Palaces for the People

1. Social infrastructure is the physical foundation for community resilience.

When social infrastructure is robust, it fosters contact, mutual support, and collaboration among friends and neighbors; when degraded, it inhibits social activity, leaving families and individuals to fend for themselves.

Beyond social capital. Social infrastructure is not just about individual relationships ("social capital"), but the physical places and organizations that enable those relationships to form and thrive. These include parks, libraries, schools, sidewalks, community gardens, and local businesses like diners and barbershops.

Lessons from disaster. The 1995 Chicago heat wave starkly revealed the importance of social infrastructure. In demographically similar poor, violent neighborhoods, those with robust social infrastructure (busy streets, active organizations, well-used public spaces) had significantly lower death rates than those with degraded infrastructure (empty lots, abandoned buildings, shuttered businesses). Neighbors in connected places could easily check on one another.

Crucial for everyone. While especially vital for vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with limited mobility, social infrastructure benefits everyone by providing settings for casual interaction and mutual support. It's the underlying physical condition that determines whether social connections can develop and function effectively, both daily and during crises.

2. Libraries are essential, open social spaces fostering diverse connections.

Everyone is welcome at the library, regardless of whether they’re a citizen, a permanent resident, or even a convicted felon.

More than just books. Libraries serve as critical social infrastructure by offering free, open access to cultural materials, technology, and programming for people of all ages and backgrounds. They are places where diverse groups, from new parents and toddlers to teenagers and the elderly, can gather, learn, and interact.

Combating isolation. For older adults living alone, libraries provide vital companionship through programs like book clubs, classes, and social activities, offering a less stigmatized space than senior centers. For new parents, they offer a supportive "mommy tribe" where they can share struggles and build friendships.

Undervalued public good. Despite high public esteem and increasing usage, libraries are often underfunded and face closures, viewed as luxuries rather than necessities. This overlooks their crucial role in fostering social cohesion, providing safe spaces, and supporting learning across generations, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

3. The design of physical places profoundly impacts safety and crime.

With social variables constant in the two developments, the underlying reasons “that enabled one to survive while the other was destroyed” had to involve “physical differences,” not the characteristics of the residents.

Beyond individual behavior. Crime is not solely determined by the characteristics of individuals, but also by the environmental circumstances and physical design of places. The comparison between the dangerous Pruitt-Igoe high-rises and the safer Carr Square Village row houses, despite similar populations, highlighted the impact of design on residents' ability to control shared spaces.

Place-based solutions. Research shows that improving the physical environment can significantly reduce crime.

• Remediating abandoned buildings and vacant lots (clearing debris, adding green space, securing structures) has been shown to dramatically reduce gun violence and other crimes in surrounding areas.
• These interventions are often inexpensive, scalable, and provide sustained benefits, unlike many people-focused crime prevention programs.

Design for exclusion. Not all design promotes safety for everyone. Gated communities, while potentially reducing crime within their walls, deepen social divisions and exclude others, sometimes reinforcing existing inequalities based on race or class.

4. Educational institutions are vital social infrastructures for learning and civic life.

Schools are our modern agoras, gathering places where we make and remake ourselves and develop a sense of where we belong.

More than classrooms. From childcare centers to universities, educational institutions are crucial social spaces that shape communities and instill civic values. Their physical design and programming influence how people interact, fostering or inhibiting trust and solidarity.

Impact of scale. Smaller schools, particularly in urban areas, have demonstrated significant improvements in student outcomes, attendance, and safety. By creating more intimate environments, they allow students, teachers, and parents to build stronger relationships and collectively address issues.

Campus as community. University campuses, historically designed to foster intellectual and social exchange, continue to shape students' social networks and civic skills. While some campus social infrastructure, like exclusive fraternities, can be divisive, others, like libraries, dining halls, and public spaces, promote interaction across diverse groups.

5. Robust social bonds are critical for public health and well-being.

Social isolation and loneliness can be as dangerous as more publicized health hazards, including obesity and smoking.

Beyond medical care. Public health is deeply intertwined with social connections and the quality of the built environment. Strong social networks and access to supportive places can mitigate health risks and aid recovery from crises.

Addressing despair. The opioid crisis and rising "deaths of despair" (from drugs, alcohol, suicide) are linked to the loss of social cohesion and traditional community structures. Studies show communities with stronger social capital are more resilient to the opioid epidemic.

Infrastructure for health:

• Safe injection sites (like those in Switzerland and Canada) provide social infrastructure for addicts, reducing overdose deaths and facilitating access to treatment by creating safe spaces for interaction with counselors.
• Urban farms and community gardens provide access to healthy food in "food deserts" and create peaceful places for people to gather, reducing stress and fostering social connections.

6. Shared physical spaces are key to bridging social and political divisions.

Contact and conversation remind us of our common humanity, particularly when they happen recurrently, and when they involve shared passions and interests.

Counteracting polarization. In increasingly fragmented societies, physical places that bring diverse people together are essential for building "bridging social capital" – connections across different groups. These interactions challenge stereotypes and foster mutual understanding.

Historical examples:

• Industrial workplaces and unions in places like South Chicago historically brought together workers of different ethnicities, fostering solidarity despite broader segregation.
• Public pools, while historically sites of conflict and segregation, also demonstrated the potential for intimate interaction across group lines when access was integrated.

Contemporary common ground. Athletic fields, from local pickup games to organized leagues, serve as powerful social infrastructure for mixing people from different backgrounds through shared activity and passion. Community organizations and civic associations also provide crucial physical spaces for diverse neighbors to collaborate on local issues.

7. Climate resilience depends on strong social infrastructure, not just hard defenses.

Social infrastructure is always critical during and after disasters, but it’s in these moments that it can truly mean the difference between life and death.

Beyond engineering. While hard infrastructure like seawalls and drainage systems is necessary for climate adaptation, it is insufficient on its own. Social infrastructure plays a vital role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Community as first responder. During hurricanes like Harvey and Sandy, churches, community centers, and even local businesses transformed into relief hubs, providing essential supplies, shelter, and emotional support. Existing social networks facilitated rescue efforts and mutual aid when formal systems were overwhelmed.

Blending hard and soft. Innovative projects are integrating climate security with social infrastructure:

• Singapore's Marina Barrage and Rotterdam's Water Square are flood protection systems that double as public parks and recreational spaces.
• New York City's Rebuild by Design projects propose protective barriers that also function as parklands and community gathering spaces, fostering connections that enhance resilience.

8. Digital connections cannot replace the value of face-to-face interaction.

As meaningful as the friendships we establish online can be, most of us are unsatisfied with virtual ties that never develop into face-to-face relationships.

Limits of online community. While the internet and social media can facilitate connections and provide support, they often fail to replicate the depth, trust, and accountability built through recurrent face-to-face interaction in shared physical spaces. Online discourse can also exacerbate polarization and anonymity can enable harmful behavior.

Physical presence matters. Real connections require a shared physical environment. The experience of navigating public spaces, encountering strangers, and engaging in shared activities builds crucial social skills and a sense of belonging that digital platforms cannot fully provide.

Tech's double-edged sword. While some online tools can help people find others with shared interests or bridge geographical distance, the design of many platforms prioritizes keeping users online, potentially displacing time spent in physical communities. The rise of private, exclusive corporate campuses also highlights a preference for physical social infrastructure, but only for a select few.

9. Investing in public social infrastructure is crucial for a healthy democracy.

Libraries are the kinds of places where ordinary people with different backgrounds, passions, and interests can take part in a living democratic culture.

Bedrocks of civil society. Public institutions like libraries, parks, and community centers are essential for fostering civic engagement and a shared sense of common good. They provide accessible spaces for learning, discussion, and collective action, regardless of wealth or status.

Historical precedent. Philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie understood the power of public social infrastructure, funding thousands of libraries to provide free access to knowledge and opportunity for all. This contrasts with some modern tech philanthropy that focuses on private ventures or exclusive spaces.

Underfunded and undervalued. Despite their vital role, public social infrastructures often face budget cuts and neglect. This disinvestment weakens the foundations of civil society, making it harder for communities to address shared problems and for individuals to connect across divides.

10. Intentional design of shared spaces can build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Before we lift the next shovel, we should know what we want to improve, what we need to protect, and, more important, what kind of society we want to create.

Design shapes interaction. The way we plan and build our cities and neighborhoods has a profound impact on social life. Designing spaces that are open, accessible, and encourage interaction can foster trust and understanding among diverse groups.

Transforming existing spaces. Even seemingly divisive or utilitarian structures can be reimagined as social infrastructure. Proposals to transform police stations into community centers or integrate public amenities into climate defense systems demonstrate the potential to build inclusivity into the built environment.

A democratic imperative. Investing in social infrastructure is not just about physical amenities; it's about intentionally building the kind of society we want to live in – one that is more connected, resilient, equitable, and democratic. This requires a public conversation that prioritizes human needs and social well-being alongside economic growth and physical security.

Last updated: June 11, 2025