This is 99% Invisible.

I'm Roman Mars.

A good neighborhood should accomplish a number of important functions.

A good neighborhood keeps people safe.

A good neighborhood makes you feel like you're a part of something.

A good neighborhood makes the lives of its residents just generally good.

Not all of us were lucky enough to grow up in a neighborhood like that.

But for over half a century, millions and millions of kids around the world

at least got to experience it through their television sets.

Sunny day, sleeping up, at least got to experience it through their television sets. I think it has formed so many children's view to where the air is free. I think it has formed so many children's views of the world and how to interact with people and how they think life should be.

This is Anna Koday.

She's a journalist who covers the built environment and public space for the New York Times.

Like, it's actually shaped not only children's education, but also our physical built environment.

Like, at this point, there are actual streets that are renamed Sesame Street in cities across America.

Recently, she wrote about one of the most influential city blocks in the world, Sesame Street.

Like millions of other kids, Anna grew up an Elmo fan, which is what kind of inspired the article.

I selfishly wanted to see the set of Sesame Street, so I was like, how can I come up with a story that fits into my beach?

Is there just like something fun and silly we could do with one of the Muppets?

Like, could Elmo show us around his apartment, like an apartment tour?

By the way, I'd 100% watch the Elmo Architectural Digest tour.

I was thinking more and more and I was like, we don't really see that much of his home.

It's not really about that.

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