MyWHaT

Monday’s Quote

Cities of the twenty-first century should be lively cities, safe cities, sustainable cities and healthy cities. All of these qualities can be achieved if we embrace these ten principles, which means putting people first.“

~ Jan Gehl, Danish urbanist

Gehl, known for designing public spaces that promote gathering, walking and bicycling, is commenting on a recent publication and exhibition titled, Our Cities Ourselves. The project mainly focuses on the needs of the large cities, but the issues are only a matter of scale. As Traverse City and northern Michigan grows in population, we’d be wise to “embrace these ten principles“.

Ten principles of sustainable transport?

1. Walk the walk: Create great pedestrian environments.
2. Powered by people: Create a great environment for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles.
3. Get on the bus: Provide great, cost-effective public transport.
4. Cruise control: Provide access for clean passenger vehicles at safe speeds and in significantly reduced numbers.
5. Deliver the goods: Service the city in the cleanest and safest manner.
6. Mix it up: Mix people and activities, buildings and spaces.
7. Fill it in: Build dense, people and transit oriented urban districts that are desirable.
8. Get real: Preserve and enhance the local, natural, cultural, social and historical assets.
9. Connect the blocks: Make walking trips more direct, interesting and productive with small-size, permeable buildings and blocks.
10. Make it last: Build for the long-term. Sustainable cities bridge generations. They are memorable, malleable, built from quality materials, and well-maintained.

~ From the “Our Cities Ourselves: 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life” booklet by the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)

All of them contribute to livability, but the one standing out for me at this moment is number 10. Are we building infrastructure to last the next 50-100 years? And if we are, are we building the infrastructure that is human centered, multiple use orientated?

What principles stand out for you?

• If you happen to be in New York, you can view the Our cities Ourselves exhibit until September 11, 2010 at the Center for Architecture •

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