The places where people live, learn, and spend time together have a powerful impact on their health and wellbeing. When public places are both safe and welcoming, people are more likely to use them for exercise and social connection. Preventing violence in these spaces is essential for both physical and social health.
Building Safe, Active, and Connected Communities for Youth and Young Adults: An Action Guide offers policies, programs, practices, and community examples to help public health practitioners, advocates, researchers, and community members create safer, more equitable spaces where all young people can thrive.
Read a curated collection of blog posts on the topic of Socially Connected Communities from Healthy Places By Design.
This online interactive toolkit provides local leaders and change makers with a road map for promoting meaningful social connection and belonging for community flourishing. We invite you to convene community members and partners to co-create effective and sustainable social connection action plans using this tool. The Action Guide was developed by the Foundation for Social Connection, Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program, and Healthy Places by Design, with support from Einhorn Collaborative.
This video highlights key components of our report and community-led solutions to improve social connection focused on local assets and community cultures and values.
Led by co-chairs Risa Wilkerson of Healthy Places by Design and Erin Peavey of HKS Inc. and produced by the Foundation for Social Connection, this report highlights the critical role of well-designed, intentional, and inclusive spaces in addressing social isolation, loneliness, and connection. By prioritizing human-centric design, such spaces become catalysts for community engagement and social integration. report provides evidence-based and promising solutions related to the intersection of transportation, housing, and community environments, as well a policy and research opportunities.