Danish Architect Jan Gehl talks about the intersections of architecture and social science.
Architect, consultant, author of the groundbreaking book, Cities for People, and subject of the documentary THE HUMAN SCALE, Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects answers questions for Mikki Brammer of Metropolis.
Gehl talks about his early influences, as an observer of Danish society. "Every time we build something, we manipulate the conditions of people’s lives, but most planners don’t know enough about this manipulation."
He discusses the strategy his firm employed as a consultant to the Copenhagen city council. Copenhagen is now recognized as the most walkable city on Earth. "It’s no secret that we have always built cities for people until cars started to invade our lives...Part of that strategy was focusing on having good public spaces that invite people to be outside as much as possible, because it’s important for the safety of the city and social inclusion and democracy."
He focuses on the universalities of design rather than cultural context. "We are homo sapiens and we are made as a walking animal and have the same biological history...Whether we live in Greenland or in a very hot climate somewhere, we adapt and discover, but we all have the same aspirations."
Gehl is passionate about the need for architects to understand the way people live and interact in the built environment. "Because if you just do form, then you are doing sculpture, but if you look after the interaction between life and form, you are doing architecture."
FULL STORY: Q&A: Jan Gehl on Making Cities Healthier and the Real Meaning of Architecture
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.