How to actively experience your community
I was recently scrolling through Twitter when a thread from academic and writer Tom Moylan caught my eye. It was a reflection on the ways that Brussels has been evolving as a city to become safer and more livable for everyone. The thread encouraged readers to actively experience their cities, and that got me thinking about what that would look like for folks who may not typically pay attention to, or even care about, issues like mobility or urban planning.
How can we actively experience our cities?
As we go about our daily lives, it can be easy to take our cities for granted. We tend to walk or drive the same streets, visit the same parks, and frequent the same cafes without giving much thought to the world around us. But our cities are dynamic, complex, and ever-evolving. When we look up long enough to actively experience them, we can gain a deeper understanding of the potential around us and begin to play a bigger role in shaping the future of our communities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Walk, bike, or take public transit. At a minimum, carpool.
One of the best ways to experience a city is to simply get out and explore it. By walking, biking, or taking public transit, you'll have the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and discover new neighborhoods, parks, and attractions. You may realize the sidewalks in your neighborhood are in dire need of repavement, because they’re impossible to navigate with a stroller. Or you may notice there are too few curb cuts to make navigating in a wheelchair accessible. Plus, you'll reduce your carbon footprint and get some exercise in the process! If these options don’t work for you for whatever reason, try to replace at least one car ride with a carpool - it’ll give you a chance to notice things from a new perspective!
Attend community events.
Many cities offer a wide variety of community events, from concerts and festivals to farmer's markets and art shows. Attending these events not only provides an opportunity to experience the city's culture and community, but it also allows you to connect with your neighbors and learn more about local issues. For instance, you may find a local farmer provides a weekly produce box subscription, cutting your trips to the market down, ensuring you’re eating more seasonably, and supporting a local business all at one.
Join a community group or volunteer.
Many cities have a variety of community groups and organizations dedicated to specific issues, such as sustainability, urban planning, or affordable housing. By joining one of these groups, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn something new, and play an active role in shaping the city's future. Alternatively, volunteering is also a great way to gain a deeper understanding of local needs and challenges. Whether you're helping out at a local food bank or cleaning up a park, volunteering can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience that helps you see your community from a different angle.
Engage with your local government.
One of the most important ways to actively experience your city is by engaging with your local government. Attend city council meetings, participate in community engagement initiatives, and reach out to your elected officials to voice your concerns and opinions. By engaging with your local government, you can help ensure that your leaders are accountable to your city moving in a direction that is more equitable for all.
Cities should be accessible for all
Actively experiencing your city is something that should be accessible to everyone. If you’re overwhelmed with the options, I invite you to pick just one thing to do and keep it simple. Consider going for a walk, and take note of the pedestrian infrastructure available to you; go on a bike ride, and pay attention to whether bike lines are available to you and safe to use; pick the the closest grocery store for your next produce run to better understand what nutritional options are available to your neighbors with limited mobility. See how it makes you feel, what ideas it gives you, and go from there.