In this episode, I speak with community leaders, and all-around good neighbors, Judy Sullivan and Meg Moschetto of the Cochrane Heights Neighborhood Association in Dallas, Texas. They recently transformed an ‘eyesore’ alley into a place of connection, expanding their neighborhood, increasing safety, and paving the way for a butterfly garden, kids playing and many more dog walks with neighbors. Their journey and the beautiful results were first captured by the Dallas Morning News, and serve as an example to us all for how small community-led changes can have a big impact.

In Episode 9 of the Shared Space podcast, Patricia Gruits of MASS design and I explore synergies between designing for COVID-19 and designing for social connection with a special focus on senior living. Understanding the toxic impacts of loneliness and social isolation, designers are looking to help people safety connect. We explore how to design for joy, hope, and connection rather than fear. Not ignoring the dangers, but rather finding the synergies in these.

We understand the deleterious effects of loneliness and social isolation, and this podcast will lean into those, while also exploring how physical spaces can make us feel more connected and less lonely. We share research-informed guidelines on how to use space to foster connection, social health and well-being. And we will be sharing examples of spaces and strategies that work!