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When we think of cities
We picture streets alive with sounds and smells, iconic landmarks, our neighbors, and a lingering hum of everyday activities
When we think of cities
But have you paused to ask: What emotions does my city stir in me?
Do certain places invite feelings of joy, wonder and calm? While others quietly seed tension or unease?
We invited young people in Charlotte to capture the city through their eyes
By showing us where they go
and telling us how it feels to be there
By revealing the places they visit
and sharing the emotions these places evoke
Charlotte is a character shaped by the stories of local youth who know them best. Charlotte helps us understand when they feel most supported and valued.
Charlotte’s character is made up of stories and documented insights from 40 local young people in Charlotte, North Carolina who participated in an activity to document their urban experiences
Say hello to Charlotte!
Who is Charlotte?
Charlotte is welcoming, calm, lively and playful
Yet, at times, Charlotte can also feel run-down
These descriptions of Charlotte are a synthesis of the feelings that young people associated with the places they go
Like each one of us, Charlotte carries a tapestry of different
F
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As they move through their neighborhood, they travel through landscapes of belonging and happiness, cross corners of surprise and trek through alleys of isolation
For example, some of the places Charlotte visits make them feel welcomed and evoke a sense of calm
While other places can make Charlotte feel neglected and stressed out
Charlotte doesn't like passing by wide and busy streets. It makes them feel
ANXIOUS
and small. When Charlotte has to cross these roads to get to school, it feels like a big challenge.
The speed and volume of the traffic inhibit them from feeling free to wander and discover all of the wonderful things in their neighborhood
Anxious path to the train
Unsafe to cross
Like this place.
Every day, Charlotte has to cross a wide, busy road to get to school
There's not any barrier between the sidewalk and the street. Even if very clearly like you can walk here, you don't feel like you're supposed to be walking there, and that feels unsafe in the like, oh, no one else is around
This quote comes from Ariana, 19 — talking about the streets in their neighborhood. The colored highlights represent the emotions of what they are saying, categorized by HumeAI.
Fear
Disappointment
Making Charlotte feel scared instead of safe
Did you know...
Exposure to noise and air pollution
triggers the body’s stress response, increasing levels of cortisol and other stress hormones
But not all places make Charlotte feel this way. There are special spots that fill them with happiness, where they feel accepted. Pockets of nature help Charlotte feel
calm and joyful
Like they belong just where they are.
Charlotte seeks these places out to find a moment of quiet, away from the noise of the city
Peaceful atmosphere
Light shining through the trees
It's a trail along Metropolitan, and it just brings you a lot of peace. There's a stream and you can hear the water. It's just really quiet and allows you to sit in your thoughts.
This quote comes from Keleah, 17, talking about nature places she visits. The colored highlights represent the emotions of what she is talking about, categorized by HumeAI
Calmness
Satisfaction
Did you know...
When we spend time in nature our stress levels decrease significantly in comparison to the typical drop expected from our body's daily rhythm
Even though there are many places that make Charlotte smile, they sometimes have big feelings of
NOSTALGIA.
They wish for more moments of connection that bring a sense of belonging, and opportunities to be playful.
Bee, 17
Anna, 22
I just like hearing the wind chime because it reminds me of fall. And I remember I would get out of class and just hang out with my friends at the picnic tables and I would hear the wind chime playing.
Joy
Nostalgia
Calvary Church, one of South Charlotte’s icons, has always felt like a castle to me. It means home more than anything else—a glass-paneled landmark that glistens at sunrise and sunset. It’s incredibly special to me, just like it is to so many South Charlotte residents, and it’s a symbol of comfort, history, and lasting inspiration.
This quote comes from Bee, 16, talking about places that are special to them. The colored highlights represent the emotions of what they are talking about, categorized by HumeAI
Nostalgia
Joy
Did you know...
Mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability for young people aged 10-25 worldwide. However, young people's mental health can improve when their communities provide:
Youth-focused mental health and educational services
Free spaces that facilitate social connection and gathering
Personal development and employment opportunities
Youth friendly environments where feelings, opinions, and choices are valued
Explore Charlotte's places
The map below showcases findings about Charlotte's experiences throughout the city. Select the pins below to learn how different places make Charlotte feel.
As we’ve seen, our surroundings play a big role in how we feel. Come explore Charlotte to discover the places that bring joy, calm, or even anxiety.
Food Places are Social Connectors
Neglected & Run Down Places
Civic Mindedness
When places feel neglected, or run down, it makes Charlotte feel not taken care of and not accepted
This turtle was hit by a car. It shows the infrastructure has infringed upon the natural environment and that Charlotte must do better to protect wildlife even in protected areas
The food truck is lit up, there's always people there, and the food is really good. They have music, and you make friends there because people start talking to you in the line. This area would be sketchy otherwise, but the food truck is a pillar [of the community].
– Ava, 14
Food places are powerful social connectors in Charlotte
Photos youth took of food places were more commonly tagged with positive qualities like welcoming, lively and safe
I think of my local public library, where so much effort is put into making the place safe and welcoming with cool art and the architecture. I think it’s really nice that there's a free area where people can go and be together.
– Allie, 17
People really value and appreciate their local civic amenities
Explore Charlottes Places
75%
of photos taken of pedestrian walkways are described as "peaceful," and they all are located in traffic-free areas. 80% of these peaceful walkways are punctuated by nature
Proximity to traffic raises anxiety
Being nearby high speed, noisy vehicular traffic is a stressful and insecure experience for many.
55%
of vehicular street photos are described with the feeling anxious
Access to nature isn’t equal among all of Charlotte’s communities
There is a discrepancy between what green space is technically available for people to visit, and how accessible people perceive nature spaces to be.
This map shows that 68% of Charlotteans live in walking distance to a park or green space, yet survey respondents reported feeling that they don’t have sufficient access to nature spaces.
My neighborhood parks are often overgrown or unkempt. It’s disappointing and doesn’t feel like somewhere I want to spend time in, or made for me to be there.
– Abel, 17
Youth pay a high price just to hang out
There is a lack of public spaces to gather in Charlotte which limits where young people can go and spend time with their friends. As a result, young people gravitate to commercial hubs that are safe and have a variety of offerings. 56% of the youth citizen scientists from this project said that if someone were visiting Charlotte for the first time they would take them to visit a food place or retail area.
However, the ‘public’ spaces they are used to visiting are pricey and unequally distributed. This creates a real accessibility barrier due to monetary cost and physical access.
What is the cost of socialising over one meal in the places most mentioned by young people?
Calculations based on $7.25/hour - the North Carolina minimum wage as of 2024 according to livingwage.mit.edu
Food places are powerful social connectors in Charlotte
Food places are often used as social hubs in cities and Charlotte is no different. The youth citizen scientists from this project took many photos of food places that they commonly tagged with positive qualities like “welcoming, lively and safe”. The data indicated that food places are being used as a town square for Charlotte’s young people.
75%
of photos taken of pedestrian walkways are described as "peaceful," and they all are located in traffic-free areas. 80% of these peaceful walkways are punctuated by nature
Cultural markers important to maintaining an authentic sense of place
Charlotte has signs of its rich culture and history, but these signifiers are fading in pace with development. This is leading to a lack of collective identity necessary for feelings of belonging. Historical indicators of the city’s heritage are disappearing, erasing important signals and stories of the community’s culture and identity. When asked 'What is special about Charlotte?' survey respondents mentioned the city's historic and cultural character as something they cherish about Charlotte.
55%
of vehicular street photos are described with the feeling anxious
I feel safer in neighborhoods when I feel an attachment to its history. But every day I feel that history slipping through my fingers, because it’s being pushed out by change and new investments.
– Community organizer
People in Charlotte have a real desire to connect with nature
Nature spaces elicit positive emotions from nearly all youth citizen scientists, photos of nature were overwhelmingly tagged with positive sentiments across groups.
People in Charlotte appreciate seeing signs of care throughout the city
Places that show signs of maintenance and stewardship make people feel welcome. Those signals of care encourage people to return to a place again and again, and also to stay longer when they visit. When those signs aren’t present, respondents expressed that they don’t feel comfortable and don’t want to spend time in certain places.
Proximity to traffic raises anxiety
Being nearby high speed, noisy, vehicular traffic is stressful and creates a feeling of insecurity for many. Not only does this impact the health of residents, but it prevents many people from being active outside, and prevents young people from having autonomy to how they move through the city.
75%
of photos taken of pedestrian walkways are described as "peaceful," and they all are located in traffic-free areas. 80% of these peaceful walkways are punctuated by nature
Civic places like libraries or community centers are important to Charlotte
Community members shared a great deal of pride for their local gems like recreation centers or libraries, but didn’t share stories of communal gathering places outside of their neighborhoods.
I think of my local public library, where so much effort is put into making the place safe and welcoming with cool art and the architecture. I think it’s really nice that there's a free area where people can go and be together.
– Allie, 17
Historic markeres are disappearing
How might we empower Charlotte to feel supported by their city and thrive?
If Charlotte feels cared for, things start to improve on a personal level.
Improved critical thinking abilities
Longer term health improvements
Lower levels of inflammation
Which benefits Charlotte's communities
More collaborative
Common sense of humanity and reduced prejudice
Recognition of the strength of others
Feeling smaller
and a part of something larger
Increased generosity
Decreased materialism
And has impact on the larger ecosystem
When we design for experiences of community and connection, it creates the feeling of being a part of something larger. There is great potential for well-being to spread throughout the entire city.
When Charlotte feels good, those positive emotions can spread. They feel more collaborative and have a common sense of humanity, creating a ripple effect that benefits the whole community.
- Improved critical thinking abilities
- Lower level of inflammation
- Longer term health improvements
When Charlotte feels supported — with safe journeys to school, respite in nature spaces, and opportunities to socialize with others — both their mind and body benefit: their levels of inflammation drop and critical thinking improves.
While there is no silver bullet for a caring city, there is an ecosystem of opportunities to nurture awe, belonging, and a better quality of life for all
Play spaces &
Positive sensory experiences
Soft signs of community caretaking
Underground parking making way for green spaces
Opportunities to walk and cycle that are both safe and enjoyable
High quality public spaces for spending time and connecting with one another
Everyday places that connect people with their local ecosystem
High-quality play spaces that cool us down when we're hot
Clear channels for citizens to engage and have their voices heard
Architecture that inspires and encourages playfulness
Streets that prioritize people
Space to for togetherness, rituals, and celebration
Small moments of community-organized care
Plant a seed
Share a dream with your community
Tend to the garden
Engage shaping your community
Smell the flowers
Appreciate your city in a new way
The mounting challenges cities face can lead us to react rather than plan ahead. But instead of constantly putting out fires, we have the opportunity to plant seeds for a better future. Together we can take a proactive approach and nurture the spaces and actors who help our communities thrive.
Join us...
The mounting challenges cities face can lead us to react rather than plan ahead. But instead of constantly putting out fires, we have the opportunity to plant seeds for a better future. Together we can take a proactive approach and nurture the spaces and actors who help our communities thrive.
Join us...
As cities face growing challenges, it’s easy to react instead of plan. But we have the chance to plant seeds for a better future. By working together, we can take a proactive approach and nurture the people and spaces that help our communities thrive.
Call to action
Plant a seed
What seed can you plant to make your neighborhood a more awe-inspiring place?
- Gather neighbors for impromptu movie nights or block parties, host a street festival or a pop-up art show
- Share your hobby, passion or past time with your community
- Propose a donation-based concert series
- Bring your neighbors together to brainstorm low-budget ways to reclaim an underused space for something your community needs
Share your dream and watch it grow into something beautiful.
Call to action
Stop to smell the roses
Awe is accessible everywhere, sometimes hidden in the everyday moments we often overlook. Take some time to pause and appreciate the small wonders around you — the sound of birds, the trees, a sign of kindness.
Prompt: Take an awe walk and rediscover a familiar place in a new light. As you walk, shift your awareness to the world around you. What do you notice? What surprises or delights you? Is there anything that strikes your curiosity?
Call to action
Tend to the garden
It takes a collective effort to create a caring city.
There are countless ways to get involved...
- Connect with your neighbors and ask how you can cultivate a sense of shared ownership and stewardship over your neighborhood
- Make a small act of kindness to the people, plants, or animals near you
- Join or start a neighborhood coalition
- Participate in a local park clean-up
- Invest some of your time in re-wilding lawns or painting sidewalk games for children
Thank you for reading, learn more about the project below
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