Our Loneliness Epidemic is Infrastructuralized

The infrastructure in the US is one of the main culprits for our loneliness. In this video we deep-dive into why that is and how it has come to be this way. So, what can we do to fix this?
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More information on sources mentioned in the video:
Optico Design| opticosdesign....
Harvard Loneliness Study| mcc.gse.harvar...
Danish Loneliness Website| ventilen.dk/om...
What's your cities Walk Score? Find out here: www.walkscore....
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Follow me on:
Instagram | / rleo15
Tik Tok | / rachel.leonardo

[@scottfrazer4669]

Let's not forget also that cars seem to make us meaner. My father would routinely yell at other drivers on the road, calling them incompetent assholes because they weren't going over the speed limit. This kind of behavior has been unfortunately normalized. We've seen it in movies and TV and we've all probably experienced this ourselves when somebody doesn't immediately hit the gas when the light turns green. However, since I switched to biking as my primary mode of transportation, these things don't bother me as much because I'm face-to-face with pedestrians and other bikers. If another oblivious biker is blocking my way, instead of starting to get angry I simply say "excuse me" and we end up having a pleasant interaction instead of harsh one-sided interaction. There's something magical that happens when we are face-to-face with people. It feels like we all immediately become more empathetic and understanding.

[@studio.leonardo]

I love this! That’s not a perspective I had thought about before. Thanks for sharing your experience and bringing this up. It’s so true, face to face experiences are so invaluable to being more empathetic and compassionate people.

[@rexx9496]

Not to mention how many road rage shootings happen.

[@suspiciouswatermelon7639]

If people would just learn how to drive properly, there would be no road rage.

[@Abrothers12]

@@suspiciouswatermelon7639there would be no road rage without roads

[@micosstar]

@@Abrothers12thanks for sharing your opinion! (:

[@alanthefisher]

The Suburbs and the design of car based infrastructure destroy the sense of community, and it often leaves people isolated and scared of the world around them. Its not a surprise that cities with good walkable communities generally vote more to the left of the suburbs around them. Great video btw!

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks Alan! Just seeing this, but its a great honor to hear your thoughts on this. Love your stuff!

[@baronvonjo1929]

I disagree with this. You can go to the suburbs and see tons of kids playing around. Adults talking outside. I have heard this rhetoric before but have seen the completely opposite multiple times with my own eyes. I don't see how being in a tiny apartment in narrow hallways is any different than the suburbs. You just gotta make the effort. Plus tons of highly urbanized nations in Asia and Europe suffer from loneliness epidemics. I am very skeptical

[@Rockerlady]

​@@baronvonjo1929 Agreed! It is more about technology. The internet and social media have its obvious advantages. However, too many people rely on technology and social media to avoid talking to people and socializing. People have to be held accountable for their choices.

[@Rockerlady]

​@@studio.leonardo It has to be clarified that homeless vagrants have destroyed LA County's green spaces. City parks, beaches and the Ballona Wetlands are violated by drug addicts dumping waste, leaving trash and creating a hostile environment. It wasn't always this way. Politicians and political activists have destroyed green spaces in our city. More people would be out if they weren't afraid. Cars are not the problem.

[@kiiyll]

@@baronvonjo1929 Which do you think is more accessible, driving ~10-30 minutes to a local cafe, library, restaurant, bar, etc. or walking/biking for the same amount of time in non-car-dependent infrastructure to one? The only people standing around outside talking in suburbs likely already know each other, and it's a lot harder to meet people just standing/walking outside arounf a bunch of lawns with nothing to do than it is at any place where people actually gather.

[@ericwright8592]

I've been thinking about this very problem. All my friends who grew up outside the US say America is cold, isolated and lonely. They say Americans feel fake, they smile to your face but there is a total lack of community. I tried explaining that it's just the way our cities are built but nobody quite seems to understand it. People just accept sprawl and stroads as normal. It's pretty insane that you can't exist as a human being on your own two feet in the public realm in the US without a car. It's genuinely too dangerous to go outside when not sealed in a mobile metal box, alone.

[@RobinDS-m1g]

What a crazy way to have evolved!!!

[@cherryvapr6969]

Ccw

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

💯. I found the US to be an empty soulless place where the only emotions were typically anger.

[@Bobrogers99]

I live alone. Generations ago, a typical household might include grandparents and other family members in a large house, but now the grandparents live in senior housing and each of the other members have their own little apartments. I drive (alone) to work and to shop rather than by walking or by public transportation. At the workplace, I interact more with a computer than with my workmates. I patronize big box stores rather than friendly, local shops. My days are structured to minimize human contact. No wonder I feel so alone!

[@johndong7524]

Small talk will not cure it. Get real friends and a girlfriend. Spend more time with your parents. Develop connections with people at work. Travel. Join an interest group. Play a sport. Volunteer. Go to clubs and bars.

[@UltimateTS64]

I would say try to foster a sense of community by just smiling at people and saying hello to start. When you go out of your way to pay attention to people, it becomes easier to do, which makes it easier to try and make connections.

[@samesz2]

I grew up that way, grandpas lived on the ground floor, they had their own bathroom, kitchen, and bedrom, and we with parents lived on the second floor

[@helenaville5939]

I don't think living alone is the problem. Living alone is great so long as you have the right infrastructure around you. I love living alone, but I also need my neighbors and the local social groups I choose to join. I'm in Europe (Ireland) and this video praises the infrastructural advantages found in Europe. But Europe is also populated by many people who prefer to live alone - probably because they can do this without feeling isolated from the world - thanks to the great infrastructure within their society. Take Sweden, for example. Over 60% of households in Sweden are made up of only one person. Germany is around 50%. All over Europe this trend is growing. So continue living alone if that's your preference, but balance this with human interaction in your community and workplace.

[@Chunlialways]

@@johndong7524so many ppl have toxic moms. Ambitious money driven and it's hard when you see how she favors other siblings or members than you.

[@JosephSmith-q3n]

This video deserves more views, I grew up in Mexico and it’s pretty common to walk anywhere, but when I moved to the USA we had to drive all the time, and in recent years it I started to develop deep hate for driving because roads were being expanded for lanes, just making traffic worse, creating more isolation, but If instead of creating more lanes and we would start to create more walkable, bike friendly infrastructure that would reduce traffic, But also would help overall health, Walking helps relieve stress, and it’s great way to start treating obesity here in the USA. We Ned to share this on TikTok

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks for sharing your experience Joseph! Always nice to meet a fellow advocate of improving walkability :)

[@jonettheonly]

A problem with bikes is they are viewed as a children's toy in the US, not a vehicle to get places. Plus you have high theft in the US, even with a bike chain, your bike has a lot less security than a car. And there's way too many fat people who opt to drive rather than walk or bike anywhere. Serious question, can fat people fit on a bike seat? I feel like most americans would have to lose a lot of weight before they could even comfortably fit on a bike. I do agree with creating more 'walking-friendly' roads. What I really want to see is more public transportation, primarily BUSES. I think buses are great but they are horrible in a closed in city like nyc. The buses have to compete with all these other cars, they're constantly late/take too long to arrive, the streets are too narrow and they cause traffic. But I feel if on the roads were a majority of buses instead of cars, the service could function better, which I've seen with buses in places like Connecticut; however there are also fewer buses a day in areas like this, so not very efficient. :/

[@rexx9496]

@@jonettheonly I wouldn't say bikes are viewed as a children's toy in the US. Rather they are viewed as recreational items. A lot of middle aged guys I see riding around on expensive Cannondale bikes in full lyrca. But they aren't using these bikes to commute, they are purely for fun and exercise. There definitely is not a culture of bikes as serious transportation or commuting. This due to lack of bike infrastructure and distances too vast in American cities.

[@stephanos6128]

​@@jonettheonly take it from someone almost 300lbs theres bike seats for fat people... theres many types of bikes for many different people actually! and before i got so big I always had a big booty so I always had to get bigger seats anyway. Lastly, if everythings at a reasonable walkable distance, weight loss will happen anyway. And then if it doesn't, there's still other modes of transportation like buses and trains trolleys ect ect, which would still need to be walked to, but uit still shouldn't be at ridiculous distances.

[@yellowgerbie]

100% agree with this. I live in an apartment in a fairly dense, walkable neighbourhood where I’m constantly bumping into friends and acquaintances around the neighbourhood. Love the sense of community.

[@blueumbreon444]

I completely agree with this video. The vast majority of US cities are designed so everyone drives in a personal vehicle and goes home to interact only with immediate family, unless they live alone. No wonder there is a loneliness epidemic.

[@MrMartellSincere]

Great content. It does sucks to live alone and I hate the fact that you need a car to be sociable via jobs, relationships and business 😅

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks Mr. Martell, its something that can add friction into our daily interactions, but by understanding that and speaking up about it in a thoughtful and open way we can start to make small changes that, overtime, will be frictionless!

[@MrMartellSincere]

@@studio.leonardo I subscribed to your channel and I do made videos about this as well. It's nerve wrecking how much of a social desert that America is nowadays that people don't socialize much unless it's politics and business only. It's even worse with cliques and groups. Whenever you have a chance, please look up on happier abroad and have a great day

[@gnee7213]

Perfection! Your insight is inspiring! More communal interaction leads to feeling you belong and loneliness is a thing of the past. 🥰

[@sido6992]

Great video. Avid Not Just Bikes fan and it truly is a simple concept, infrastructure built in a way that will naturally allow people to interact with each other like running into someone you know while walking, biking to a grocery store or hopping on the same bus/train while going to work will help in community bonding.

[@studio.leonardo]

So well said. The hope i that the more our societies recognize this the less resistance their will be to start making these changes!

[@LuvableAF]

People interacted with each other all the time before phones and Internet and big cities were invented. NYC is packed with people, and suddenly “everyone is lonely”. Stop pushing for dense cities, your also pushing for government control by doing this.

[@sido6992]

@@LuvableAF Hi NIMBY

[@delusionalnoodles]

⁠@@LuvableAF holy shit you realize nyc is one of many cities in the US just because one city full of 8 million is densely packed and “unlonely” doesn’t mean the other 323 million is also unlonely i’m a teenager and i completely agree that suburban infrastructure contributes to mental health issues, as well as general quality of life issues

[@highway2heaven91]

@@LuvableAFWhat do dense cities have to do with government control? Anyone can create dense cities. Also governments can create spacious suburban sprawl too. Urbanism is not a liberal idea, there are plenty of Conservative urbanists.

[@AriGP]

I was thinking about this issue recently. I am a forensic archaeologist and I'd like to get a masters in geography just because many of the issues we are facing in my country follow patterns related to areas in which people don't have access to basic infrastructure like pavemented roads or lack basic services. Somehow, the way cities are built have a great impact on people's mental and emotional health, in this issue segregation is involved as well and it only exacerbates the wave of violence and despair we are experiencing.

[@jrobertlysaght]

The sad thing is that US Americans didn't choose this highway culture. Back in the 1930's GM and a couple of similar companies bought up all the streetcars in east coast cities, and then ripped them out and replaced them with highways.

[@qjtvaddict]

Streetcars were ripped up around the world not just in the United States.

[@imnotreal-e2v]

⁠@@qjtvaddictso the whole world has a shitty public transit system as a result?

[@vickileonardo1820]

When we take away our natural ability to get together it leads to loneliness - well said and spot on! We need more walkable communities, parks and other green space. Great topic and video.

[@user-hs7ry4nx7l]

Cars are expensive to own and maintain, thus bringing tax revenue and private profit. Traffic accidents make money for hospitals and funeral homes. And loneliness means you might make personal purchases as a temporary relief to fill that void in your soul that seeks genuine human connection. Capitalism is a legitimate conspiracy. Our collective suffering is planned, calculated, designed, built and reinforced.

[@jhouriet]

i have a burning desire to be able to walk safely outside. walkable urban communities seem to be wealthier....

[@jorgealonso5716]

Get ready world... this girl goes places

[@cristianMoon24]

The suburbs are lonely I recently moved from New York to suburbs in Florida it’s feel very isolated and my neighbors where I live are not very friendly. My neighborhood has walking trails which makes it have a community feel but not everyone on the trails is friendly.

[@stephanieb4327]

Awesome video!! You’ve described this phenomenon way more eloquently than I have. I’ve tried to explain this to my American family members who haven’t visited other countries, and they don’t see what’s wrong with our current system. Our infrastructure design issues go beyond traffic times and accessibility. It severely effects our sense of safety, community, and relationships. Unfortunately, responses I’ve had are, “I don’t want to give up my truck because it gives me freedom.” Or “I like my neighborhood the way it is. It’s not a big deal that I have to drive into the city.” They’re blind to the burdens our city designs are putting on them, their children, and families. Thank you for this video and reminding me that there are other people in my country that see these issues at hand!

[@studio.leonardo]

Excited to have you in the community and to learn how we can all work together to make this conversation more available to more people!!

[@jonettheonly]

I live in new york and am still incredibly lonely and know other people who are. Infrastructure may be one part of the problem but it's not the whole problem. It theoretically might be easier to meet people but it doesn't make it easier to make friends, which all depends on an emotional connection which I can't seem to form for some reason lol. I don't leave my house anymore anyway. I wouldn't know what to say to someone if I did.

[@studio.leonardo]

Hi Jonét thanks for sharing. You are right. Fixing infrastructure is not the complete solution to fixing our loneliness problems. I believe it can incentivize building better community but there are other factors we can always weigh when considering how to improve the way we live and interact with one another. I appreciate your openness and wish you the best!

[@j.aolani]

Yes saying hello truly goes a long way! In an epidemic of loneliness at least let one person feel seen with a smile and a hello (:

[@LoveToday8]

Leaving your house helps. Going to something that happens regularly with potential like minded people- a class, an event, etc.

[@jackdeniston59]

It is OK to be angry with your mother

[@micosstar]

@@jackdeniston59off-topic; but good statement of fact

[@inigoozcoidi7564]

Pero que calidad! Me encanta! Y el tema no puede ser más interesanteeee :):)

[@yourcitypodcast7367]

This was a strong realization that I had after recording the second season of our show. I reached out to one of the city councilors that we interviewed in season one and met him for lunch to talk about this issue and that I felt like the city's car-oriented infrastructure made it harder to keep a strong community connection. For a lot of cities community connections are built at local gatherings, events, schools, churches, etc. While those are wonderful places for community to happen, it requires a lot of intention and effort to maintain and it doesn't quite reach everyone. I think it would be better if our cities facilitated community connections as a function of living there in addition to the other events. Right now it is possible and not uncommon to live in a city and never talk with your neighbors, do your shopping online or through a self-checkout, go through drive-thru for food, and just overall not engage with the community around you. You can technically function without connecting to the community. So, what can we do to help make those connections? How can we lower the barriers to engaging with the community and make it easier for people to be good neighbors?

[@studio.leonardo]

Love the line of thinking here! And I totally agree. Often I find when I am in spaces that are working towards more community centric design, everyone enjoys it. I find that part of solution is letting everyone know that dense living doesn’t mean major city living/ a need to compromise our access to nature.

[@gloofisearch]

Very good point. I am actually convinced that due to the zoning laws in the US and subsequent loneliness, that this is the main reason why we have so many mass shootings, or shootings in general. People are just so depressed living this inhuman lifestyle, that some of them just can't take it any more and do crazy things.

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

You're spot on.

[@christianchellis9057]

It drives me nuts when people go, “Is that even a word?”. How do you think every other word came about.

[@roberthornack1692]

American xenophobia & tribalism & the hoarding & the fear of losing all your shit in this competitive, gun toting, have, have not society only adds to the problem!

[@UrsoPardo-m6k]

Architecture directly shapes peoples lives and it's like it is by design

[@user-hs7ry4nx7l]

Don't forget that many recreational activities cost money. Going to a free public park or library can only be so much fun and other community events happen monthly, at best.

[@studio.leonardo]

Watch out for the next vid... the topic is not too far off from this point 👀

[@smileyeagle1021]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head. The best way I've heard it described is that the car changed the street from a public space into a conduit from one private space to another. The consequence of that is that instead of having a public space literally right outside your door, just open your front door and walk out into a public space, you now have to travel to a public space. In the past, it took effort to avoid public spaces, now it takes effort to be in a public space. So of course we are more isolated now than ever.

[@Matty002]

not only did los angeles make its freeways bigger, but it build alot of them over a large streetcar network that was destroyed for the car. and ironically most of the new metro lines run exactly over old streetcar routes. things would be so much different if instead of widening the freeways, they added metro lines instead

[@uggali]

We literally need to pass new laws to mix the commercial and recreational in with the residential and diversify connectivity/transportation modes with an emphasis on walkability combined with wildlife corridors. And industry which won’t hurt local quality of life could be incentivised to be more people and eco friendly if theyre permitted to be closer to their workers

[@ConanDuke]

The US has always been an absolute dystopia.

[@amac2612]

that sense of community is something I feel now. Going from Townsville Australia where you are forced to drive everyhwere, you dont encounter people on the street. Moved to Cologne Germany and I can walk to the pub or walk to the bakery or the supermarket and you see your neighbours or familiar faces and its a nice smile and nod. More of a community, of a safer environment than driving to get milk then driving into your garage and locking your house up once your inside.

[@johndong7524]

Superficial chitchat will not cure your loneliness. Small talk will do nothing for me, but actually want me to have a more meaningful interaction and a closer connection with people that I can find online.

[@een_schildpad]

Love this perspective!!! Even in our car centric suburb, I've found that I have so much more connection to neighbors and community riding my bike or walking. There's a playground I pass through on my way to Target and it's always heartwarming to see the kids (and maybe someone I know). I miss those little interactions if I drive. I'd add that I find it much easier to socialize by bumping into friends and neighbors at "third places" around the neighborhood rather than needing to schedule specific get togethers at people's houses. It's a lot less awkward :-)

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I appreciate you bringing a positive outlook to a topic that often feels pessimistic. Its all baby steps to make that change and comments like your give me hope!

[@danieldaniels7571]

When I’m in a crowded room away from cars I feel lonely because other people are usually in couples and groups but I’m alone. But when I’m driving, however, I usually feel happy and content. Even in heavy traffic.

[@studio.leonardo]

That's interesting, I'm sorry to hear you feel lonely in a crowd. Hopefully we can all be friends here. What would you suggest we could improve on to make spaces feel more inviting for everyone?

[@grant-taleck]

I would love for my friends to be my neighbors, and my neighbors to be my friends. We'll get there!

[@mattu5888]

I like where your heads at, keep exploring this and your channel Rachel 👌

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks Matt!

[@RealConstructor]

The average American wants extra lanes to keep traffic flowing and wants everyone to pay for it. At the same time they’re against extra money for better government services to everyone’s benefit. Their solution is to let everyone who needs these services to pay for them. So here is my solution for the highway system. Make a law that when an extra lane is added to a highway, the whole stretch of the highway will turn into a toll road, so only drivers pay for them. This will certainly reduce the call for extra lanes. And maybe it will reduce car use. Another similar subject are the roads and utilities in the sprawling suburbs, per house they need more roads and more utilities than in more dense areas, like downtown. So make tariffs and taxes for suburbs higher than for dense areas. This is a more honest system than the current system where a citizen of downtown subsidizes citizen in the suburbs. It forces developers of suburbs to densify and sprawl less. And the more dense an area is, the easier it is to have decent public transport.

[@5minuterevolutionary493]

I agree with this, and then sadly i see little chance of repairing any of it. I have lived in a wide range of american places, from wilderness to inner city to suburbs to small towns. And I track with you on how we got here. When I hear solutions that involve walkability and ridability, i also support that. But here I am in Ann Arbor, where I can ride and walk anywhere, and it is the most unfriendly, least welcoming place I have ever lived, with just no natural way to know anyone outside work. The reputation is from the past I guess. People here are completely locked into very small groups, and none of it is naturally replicating or expansive, not to mention the racism and classism that is absolutely everywhere here. I don't see that introducing more walkability will make white people in cities or towns less hostile to sharing space and culture and commerce, less prone to exclusion and hoarding, and THESE I suggest, whatever the outward manifestation of the era, are at the heart of loneliness... the needs of affluent white people to be apart.

[@humboldtharry1289]

That’s a brilliant idea, fighting perceived racism with more racism. Kind of like using a flamethrower to put out a campfire. 🙄

[@Zalis116]

Very good point. The US is just a different kind of society than places like Denmark or Japan or the Netherlands, which don't have the deep racial and class divisions that we do. Urbanists tend to think of things in "SimCity" terms, as in "If we change the layouts to increase population density by X%, and give Y% of car travel space to walking/cycling/transit, citizen happiness will go up by Z%," which doesn't account for people's real-world biases, prejudices, and fears. People in other places may want their countrymen to have good non-car transportation options, but affluent white Americans say, "I own a car, so why should my tax dollars pay for transit for Those People? They might use that transit to come to my neighborhood and rob me!"

[@onepetalleft]

Ugh, this is so fantastic! And it also makes me feel depressed about my 1950s car-centric suburb. Hopefully we can effect some change over time, by staying here. It’s been very tempting to try to move to a more walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood, but I think that just creates different problems (gentrification, displacement).

[@studio.leonardo]

Change over time, love that! I think that’s what it’s going to take and hopefully we can all really collaborate here to think through some “first step” solutions to help get the ball rolling. Looking forward to seeing you around!

[@situationsixtynine8743]

The burbs aka stables for the economic cattle, breeding ground for the loners and mentally ill.

[@adadadatt]

Fantastic work! I hope to see this channel grow.

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks for your words do encouragement! ☺️

[@davidbronte1349]

Fascinating video! Thank you!

[@Healing_Decibels]

Everyone is just putting salt on the wounds but no one offers any solutions😅

[@Freetimeofyuni]

But in countries like Japan , south korea, singapore , they travel by public transport/ walking most of the time but they are still one of the most lonely

[@studio.leonardo]

Yes, you are right, solving infrastructure is not the solution to loneliness but, I believe, building in a way that can incentivize community mingling is better for our social longevity as humans. But just my opinion! I appreciate you adding to the conversation, it's always great to challenge ideas :)

[@johndong7524]

@@studio.leonardo Your opinion is sheer nonsense. I live in the suburb and talk to my neighbors regularly. Small talk and a friendly chit chat has no influence on my sense of loneliness because I'm introverted and I only value deep human connection. It maybe different for extravers who have the deep need for mingling and superficial socialization.

[@studio.leonardo]

@@johndong7524 I am happy for your! ❤ Of course everyone's experience and perspective will be different and it makes me feel good to know that you have a supportive community around you that hopefully does what they can to build you up. Infrastructure changes can't solve all our problems, I just personally believe its an option that could help others who may feel it does impact them. I hope you are well and thanks for sharing your thoughts ❤

[@sidsullivan4888]

Solid video. Excellent points with well researched evidence to back it up.

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you watching :)

[@dudoklasovity2093]

This is so spot on! Thank you! There’s hundreds of videos on this topis but you seem to be the only one who realizes that’s the American infrastructure (or lack there of) that is main contributor and sometimes sole reason for creating solitude. (The second one would be, and this is a paradox, social networks online). I wish more people would see this as you do, them something could be done about it.

[@studio.leonardo]

There is definitely a need to address both! Thank you for bringing up that point. Its a topic I am developing further right now for a video that will come out late february!

[@petriepretorius4085]

i want to build a machine that can detect loneliness, and a hug squad that responds to the emergencies around us...in South Africa, black people get out more and walk about and mingle, and the minority white population stays indoors out of fear and we are the lonely ones...USA has it infrastructuralized, SA has it politicized...

[@studio.leonardo]

Really interesting perspective and one I am not familiar with. Thanks for sharing, I would love to learn more about this! -- and good luck with the loneliness detector ;)

[@pjasparagus]

Europe and Singapore are much more better.

[@spacecommhafhiki]

Thank you for spreading the data on how infrastructure affects social systems!

[@baller15g]

So Sad but painfully truth.

[@highway2heaven91]

This is a pretty good video. I think your channel will go far. You bring up many of the same talking points as Not Just Bikes and other urbanist channels but you add a compelling human-centered and emotional element to the case for urbanism that really helps you to stand out. As for the video, I definitely think that the lack of a private vehicle can lead to more loneliness since you need it for basically everything in North American society. And because most North Americans (especially Americans) are so used to it, they’re definitely far more unaware of what it’s like to live without one or how it can be detrimental to a functioning society in many ways. I personally don’t mind cars (I love road-trips) or suburbs but I really wish there were more options for those who wanted to live car-free in NA. It would be nice to have a choice of taking a train into the city for some trips :(

[@studio.leonardo]

1. Thanks so much for the compliment! I really appreciate it and your contribution to this convo :) and 2. Completely! I think it's just about making our transportation options more convenient at this point. Train, light rail, bike lanes, etc are not just ecologically sustainable but also socially sustainable as well!

[@miketrotman9720]

Copenhagen is 857 years old. It had a head start on pedestrian-oriented city design.

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

It's culture not age. Americans confuse being an individual with selfishness. No sense of a common bond, culture or community. It's only about themselves and it's killed the country and an semblance of a soul.

[@pete5668]

oh joy, another "America sucks" video.

[@studio.leonardo]

On the contrary Pete, America doesn't suck, just like in many places around the world there is always room for improvement. Now, what needs improvement in each place is going to vary, and at times, may have overlap as well. But I prefer to see it optimistically. We all have opportunities to get better and thankfully there are places all over that offer "best practices" to create frameworks to make that happen!

[@natalieromanoff]

Hi. Do you think approaching new people is creepy or wrong? Basically cold approaching?

[@studio.leonardo]

Hi Natalie! It depends on the context but if you intention is to make new friends I don't thing it is a bad thing. It takes courage to do that and you can be honest with the person about that. Letting them know you are new to the area or giving them a compliment and telling them you would be interested in hanging out with them is a skillset we naturally have as children that often fades in adulthood for all of us. If a cold approach is something you are not comfortable with yet, you can also sign up for clubs or volunteer groups that you are interest in to start. This way you know that the people you will be surrounded by at least have the same commonality as you. I hope this helps and thanks so much for contributing to this community! Looking forward to hearing more from you :)

[@natalieromanoff]

@@studio.leonardo Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your response. I'm actually very comfortable with cold approaching and have made few friends in past from cold approaching because I've always been pretty extroverted. However what do you think if i approach someone to ask them out for a date? Obviously i would leave if they reject me but about the act itself?

[@studio.leonardo]

@@natalieromanoff That is a great skillset to have! If you are going to ask someone out, doing it with that confidence and in a respectful way is more important than his/her response in the end. The worst they can say is no and at the most you may be getting a coffee with them in the following week!

[@natalieromanoff]

@@studio.leonardo Thanks thanks a lot. I just needed confirmation if it was morally right or was i just an annoying creepy person. Thank you.

[@saranbhatia8809]

Great content.....yes we need to encourage community based living.... it's all about meeting and greeting eachother on daily basis!

[@alanmctaggart4371]

This is a great video, and while it's true that better, human-scale urbanism absolutely will create better environments/tools with which to create community, we have to remember that it's still the people that get the process going. You could still live in an incredible city and be lonely if you don't actually take advantage of the opportunities.

[@studio.leonardo]

Definitely! We do have to take accountability and practice putting ourselves out there. When our infrastructure is set up to make that a frictionless experience, then we can hopefully incentivize that community connection more!

[@adrianjeffrey2897]

I don't even say anything anymore. They will say that I'm a conspiracy theorist or that I have on a tinfoil hat. I just sit back and watch and take note of all the people that think this is happenstance

[@PonziZombieKiller]

We is doomed. 😮

[@mariusvanc]

2 HUGE issues. 1) LA is famously unfriendly, and ALWAYS has been. Nothing to do with cars. Is New York more friendly? 2) you're not "running into people you know" when you're walking around a city. This is just a romanticized American version of European cities and people.

[@gambit_toys6554]

AMEN!

[@mateuszhaada6837]

I spotted the same after moving from Warsaw, Poland to Switzerland. People here are very wealthy and cars are cheap, so the whole country turned to be car-oriented. Living in big cities is not so popular here. Everybody commutes with their cars, because a lot of taxes goes for road maintenance.

[@tompommerel2136]

THIS IS TOTALLY TRUE FOR AUSTRALIA TOO. 'We' adopted the post-war US model of zoning human activities (residential vs commercial, industry, admin, etc) but haven't even started contemplating the sociological, human or economic costs. Parts of Europe are already rethinking how to redress the negative results to produce more acceptable and environments.

[@NovemberCrystal]

As someone who lives in Copenhagen i largely agree, but our city isn't all that walk and bike friendly, but some of that has changed in the past few years. Like creating bike lanes where there used be to none before. For example, HC Andersen Boulevard is a relic from the car centric era, and goes straight through Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall square). It's a massive 6-7 lane highway straight through the middle of Copenhagen and it's right next to the walkable tourist spot Strøget. But even Strøget is not safe from cars, or at least at the side streets next to it. These streets are one lane and very small, but we still have to allow cars to drive through them and park in the middle of them, while people have to to walk on these narrow sidewalks, and no bike lanes on these roads either. Copenhagen is a lot more walkable than America and you can easily walk to all your amenities and public transport is great at getting you where you need to go (But only if you live in a major city, otherwise you need a car) While Copenhagen doesn't lack social spaces like parks and malls, it does have a car problem. No matter how small a road may be or if it's a place with a lot of foot traffic, cars will always have the right to drive through it, pushing people on foot or bikes to the narrow sidewalks no matter how numerous the latter is in comparison. I wish we had more wide pedestrian only streets like Barcelona, but there sadly isn't enough political will for that.

[@darkwoodmovies]

There's something about being able to throw on a coat, step outside, and be in the middle of a bustling city. Go anywhere, do anything, get anywhere quickly and I don't have to stress about it. That's freedom. That's happiness. Cars are bullshit.

[@Comm0ut]

Many Americans prefer to escape from the madding crowd and are far from lonely. They prefer to maintain their curated communities so they take measures to defend them including what infrastructure is allowed or blocked. The "sense of community" people who never had that seem to crave didn't experience why others worked long and hard to GTFO urban hellholes and then, when it came their turn to retire, move further away to comfortable, warm often rural climes. Those who want to live packed with other bipedal sardines should do so, but MANY neighborhoods are best avoided and that's never been different. No matter how society is structured the weak who cope poorly will be unhappy.

[@orthicon9]

I feel fortunate in living in a small university town where every summer the second-busiest street in town is blocked off for a long weekend by a large tent, for a music festival. Another weekend it's blocked off for a Street Chalk Art festival. My house is actually 5 km from that town centre, and I'm surrounded by farms.

[@local_tomatillo]

Thank you for breaking down this topic in particular. It's really important for folks to understand.

[@IsaacMillerRocks]

Great video, such a good point that the way our cities are constructed leads to an increase in isolation, loneliness and depression.

[@johndong7524]

Tell that to all of those Hikkikamori in Tokyo and shutins in NYC.

[@richiesd1]

So true. But not sure Americans can live closer together - too noisy, dirty, and too much drugs. The Germans for example are much more considerate of the neighbors.

[@jimmycain8669]

I prefer being alone. Wife died 15 years ago and I miss her but I ain’t lonely. My question is lonely for what?

[@jackwilliams3343]

Son rides a bicycle 30 miles a day the bike lanes are parked in ,used for garbage ,traffic cones , some curbs don't have a smooth slope , making a stop and dismount necessary. In addition he has been yelled at and swiped at by motorists angry he is in their way .in the Netherlands bicyclists and pedestrians go first while cars wait and the pathways are isolated from traffic and trees and grass provide a buffer.

[@josepheridu3322]

I appreciate this video, but I disagree with this being the reason because in the 70s and 80s and 90s there was no issues with socializing while suburbs and car-centric cities were common. Also people in cities have more walkable places, and yet they are struggling as much as people living in suburbs. Europe is also suffering of loneliness, in fact UK created a department to deal with that. I suspect the reason of this is a combination of technological changes and hyper-communication, as people don't really need to communicate to people around. They can have the same social network they always had thanks to communication, so no new friends or new people are meet. Not saying walkable cities have their merit, but I don't think walkable cities will fix loneliness. This seems to be a deeper issue.

[@studio.leonardo]

Hey Joseph! I really appreciate your opinion on this. The large shifts in technology over, even just the past decade, have had a huge impact on this topic. There are definitely other factors at play when considering contributions to making the situation better. I stand by the need to architecture and urbanism to help incentivize a more physically connected society but you bring up some great points. Thank you for your comment!!

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

You have to make a specific effort to try and socialise by driving to meet people you already know when you’re reliant on a car. There’s no possibility of simply meeting someone friend or stranger on the street if there is no street

[@qjtvaddict]

Explains Japan

[@algonix11]

coexistence became impossible due to the total lack of respect for others. Walking the streets means having to endure other people's vices being shoved through our nostrils.

[@Max_Jacoby]

I hated cars since day one, except emergency ones. Simple test: go outside and take a photo. Do you see it? At least one car is on your photo. It's just impossible to take a photo of anything outside without a car being on a photo. They are everywhere: on roads, on parking lots, on sidewalks (!!!) and just literally in every flat surface of a ground. Just Imagine you're walking on a sidewalk and instead of cars you see apple trees, grass, flowers, landscape lightning, fountains, benches, swings, chess tables, pull-up bars and other sport equipment... Cities must build more tram ways and bike lanes at the expense of car roads. It's the only right way of designing big cities.

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

Great video. I completely agree and have mostly lived in isolating suburbs along stroads, which makes me reflect on just how much the infrastructure drove my loneliness. I loved living in Koreatown in LA because it was so dense (relatively for LA) and there are lots of curb side businesses and people out. I just moved to West LA and it's a bit of a drag but has so much potential to be a vibrant, healthy city.

[@studio.leonardo]

Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate your perspective on these topics! Keep us updated on any changes happening in West LA! Would love to learn more about that

[@jaredangell8472]

The infrastructure problem pointed out here is not the root of the problem, the social values in America are. Or lack thereof

[@answerman9933]

I have been to Kobenhavn, more than once. Has Rachel Leonardo? Kobenhavn existed hundreds of years before automobiles even existed. Of course it was not designed with cars in mind.

[@pedrob3953]

"But that's socialism! We don't want socialism!" Discussion ends.

[@deadbeatSad]

Politicans will cry that its too expensive and not profitable.

[@Abitibidoug]

No doubt about it, this car dependent urban sprawl is a contributing cause to loneliness. Time you spend driving, especially alone, is time you're not interacting with other people. There are other reasons also. If you spend more free time watching TV or looking at computer screens is less time spent socializing. Another is in this modern world we're overstimulated and when it's taken away like during the lockdowns a lot of people can't seem to handle it. The things some people do to socialize, like being in a bar where the music is so loud you can't talk with the person next to you without shouting isn't exactly quality socializing. I'd rather stay home and read a good book. When I'm alone I don't see it as loneliness, but rather as solitude. I suspect part of the problem with many people is a lack of self esteem so they can't appreciate solitude. I've lived alone for many years, but live where I can walk and bike to get around and drive only for longer distances. What you need to do is get out, do things, and strike up conversations when you're out. You won't be doing much interacting when looking at your phone when out as I see many people do.

[@iezioaudi22]

Very Interesting Perspective. Never took this into consideration eventhough I have stayed in Europe as well. Now I realize their city is planned well for their citizens. However, I did expereince loneliness in EU due to language barriers and the harsh winter too. But I liked their public road system. I used to walk 10km on daily basis. But now I am back to my home country, I hardly walk 3-4 kms a day.

[@studio.leonardo]

Glad you enjoyed the topic! I agree and see that other comments have shared similar experiences to yours that loneliness is not all just infrastructure. It's something I coincidentally addressed in my latest video because there is something missing in our general convos around urban planning that I believe could help us better address this epidemic. Thanks for your support!

[@MrBaskins2010]

new jersey in a nutshell

[@paulcapaccio9905]

Spot on. I live in Jersey. Hell hole of roads

[@chumbawampa]

Thanks for the video, I am making a documentary on this subject and would like to know if It is OK to use a few small clips of your video, because I thought you expressed yourself quite effectively and this is a topic which needs more discussion!

[@studio.leonardo]

Hey! Send me a email or dm on Instagram, I’d love coordinate that with you!

[@laStar972chuck]

Glad to see the work of Strong Towns is really starting to bear fruit and seed interesting contents

[@moisesherrera71]

please publish a paper, i need to cite this.

[@SilverWave64]

No, it's not. Look at Europe, we have the same problems. Or Japan, which has an even worse loneliness problem despite amazing public transportation. It's not an infrastructure problem.

[@studio.leonardo]

Hey silverwave! I appreciate you bringing this up actually. It's something I want to look more into and talk about in the future. Have any resources you could recommend I start looking at?

[@Person-ef4xj]

Japan also has infrastructure that makes people less likely to interact, and so causes loneliness, although in a very different way from in America. Skyscrapers also cause social isolation and loneliness.

[@richardseifried7574]

Lonely people buy more stuff.

[@aaronaustrie]

Everthing said on here is so true!

[@erikastuart4935]

Really interested in the topic

[@studio.leonardo]

I'm glad you do! Thanks for taking your time to watch 😊

[@mrMacGoover]

15 minute cities? 😬

[@fanOmry]

What is your view of the concept of Archologies? At the base, it means an Autonomous Community... But depicteced as a Building that is at a scale of a full city. A 3D city. It ca provide both loads of green spaces, transportation, industry, agriculture, with less expence per volume/personal unit/ than the equivelant *normal* city. The problem currently? While cheaper per personal space unit, it's a city at once, which makes it more expensive than an air port... Unless the price for power goes down. If that happens, well electric power is a part of the cost of everything. Reduce that, the price of everything goes down. But that means Neuclear/Solar Satelite power.

[@pongop]

Great video!

[@tisvana18]

I just don’t know how to approach someone. People don’t like to be bothered, they use headphones, they already have friends. I don’t, there are no clubs in my town, lots of us walk and bike but if you don’t go to church then you’ll never speak to anybody. And even in church they don’t interact. It sucks, it doesn’t feel like a fixable problem. You can only make friends if you were raised around them.

[@curtisw0234]

What happened to places where you can hang out and meet new people

[@user-hs7ry4nx7l]

Almost everything fun has been privatized, so you gotta pay the entrance fee.

[@Noahwillwalk]

I'm going to throw in a funny angle but let it be a red flag when every birthday or Christmas gift is a duplicate or a hand-me-down. I had a friend who did this very nonchalantly occasionally. I realized how they would relinquish their extra spoils to me on an alleged special day. Yo, I dont worry about this stuff anymore.

[@baller15g]

So Sad

[@FethiWebist]

Even in the city centre there is less chance to small talk with someone. On the outer sides of cities and green parks people are more relaxed and greet each other more often. Neighbours that come together to collect garbage, to do some boot camp, to maintain a collective garden, to play an outside game, to let the dog out. These activities are more common on the outer parts of the city. Big apartment buildings and big fenced houses are bad design. A front door should be in sight of other front doors without auto-mobile road between. This 1930 style neighbourhood is in demand in Europe.

[@jwhubbs]

Well said

[@invisible__design657]

So happy I found your channel ❤❤

[@studio.leonardo]

So happy to have you here ❤️❤️

[@interstellarphred]

It is even worse when the local commerce is destroyed to widen the roads compelling one to drive further.

[@Gigaamped]

I've been wanting to make a video on this topic for quite some time bc it's so near and dear to my heart and this is the first video I've come across anyone talking about it. Thank you for including the sources in the description. I love this video.

[@studio.leonardo]

This meant so much to see! So happy you connected with the topic and looking forward to future inputs you have to offer as well!

[@tyleralberico9340]

I love how not doom and gloom this video is! I feel like it’s really important to show a clear way out of our city design problems instead of saying that “it’s terrible! we’re screwed!” so I really appreciate the call to action

[@studio.leonardo]

That means so much Tyler! appreciate your noticing and totally agree. Looking forward to seeing your name in the comments more! :)