This morning we met with Karolina Petz at Gehl. Through her presentation we learned that Gehl focuses on people and how the built environment affects behavior. In their work, the human being is their starting point – they visit cities, spend time observing people and collecting data about how people use the space, and make recommendations for changes based on that data. Gehl adheres to the following approach:
- The human being is the starting point
- Maintaining a passion for making cities for people
- Creating sustainable, lively, healthy, attractively designed cities
At Gehl they believe that livability starts with understanding people’s behaviors and needs, and have come to understand that while cultures and climates differ, behavior is quite universal.
Karolina brought us through an extensive and informative presentation, describing the approach, projects and learnings from Copenhagen. For me, some of the power in Gehl’s people-first mobility model is its simplicity. In their view, transport is about people. They observe how people experience and behave in public space, and consider how can we move people efficiently. In prioritizing moving cars, we actually reduce our ability to move people because cars take up so much space and typically occupy so few people. Gehl seeks to invite people to utilize a consistent and efficient network.
When Andreas Rohl joined the conversation, we learned that car parking is an emotional issue here in Copenhagen, which I believe the Eugene professionals have experienced as well.
We set out on a walk with Andreas, visiting new areas, and learning about different topics. We now understand that new apartments must dedicate 20% of the space to reduced rent apartments, and that the city looks at the location to make sure that there is a mix of housing without any concentration of privileged or reduced rent spaces.
Asking Andreas about implementing new projects and providing support for drug users revealed a pattern of support rather than enforcement. Rather than issuing citations for traffic violations, the city will deploy staff to help people navigate revised intersections. Instead of arresting drug users, the city has “fixer” houses and social workers to provide support.
Andreas also mentioned that bike parking is crucial to incentivizing biking, which has historically been an issue at train stations in Copenhagen.
Listening to Andreas refer to “car parking” (which, in my experience, Europeans typically say instead of just “parking”), indicates a small but meaningful mindset shift. “Parking” is unspecific, but “car” or “bike” parking indicates there is not just one mode to consider.
After splitting up for lunch (a salad! Vegetables!), we retrieved our bikes, dropped them off at the hostel, and stopped into a few local stores to window shop. I ran around the city lakes during rush hour and enjoyed watching people go about their commutes or stop and enjoy the beautiful afternoon.
Thanks to the SCAN Design Foundation, we enjoyed a delicious and entertaining meal. To finish off the night we swung by a swanky cocktail bar called Ruby before biking home.
