Harper’s Playground was born from Cody's personal journey as a father. His daughter, Harper, faced significant physical challenges after birth, and at the age of four, her first independent steps were met with the frustration of being unable to navigate the traditional playground in their neighborhood. This moment of powerlessness sparked a lifelong mission to create spaces that are truly accessible to all. What began as an effort to eliminate wood chips from playgrounds has evolved into a global movement for inclusion, connection, and play.

With a fierce belief in the power of public spaces to connect people, Krista champions an approach to urban design that emphasizes love over fear, encouraging communities to build environments that are open, welcoming, and reflective of their unique character.

How can a one-day event spark lasting change? How can community design be open sourced? What should we be measuring if we want to gauge positive change?

I talk with transportation and placemaking expert, Andrew Howard about his experiences doing just this with Team Better Block. Andrew is the director of placemaking at WGI, a national design and professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. Andrew co-founded Better Block in 2010 as a transportation and placemaking focused public outreach firm that temporarily re-engineers auto-dominated, blighted, and underused urban areas into vibrant centers.

Can our cities be designed to make us happier? What is the role of public space in fostering a more civil society? Can street design foster trust – or even romance?

Mitchell Reardon, a senior urban planner, lecturer, and leader at Happy Cities.