Landscape Architects Combat Loneliness Through Civic Space Design
Community leaders and health experts across the United States are proactively combating loneliness and social isolation by reimagining public spaces to promote interaction. A recent 2023 study by the U.S. surgeon general highlights that loneliness represents a greater health risk than smoking or obesity, exacerbated by technology and socioeconomic disparities. Collaborative efforts between landscape architects and local governments are underway to develop parks as communal hubs, supported by the Knight and Kresge foundations in cities such as Akron, Lexington, Macon, and San Jose. Additionally, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has introduced a "Winter Cities Toolkit" in Buffalo, Eau Claire, and Leadville to enhance outdoor engagement.
Key facts
- The U.S. surgeon general's 2023 advisory declared loneliness more harmful than smoking or obesity for premature death.
- Landscape architects are collaborating with local leaders to design public spaces that reduce isolation.
- The Knight and Kresge foundations fund public space projects in Akron, Lexington, Macon, and San Jose.
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported a "Winter Cities Toolkit" for Buffalo, Eau Claire, and Leadville.
- The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo created a real-time map of open park routes.
- DAVID RUBIN Land Collective designed the Commonground at Eskenazi Health Hospital in Indianapolis.
- Rubin advocates for a park within a 10-minute walk for all residents.
- Frederick Law Olmsted created Central Park in New York in the 1850s for public health benefits.
Entities
Artists
- David A. Rubin
- Frederick Law Olmsted
Institutions
- U.S. surgeon general
- Knight Foundation
- Kresge Foundation
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo
- DAVID RUBIN Land Collective
- Eskenazi Health Hospital
- Central Park
Locations
- Akron
- Ohio
- Lexington
- Kentucky
- Macon
- Georgia
- San Jose
- California
- Buffalo
- New York
- Eau Claire
- Wisconsin
- Leadville
- Colorado
- Allentown
- Pennsylvania
- Indianapolis
- Seattle
- Memphis
- Tennessee
- Raleigh
- North Carolina
- United States