mitigate these issues effectively and sustainably. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 >> Temperature Control: Plants lower surface and air temperatures, combating the urban heat island effect. >> Cleaner Air: Green spaces absorb pollutants and CO2 while releasing oxygen, enhancing urban air quality. >> Water Management: Vegetation improves stormwater absorption, reducing runoff and lowering flood risks. >> Biodiversity: Plants provide habitats for urban wildlife, supporting ecological diversity. >> Mental and Aesthetic Benefits: Green spaces enhance mental well-being and make urban areas more visually appealing. >> Economic Upside: These areas can boost property values and attract businesses by improving the overall attractiveness of the environment. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫: >> Maintenance: Ongoing care for these green spaces can be costly and labor-intensive. >> Space Constraints: In densely packed cities, balancing green space with necessary parking can be challenging. >> Ecological Considerations: Choosing appropriate, non-invasive plant species is crucial to avoid damaging local ecosystems. 💭 What's your take on turning more urban spaces green? Could this be a new standard for city planning? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

How can designers create solutions that ripple through entire communities? Imagine a park bench. It’s a simple design, right? But what if that bench, originally intended to provide a place for rest, became part of a much larger system designed to promote healthy lifestyles in a city? Now, it’s not just a bench—it’s part of a network of walking paths, bike lanes, and shared green spaces that encourage social interaction and well-being. This shift in thinking is exactly what the Social Design Pathways matrix helps us achieve. Created by the Winterhouse Institute, the Social Design Pathways matrix pushes us to think beyond isolated solutions. It challenges designers to collaborate across disciplines, scale up their impact, and work with a wide range of stakeholders—from community members to city planners. For example, when a team of designers, landscape architects, and social workers come together, they’re not just designing a park—they’re helping to reimagine how a city supports the health and social needs of its residents. The beauty of this approach is that it encourages designers to step out of their comfort zones. The more diverse the collaboration, the bigger the potential for change. And these aren’t just theoretical ideas. According to the World Health Organization, cities that prioritize active transportation systems, such as bike lanes and pedestrian paths, report significant improvements in public health and reduced environmental impact. The ripple effect is real. By using tools like the Social Design Pathways matrix, designers can clarify their intentions, collaborate effectively, and ultimately create holistic solutions that address complex social challenges. It’s not just about designing objects—it’s about designing systems that foster long-term, sustainable change. What design project are you currently working on that could benefit from this kind of collaborative, big-picture thinking? #SocialDesign #CommunityImpact #SustainableDesign #DesignForChange #Collaboration

I've been thinking how Lockerbie neighborhood in Indianapolis is quietly a quasi- #Superblock, with quiet single-family homes and multifamily serviced by low-traffic access roads and shared alleys surrounded by heavy truck routes. And with a diversity of use (see second map). While most lots are still single-family (yellow), multi-family (orange), and office (blue) and commercial (red) are interspersed, creating a live-work environment that is extremely walkable, and livable within a gentle density scale. These are the neighborhoods we should be striving for. 1. small lot sizes that enable a diversity of housing, whether that be SFH or duplexes, etc. 2. by-right allowances for in-home commercial conversions. 3. allowances for apartments on any lot (remember the lots are small). The result doesn't eliminate any specific type of housing but permits it all. When folks tell you ending SFH zoning is bad, remind them that ending restrictions on what housing can be built only allows more freedom for landowners, not less. #urbanplanning #cnu #development

🌱Lessons From Europe: Designing Spaces That Work for People After visiting 29 countries, I’ve realized something powerful: Europe doesn’t just build cities—it designs for life. From Barcelona’s bustling plazas to Amsterdam’s bike-friendly streets, these spaces invite connection, not just commerce. They prioritize walkability, public transit, and human-scale design. Here’s what we can learn: 🥐Multi-Use Spaces: In Paris, a bakery, bookstore, and residential units can share one block. Mixed-use developments create vibrancy and convenience. 🚶♀️Pedestrian First: Many European cities limit car access in central areas. The result? Safer streets, cleaner air, and more room for people. 🍒Community Focus: Local markets and small plazas act as gathering spaces, fostering connection over consumption. In the U.S., we’re often car-centric and overly transactional in our design. But what if we leaned into people-first placemaking? Imagine neighborhoods designed for strolling, lingering, and belonging—not just driving, parking, and leaving. Traveling has taught me that great spaces are about connection. The question is: How do we bring that mindset to our communities? What’s one design element you wish your city would adopt? #humancentricdesign #citiesforpeople