Why unless we change our approach to the public realm, the "Metaverse" could become the only connection to the world many will be left with.
Today's photo shows what, on paper, would be considered a poorly lit alley. One of people blame for the lack of safety in any city However, looking at this well-maintained, traffic free cobblestone shortcut, I'm not convinced most people would find it intimidating.
Why? Because it is in one of London's wealthiest boroughs and the locals feel they belong and are empowered to hold their Council to account should they fail to maintain it.
Where I grew up the upkeep and maintenance of the public realm (by the council) was a given, something everyone understood to be of value. However, when I came to London and worked in urban scale projects, specially but not only, in less wealthy boroughs, I experienced what I can only describe as cultural shock on regular basis.
Why? because most of the work by those who were meant to be representing the long term interests of the local community was aimed at creating environments which provided minimum opportunity for human interaction. Congregation, as an example, was a dirty word. In some areas the expectations were lowered to such level that developers were regularly pushed back when they (or their team) dared to propose anything remotely aspirational in the land surrounding the site.
The past two years have highlighted, beyond any doubt, the challenges faced by local authorities due to a lack of funding but also the role that sterile environments are playing on individual & community displace As global urban populations grow ( due to climate change among other things) this could become a dangerous approach for our collective mental health.
The danger of human isolation is very real and the Metaverse could easily turn into the one window to the world.
Hence, in my opinion, we need to find a better approach and demand more for existing and new communities.
Who? All of us
How? Using our position to (literally) build a better world
Why? Because
Thoughts?
