If the Postal Service Erodes, So Does American Life

An urban designer argues that protecting the U.S. Postal Service is crucial for maintaining civic values, social ties, and urban life.

1 minute read

August 26, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Post Office

InAweofGod'sCreation / Flickr

“The post office is what urban designers call a 'local public anchor institution.' These are the shared civic buildings, services, and spaces accessible by all and benefiting all, and they also include public schools, libraries, and parks. They support the population without discrimination, through economic downturns and even during pandemics,” writes Patty Heyda.

Post offices do far more than just provide mail service and ensure voting rights, as important as those aspects of the postal service might be. “The post office shapes American public and private life in cities and towns, large and small. A dismantled USPS erodes American social ties, neighborhoods, and even families,” says Heyda.

The architecture of postal buildings reflects the government’s view of people and society, argues Heyda. When post offices go from stately buildings to branch offices in strip malls, the message is clear that public life is not a priority.

In addition, post offices maintain important social connections, says Heyda. From postal carriers who know the residents on their routes to post offices that double as social and informational hubs, the postal service is an institution that plays an essential role in American life.

Monday, August 24, 2020 in Fast Company

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

6 hours ago - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

7 hours ago - GovTech

Top view new development riverside residential and commercial neighborhood with vacant land in Texas, USA.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas

Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.

May 21 - The Texas Tribune