As we settled into the week, we built up to several different lectures with professionals at the city, consulting firms, and conversations with local residents. We visited many of the same places in 2019, but with different presenters.  After 4 months in Sweden, 2 years of pandemic, and rapidly accelerating impacts of climate change, I’m taking away different messages than my first trip 3 years ago.

Jan Gehl is famous for the concept of cities for people rather than buildings and thinking about the life and space between buildings.  His work has integrated the concepts of mobility and public space and the disciplines of design and engineering. The firm focuses on strategy, vision and conceptual design more than the technical details.   Andreas Røhl was formerly the director of cycling strategy for the city of Copenhagen and spent a year in Vancouver as well. He has expertise in the political and technical aspects of making cities for people.

Some quotes that resonated with me that reflect the theory of cities for people and the politics of getting there:

Politics

• “It’s the politicians who make tough decisions – as a planner and designer, your job is to argue in a fair and good way”
• “Politicians are busy, so they need public servants who interpret mandated in a broad way. Think strategically about what is on the agenda (tourism, kids, climate, health, obesity) – how do you tie it to the local agenda. Measure and report.”
• “Approaches should be holistic not siloed. You have to spend lots of time to develop relationships. You can’t just create a new city department – the relationship building is important.”
• “You need political stamina to implement and carry through. Make sure you get policies and practices institutionalized.”
• “All projects are communication projects. If staff don’t think like this, you run into problems.”

Technical  – mobility and public space

• “You should specialize in car parking. Nothing is more emotional. It’s the dark matter of urban planning.”
• “Streets are too important as a living space in the city to cede the entire space to cars.”
• “Places should be more than one thing” — this is evident from something like Copenhilll which processes trash,  creates energy, and serves as a recreation facility.
• “How can you use a bike as a tool to rethink space”
• “What you focus on is what you get” – cars, biking and walking
• “Don’t make the whole thing for rich people. Conserve the diversity that makes cities dynamic and interesting.”
• “Being on a bike is not a political statement. Lower the entry barrier.”
• “You have to work towards a continuous journey through the city in a network approach.”

In practice, the results of this hard work are clear – the city is easy to navigate by bike, transit and walking.  It’s more difficult to drive because of little interventions that slow down cars, make parking expensive, and subtly encourage other modes. Public spaces like parks, swimming areas, and public squares are activated.  There are kiosks, food carts, and groceries near the public spaces and there are places to sit, use the toilet and throw away trash.  Public spaces aren’t as heavily surveilled as in the United States. There are tons of different types of spaces all over the city for people to enjoy.  They focus on what makes people feel welcome in public spaces.

Meeting with Gehl at the “Kissing” Bridge — an important connection across the harbor

Making inviting spaces that people use (harbor baths)

Public space with street food, DJs, social space at Reffen