How Cities Can Make Space for Awe
4/9/202624 min
A simple experiment turning a parking space into a parklet reveals how small changes to public spaces can spark connection, belonging, and awe.
Summary: What if even the smallest changes to our cities could transform how we feel and connect? In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we visit the site of San Francisco’s first parklet, and explore how reclaiming everyday spaces can invite people to pause, gather, and experience a sense of belonging.
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Today’s Guests:
BLAINE MERKER is an urban...
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First 90 secondsDacher Keltner· Host0:00
This episode is supported by the Gambrell Foundation, who believe a great life grows from strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and moments of awe and wonder. Learn more about their work at gambrellfoundation.org.
Blaine Merker· Guest0:14
[instrumental music] I grew up in a small city called Bend in Oregon. It was an old logging town, twenty thousand people, kinda knew everybody. And then when I was nine years old, my family moved to Amsterdam 'cause my dad got a job as a aircraft engineer. So I lived in Amsterdam, and then we moved to Zurich, and those were cities that had great public transportation systems. And as a young teenager, I had a transit pass in my pocket and, you know, a little bit of money, and I could go anywhere I wanted. So, you know, what I noticed was just kind of this infinite invitation to make stops if you wanted, to just kinda loiter around and sit around on a park bench if you wanted. The streets allowed you to make choices. There wasn't just one way to do things. There was a million ways to do things. And then we moved back to Oregon, and I looked around at everything in the United States and thought, "Why can't we have more of that?"
Dacher Keltner· Host1:21
[instrumental music] This is The Science of Happiness. I'm Dacher Keltner. Welcome to the first episode