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Setting <p>The Bentway, a public space in Toronto, Canada, transformed the underside of an active expressway into a new active public space and programming platform. It features free public art, performances, and recreational programs on a year-round basis.</p> Intervention <p>The Softer City season, running from May to October 2024, aimed to explore the role that public space and programming play in facilitating social connections.</p> Outcomes <p>The evaluation found that being at The Bentway increased respondents’ sense of physical and mental health, social connection, and belonging; reduced feelings of loneliness among visitors; enhanced a sense of safety among visitors; and positively influenced social interactions through its design elements, such as natural features and public seating.</p> Implications <p>The findings suggest that public spaces like The Bentway, and the programming they support, can play a crucial role in promoting community health, reducing social isolation, and fostering a sense of belonging. Future studies should explore these benefits in more detail and consider the potential of similar initiatives in other urban areas.</p>

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“It’s the first time that I’ve felt like I have a backyard or a neighbourhood while living in this city”: Exploring social connectedness, well-being, and public space through an evaluation of The Bentway’s Softer City season

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Nadha Hassen,
  • Ilana Altman,
  • Anna Gallagher-Ross,
  • Alison Uttley,
  • Kate Mulligan

摘要

Setting

The Bentway, a public space in Toronto, Canada, transformed the underside of an active expressway into a new active public space and programming platform. It features free public art, performances, and recreational programs on a year-round basis.

Intervention

The Softer City season, running from May to October 2024, aimed to explore the role that public space and programming play in facilitating social connections.

Outcomes

The evaluation found that being at The Bentway increased respondents’ sense of physical and mental health, social connection, and belonging; reduced feelings of loneliness among visitors; enhanced a sense of safety among visitors; and positively influenced social interactions through its design elements, such as natural features and public seating.

Implications

The findings suggest that public spaces like The Bentway, and the programming they support, can play a crucial role in promoting community health, reducing social isolation, and fostering a sense of belonging. Future studies should explore these benefits in more detail and consider the potential of similar initiatives in other urban areas.