Affiliation:
1. Department of Communication, Florida International University, Miami, FL
2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Abstract
American car-dependent suburbs in modern society are often stigmatized as “boring” in media, discussions, and general perceptions, depicted as dull places lacking excitement and vitality, embodying themes of discontent, conformity, and a longing for more. However, despite this usual judgement a comprehensive understanding of how urban planning influences the experience of boredom is sorely lacking. The complex relationship between urban design and boredom is examined here in detail, focusing on the potential for planners and policymakers to design socially connected, more engaging, and visually stimulating communities. By analyzing the design of communities and the effects of this design on boredom and undertaking a systematic review of the research conducted on the relationship between urban planning and boredom, the multifaceted problem of boredom in urban planning can be addressed through the creation of a framework to incorporate measures of boredom into urban planning.