How to build neighborhoods we actually like | Hard Reset by Freethink

The city is too packed. The suburbs are too isolated. How do we build neighborhoods we actually like?

If you live in a city, you’re probably packed in by tall buildings and infrastructure. If you live in a suburb, everything is pretty spread out, where sometimes, things can be difficult to get to. Either of these can leave people feeling isolated and void of something that feels cozy and communal.

Why does this matter? Well, the neighborhood you live in affects just about every aspect of your health and happiness.

According to architects, the perfect neighborhood combines the best of human civilization, culture, and creativity.

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Read more of our stories on neighborhoods:
Are urban villages the solution to sprawl?
Are ancient city grids still the best way to build?
“Agrihood” puts a farm in the center of Silicon Valley housing
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Watch our original series:

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About Freethink
No politics, no gossip, no cynics. At Freethink, we believe the daily news should inspire people to build a better world. While most media is fueled by toxic politics and negativity, we focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most ground breaking technology shaping our future.
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[freethink]

Do you like this approach to building neighborhoods?

[Healitnow]

This is not a bad idea. If every block or two was with an inner court where children could play safely while grand parents could sit and read it would be a great idea for all future building projects and for renos of past mistakes.

[tkfg]

Born in Romania, I had a childhood and neighborhood exactly as described here. I loved it.
Now living in Pasadena, CA, I only know 1 neighbor, but I've never had a meal with any of them. It feels very isolating.

[limbodog]

I've got a friend whose family owned a couple houses next to each other. They joined their back yards and made a gorgeous 'park' which is greater than the sum of its parts. Honestly, I wish more people could do that.

[GAIJINIJI]

I like how the dude is called David Sim. He is basically designing a real Sim City.

[gweegoop]

As a North American who has lived in both Copenhagen and Berlin, I can safely say that a thoughtful, mixed-use, multi-modal, approach to housing is objectively better for residents. It's so sad moving back and seeing endless rows of soulless suburbs.

[BLWard-htqw]

Love seeing people in neighborhoods creating their own spaces in response to a planning layout that ignores, by design, what most would probably prefer. I'm a fan of this type of content, so you've made a subscriber out of me. Thanks for the post.

[holleey]

7:00 wtf how does that CGI look so good

[Alepfi]

The community park the neighbours created in Oakland looks amazing.

[sundayvictor]

No one is talking about how nice the narrators voice is. Another wonderful video from freethink

[crowsight]

love how the oakland dudes had an idea and made something so amazing happen.

[dandandan]

I think a good experiment for urban planners is to just leave out empty patches of land/ space and allow the people to utilize and shape it in the ways they need and want it - and not design everything to have a predetermined purpose. It's a good alternative if planners cannot have a good involvement of the occupants while a place is still being planned out.

[gregorynuttall]

I LOVE this episode. I just purchased a single family home, but was partially sad that I wouldn't have some connection. I really like that project where the 4 neighbors created a common space in their backyards. I hope to have a similar experience.

[voldlifilm]

This reminds me of something the video game historian referenced in his tribute to the life of Satoru Iwata, it's an anecdote from the relationship between
Shigeru Miyamoto and Iwata wherein the lesson is that if you make something that people don't "get" then it is 100% your fault. I will add to that by saying that we must design better. Not to be admired by fellow designers, or to satisfy our own vanity but for the betterment of both those who will use our creations and those who will be exposed to them. The question must always be, how does this design facilitate the betterment of life for the people who will incorporate it into their lives. Boots on the ground, then pencil to plan.

[AustinMCraigDoesNeatStuff]

This is great. You guys should check out what Culdesac is doing in Arizona. Great startup, similar spirit and mission.

[b_uppy]

Why live in neighborhoods we dislike? Because we are told by government planners this is what we must do it.

[Alexandra_Wolf]

I have lived on the belt line in Atlanta and Austin. The happiest I have ever been in my life was living on a belt line with access to every restaurant, parks, bar, work, etc. no car needed. Just a bike. Tons of community events. Free movie nights and yoga and blues on the greens. Sadly the lowest rent reached 2, 000 dollars for a studio and now it’s become less and less realistic.

[CampingforCool]

People build places they don’t want to live in because the people building them (as in, funding the building of them) don’t live there.

[BalancedEarth]

I love that someone actually made a fusion backyard with their neighbors.

[badboydrd]

People need People. Here in America, we have ignored that and promoted isolation. Now, most of the country hates each other, and depression and suicide rates are as high as ever. And to make matters worse, Covid sped that idea of isolation up ever faster.