IN the wake of Metro Manila’s systemic transport and city planning concerns, internationally renowned Danish urban-design expert and architect Jan Gehl recently discussed planning livable cities with architecture students of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
In her message, Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines Grete Sillasen mentioned that she grew up in Copenhagen—a city designed through Gehl’s methodology of “Cities for People.”
“[The Danish capital] got better year by year, and we are all very proud that it is considered one of the most livable cities in the world. For that, we can thank Jan Gehl,” said Sillasen. “Cities for People is not only about traffic…I noticed that when we talk about livability, traffic is often an issue…. Part of the livability of Copenhagen is that it’s a city for bikers and pedestrians.”
The ambassador challenged her audience: “I hope you will walk along the footsteps of…Gehl. I dare you to be the ones to make Manila a city for the people.”
Gehl, whom the ambassador called the “Grand Old Man of Urban Planning for People,” is an award-winning architect and expert on urban planning, with more than 50 years of experience. He is a recipient of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2015, and the Sir Patrick Abercrombie Prize for exemplary contributions to town planning in 1993, among others.
Gehl centered his lecture “Livable Cities of the 21st Century” on the people-oriented approach to city planning. By keeping the people’s experience or “the patterns of public life” in urban environments at the heart of urban design, he envisions lively, safe, sustainable and healthy cityscapes that do not heavily rely on motor vehicles. In the course of a decades-long career, he has created such spaces in Copenhagen, Melbourne, New York, and other urban centers around the globe.
This idea was echoed by UST College of Architecture’s Dean Ar. Rodolfo S. Ventura, as he reminded the 442 architecture students and faculty members that “we are always challenged not just to create inspiring and functional works of art, but also to be mindful of the spaces we use and create.”
In particular, Gehl emphasized that planning and building for urban centers needed three main points of consideration: the protection, comfort, and enjoyment of the people who will inhabit or pass through the space.
“First, we shape the cities, then they shape us,” said Gehl, adding that “Architecture is the interplay between form and life. If life and form interact in a successful way, then that is good architecture.”
The architect recommended to the students to study public life or the behavior of inhabitants within and around the planned space to see their habits and needs, instead of building a city space that looks good from above, or as a 3D model.
Gehl further explained that architects should design for protection against traffic accidents, crime, and inconvenient sense experiences involving weather and pollution. One should also add a clean and unobstructed street layout, defined spots for staying, sufficient lighting and unhindered views, as well as open spaces for “talk-scapes” and group physical activities. The scale, ventilation and insulation as necessary, as well as positive-sense experiences and aesthetic qualities are also key.
When these key factors successfully come together, the result is a livable, lively, healthy and sustainable city that would also be “good to be old in,” he said.
Aside from being the founding partner of Gehl Architects, Gehl is professor emeritus of urban design at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts-School of Architecture. In the last 50 years, he has published several books—including Life Between Buildings, Cities for People, New City Spaces, Public Spaces-Public Life, New City Life and most recently, How to Study Public Life.
The webinar with Gehl was part of a series of programs under the celebration of the 75 years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and the Philippines. It was made possible through the collaboration of the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila, UST’s Office of Public Affairs and the UST College of Architecture. Faculty members Ar. Ruth Marie I. Equipaje, Ar. Cesar Concio III and former Dean Ar. Luis Ferrer served as the panel discussants.
Aside from producing topnotchers in the national licensure examinations in architecture, the royal and pontifical university also has national artists and renowned architects within its ranks of alumni, such as Leandro Locsin, Ildefonso Santos Jr. and Francisco Mañosa.