There is no reason why we must accept the withering of social ties even as the world around us evolves. People have never abandoned their desire for convivial places to mingle with others. And over recent decades, a movement has emerged around the world to preserve and create the social spaces that play such a big role in fostering happiness. - Jay Walljasper
Politics is impossible to stay away from when there’s so much passion and anger involved and when so many people are dismayed, distressed, scared, and angry about everything going on in the world right now. But being immersed in divisive politics is no way to live, nor can we tolerate the amount of negativity it fosters for long. It is toxic and harmful to our wellbeing as well as that of our communities.
Places where people can come together in real life are essential to being able to reconnect with each other and heal our divides. Too many people live isolated from others, and too much discourse happens only in the limited, one-dimensional world of the Internet, where everything lacks nuance and is pushed to one extreme or the other for clicks.
Especially now, we are seeing people in positions of power actively trying to divide us and pit us against each other to gain an upper hand in their pursuits of status and influence. While this may benefit their agenda, there is no future for a country split down the middle that perceives its neighbors as enemies. All of us are just human beings trying to be happy and healthy and live our lives in the best way that we can. When we realize this and connect over our similarities rather than fight over our differences, we become a thriving and unified people.
What we need are places in the real world where we can naturally come together and disconnect from the eternal background noise of political discourse and the divisive rhetoric that plays across our screens. We need places where people can focus on just being in the moment in a pleasant setting, having fun with family and friends, relaxing, people watching, and enjoying life. Such places are important to harmony in communities and peaceful coexistence among different types of people.
As our Ethan Kent wrote last year in a post on political discourse and the power of connection at the local level:
"Despite the divisive media noise at the national level, at the local level is where our needs are most met, where our contributions most matter, and where divides most melt. Across the political landscape, when our communities are anchored by shared spaces defined by shared values – from our schools to our sidewalks – our divides become smaller and our capacity to meet our needs greater."
How Can Public Places Heal Divides?
How — you might be wondering – can a physical place like a square or a public park solve political divisions or ideological conflicts? What power does a bench or café hold to change people's deep-seated values and beliefs?
The change happens without us realizing it or having to actively work on it. Because in such places we cross paths with strangers, meet people who are very different from us, and relate to others on a human level. When we share space with others we observe them and see that no matter what a person's culture, age, religious beliefs, gender, or background is, everyone enjoys an ice cream on a bench and a day out with their family. Shared moments and simple pleasures help us see the humanity in others and make us feel like part of the same community rather than as players on opposing teams.
Even the physical infrastructure itself can bring us closer by bringing us physically close. Sharing a bench with someone can lead to asking them for the time or for directions which can start a conversation. Playing a chess game with a stranger leads to opportunities for new connections and potentially even friendships. Team games like foosball or bocce ball call out to people of every age and background to join in, putting them on the same team both literally and figuratively. Sharing spaces and amenities brings us into each other's lives in a way that few other things can.
The beauty of public places is that they are for everyone. Not just for team blue or team red, not just for the young or the old, not just for locals or visitors. They are places that everyone can benefit from and enjoy in peaceful coexistence with their fellow humans. Because of this, they are powerful platforms for the development of compassion, connection, and community.
The Power of Joy
What's more, public places offer a platform for everyone to showcase their talents and skills, connecting people through joy and entertainment. Parks often host concerts, talent shows, group classes, and all kinds of other events where community members can share their gifts for the purpose of delighting others. Squares often host markets where local chefs and artisans can share their incredible creations and people can experience a variety of new foods and cultures.
Fred Kent
This kind of public place programming fosters an appreciation for the value that each unique person brings to the broader community. With less diversity of people there would be less diversity of experiences, to the detriment of all. It is the things that make us different that make life interesting, exciting, and fun. Public spaces remind us of that.
A brighter future awaits us all if we can distance ourselves from the hostile and divisive nature of our current political landscape. Through Placemaking, we can create natural, easy, organic ways for people to be in each other's presence and remind them that life is defined by genuine moments and real-life interactions and relationships, not by labels, online groups, and angry rhetoric.
Polarizing negativity draws us in by playing to our baser "us-vs-them" instincts, but it doesn’t help us. It hurts, divides, and weakens us. What truly helps us is love, empathy, and connection. We need to create opportunities for positivity and harmony to spread, and when it does, it can counteract the toxic negativity that our divisive political landscape has been spreading, which will unite us across our differences. The path to a brighter future is paved by humanity and connection, in big and small ways, out in the real world.
Public spaces that actively include people are an antidote to politics that exclude people. Urbanism that loves diversity best fights fascism that fears difference. – Ethan Kent
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