Jan Gehl on changing mindsets about urban planning and living

Jan Gehl, Professor of Urban Design at the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and founding partner of Gehl Architects - Urban Quality Consultants, gave insightful talk at the Opening Plenary of the EFC AGA and Conference in Copenhagen on 31 May. After screening his short film, "The Human Scale", which showed a global panorama of cities, the challenges they face, and some solutions, Mr Gehl shared his view of the importance of the good city for the cities today and for the future.
His main point was that the best thing foundations can do is to change mindsets of people who can then go and make change in their local environments. He gave the example of New York City, where he helped to change city planners' ways of thinking when it came to making cities people friendly. Various stakeholders in New York City then went on to transform key locations, such as Times Square, into places meant for people, rather than cars.

[@nathanbalmer3093]

This is such a great resource, Jan Gehl is awesome!

[@EvinceEthos]

As an American Urban Planning student, this man is my professional role model.
Oh, and the reason I'm moving to DK for Graduate study. :)

[@gloriapas4357]

I feel you. I am thinking to move to DK in two years because he is so inspiring.

[@MrAkilio]

Its nice to know the city is finaly, and has been for a while in Copenhagen and other danish cities, being returned to the people. Thank you for this presentation. I have hope now.

[@ninavalickova]

"..then I married a psychologist..":))

[@sinhte4390]

I love this movie.

[@nano653]

Austin Texas could use a city planner like this.

[@CALOCALKY]

So is the key to have a hi density city where you live in a building over say office or school kind of thing so you have everything near by that enables a 15 minit city

[@thierryramia8384]

Beautiful.

[@bnattapat]

Very good speech

[@telvanni2]

Am putea si noi. Primul pas: sa scapam de Oparescu!

[@OctanicAvenger]

3:18

[@davidfosford]

they're not even listening smh