Speaker
Description
Loneliness is a global urban epidemic. The physical and psychological toll of loneliness is exasperated by the lack of people-centered urban environments and the lack of pedestrian infrastructure (Boyce, 2010; Reed & Bohr, 2020; Srinivasan et al., 2003). As an issue deeply connected to social and environmental justice concerns, this research positions itself towards community empowerment and cohesion. While existing research has demonstrated the importance of pedestrian spaces, there remains a gap in understanding how these spaces can directly mitigate loneliness. This study aims to address that gap by focusing on how pedestrianized spaces, such as Barcelona's Green Axes, facilitate social interactions and promote well-being.
Urgent attention is needed to investigate the transformative role urban planning plays in remedying the loneliness epidemic. Multiple studies have highlighted the vital role of brief, happenchance, social interactions have to overall wellbeing and decreased feelings of loneliness (Epley & Schroeder, 2014; Gardner et al., 2000; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). While it may not be possible to design for friendships, planning can take an active role fostering positive human interactions. This study enhances our understanding of urban transformations on social dynamics and contributes to the broader discourse on people-centered urban planning. The research findings underscore the role of street pedestrianization in reshaping the dynamics between inhabitants, the physical urban landscape, and the role of public space in combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Several recent studies have used Barcelona’s Superblocks in the study of social interactions. Speranza (2018) employed mobile GIS data and parametric software to assess how effectively urban spaces in Barcelona encourage social engagement. O'Connell et al. (2022) documented the impact of outdoor terraces and cafes in enhancing social interactions. Amati et al. (2023) highlights the role of Superblocks as sites for children's play and socialization.
I employ a mixed methods approach focused on identifying, tracking, analyzing social interactions and chance encounters along Barcelona’s Green Axes of Carrer Consell de Cent. This recently pedestrianized street was automobile-oriented until 2023 when it underwent a transformation to prioritize walking, cycling, and social engagement. This study offers a reinterpretation of William Whyte’s (1980) seminal work, The Social Life of Small Public Spaces, by adopting an analytic autoethnographic approach and phenomenological lens focused on unobtrusive observation and reflective self-study. This approach recognizes the importance of lived, embodied experience as a source of knowledge.
Observations take place at three diverse sites along Carrer Consul de Cents, representing a variety of urban contexts within the Green Axes. Each site is observed for three weeks, with two-hour observation sessions conducted at varying times of the day to capture different patterns of activity. Field notes and self-reflective journals will be analyzed thematically to uncover recurring patterns and meanings in the experience to illuminate the relationship between specific public space features that either facilitate or hinder social interactions and contribute to alleviating loneliness.
Research questions include:
• How do people use pedestrianized streets as spaces for social interaction?
• What urban features increase instances of happenchance social interactions?
• Do some features of newly pedestrianized streets foster or repel social interactions?
• What design and policy choices can mitigate social isolation?
Through critical exploration of how pedestrianized spaces can serve as catalysts for social interaction, this research bridges the gap between theoretical urban planning principles, novel methodologies, and real-world applications. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, designers, and urban planners on creating people-centered public spaces. This study contributes to the global conversation on the intersection of public space design, social well-being, and resilience, advocating for urban transformations that prioritize community and connections.
References
Anderson, L. (2006) ‘Analytic autoethnography’, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 35(4), pp. 373–395. doi:10.1177/0891241605280449.
Whyte, W.H. (1980) The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Project for Public Spaces.
| Keywords | Loneliness; Pedestrianization; Social interaction; Barcelona Green Axes; Isolation; |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
