More Human Places - Andre Vasquez

Livable City

In the midst of the unpredictability that has come with the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one thing has become quite true: many of the world’s cities desperately need more space.

What kind of space are we talking about? Not necessarily private space, like a backyard, but a repurposing of existing public space away from only movement through a place and into being in place, safely outdoors. We have a serious deficit of quality, inspiring, safe public space and this has become a huge liability to the health and wellbeing of city residents.

When common private spaces are all closed and you don’t have a park you can easily walk to, where do you go to read a book, get some sun, talk to a friend?

My guest Andre Vasquez, alderman (councilor in other cities) of the 40th ward in Chicago, speaks with me and special guest host Anni Metz about this topic. The 40th ward has a project proposal to convert part of Catalpa street into a pedestrian space, beginning to heal the void left by two big box store car parking lots on either side.

This is the kind of space cities around the world need to create a vision of - bringing enjoyable, safe public space easily walked to for all neighborhoods. Our very lives may depend on these spaces coming into existence immediately.

Follow Andre on Twitter and his alderman-specific Twitter handle

Follow Anni on Twitter and subscribe to her podcast: House Warming Podcast

Brought to you by SquadCast and post-production by Creekmore Music.