Dr. Tayana Panova — a psychologist focused on the long-tailed effects of American suburbs and sprawl — is in good traffic to talk the X of urbanism (or lack thereof) and psychology. Dr. Panova summarizes how American urban and suburban design over the last century has had profound effects on our mental, social, and physical wellbeing. She centers the need to reshape people in our urban environments; making them more walkable and conducive to human connections. Tayana also previews her upcoming book, which further studies these points.

We discuss:
00:00 Dr. Tayana Panova is in good traffic.
00:44 The intersection of psychology and urbanism.
01:59 The state of youth psychology in a suburbanized nation.
02:27 Perceptions of the suburbs.
06:35 Technology molds psychology… especially cars.
10:00 The impact of car dependence on our minds.
12:35 The concept of control in urban planning.
15:38 The freedom paradox.
20:32 Shaping POV, via travel.
28:24 A pure joy found in walkable spaces.
29:47 The relationship between urban design on mental health.
35:36 A suburban dilemma.
42:44 Room for improvements.
49:15 The joy of commuting in well-designed cities.

Further context:

⁠⁠Writings, at the Social Life Project.⁠⁠


Connect with Dr. Panova:

⁠On TikTok.⁠
⁠On Twitter.⁠


Connecting with me, Brad:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠