Sidewalk Quote by Bella DePaulo
““Writing often in the pages of the New York Times, Allison Arieff is a powerful spokesperson. “Bring back the sidewalk!” she urged in one of her articles, explaining: “Community is born from social routine—running into neighbors at the mailbox or while walking down the street. Design for these serendipitous encounters.”8””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2023
Community thrives on everyday interactions; designing spaces that encourage chance encounters strengthens social bonds.
In simple terms: Design places for people to meet casually.
Key Takeaway
Foster serendipity.
Themes
community
design
social interaction
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
inspirational
practical
When to use this quote
- neighborhoods
- city parks
- shared courtyards
- local events
Key Concepts
urban planning
psychology
public spaces
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you integrate spontaneous meetings into existing designs?
- What small changes could spark more neighborly contact?
A Different Perspective
People may resist changes to familiar layouts.
