PLACEMAKING

HOW MIGHT WE DESIGN SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE PLACES THAT CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY?

Addressing the housing crisis means more than just providing a roof over someone’s head; it’s about building a place where people feel safe and have a sense of belonging. Without community, housing insecurity often exacerbates feelings of isolation. Findings from a study stated, “providing stable and safe housing is a foundational step in alleviating loneliness” (source). The overall well-being of an individual is interwoven with living in stable housing and having a sense of community. While there have been many efforts to provide physical housing, less thinking has gone into making housing that creates communities. For example, housing communities could incorporate social infrastructure such as libraries and gardens that contribute to social cohesion (source).

How can design help turn an underused space into a meaningful place for community?

Check out a more specific breakdown of the problem and example solutions below: