A morning stroll in search of village life done right
It’s one of those exceptionally glorious Saturday mornings along the shores of Lake Zürich that fills you with happy thoughts, optimism and plenty of ideas that require short- to midterm action. You likely have your own version of snow-capped Alpine peaks framed by an endless sunny sky, gardens of coral peonies, joggers and octogenarians who all say good morning (actually “Morge mitenand”), happy mallards doing duck stuff and the fresh smells of the lake, cut grass and jasmine. On days like this there are various morning circuits that mix meadow, forest, shoreline and the village. There might be a coffee stop, perhaps a meeting, a spin around the grocery store and, in today’s case, a very long lunch at the Badi (local bathing club) and some towel time on the lawn with the weekend papers.
As we set to work on our July/August quality-of-life issue, I find myself asking what it takes to create a functioning community where small businesses thrive, people smile and the mood is bubbly and buoyant? On my way back from the village centre, I walk past people cleaning their cars, trimming back ivy, pushing prams or hustling to the train station, and I am left wondering if any institutions have come up with a formula that accounts for scent and public safety, perfect pavements and polite salutations?
For nearly two decades, we’ve been working on metrics that measure some of these essential elements of a pleasant life, which in big global cities become diluted as the focus shifts to airport connectivity, bigger security issues and the quality of medical care. Do you ever ponder what gives you an added spring in your step when you walk, cycle or drive to the shops? When you venture out for your evening run? Or do you have a shortlist of what could elevate your mood or what living in another neighbourhood might feel like? If you do, I’m most keen to hear as we’re setting to work on a little idea for the forthcoming issue. As ever, you can drop me a note at tb@monocle.com. In the meantime, here are a few life improvement starters from a morning stride around my patch.
1.
It really does take a village. Whether it’s 1,500 people in a stand-alone stretch of wilderness or an urban village of 25,000 in an Asian megacity, you need a collection of shops, services, sole operators and F&B purveyors to allow people to gather from early till late. And no, it doesn’t need to be all cobble lanes and stripy awnings, a well-managed and designed community mall can also do the trick.
2.
A thrice-weekly market creates a sense of occasion and a reason for people to break with routines while bringing in some different produce and points of interaction.
3.
A kiosk with good print is more necessary than ever. If there can be a jolt of coffee on the side, then yes please. Sadly our daily printed newspaper habits are evaporating but there’s still room for bountiful weekend reads – we just need places to buy such titles.
4.
Flowers, branches and neatly trimmed trees in abundance. Every village must have a seven-day-a-week flower shop for greenery and blossoms for all occasions.
5.
Recognition is important. Knowing your wine merchant is helpful not only when planning a dinner party but it also helps if you need to leave your keys for a visiting relative to pick up. It also means that they’ll know where to go when they need to leave that “thank you bottle” for their stay.
6.
A place to stretch out, plunge and do very little. Be it a pool, some grass beside a bathing pond or a rocky beach beside the marina, life is better when you can be surrounded by well-mannered locals (visitors too) who know the codes and want little more than sun, a cold beer or rosé from a small bar and a few seats for lingering into the evening.
7.
An attentive mayor and team with their eyes on the details. For example, some arseholes sprayed nonsense tags in the passage under the rail tracks and I was happy to see that within a few days it had been removed and all looked as good as new.
8.
Good pavements that leave space for walkers, bikes and also cars. Villages don’t need to be for pedestrians only. I am a firm believer that passing traffic, wheeled and otherwise, keeps a community interesting.
9.
Warm, golden, dimmed street lamps. Cold LEDs are a mood killer for all – insects and birds included.
10.
Finally, a good bookshop for readings, signings, stimulation and gift-buying. Independent is great but a good chain can often be just as good. Be content to embrace anyone prepared to sell fine print.
Enjoying life in ‘The Faster Lane’? Click here to browse all of Tyler’s past columns.
