by Dyan PfitzenmeierGehl cited several reconfigured cities, including Copenhagen, Barcelona, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Portland. In realizing the importance of public life, city planners and policy makers must be willing to put constraints on vehicular traffic and increase the

emphasis on environmentally-friendly modes of transport. Copenhagen has become increasingly more bike-friendly for people from ages 5 to 85, and bicyclists have increased 100 percent from 1990 to 2004 with “back-ups” available in city bike racks. More people are walking and biking with 36% commuting to work on bicycles. As a result of this concerted effort to revive public life, more people are spending time in the city and the economy is more lively.

Gehl invites people to think differently and “humanize” our cities. London reduced congestion by charging a fee for vehicles to enter the city beginning in 2003. In towns like Trondheim, Norway has constructed escalators to transport bikes in steep areas. Lyon deliberately made it cheaper to park underground. Closer to home, Portland increased public transit with its two light rail lines, a streetcar system, and 750 miles of bicycle paths as part of its strategy to deal with climate change and curb carbon emissions.

Some 25 years ago Melbourne was “an empty useless city center.” Gehl began studying it in 1994 to gradually help lay the groundwork for a modern urban center that honors civic life. Residences increased from 1,000 to 10,000 in

ten years; students increased by 67%; and streets became more inviting with wide sidewalks, benches, and public art to welcome people.

Gehl is not the first to suggest a bold move in Seattle: “Take down the viaduct and let the city and water breathe together.” He went on to say that San Francisco replaced its Embarcadero Freeway, damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, with streetcars.

In citing an old Icelandic saying, “Man is man’s greatest joy,” Gehl stressed the idea that our deepest interest in life is each other.

PUBLIC SPACES FOR MEETING, MOVING, AND MARKETS

Bicyclers with commuters in Copenhagen (above) Swanston Street in Melbourne showing increase of pedestrian traffic from 1992 (middle) to 2004 (bottom) Photos: Courtesy of Gehl Architects

When Jan Gehl, the “Master of Public Spaces,” spoke at the Urban Sustainability 2005 Forum, he challenged Mayor Nickels to remake Seattle into one of the world’s most livable cities. In exchange, Gehl would reserve six pages in his upcoming book to tell the story of how Seattle gave the city back to its people. But first there is some work to be done.

By putting people at the forefront in the planning process, Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects in Copenhagen leads revolutionary work all over the globe to create lively and healthy public realms. “All cities have traffic departments with perfect statistics: cars are a highly visible and ever present part of the planning process. What city has a department for pedestrians and public life and the related statistics about how people use the city?”

With a sense of urgency, Gehl proposes a “public life policy” to make people the core of the planning process. Multiple dimensions frame the policies:1. Transportation: Affords a simple,

cost-effective, and healthy mode of transport through emphasizing walking and promoting safety all through the day and night.

2. Work: Brings jobs and ready access to employment while boosting local commerce.

3. Sustainable environment: Conserves resources, lowers vehicular emissions, and contributes to the health of the environment.

4. Health: Extends life spans and improves mental and physical well being.

5. Recreation: Offers pleasure, appeal, and a healthy life style.6. Social relations: Engages people with each other as cities

emerge as meeting places. 7. Education and culture: Draws upon our experience in

human relationships in an evolving culture.8. Democracy: Provides a public realm for all to see in an

open society.9. Safety and friendship: Makes the public realm welcoming

and lively.10. Fun, joy, and surprises: Makes you wonder and smile and

pays homage to the importance of other people in our lives.

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY 2005 FORUM is sponsored by the City of Seattle, BetterBricks, and Urban Land Institute Seattle.

Dyan Pfitzenmeier, Firefly Inc, is a marketing and communication consultant in Seattle (firefly-inc@hotmail.com).