Jan Gehl - urban visionary

The Environment Show

Jan Gehl trained as an architect but ended up spending 50 years studying the space between buildings. Or more specifically how people use that space.

His research and ideas have been influential in cities around the world. His work has laid the foundation for major changes in cities around the world - including New York, Melbourne, and Sydney. And is revered in his hometown of Copenhagen.

He says that city planning for a long while has been about managing cars and traffic. And that the planners had forgotten about people and how they're faring.

Gehl's approach, as he says, is to "be sweet to the pedestrian and cyclist." And by doing that you get a city that's more sustainable, safe, lively, attractive, and better for citizen's health.

If you live in a city, you really should listen to this interview. And if you know a traffic engineer in your city, get them to listen too.

Find out more Jan and his work in our profile of Jan Gehl.

And check out our collection of Jan Gehl's best quotes on cities.