Public Spaces in Chicago
When we think of Chicago, we typically think of buildings, skyscrapers, or noisy streets but Chicago is primarily about people. And for the people, the most important part of the city is the public spaces. I believe lively public spaces are the key to making an attractive city. Lively public places attract more people, which builds a city’s social capital. In Malchik’s A Walking Life he describes social capital as these tiny everyday acts that build “a life quality that many-perhaps even most-people feel they’ve lost over the last century: a strong sense of community, defined by a quality that in research circles has been termed “social capital.” In other words, neighborliness.” (Malchik 43). To put it another way, social capital is who you know. It’s a network of social connections. Social capital makes a city more walkable and makes public spaces, places people want to be.
Lincoln Park for example is green, friendly, and you can often find your very own seat on one of the benches. Then people themselves attract other people, and you feel more peaceful and comfortable when other people are around, you won’t feel alone. Lincoln Park is also very green. Chicagoans crave greenery. It brings us close to nature and creates a soothing environment. But what makes a good public space? Sure, food and the sights can make a public space more special, but perhaps more important is the human interactions you have with the public spaces. Street performers or talking with friends create memories and make you feel more connected to that particular space. The quality of people that congregate the same public space make a big difference. Personally, it would be more likely for me to congregate towards a space full of artists and fashionistas than typical mundane strangers.
These areas build social capital and give the city an identity. For example, Millennium Park or Navy Pier are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Chicago. These public spaces represent Chicago and give it a unique identity. Having social events in public spaces such as concerts or hosting movies are also a great way to get people to engage with one another and meet new people. This creates a connection between the space and the people in it, forming a sense of togetherness. Public spaces make more positive environments for people to come together as a society.
Nowadays cities have been designed to look bare and deserted. In How to Make an Attractive City, The School of Life talks about modern cities looking dead highlighting that “Today, the places where a lot of the work gets done look dull and dead. They’re spaced out along huge highways, and you never go there unless you happen to work there yourself because there is nothing to see” (The School of Life 3:25). People avoid spaces like these. There is nothing to look at. It is dead. Contrast this to public spaces, you can see things going on. There are restaurants, shops, and parks full of life. These spaces make an attractive city where you want to walk around.
Chinatown is a great example of a lively public space because it’s a tourist attraction. It has so much to offer; there is history everywhere you look, and it has authentic Chinese food as well as the beautiful aesthetics of the neighborhood. The visuals are stunning, with an abundance of colors and appetizing smells. Chinatown is a fantastic public space.
Another example of an attractive public space is the beach. Beaches in Chicago offer gorgeous views of the land and lake. It lets us enjoy ourselves. It is a relaxing place to unwind and get some sun. Just sitting there staring off into the lake while the noise and rumbles of the waves relax you. You just sit there not thinking about anything, it is one of the most peaceful, meditative places. The picture above was taken on the Oak Street beach. I was with my friends and it was very relaxing for me, no annoying kids or loud street noise. It was just the sound of the waves splashing onto the sand. Feeling the breeze blowing onto my skin felt refreshing as well. It smelled like my childhood, and everything it encompasses.
Wrigley field is yet another amazing public space in the city. Being surrounded by chanting fans and different food options adds to its attraction. It is meant to be more of a historical site than a stadium. It is an old-school ballpark. The historic atmosphere of Wrigley Field appeals to a lot of people. It’s timeless and nostalgic. No matter what, it makes you think of the older times some way or another. It has been the same game for so long, yet people have enjoyed it the same way now.
The DePaul quad is an additional public space that builds social capital. It is one of the most popular spots on campus. Almost every time I visit the quad, I will see someone I know, and find students studying on the benches, reading in hammocks, playing music, or commuting to their next class. But it is not just students who hang out there, people walking their dogs, families, kids, they all walk to the quad because it is a nice comfortable environment. There is always something going on.
Another public spot that builds Chicago’s social capital is restaurants. The picture below was a restaurant called “Xoco” located on Illinois Street by River North. It had a very cute aesthetic with lights shining above you in an alleyway. Restaurants, especially outdoor patios on a warm day, are perfect public spaces. They provide excellent social settings and lets you enjoy a delicious meal amongst friends. It is the experience of eating out that people like. Sure, they can cook at home, but most people would rather dress up, see and be seen, have someone serve and clean up after you. Having a lot of restaurants is a great way to build social capital.
Furthermore, a lot of public spaces are within walkable distances or a short train/bus ride away. In another reading by Malchik, End of Walking he mentions how he can “open the door of my home, take my kids by their hands, and meet almost any need by lifting my feet and moving forward. Food, schools, social centers, books, playgrounds, even doctors and dentists and ice cream — nearly everything our family uses daily is within about a mile’s walk of home and well-served by wide, uncrowded sidewalks.” (Malchik). Everything you could ever want is in walking distance. A train or a bus can get you to pretty much any public area in the city, you don’t need a car in Chicago. The city is surrounded by public spaces. People like being in these public spaces because it builds social capital. If people are comfortable or it is peaceful when other people are around, then they won’t feel alone and people will be more willing to talk and be more social. Public spaces are designed for the people, they are for everyone. They are an important asset to Chicago. They provide many opportunities to come together and engage with the community. They should be a welcoming space for all to use. Public places have power. It is not just the people uses them; it is the fact that people feel better knowing it’s there. A successful city invites people in and they stay because they are having a good time.
