99% Invisible Palaces for the People
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Mar 19, 2019 Eric Kleinenberg, a sociology professor at NYU and author of "Palaces for the People," discusses the invisible yet essential fabric of social infrastructure. He emphasizes the importance of communal spaces like libraries and parks in fostering connections and combatting isolation. Kleinenberg highlights how these hubs provide crucial support during crises and enhance public health. He also critiques contemporary approaches to community building by tech giants, advocating for deeper public commitment to enriching social resources.
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Social Infrastructure Importance
- Shared spaces, or social infrastructure, are crucial for community health.
- These spaces foster connections and mitigate societal challenges like isolation and polarization.
Chicago Heatwave
- During the 1995 Chicago heatwave, neighborhoods with robust social infrastructure fared better.
- Residents knew each other and could offer help, unlike in areas with depleted infrastructure.
Resilience Centers vs. Libraries
- Eric Klinenberg's emphasis on social infrastructure during Superstorm Sandy led a design team to propose "resilience centers".
- These centers mirrored libraries, highlighting how these existing institutions are overlooked.
