Richard Florida talks with sociologist Eric Klinenberg about his new book and the places and organizations that help hold society together.

In Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg explores the idea of “social infrastructure,” the physical sites, institutions, and groups that are essential in developing a cohesive social fabric. In a conversation with Richard Florida, he describes social infrastructure’s importance and what happens when it frays:
When social infrastructure is robust, it fosters all kinds of social interactions, helps build relationships, and turns community from a vague, fuzzy concept into a lived experience. When social infrastructure is degraded and neglected, it makes it far more likely that we will grow isolated and be left to fend for ourselves.
Klinenberg says social infrastructure is as important to a well-functioning society as other types of infrastructure – water, energy, transportation – and it is made up of a range of private and public places. Childcare facilities, athletic fields, and schools all foster social interaction. The public library is an especially significant part of social infrastructure, says Klinenberg:
It provides a variety of services and public benefits for people of all ages and stations, regardless of social class, regardless of race or ethnicity, regardless of citizenship status. They’re amazing institutions that would be kind of inconceivable if we didn’t already have them. It’s hard to imagine this notion that every citizen has a right to their cultural heritage and to access a free place where they can better themselves outside of the market coming from a moment like this.
Klinenberg believes that social infrastructure, while not a panacea for society’s problems, does provide a sense of shared experience that is integral to repairing our divided society. In addition, he thinks that the strengthening of social infrastructure happens not at the highest levels of society but rather through public engagement in grassroots efforts.
FULL STORY: How ‘Social Infrastructure’ Can Knit America Together

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service