Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life

“Palaces for the People” is about how public places can shape neighborhoods so that people become better connected. And these connections, in turn, make neighborhoods safer, healthier, more prosperous and more resilient.

The “big ideas” for Urban Atlanta:

• We should include social infrastructure in the hard infrastructure we build.
• In doing so, let’s keep in mind that social infrastructure requires more than design; it needs events and activities that bring people together.
• The opportunities do not end with big projects. The greatest gains may come at the neighborhood level, with small parks, playgrounds and community gardens.
• Nor do the opportunities end with new infrastructure. With the right events and activities, we can use existing assets for creating connections