I would like to be in the public space research group to investigate the role public space has in people’s lives in Portland, and the ways public space has shaped and evolved in recent years. I believer public spaces can be designed in ways that improve human well-being. I grew up in Toronto, a city with accessible public parks, playgrounds, wading pools, and beaches. These spaces, both organically-created and human-designed, have and continue to play an instrumental role in my daily life. Public spaces give people opportunity to exercise and become healthier, to gain exposure to nature and reap the psychological rewards, and cultivate strong social ties that help build social capital.

The Hayden chapters made me think about the social history of place and the ways places evolve overtime according to the current cultural landscape. It made me think about the accessibility of public places and how public life studies are important to show who uses these spaces, and equally as important, who does not. It also made me want to learn more about the production of public spaces in Portland, especially concerning converting working land to places for people.

As an Environmental Studies-Economics major, I am very interested in creating systems to improve environmental sustainability. Creating cities for people is a powerful means for propelling society on a path towards sustainability. While studying abroad in Sweden last fall, I conducted a research project on bikeable cities for my Comparative Healthcare class. This research, along with my experiences traveling to other European cities, made me realize how public spaces and walking/biking facilities can improve people’s lives through a range of mechanisms. For example, bikeable cities increase exercise rates, improve people’s physical health, decrease congestion and air pollution (which in turn further enhances physical health), increase exposure to nature, and increases social interactions. As a result, the population receives physical and psychological benefits.

I am fascinated with Jan Gehl’s work and the study of public life. I am a strong believer that creating dynamic public spaces helps shift people’s consumption from material goods to experiences. Material goods provide a temporary increase in happiness, while experiences and human relationships fulfill the highest human needs for love, belonging, and sense of purpose. I am intrigued by the notion that we can design public spaces and leverage them to create a more sustainable consumption culture.