CITIES FORUM

🏘️🔁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁. Not all innovation starts from scratch. Across the globe, cities are discovering that the fastest path to a better future might actually be backwards — not by demolishing, but by retrofitting. 🏙️ From outdated shopping malls transformed into vibrant mixed-use hubs, 🏫 To abandoned schools reborn as community co-working spaces, 🚧 To grey infrastructure infused with green lungs — Urban retrofitting is the creative reuse of existing structures to meet modern needs. Why does this matter? 🔹 It reduces emissions compared to new construction ♻️ 🔹 Preserves architectural identity and local history 🏛️ 🔹 Saves time, space, and budget 💸 🔹 Encourages circular economy principles 🔁 🔹 Promotes densification without gentrification ⚖️ It’s not just a cost-saving measure — it’s a philosophy: 🧠 How can we build forward, by looking around? Urban planners, architects, and policymakers: the buildings we need may already be here. We just need to see them differently. Let’s stop calling them “leftovers.” Let’s call them opportunities. 👇 What’s one forgotten or underused building in your city you’d love to see reborn? #UrbanPlanning #Retrofitting #SustainableCities #CitiesForum

🛣️🏘️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝗹-𝗱𝗲-𝗦𝗮𝗰𝘀: 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝘀? They were once a symbol of suburban peace. But are cul-de-sacs actually breaking our cities? Originally designed to reduce through-traffic and increase safety, these dead-end streets now raise tough questions for modern urbanists: 📉 Reduced walkability 🔄 Poor emergency response access 🚗 Higher car dependency 🌐 Weaker neighborhood connectivity Research shows that cities with more cul-de-sacs tend to have: 🔹 Higher obesity and inactivity rates 🔹 Longer car commutes and emissions 🔹 Less access to public transport 🔹 Lower social cohesion Meanwhile, gridded street networks — once dismissed as old-fashioned — are proving more adaptable, inclusive, and climate-friendly. So what’s the future? 🏙️ Hybrid models? 🌳 Green corridors linking dead ends? 🚸 Micro mobility paths through barriers? Maybe the real question is: Do our streets invite connection — or block it? Urban planning isn't just about where cars go — it's about where people go, too. Because the shape of our streets can shape our lives. 👇 Have you ever lived in a cul-de-sac or gridded neighborhood? How did it affect your daily life? #UrbanPlanning #Connectivity #StreetDesign #CitiesForum

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲? 🌆👶🧑👵 The OECD - OCDE new report "Cities for All Ages" offers a powerful roadmap for building age-inclusive urban environments that are equitable, accessible, and vibrant for everyone from toddlers to older adults. As urban populations age rapidly across OECD countries, cities face a unique opportunity: to rethink how we design public spaces, housing, mobility, and services with inclusivity at the core. 🏙️♿️🚶♀️ Some takeaways: ✅ Age-inclusive design is not just about older adults it’s about creating universal access and intergenerational equity. ✅ Reskilling older adults and engaging youth in the urban economy can ease labor shortages and boost social cohesion. ✅ Investing in walkable neighborhoods, accessible transport, and diverse housing options benefits everyone, while reducing long-term public spending. ✅ The “silver economy” is a growing source of innovation, employment, and urban revitalization. 💡💼🏡 The report also includes a 9-step checklist for policymakers to turn ideas into action, featuring global best practices from co-housing in Bologna to Care Blocks in Bogotá. 🌍🛠️ Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dRevsh7h #UrbanPlanning #InclusiveCities #AgeFriendly #OECD #CityLeadership #PublicPolicy #SocialImpact #SmartCities #CitiesForAllAges

🏢🌞 “Thermal equity: are our cities designed for fair access to shade and comfort?” Urban heat is not just a climate issue — it’s an equity issue. As climate change intensifies, urban heat islands are making some neighborhoods dangerously hotter than others. But here’s the catch: these are often the same communities with the least green space, fewest trees, and poor building materials — often low-income, racialized, or historically underserved. This leads to the concept of thermal equity — the idea that all people, regardless of income or location, deserve access to thermal comfort, shade, and cool public space. 🌡️ Urban planning decisions like: – Tree placement – Building orientation – Materials used in pavements and façades – Access to ventilated public buildings – Microclimatic zoning in planning documents …all determine who gets to breathe easier — and who suffers. 🏙️ Architecture and urban design have the power to redistribute comfort, not just beauty. Because the right to shade is a right to health, dignity, and life itself. #ThermalEquity #UrbanHeatIslands #ClimateJustice #UrbanDesign #ArchitectureForEquity #SustainableCities #CitiesForum #ClimateAdaptation

📢 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 #𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻! We’re proud to announce this course developed in close collaboration between Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative and CITIES FORUM, this five-week online course is designed to help urban mobility professionals and city leaders understand how to collect, analyze, and apply transport data to build better cities. 📊🚦 👉 From #planning and #engineering to #governance and #operations, the course provides a solid foundation in both classic and cutting-edge data practices all supported by global case studies, expert insights, and hands-on tutorials. 💡 15 expert interviews 🌍 27 case studies from 17 countries 🗺️ Practical mapping exercises Whether you're just starting out or looking to refresh your knowledge, this course offers the tools you need to make #datadriven decisions that shape more sustainable, inclusive, and efficient urban mobility systems. 🎯 Starts: April 21, 2025 🖥️ 100% Online | 2h/week | Digital certificate 🔗 Enroll now: https://lnkd.in/dvgtKers A big thank you to TUMI for the trust and collaboration and to all the brilliant voices featured in the course! #CitiesForum #TUMI #UrbanMobility #SustainableCities #TransportData #MobilityPlanning #SmartCities #OnlineLearning

🌆💬 “What if we planned cities like we care for people?” The question sounds simple — but it could radically reshape how we build urban life. At the heart of Urbanism of Care is a shift in perspective: cities must work for those who care and those who need care. 👩👧 Parents with small children 👵 Older adults ♿ People with reduced mobility 🧹 Domestic and care workers 🧑🦯 Anyone who relies on public space, public time, public transport Historically, urban planning has prioritized productivity, speed, and efficiency — not empathy, accessibility, or rest. 🧭 Urbanism of care flips this logic. It asks: – How does a mother navigate the city with groceries and a stroller? – Are there shaded benches for seniors waiting for the bus? – Can a night caregiver move around safely? – Are there public bathrooms, changing tables, lights, ramps, time? – Whose bodies are ignored by the city? Cities designed through the lens of care might move slower — but they move better. More just. More inclusive. More alive. 💡 Because a city built for those who care… … takes care of everyone. #UrbanismOfCare #InclusiveCities #UrbanWellbeing #SustainableCities #CitiesForum #SocialUrbanism #UrbanPlanning

🏙️🧠 𝗖𝗮𝗻 #𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 #𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴? The answer is in this groundbreaking work: Compassionate Places Method by Natasha Reid FRSA , an interdisciplinary approach that reimagines the built environment not just as physical infrastructure, but as a social and emotional ecosystem. 🔍 This method brings together architecture, neuroscience, environmental psychology, public health, social equity, and the arts. It introduces a new design philosophy where quality of life, emotional well-being, and social connectedness are core to every decision. 💡 The built environment shapes how we feel, connect, heal, and thrive. Yet, most planning systems still prioritize metrics like size and cost over how a space actually impacts the human experience. That’s where the Place Quality Model (PQM) comes in a real-world implementation of this vision, adopted by Brent Council (London) in 2023. 📋 For the first time, design proposals must demonstrate their positive impact on people’s well-being to gain planning permission. 📌 PQM is: ✔️ A new design framework ✔️ A set of human-centered indicators ✔️ A toolkit for professionals and communities ✔️ A practical system that turns research into action What stands out is its accessibility developed with and for non-specialists, it gives planners, architects, and even residents a way to ensure places support health, inclusivity, and dignity. This is the future: ➡️ From bricks and mortar to relationships and meaning ➡️ From top-down planning to empathetic co-creation ➡️ From siloed systems to interdisciplinary intelligence 📖 Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dxP-hg-j 👏 Huge credit to @Natasha Reid and the many collaborators behind this bold, rigorous, and timely vision. Let’s build cities that care. #CompassionatePlaces #UrbanDesign #HumanImpactDesign #WellbeingByDesign #SpatialJustice #CitiesForum #Neuroarchitecture #PublicHealth #InclusiveDesign #BrentCouncil

🧠🌇 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻. What if we planned cities not just for efficiency, but for emotion? Welcome to the world of Neuroarchitecture — where urban design meets brain science. This emerging field studies how the built environment impacts mental health, cognition, stress, and even memory. 💡 Research shows: 🔹 Green spaces lower cortisol (stress hormone) within minutes 🌿 🔹 Natural light and open layouts increase focus and productivity 🔹 Noise levels and chaotic visuals can spike anxiety 🔹 Curved lines and warm colors improve emotional well-being 🧱 That park bench. The color of a metro station. The acoustics of a hospital waiting room. Every element can either heal or harm. So... what if we designed for the nervous system? 🚶♀️ Urban planning then becomes a form of preventive care. Less burnout. More empathy. More joy in walking to work or waiting for a bus. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about neuroscience-based justice. Because comfort, clarity, and calm should be part of everyone's daily city experience. 🧭 Should planners be trained in psychology? Should mental health data be used in zoning decisions? Let’s reimagine urban spaces not only as smart or sustainable — but also soothing. Because the city you walk through is also walking through your brain. 👇 What’s one public space that makes you feel better? #UrbanDesign #NeuroArchitecture #PublicSpace #CitiesForum

🌆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝟱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 #𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 #𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 #𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 As cities grow, so does our responsibility to ensure they’re places where people and the planet can thrive. Sustainable urban planning isn’t optional anymore it’s the foundation for resilient, inclusive, and future-ready communities. Here are 5 essential principles that can help us get there: 1️⃣ Mixed Land Use Blending housing, workspaces, and public amenities reduces the need for long commutes, strengthens local economies, and builds vibrant, connected communities. 2️⃣ Sustainable Mobility Prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transport helps cut emissions and boosts quality of life. A city that moves sustainably, moves smarter. 3️⃣ Efficient Density & Urban Design Compact, well-designed spaces make cities more livable and energy-efficient, ensuring accessibility and reducing environmental footprints. 4️⃣ Resource & Energy Efficiency Transitioning to renewables and sustainable building practices is key to climate resilience and long-term affordability. 5️⃣ Community-Centered Planning Inclusive governance and local participation make urban development more responsive, equitable, and rooted in real needs. We all have a role to play whether as planners, architects, local leaders, or active citizens. Let's collaborate to shape greener, smarter, and fairer cities. 🗣️ 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿? How is your city embracing them? Drop your insights in the comments ⬇️ #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #GreenCities #CityPlanning #CommunityEngagement #ResilientCities #SmartUrbanism #FutureCities

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 🛣️💡 In #urban #planning, visualizing change is often the hardest step to communicate especially when working with communities, decision-makers, or students. 👉That’s where tools like Streetmix come in. This well know toll is a free, intuitive, browser-based tool that lets you create cross-sections of city streets in minutes. Whether you’re designing for cars, bikes, buses, or people, you can drag and drop elements like: 🔹Traffic lanes 🚗 🔹Sidewalks 🧍 🔹Cycle tracks 🚴 🔹Green buffers 🌳 🔹Transit stops 🚌 …and adjust widths in real time. Perfect for: ✅ Co-design workshops ✅ Tactical urbanism pilots ✅ Transport planning proposals ✅ Teaching urban design Combine Streetmix with tools like Maptionnaire, CoUrbanize, or Miro to gather input and turn ideas into participatory, people-first street designs. Have you used Streetmix or similar tools in your planning or community engagement work? Share your experience! #UrbanPlanning #StreetDesign #PublicSpace #TacticalUrbanism #Visualization #Streetmix #CityDesign #Mobility #CommunityEngagement