Gehl - Making Cities for People

What can Ramadan teach us about cities? During this sacred month, streets quiet down, priorities shift, and the rhythms of daily life transform. At Gehl, we’ve learned that Ramadan doesn’t just reshape time — it reshapes space. 🌙🏙️ From shared meals spilling into the streets to slower, more intentional movement through cities, Ramadan invites us to rethink what public life can be when it's grounded in care, presence, and generosity. 🌆 These moments remind us that the best urban design starts with understanding places first, and that cities work best when they move with people, not just around them. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dJhwFuE2 #urbandesign #ramadan #citiesforpeople #publiclife

On March 21, the Danish Ministry of Culture officially released the National Architecture Policy — a bold, future-facing framework that reimagines how we plan, build, and live in our cities. 🎉 💫 At the heart of this policy is a vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered built environment — shaped over two years by a dedicated expert group. Gehl’s CEO and Founding Partner, Helle Søholt, served as the group’s spokesperson, playing a pivotal role in shaping its vision. 💡 Last week, the group handed over their white paper and recommendations to the Minister for Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, at THORAVEJ 29, an architectural landmark in circular design. 🤝 This is just the beginning. The policy sets the foundation for coordinated national and local action, inspiring new approaches to planning, design, and collaboration across sectors. We’re proud to be part of this moment, and excited for what comes next. ✨ Read more about the National Architecture Policy here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d_QBFDUp Congratulations to the expert group for shaping this landmark policy 👏 🚀 Pil Thielst: Partner, Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects Ellen Braae: Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Copenhagen Kent Martinussen: CEO, Danish Architecture Center Marie Stender: Senior Researcher, Aalborg University Ellen Højgaard Jensen: Former Director of The Danish Town Planning Institute and Lecturer at the Royal Danish Academy Lene Dammand Lund: Rector at the Royal Danish Academy Lars Autrup: CEO, Danish Association of Architects Anna Mette Exner: Owner of Anna Mette Exner Arkitektur Claus Sivager: City Architect, Frederiksberg Municipality Sigrid Dahlerup: Department Head, Ministry of Culture #architecturepolicy #urbandevelopment #sustainablecities #futureofcities #peoplecentereddesign

We’re proud to have been part of the development of Travbyen — an ambitious and meaningful project that’s taking shape in Billund, Denmark. In early March, the topping-out ceremony brought together the many hands behind this new neighborhood, celebrating community, craftsmanship, and shared vision. 🚀 🎉 As part of the advisory group, we joined partners, contractors, and local contributors — including children from the local kindergarten and the International School of Billund — in honoring the craftsmanship, collaboration, and shared vision driving Travbyen forward. ☀️ With bold ambitions for climate-conscious construction, Travbyen is leading the way by using innovative materials, and by prioritizing spaces that support play, togetherness, and balanced living. 🌱 A big thank you to all our collaborators: KIRKBI A/S, ReVærk, AART, CEBRA, Transform Arkitekter, Tegnestuen LOKAL, Tegnestuen Vandkunsten, LOOP Architects A/S, BOGL aps, NIRAS, Henning Larsen, Artelia Denmark, Nordstern, JORTON A/S, Kirkegaard Byggeri, and the International School of Billund. Read more about the project here 👉 https://lnkd.in/duWRhrNE #citiesforpeople #travbyen #urbandevelopment #sustainabledesign #billund #publicspaces #urbanplanning

We are excited to announce that our team, led by SLA, is moving forward in the next phase of the YZD Runway Design Competition run by Northcrest Developments. Alongside SLA, PCA-STREAM, Trophic Design Inc., AKT II, AOA, Art-Public, HR&A Advisors, and Level Playing Field, Gehl will help explore how this space can be reimagined for future public use. ✨ The YZD RUNWAY presents a rare opportunity to create a set of design guidelines that will help transform the 2.1 km former Downsview Airport Runway into a defining, iconic public space at the heart of Toronto’s evolving urban landscape and the signature feature of the YZD development. 🚀   We are proud to have been selected among other teams led by: CCxA, Field Operations, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., and Sasaki. 👏 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dHyRnJT2 Images for Downsview Framework Plan by SLA, Henning Larsen, and KPMB Architects. #urbandesign #publicspace #cityplanning #sustainabledesign #toronto #designcompetition #collaboration

In response to Toronto being named Canada’s loneliest city in 2024, The Bentway set out to explore how public space design and programming can foster connection. Gehl, in collaboration with researchers from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto studied The Bentway’s 2024 Softer City program and published key learnings. Highlights from their findings: 💛 71% of respondents said that public seating enhanced their meaningful interactions. 💛 20% of visitors engaged in people-watching and found healing and connection by just being among others. 💛 20% more social interactions in areas featuring interactive public art compared to areas without it. Download the full report here 👉 https://bit.ly/41s3O3e #gehlpeople #mentalhealth #loneliness #publicspaces #cities #toronto #canada

Project: Public Life Vision and Public Space Plan for Tucherpark Client: Hausinvest, Commerz Real AG und Hines Germany Year: 2023 Location: Munich, Germany Project scale: 17 hectares Services: Social Spatial Research & Urban Strategy Learn more about the project here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dnVzdSmG Big thanks to our collaborators Hascher Jehle Architektur, Snøhetta, Adept, MVRDV, 03 Arch., Uniola Landschaftsarchitektur | Stadtplanung, allmannwappner gmbh, steidle architekten, and Atelier Kempe Thill. 👏 🚀 #gehlpeople #munich #munichgermany #publicspace #socialresearch #spatialresearch #urbanstrategy

Project: People & Public Spaces: A Study for the City of Munich Client: City of Munich Year: 2022 - 2023 Location: Munich, Germany Project scale: City-wide Services: Social Spatial Research & Urban Strategy Learn more about the project here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dVTQzNRS #gehlpeople #munich #munichgermany #publicspace #socialresearch #spatialresearch #urbanstrategy

Project: Project Connect Client: Austin Transit Partnership Year: 2023-2025 Location: Austin, Texas, US Services: Urban Mobility Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dviWZWxy Special thanks to Austin Transit Partnership, UNStudio and HKS, Inc. for a wonderful collaboration. 💛 #austinlightrail #urbanmobility #austintexas #austin #urbanstrategy #urbandesign #lightrail

As our environments change, so must our approach to planning and design. 🌆 The Expert Group for National Architecture Policy in Denmark, with our CEO Helle Søholt as spokesperson, is launching key recommendations this month, emphasizing transformation over demolition, densification over sprawl, and regeneration over waste. 🌱 We look forward to continuing to inspire conversations on how we can build more sustainable, resilient cities together. 🤝 #sustainablecities #urbantransformation #architecturepolicy

High-quality community-led spaces aren’t just great to spend time in. They also advance racial equity, health, and local economic development. ✊🌱 Gehl’s research for Knight Foundation reveals how public spaces play a role in maintaining our democracy. Read Julia D Day and Eamon O'Connor's reflections in the full article, ‘Maintaining Our Public Spaces to Maintain Our Democracy’ 👉 https://bit.ly/3EOUv4e We’ll like to hear from you! Are there community-led spaces that foster equitable access, community well-being, ownership, and a sense of belonging? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 💬 #gehlpeople #publicspaces #civicinfrastructure #democracy #communityspaces #belonging