Book review: Cities for People

A friend recently leant me a copy of 'Cities for People' an inspiring book written by Danish architect Jan Gehl.

Examining patterns of city life across the world, the book advocates the adoption of intelligent and informed urban design principles - design at the 'human scale' and creating 'life between buildings'. Too often, design professionals seem to live life in the fast lane, designing huge oversized spaces within the urban fabric of our cities in plan view with no thought for the human dimension.

The theory behind this book is extremely insightful and demonstrates Jan Gehl's thoughtful observational approach to urban design and planning. Examples from Copenhagen, Melbourne and Venice are used throughout the book to demonstrate successful city spaces, urban renewal projects and street scape designs. It is a thought provoking read - not only for Urban Designers, but also for Landscape Architects, Architects and Planners.

Earlier this year, Jan Gehl presented some of the ideas from 'Cities for People' as part of The City of Melbourne, Melbourne Conversations lecture series - video of the lecture is available at SlowTV.

Image from Making Cities for People, Gehl Architects blog.