What makes a city feel like home? This reflection explores how Helsinki and Charlotte each point toward deeper belonging through public space and care.
I’ve spent my entire adult life working on issues of economic disparity. Guided by a passion for social justice coupled with an affinity for law, I began my career as a Legal Aid lawyer representing very low-income families on issues spanning from racial discrimination and housing evictions to the right to education and health care. […]
Imagine if our cities went beyond meeting our basic needs. What if they made us feel supported, valued and cared for? How would our lives change if streets weren’t just for movement but for moments of spontaneous discovery? What if our city’s public spaces didn’t simply tolerate people using them but were designed to inspire, spark social connection, and strengthen bonds between neighbors?
Imagine if our cities went beyond meeting our basic needs. What if they made us feel supported, valued and cared for? How would our lives change if streets weren’t just for movement but for moments of spontaneous discovery? What if our city’s public spaces didn’t simply tolerate people using them but were designed to inspire, spark social connection, and strengthen bonds between neighbors?
Journey with me — step away from the confines of your offices, classrooms, workspaces, and the congested hustle-bustle of your day-to-day routine, and free your mind! Imagine traveling from the United States and arriving in a city surrounded by majestic — yet functional and minimalistic — Nordic architecture as you breathe in the fresh, cool, and crisp air.
I finally did the math: If I’m lucky, I have 884 weeks left to live. And no, I don’t have a sudden terminal illness to disclose. Last year, I received a copy of Oliver Burkeman’s latest book: “4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” It was life changing. The premise: If you live to be 80, […]
Have you ever had an experience so powerful that it made you question your understanding of the world, the kind of moment that stops you in your tracks to say “wow” — in other words, a moment of awe? Recently, two very different groups of local residents had this type of transformative experience during trips […]
