> The main issues with them is that they are don't create much community, with their lifeless corridors and alienating common areas
What I noticed with development patterns when I lived in Munich, is that there were a LOT more "pedestrian plaza" type areas scattered throughout the city compared to US cities.
I think that's what's needed, is any given neighborhood having at least a few plaza areas with some open space, some benches, a fountain, etc.
I'm not sure the culture in the US would lend itself that way.
Parks and public commons areas tend to become the dumping ground for unsolved social issues. Those who've fallen through society's cracks. Those who would abuse the ability to interact with others to interact in uncouth ways. Issues of space size and use density. Even during the height of Pokemon Go when (mostly) nerds were incentivized to visit city parks the mostly polite use was frowned upon as an unwanted crowd interfering with those who'd traditionally use the same public space.
Then there's the more 'accepted' version of gatherings in cities: paying various retail places for the privilege of being there, usually at a markup that reflects the value of being in such a dense area.
Fixing both of those problems, and any others I didn't mention, will take political will and a shift in culture. Programs to connect the unfortunate with the social integration or support help they need, and measures to combat rent-seeking (laws and tax biases) seem like a distant pipe dream.
That same 95% might have less than a thousand homeless people total and theres just too much park acreage for the few who might loiter there to ever dominate a park. Its a non issue. People go to the park in places I lived that are large and small. By and large the few homeless people who congregate in parks very much don’t want to cause a big nuisance and a police visit and keep to themselves.
In my experience parks in suburban areas tend to be reserved for sports facilities (baseball, tennis, etc) and playgrounds. They’re not usually nice places to hang out.
I went to this park two weeks ago, because it is one of very (very) few that performs ancient Greek drama in mask every year. This is quite a rare thing.
What I noticed with development patterns when I lived in Munich, is that there were a LOT more "pedestrian plaza" type areas scattered throughout the city compared to US cities.
I think that's what's needed, is any given neighborhood having at least a few plaza areas with some open space, some benches, a fountain, etc.