# How Cities Can Make Space for Awe

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-science-of-happiness-439105/how-cities-can-make-space-for-awe
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-science-of-happiness-439105/how-cities-can-make-space-for-awe.md
Podcast: [The Science of Happiness](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-science-of-happiness-439105)
Published: 2026-04-09T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://play.prx.org/listen?ge=prx_192_3857802c-a486-4867-9cff-2922d33ce777&uf=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2FTheScienceOfHappiness
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/sblTq32fyWAjsHzze2LG/mgln.ai/e/48/dovetail.prxu.org/192/3857802c-a486-4867-9cff-2922d33ce777/SoH_S12E05_CITIES_OF_AWE_Blaine_Merker_SEG_A_mix_3.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-science-of-happiness-439105/episodes/how-cities-can-make-space-for-awe
Duration seconds: 1462

## Resource

A simple experiment turning a parking space into a parklet reveals how small changes to public spaces can spark connection, belonging, and awe. Summary: What if even the smallest changes to our cities could transform how we feel and connect? In this episode of The Science of Happiness , we visit the site of San Francisco’s first parklet, and explore how reclaiming everyday spaces can invite people to pause, gather, and experience a sense of belonging. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Guests: BLAINE MERKER is an urban designer and public space advocate. He leads Gehl’s Enterprise & Corporations team. Learn more about Blaine here: https://www.gehlpeople.com/people/blaine-merker/ SETHA LOW is an anthropologist and Professor at City University of New York. She’s also the author of the book Why Public Space Matters , as well as many other books examining the social life of cities. Learn more about Setha here: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/people/setha-low This episode is supported by The Gambrell Foundation, who believe a great life grows from strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and moments of awe and wonder. Learn more about their work at gambrellfoundation.org Related Science of Happiness episodes: What Humans Can Learn From Trees: https://tinyurl.com/48te84ps How to Do Good for the Environment (And Yourself): https://tinyurl.com/5b26zwkx Are You Remembering the Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/483bkk2h Related Happiness Break episodes: How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpm Pause to Look at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/4jttkbw3 Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/mrutudeh Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share you…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-science-of-happiness-439105/episodes/how-cities-can-make-space-for-awe/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-science-of-happiness-439105/how-cities-can-make-space-for-awe.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.