The Aesthetics of a Commute

For most of us, commuting is the dreaded time we spend getting to and from work. We try to use the time constructively. Maybe we listen to a podcast or audio-book. Maybe we get our phone calls done. But few people really enjoy commuting. In fact, Joseph Stromberg states that the longer the commute, the more miserable the commuter. A 2015 study by the British government found that workers with hour-long commutes felt more anxious, less happy, and less satisfied with life. In general, people with long commutes were less satisfied with daily activities as a whole.

The Art of a Better Commute

Turning the schlep into an aesthetically pleasing experience is one way to counter the stress of a daily commute. Creating art-as-experience moments along commuter routes establishes a sensory bond between the city and its residents. These opportunities let people connect with the world around them and develop a sense of belonging. 

Based on transportation studies, people feel more satisfied with life when they engage with their surroundings. Urban planners realize that quality connections support social cohesion and facilitate human interaction, which is why we could all benefit from connecting with the communities that we live and travel in. Some of the best aesthetic and cohesive experiences happen when artists and communities take ownership of public places. With shared ownership comes the ability to find joy in life's journey.

People feel more satisfied with life when they engage with their surroundings.

Urban planners have the opportunity to collaborate with artists to include aesthetically pleasing elements into their development plans. For people who use public transit, aesthetic experiences can function as a way to reduce stress and foster meaningful human connections. Public transport users reported higher "life satisfaction over time" than car users. For people who use ferries, ride bikes, or walk to work, relying on the natural environment lets people holistically absorb the experience. Holistic city planning can promote sustainable modes of travel, facilitate interactions, and improve the quality of life in urban areas. For drivers, the aesthetic experience must be thoughtfully controlled (safety first!) but can undoubtedly be optimized by artists, planners, and civil engineers.

Here are a few examples of ways cities have prioritized the aesthetic experience of commuting…

Public Transit

Take Stockholm, for example. Starting in 1956, the city began to place art in its metro stations. Today, art is everywhere along its train routes. Entire stations have been turned into an artistic experience. The city has even created an app that explains the immersive art instillations.

In London, bus route 11 rolls past the Bank of England, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey, an ideal route for classic sightseeing. What better way to commute to work than by enjoying the beautiful historical sites of a city?

Ferry

Seattle has one of the most beautiful commutes from Bainbridge Island to Downtown Seattle. The short ferry ride provides wonderful views of the Seattle skyline, the blue waters of Puget Sound, and the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. Don't forget New York's Staten Island ferry that passes the Statue of Liberty every day.

Biking

Portland has the highest number of cyclists per capita in the United States. In fact, its urban plan for biking trails has inspired other cities such as Minneapolis, to follow suit. While you travel the bike trails throughout the city, you can enjoy the skyline, the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, and a nature preserve.

Driving

Berlin has emerged as one of the leading eco-design cities, using its architecture and environment to create scenic travel routes. Santa Barbara has one of the most beautiful commutes. Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Barbara offers expansive ocean views and dramatic sunrises and sunsets.

Be the Artist of Your Own Commute

A recent Cambridge study found commuters reported a sense of wellbeing when asked to photograph their commutes. Even those who viewed their commute negatively found a few points of joy as they photographed their travel into the city. Recording their commutes in pictures enabled people to see the aesthetics in their routes.

The power of the aesthetic is considerable. When viewed as part of everyday life, the aesthetic experience becomes a way to better the quality of life through more civil and humane interactions. The next time you travel to and from the city, take a moment to enjoy the world and people around you. What better way to start and end your workday than with a little bit of beauty?