Trends
Designing cities for People
January 14, 2025
Cities are built for people. Today, with technology and top-down urban planning, the focus has shifted from historically and culturally rich spaces to speed, functionality and profitability.
Human scale environment means designing everyday objects and places that are comfortable in size for an average person. It means creating spaces for pedestrians and not just vehicles. These walkable, green and inclusive spaces make urban life healthier and sustainable; they positively affect the well-being of the residents.
Human scale environment means designing everyday objects and places that are comfortable in size for an average person. It means creating spaces for pedestrians and not just vehicles. These walkable, green and inclusive spaces make urban life healthier and sustainable; they positively affect the well-being of the residents.
Well-thought urban design and placemaking initiatives can transform urban centres into serene spaces and may contribute to uplifting human senses.
1. Connectivity
A well-connected city prioritises compact neighbourhoods that promote walking, cycling, and public transport use to reduce dependence on cars. These active mobility modes encourage physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, and foster community interaction. Copenhagen is renowned for its walkability and bike-friendly infrastructure, with extensive cycling paths and efficient public transport options.
1. Connectivity
A well-connected city prioritises compact neighbourhoods that promote walking, cycling, and public transport use to reduce dependence on cars. These active mobility modes encourage physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, and foster community interaction. Copenhagen is renowned for its walkability and bike-friendly infrastructure, with extensive cycling paths and efficient public transport options.
2. Environment and Green spaces
With reduced reliance on cars, cities can implement initiatives to reduce pollution and respiratory issues. Public plazas, shared streets, and green spaces offer relaxation and social interaction. Well-designed green spaces also mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce flooding, and improve biodiversity. Singapore maintains air and water quality through urban greenery and nature reserves integrated into the cityscape.
3. Leisure and Entertainment
Leisure spaces like museums, theatres, music and public art create a dynamic and vibrant environment. They encourage residents to enjoy cultural and recreational activities, nurturing a sense of pride and identity. Cafes, restaurants and lively nightlife are also essential for entertainment. Paris has a rich cultural scene throughout the year with several festivals and diverse events.
4. Community and Social life
Happy cities foster social cohesion through spaces and events that encourage interaction. Spaces and activities like community centres, local markets and festivals offer occasions for people to connect with their neighbours. These interactions form the fabric of urban life, promoting mutual understanding and reducing isolation. Barcelona, with its vibrant urban design and cultural events, is known for its strong sense of community and social life.
5. Sense of belonging and Inclusiveness
Urban spaces should be comfortable for people from different backgrounds, ethnicities and lifestyles. They should remove physical and social barriers, creating public spaces accessible to people of all abilities. Toronto celebrates cultural diversity through multicultural neighbourhood festivals and equal opportunities for all.
Urban design incorporates liveability factors by creating interconnected, human-centred spaces that prioritise the well-being of residents. Green spaces and public plazas integrated into city plans improve the environment and provide places for relaxation and interaction. Walkable neighbourhoods and inclusive design principles ensure accessibility and diversity.
With reduced reliance on cars, cities can implement initiatives to reduce pollution and respiratory issues. Public plazas, shared streets, and green spaces offer relaxation and social interaction. Well-designed green spaces also mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce flooding, and improve biodiversity. Singapore maintains air and water quality through urban greenery and nature reserves integrated into the cityscape.
3. Leisure and Entertainment
Leisure spaces like museums, theatres, music and public art create a dynamic and vibrant environment. They encourage residents to enjoy cultural and recreational activities, nurturing a sense of pride and identity. Cafes, restaurants and lively nightlife are also essential for entertainment. Paris has a rich cultural scene throughout the year with several festivals and diverse events.
4. Community and Social life
Happy cities foster social cohesion through spaces and events that encourage interaction. Spaces and activities like community centres, local markets and festivals offer occasions for people to connect with their neighbours. These interactions form the fabric of urban life, promoting mutual understanding and reducing isolation. Barcelona, with its vibrant urban design and cultural events, is known for its strong sense of community and social life.
5. Sense of belonging and Inclusiveness
Urban spaces should be comfortable for people from different backgrounds, ethnicities and lifestyles. They should remove physical and social barriers, creating public spaces accessible to people of all abilities. Toronto celebrates cultural diversity through multicultural neighbourhood festivals and equal opportunities for all.
Urban design incorporates liveability factors by creating interconnected, human-centred spaces that prioritise the well-being of residents. Green spaces and public plazas integrated into city plans improve the environment and provide places for relaxation and interaction. Walkable neighbourhoods and inclusive design principles ensure accessibility and diversity.
A well-designed city supports residents at every stage of life. Safe streets and supportive environments are essential for children. Adults look for efficient connectivity and leisure for work-life balance. For seniors, healthcare, proximity to nature and chances of social interaction are crucial for ageing comfortably in place. It is imperative to design cities to accommodate people’s changing needs through various life phases to ensure the urban environment remains supportive.
The built environment may influence the physical and mental health of a person through the following parameters: travel, leisure, work, social relationships, residential well-being and emotional responses. Pedestrianisation, active travel and public transport can improve air quality, reduce noise, free up public space and contribute to a positive emotional state.
Urban nature and biophilic elements reduce stress, restore attention and improve emotional state. Green spaces in cities also positively affect attention, mood and mental health. Dense urban form and public transport accessibility can reduce the risk of depression in women and older adults by increasing mobility and social interaction. These aspects combine to create positive environments that nurture resident’s health and emotional and psychological well-being.
The built environment may influence the physical and mental health of a person through the following parameters: travel, leisure, work, social relationships, residential well-being and emotional responses. Pedestrianisation, active travel and public transport can improve air quality, reduce noise, free up public space and contribute to a positive emotional state.
Urban nature and biophilic elements reduce stress, restore attention and improve emotional state. Green spaces in cities also positively affect attention, mood and mental health. Dense urban form and public transport accessibility can reduce the risk of depression in women and older adults by increasing mobility and social interaction. These aspects combine to create positive environments that nurture resident’s health and emotional and psychological well-being.
Case Study: Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, Japan
The Kashiwa-no-ha smart city project is a collaboration between public, private (Hitachi) and academic sectors. The goal was a to develop a community in harmony with nature, support health and longevity of residents and foster creation of new industries. The 273-hectare township was launched in 2005, in the Chiba Prefecture. (Image CR: architectmagazine.com)
After citizen and stakeholder surveys, eight main goals were devised: creation of a garden city coexisting with the environment, development of cultural and educational spaces, development of sustainable transport system, creation of a unique style with high quality urban space, and implementation of local area management.
The town is planned in a way that all the parcels are connected to the campus at the core via green axis paths. The green axis is a key urban space that generates a sense of unity created for the community. The landscape and design are formulated after in-depth discussions with the key players and local government.
The Kashiwa-no-ha smart city project is a collaboration between public, private (Hitachi) and academic sectors. The goal was a to develop a community in harmony with nature, support health and longevity of residents and foster creation of new industries. The 273-hectare township was launched in 2005, in the Chiba Prefecture. (Image CR: architectmagazine.com)
After citizen and stakeholder surveys, eight main goals were devised: creation of a garden city coexisting with the environment, development of cultural and educational spaces, development of sustainable transport system, creation of a unique style with high quality urban space, and implementation of local area management.
The town is planned in a way that all the parcels are connected to the campus at the core via green axis paths. The green axis is a key urban space that generates a sense of unity created for the community. The landscape and design are formulated after in-depth discussions with the key players and local government.
The human-scale sensitive facades, along with the trees are biophilic. The urban planning integrates business with community aspirations through placemaking and energy and water management strategies.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2030, the phased project has been open to adjustments, natural events and any unforeseen changes. The project, with its tremendous complexity and intricacies has become a progressive and dynamic cooperative effort. With various consultants, they have incorporated perspectives on community engagement, mixed-use programming, placemaking and stormwater management, leading to a LEED-ND Plan Platinum certification.
Conclusion
Designing cities for people requires a shift from purely functional urban spaces to environments that prioritise human well-being, community, interaction and sustainability. Designers and governing bodies should design for people over profits to create nurturing spaces.
Urban design incorporates liveability factors by creating interconnected, human-centred spaces that prioritise the well-being of residents. Green spaces and public plazas integrated into city plans improve the environment and provide places for relaxation and interaction. Walkable neighbourhoods and inclusive design principles ensure accessibility and diversity.
A well-designed city supports residents at every stage of life. Safe streets and supportive environments are essential for children. Adults look for efficient connectivity and leisure for work-life balance. For seniors, healthcare, proximity to nature and chances of social interaction are crucial for ageing comfortably in place. It is imperative to design cities to accommodate people’s changing needs through various life phases to ensure the urban environment remains supportive.
A well-designed city supports residents at every stage of life. Safe streets and supportive environments are essential for children. Adults look for efficient connectivity and leisure for work-life balance. For seniors, healthcare, proximity to nature and chances of social interaction are crucial for ageing comfortably in place. It is imperative to design cities to accommodate people’s changing needs through various life phases to ensure the urban environment remains supportive.
The built environment may influence the physical and mental health of a person through the following parameters: travel, leisure, work, social relationships, residential well-being and emotional responses. Pedestrianisation, active travel and public transport can improve air quality, reduce noise, free up public space and contribute to a positive emotional state.
Urban nature and biophilic elements reduce stress, restore attention and improve emotional state. Green spaces in cities also positively affect attention, mood and mental health. Dense urban form and public transport accessibility can reduce the risk of depression in women and older adults by increasing mobility and social interaction. These aspects combine to create positive environments that nurture resident’s health and emotional and psychological well-being.
Urban nature and biophilic elements reduce stress, restore attention and improve emotional state. Green spaces in cities also positively affect attention, mood and mental health. Dense urban form and public transport accessibility can reduce the risk of depression in women and older adults by increasing mobility and social interaction. These aspects combine to create positive environments that nurture resident’s health and emotional and psychological well-being.