The concept of “place work” might not be familiar to most urban planners, but it’s a critical element of city life that deserves our attention. In a fascinating conversation on the Booked On Planning podcast, author Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani discusses her book “The Cities We Need: Essential Stories of Everyday Places,” offering insights into how everyday spaces shape our communities and individual identities.

Libraries have always been places of knowledge and quiet contemplation, but in our increasingly polarized and isolated society, they’re evolving into something even more crucial—centers for social connection and democratic engagement.