By Emma Wilson
36% of Americans reported feeling “serious loneliness” according to a study by Harvard Graduate School of Education.[1] American individualism and isolation are an epidemic which is corroding the well-being of society. [2] Growing homelessness, apathy to disasters, increased cynicism, and political frustration are hallmarks of American socio-political life today.[3] Unfortunately, this reality of American life was prophesied in the early 1800s by Alexis de Tocquveille, who after seeing the insurgence of individualism and entrepreneurship in American culture was concerned, “America…would descend into a morass of avarice, self-interest and envy.”[4] America has prioritized personal interest and individual achievement over the common good for too long and we are now on the brink of economic depression, ecological collapse, and political polarization.
One tangible example contributing to the rise of individualism in America is the decline of third places. Americans have previously enjoyed third places from colonial inns to the saloons of westward expansion.[5] Third places are defined as public infrastructure and institutions outside of the home (first place) and workplace (second place) that foster community building and support.[6] This social support generated in third places can be incredibly beneficial to health and wellbeing. The physical consequences of poor connection can increase the risk of premature death “to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” according to the Surgeon General.[7]
Fortunately, urban planning and zoning regulations can play a role in fostering social connections. Neighborhoods provide the built environment for social interaction. The proximity of neighborhoods to resources can frame lifestyles and provide a landscape for levels of social support.[8] Zoning is an important tool which can be used to facilitate inclusion, protect public spaces, and encourage mixed-use developments. Promoting design that has greater walkability and walkable access to resources can improve social and health outcomes as it incorporates physical exercise and social interaction into commutes.[9] Allowing people to easily walk to their third place will help improve communities.
This can be achieved through several policies. First, limiting single-family residential-zones in cities can allow businesses to intermix with residential areas providing ample proximity to services like coffee shops, barber shops, and grocery stores.[10] For example, the city of Minneapolis recently approved a comprehensive plan that prohibits single-family residential zones in the city.[11] Second, adopting zoning policies that encourage greenspaces and parks creates third places. For example, regular social interaction by park users can form the building blocks for community ties and help foster a sense of belonging. One example of creating greenspace in communities is the High Line in New York City.[12] This greenway was built on former railroad lines and has been converted to accommodate recreational activities. This greenway serves as a link between different neighborhoods and resources in the city.[13]
Incorporating regulations into local government zoning which require parts of new developments to be designated as zoning or requiring mixed-use developments to incorporate greenspace can help enhance community living. In order to be more effective zoning regulations can incorporate tax breaks or density bonuses for developers.[14]
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[1] Richard Weissbourd, et al., Loneliness in America, Making Caring Common 1,3 (2021), https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/reports/loneliness-in-america.
[2] Claire Andre and Mannuel Velasquez, Creating the Good Society, Markkula Ctr. for Applied Ethics, (Nov. 13, 2015), https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/creating-the-good-society/.
[3] Claire Andre and Mannuel Velasquez, Creating the Good Society, Markkula Ctr. for Applied Ethics, (Nov. 13, 2015), https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/creating-the-good-society/.
[4] Richard Weissbourd and Chris Murphy, We Have Put Individualism Ahead of the Common Good for Too Long, TIME (Apr. 11, 2023), https://time.com/6269091/individualism-ahead-of-the-common-good-for-too-long/
[5] Ray Oldenburg, Our Vanishing Third Places, 25 Plan. Comm’r. J. 6, 6 (1996) (discussing the importance of “third places”).
[6] Jessica Finlay, et al., Closure of ‘Third Places’? Exploring Potential Consequences for Collective Health and Wellbeing, Health Place, Nov. 2019, at 2.
[7] Juanna Summers et. al., America has a Loneliness Epidemic. Here are 6 Steps to Address it, NPR (May 2, 2023), https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173418268/loneliness-connection-mental-health-dementia-surgeon-general.
[8] Jessica Finlay, et al., Closure of ‘Third Places’? Exploring Potential Consequences for Collective Health and Wellbeing, Health Place, Nov. 2019, at 2.
[9]Ray Oldenburg, Our Vanishing Third Places, 25 Plan. Comm’r. J. 6, 10 (1996) (discussing the importance of “third places”).
[10] See Generally, Christopher Serkin, A Case for Zoning, Notre Dame L. Rev. 749, 753 (2020) (discussing the benefits of effective zoning).
[11] Christopher Serkin, A Case for Zoning, Notre Dame L. Rev. 749, 751 (2020) (discussing the benefits of effective zoning).
[12] Tom Lawson, Rewilding: How Cities Are Prioritizing Green Space for Better Well-Being, (https://www.bluezones.com/2021/03/rewilding-how-cities-are-prioritizing-green-space-for-better-well-being.
[13] Yang Song et.al., Why do we Love the High Line? A Case Study of Understanding Long-term User Experience of Urban Greenways, 3 Computational Urb. Sci. (Apr. 27, 2023), https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43762-023-00093-y.
[14] Jessica Finlay, et al., Closure of ‘Third Places’? Exploring Potential Consequences for Collective Health and Wellbeing, Health Place, Nov. 2019, at 2.