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In the midst of the unpredictability that has come with the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one thing has become quite true: many of the world\\u2019s cities desperately need more space.
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What kind of space are we talking about? Not necessarily private space, like a backyard, but a repurposing of existing public space away from only movement through a place and into being in place, safely outdoors. We have a serious deficit of quality, inspiring, safe public space and this has become a huge liability to the health and wellbeing of city residents.
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When common private spaces are all closed and you don\\u2019t have a park you can easily walk to, where do you go to read a book, get some sun, talk to a friend?
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My guest Andre Vasquez, alderman (councilor in other cities) of the 40th ward in Chicago, speaks with me and special guest host Anni Metz about this topic. The 40th ward has a project proposal to convert part of Catalpa street into a pedestrian space, beginning to heal the void left by two big box store car parking lots on either side.
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This is the kind of space cities around the world need to create a vision of - bringing enjoyable, safe public space easily walked to for all neighborhoods. Our very lives may depend on these spaces coming into existence immediately.
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Follow Andre on Twitter and his alderman-specific Twitter handle
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Follow Anni on Twitter and subscribe to her podcast: House Warming Podcast
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