In the midst of a bustling city, a Parisian district has declared itself the “Republic of Good Neighbors” in an effort to combat social isolation and revive conviviality. The 14th arrondissement has been conducting a neighborhood-wide experiment on deliberate living by consciously choosing to be good neighbors.

Since 2018, the Republic has been the site of hundreds of small events celebrating conviviality, including brunches, aperitifs, cultural outings, bake-a-thons, children’s activities, and group exercise meets. The airwaves are filled with communications from dozens of WhatsApp groups, for people trading and selling handmade goods, people repairing electronics or mechanical equipment, or sharing referrals to various professional services. Many residents say the deliberate shift to good neighborliness has changed their lives, including immigrants to the area who feel they’re living the Paris they always imagined.

The Republic has also lobbied city hall to levy a tax on businesses deemed undesirable by those in the neighborhood, such as banks that no one uses, or delivery hubs. It’s also hired local green entrepreneurs to design a variety of collection points for organic waste which is then turned into compost for the neighborhood trees and flower boxes.

The Republic’s most recent civic engagement project was when it turned its attention to the Place des Droits L’Enfant, a plaza that had become a largely lifeless road junction. By working together, the neighbors pedestrianized it, cleaned up litter and broken pavement, planted a variety of garden beds along the roads and plaza, and inaugurated the new space with a big party of music and board games.