Community

While I have a number of reasons for shifting development from suburban to urban, one large factor can be summed up with the word "community". I see this word thrown around a lot when it comes to development, among other places, but what is it really, and why does it matter?

Webster's defines community as "an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location". The key words here are "interacting", "various", and "common". "Interacting" is clear. "Various", in my view, can indicate some level or form of diversity, meaning people who are not all alike. "Common" is probably open to a lot of interpretation, but I apply it in the sense that we need common areas to gather and dwell. That's the "what" of community.

So, why does this matter? Mental health. Here's an analogy: In prison, inmates are punished for extreme poor behavior by being placed in solitary confinement. Why? Because it's so extremely harsh to be cut off from other people. Here in suburbia, we have a tendency to isolate ourselves to some degree. Like I wrote earlier, people get into their car before the garage is open, drive in their bubble to work, maybe interact with someone there, get back in their bubble, drive home, and close the garage before getting out of the car. Many don't even know their neighbors. Folks, this is not healthy.

Let's contrast this with urban-style living: While walking to the bus, train, or subway, you are with others from your neighborhood. You may stop in at the corner cafe and talk to some regulars. You ride the bus, train, or subway with lots of other people. You may even greet a neighbor in the lobby of your building or while getting the mail. On weekends, you may have a public market or concert in the park that you walk to.

Clearly, it's important to get out of our bubbles and isolation and live in community with others.