In a world where rising rates of depression and anxiety dominate headlines, an often overlooked factor is our physical environments—the homes, neighborhoods, and streets where we live.
While many factors contribute to mental health, such as social media, workplace dissatisfaction, and even the national political climate, urban design holds a crucial yet under-discussed role in shaping our collective well-being.
To explore this intersection, Jill Locantore, a former psychology student who transitioned into urban planning, now serves as the executive director of the Denver Street Partnership. Locantore’s work emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that foster community, sustainability, and a sense of hope.
During a recent conversation, we delved into her journey into urban planning and the vital connection between our environments and our capacity for imagining a better future.
Locantore traces her commitment to urban planning back to her experience in Toronto, where she attended graduate school. Faced with the challenge of living on a tight budget, she made the bold decision to give up her car. What she discovered was transformative—Toronto, with its comprehensive public transportation system and vibrant main streets filled with locally-owned businesses, allowed her to thrive despite her low income.
This experience led her to realize that the livability of a city is not an accident but a result of intentional policy decisions and investment strategies. Her newfound understanding prompted a career shift; she wanted to design cities that could offer high-quality living for everyone, regardless of their economic status.
Now leading the Denver Street Partnership, Locantore focuses on reducing the city’s reliance on cars and emphasizing other modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, and public transit.
Denver has historically prioritized car-centric policies, creating an unsustainable dependence on vehicles. The mission of the Denver Street Partnership is to rebalance this system and prioritize people over cars, reimagining the cityscape where dignity, community, and human experiences are front and center.
One of the core values emphasized by the partnership is joy, which Locantore explains through the lens of how streets function.
Historically, streets were not merely conduits for transportation but essential public spaces. In most cities, streets and sidewalks comprise about 80% of public space.
Locantore argues that these spaces should spark joy and foster community connections, rather than just serve high-speed vehicular traffic.
A powerful example can be found in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Denver, a culturally rich and economically diverse area that has suffered from neglect due to highway infrastructure established in the 1960s. The Denver Street Partnership has worked with the community to repurpose spaces under the Colfax viaduct to host international marketplaces, night markets, and cultural celebrations,
The result has created an authentic gathering space that champions local culture, allowing community members and visitors alike to engage and connect in meaningful ways.
However, Locantore acknowledges the complexity of neighborhood reclamation, particularly when balancing the potential for gentrification and displacement. Sun Valley, as one of Denver’s most affordable neighborhoods, is at risk of becoming a desirable location as infrastructure improvements elevate property values.
To combat this risk, Locantore stresses the importance of centering community voices in decision-making processes and proactively addressing potential displacement issues.
One proposal includes a 1% initiative, similar to Denver’s existing ordinance for public art, that sets aside funding specifically for anti-displacement measures, benefiting long-term residents and local businesses.
Locantore believes that genuine community involvement is critical in ensuring that urban design does not create new harms while attempting to repair past injustices.
Engaging the community also extends to educating residents about the importance of streets and transit, which are often overlooked in public discourse.
Imagination plays a crucial role; many residents can struggle to envision their city differently because they have grown up in car-dependent environments.
Experiential learning through travel is one way to broaden perspectives, but Locantore finds that demonstration projects give residents tangible experiences of what their streets could look like.
During the pandemic, the city of Denver quickly converted several streets into shared spaces for walking and biking, allowing residents to see their city through a new lens.
Feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many experiencing joy and newfound connection in a space they once knew only as a thoroughfare for vehicles.
This willingness to experiment is crucial for fostering an understanding of urban design’s potential—not merely through diagrams but through real interactions on the streets.
Amid the national climate of pessimism and political stagnation, Locantore argues that focusing on local issues empowers communities to enact meaningful change without waiting for federal intervention.
Change is possible at the local level, where communities can come together to forge shared goals and collaborate on solutions.
Locantore’s passion for urban planning is evident, and she recounts how she regularly witnesses “Aha” moments during demonstration projects, where community members realize the potential of alternative street designs.
An illustrative case stems from a road diet initiative on the West Colfax corridor, which aimed to repurpose travel lanes to increase bike lanes and widen sidewalks.
Initially, community responses were skeptical, but after experiencing the changes, many expressed their desire to keep the bike lane permanently.
This kind of transformation highlights the power of real-world applications to shift attitudes and raise awareness about the possibilities of urban design.
For those interested in supporting urban design initiatives in Denver, Locantore emphasizes the role that community involvement plays. From volunteering to attending neighborhood meetings, engagement is essential.
Current opportunities include participating in local discussions regarding a general obligation bond for city infrastructure projects, where decisions will affect how nearly a billion dollars is spent.
Residents can voice their priorities—whether it be improvements to pedestrian pathways or investments in bike infrastructure.
Ultimately, showing up and being part of the local conversation is where genuine change begins.
The closure of a beloved local publication has left a void in independent journalism in Colorado.
With only one locally-owned, independent news platform left in Boulder County—Yellow Scene Magazine—the threat to community-focused journalism has become more pressing.
Yellow Scene Magazine remains committed to reporting authentic stories without corporate pressures.
As the landscape of local journalism continues to evolve, the need for community support becomes increasingly vital to ensure that independent voices thrive.
In conclusion, the intersection of hope and urban design offers a path forward in addressing mental health concerns through community-focused initiatives.
By investing in our physical environments and emphasizing the needs of the people, cities can become spaces of growth, connection, and ultimately, joy.
image source from：yellowscene
