Our civic assets were once the pride of our communities. Our libraries, parks, community centers, and schoolyards served rich and poor alike as neutral ground where common purpose was nurtured. But as communities became segmented by income, technology advanced and needs changed, support for civic assets declined. Americans spend less time together in social settings, trust each other less and interact less with people whose life experiences are different.

Social interaction among people of different backgrounds, ages, incomes and interests is central to expanding economic opportunity. As we invest in connected sets of public places around the country, we are demonstrating—with data—the outcomes of a reimagined civic commons. This data-driven approach offers a new method for determining the multifaceted value of reinvesting in civic assets. Hear from designers, artists, and policy makers how democratizing new civic commons for the 21st century will create more creative, inclusive cities for all.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]