Gehl Architects presentations from the workshop on cycling and cities for people held in Gehl Architects offices on June 21st 2010.

1. Cities for Bicyclists =
Citi f Bi li t
Cities for People
Gehl Architects
Cities for People Workshop
Order of presentations:
David Sim Lin Skaufel
Jeff Risom Gil Penalosa
Jan Gehl

2. A city full of moving objects.....or
Cities for Bicyclists =
Cities for People
David Sim
Director
A city full of faces on the streets I am going to talk about….
About being a human being
About how to make good places
for human beings
for human beings
About the Copenhagen experience
About how biking fits in
when making Cities for People
1

3. Gehl Architects
Founded on literature and research
Urban Quality Consultants, Copenhagen
Multi-disciplinary means
Life Between Buildings Public Spaces ‐ Public Life
Equal focus on Jan Gehl Jan Gehl & Lars Gemzøe
’Hardware’ & ’Software’
New City Life
N Cit Lif
New City Spaces
Gehl, Gemzøe,
Jan Gehl & Lars
Søndergaard &
Gemzøe
Kirknæs
Our Philosophy: Our Methodology
-Empirical base
-Framework rather than plan
Focus:
-Improving Quality of Life in Cities
2

4. Selected project cities Cultures are different…
Cultures are different… Climates are different… seasons change
3

5. But the way People inhabit and use Space is universal Quality Criteria for Space and Architecture must start with considering People
Man is a Walking Animal – Ground Speed 5 km/hour
Our senses are the basis for experiencing the environment
Our senses are very important
4

6. In search of
Human scale?
“Man is man’s greatest jo
(Old Icelandic saying)
Fresh air, exercise and meeting people…
Health?
Litet, lågt och långsamt…
5

7. 60km/h environements
made for driving
60 km/h
5 km/h architecture: What is Urban Quality?
an environment made for
walking
Aesthetics and
design is NOT the
only thing that
matters!
•small spaces
•small signals
Bo 01
•details
Malmö
•people
Sweden
6

8. • walk • Bike
Denmark as inspiration
Bicycling in Copenhagen
Modal split – Commuting to Work in 2008
- on a citywide network of bicycle lanes
7

9. Why do Danes cycle?
Is it because of the environment? Is it because of financial reasons?
Copenhageners
1% cycling save over
90.000 t CO2
annually
6%
state that it is state that it is
because of the
because of the because it is cheap
because it is cheap
environment
Copenhagen Bicycle
Account 2006
Copenhagen Bicycle
Account 2006
Is it part of a healthy lifestyle? Is it because it is convenient, fast and easy?
19% 61%
state that it is state that it is
because of the
because of the because it is
because it is
exercise convenient, fast
and easy
Copenhagen Bicycle
Account 2006
Copenhagen Bicycle
Account 2006
8

10. Denmark has established a strong bicycling tradition
Why do Copenhageners cycle?
61% Easy, fast & convenient
19% Exercise
19% E i
6% Financial reasons
1% The environment
Copenhagen Bicycle Account 2006
The Danish bicycling culture has always defined Or has it?
Copenhagen as a city for cyclists Slide 9
9

11. From car invasion
Copenhagen ‐ Process
A gradual process with focus on establishing
a pedestrian- and public space network
PS PS PS PS
PL PL PL PL
1968 1985 1995 2005
Cph PSPL New City Life
1996 2006
From car invasion
....to people places
“Strøget” before 1962
10

12. Nyhavn - before ……and after 1980
80.000 people per 24 hours in the summer
“Strøget” to day
Strædet - before Strædet - before …..and after 1992
11

13. Development of car‐free squares and Copenhagen – stationary activity
pedestrian/cycle friendly streets 1968 ‐ 2005 From 1968 to 1995:
Almost 4 times more space and almost 4 times more activity
In 1962 m2 pedestrian areas 1968 1986 1995
The first pedestrian
promenade is introduced
By 1973
Car-free street network
is developed
1973-2005
In all 22 squares that were
once parking lots are
today places for people 12 m2/activity 14 m2/activity 13 m2/activity
The Copenhagen Experience proves
that improved conditions mean that
more people spend more time in the
city
Better conditions for bicycling = more bicyclists
12

14. The Key to Danish Cycling Success lies in: THE 4 C’S
CONSISTENT
CONSISTENT
Simple and user
friendly:
CONNECTED
Main principles:
Pedestrians + bicyclists
Parked cars + traffic lanes
CONTINUOUS
COMFORTABLE
CONSISTENT CONNECTED
Placed where demand is highest – where people want to be!
Lanes and tracks are
always on the right-
hand side
13

15. CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS
Integrated with other transport modes
Sidewalks and biketracks aren’t interupted at sidestreets
COMFORTABLE
14

16. COMFORTABLE Bicycling has doubled in the last 10 years
More bicycles than cars
Inner city morning peak
Modal split – Commuting to Work in 2008 The benefits of cycling for sustainability are
widely known and accepted
2010
38%
SUSTAINABILITY
15

17. In terms of access and mobility In terms of zero emission transport
SOCIAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY
In terms of affordable, private mobility A city for cyclists is a sustainable city
SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY
ECONOMIC ECONOMIC
16

18. cycling
Der er stor forskel på livet og karakteren i de forskellige typer gader
Nothing new!
cycling walking cycling walking
Public
transport
17

19. Cycling Walking Cycling Walking
Public Public Public
transport
t t Public transport space
space
= Cities for People!
18

20. 29‐06‐2010
I will address:
1.What is a good bicycle city?=Toolbox content
2.What is
2 Wh i a good bi
d bicycle toolbox, and h
l lb d how can a
toolbox improve cities for bicycles?
3. Ex. Mexico City bicycle toolbox
Bicycle toolbox
Lin Skaufel
Sebastian lycra
1. What characterizes the good bicycle cities?
1

21. 29‐06‐2010
Climates are different…
Sebastian alle
Copenhagen
2

22. 29‐06‐2010
What characterizes the good bicycle cities?
Copenhagen
Strong synergy between culture and
infrastructure
Culture- software
Infrastructure- hardware
E.g. Copenhagen E.g. Copenhagen
Campaigns for safety‐ “Take care of blind angles” Campaigns for safety– “preventing car door accidents”
3

23. 29‐06‐2010
Copenhagen
4

24. 29‐06‐2010
E.g. Copenhagen‐ Bicycles on metro What characterizes the good bicycle cities?
Strong synergy between “providers” and users
• Municipality
Municipality
Users
Bicycle account
Public Bicycles
transport
cars
5

25. 29‐06‐2010
What characterizes the good bicycle cities?
E.g. Copenhagen
Strong synergy between what you build and what Improving Infrastructure‐ “head‐start bicyclists”
you learn
What characterizes the good bicycle cities? Copenhagen new modal-split goal
Strong mindset (time?) - New tools needed
Copenhagen (turtle plan),
has never had a masterplan but, slowly grown (40
years) as a bicycle city trough a mindset for
cycling
38% 50% bicycle
6

26. 29‐06‐2010
Green wave for bicycles
Get a free breakfast!
On selected main streets once a year
New bridges Pilot projects
Increased permeability for pedestrians and bicyclists Nørrebrogade- extended bicycle path
7

27. 29‐06‐2010
Accommodating new users New and improved city bicycles
Paris: 2001-07: Cycling up 94% while car traffic down 20%*1 Bogota: Cycling increased 268% between 2000-2007 *1.
8

28. 29‐06‐2010
Berlin: Cycling increased 100% between 1997-2007*1 A toolbox can be a kit based on knowledge, inspiration,
research and best practice from the successfull bicycle cities..
Paris: 2001-07:
Cycling up 94% while car traffic down 20%
Copenhagen: all ages bicycle
Bogota: 2000‐2007
100%
Cycling increased 268% Berlin: 1997‐2007 Cycling increased
A toolbox can be a kit based on knowledge,
2. What a good
2 What is a good bicycle toolbox and how can a
toolbox, and a inspiration, research and best practice from
toolbox improve cities for bicycles? the successful bicycle cities..
9

29. 29‐06‐2010
A toolbox contains tools to achieve your goals and
visions
VISION/GOALS
WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE
..operationalized to local conditions and
challenges.
STRATEGIES/INITIATIVES
HOW YOU CHOOSE TO ACHIEVE IT
TOOLS
How to make it operational‐ WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Toolbox- content Toolbox- content
INSPIRATION/ LEGISLATIVE/
BEST PRACTICE MANDATORY
10

30. 29‐06‐2010
Toolbox: research Toolbox: best practice
Toolbox: principles Toolbox
Different challenges needs different tools
1% 10%
3-5% 15%
11

31. 29‐06‐2010
Toolbox The toolbox can be a pedagogical tool to
Must have and nice to have‐ priority of needs creating an approach….
..limiting confusion... ...increasing safety..
12

32. 29‐06‐2010
.....and creating an approach that everybody can ....that ensures everything is thought of and
agree upon- a future-proof coherent system… included to limit poor or ad-hoc solutions.
• Lærke alle enige • Bilde på dette?
Growing a bicycle city in one direction- over
time
3. Ex. Mexico City bicycle toolbox
13

33. 29‐06‐2010
Dangerous!
Mexico City 26 pedestrians killed on average every day in Downtown
Flat!
Good climate!
Many short trips!
Dangerous!
Unhealthy!
Slow!
Slow!
Unhealthy! Traffic jams
…obesity and air polution – but the bicycle is the fastest form of transportation during rush hour
”… Mexico is the second‐fattest ”… spending a day in Mexico City is
nation after U.S.” the equivalent of smoking over 40
cigarettes a day, without actually
taking a drag”
14

34. 29‐06‐2010
More than a bicycle project…
…bicycle infrastructe as a catalyst for improving
city quality
One bicycle system for the whole city
y y y
15

35. 29‐06‐2010
Based on quality
Integrated!
Safe!
Comfortable!
Enjoyable!
Generated out of the overall
visions for Mexico City
16

36. 29‐06‐2010
Content has two parts:
Software & Hardware
(Culture + infrastructure)
Customised
for the different users
17

37. 29‐06‐2010
A safe street A safe crossing
Physical separation of cars and bicycles Street markings / levels
18

38. 29‐06‐2010
Safe bicycle parking
A safe and convenient location
19

39. 29‐06‐2010
20

40. 30‐06‐2010
Improving mobility in NYC
The Insider Story Contents for this session
1. Insight into the NYC process
2. Holistic approach
– Integrated with the public realm
– Across city departments
– Public and private sectors
3. Using temporary pilot projects
– Together with empirical data
– Efficient and affordable implementation
Jeff Risom – To inspire and as a catalyst for change
Associate Gehl Architects
MSc City Design and Social Science
New York City list of accomplishments
New York City’s incredible … and ongoing work
New York City
In June 2009, DOT completed 200 miles of bike lanes in all DOT plans are to install 50 lane miles each year until the
five boroughs in just three years. (doubling the citywide citywide bicycle network is complete
on‐street bike network while reshaping the city’s streets
to make them safer for users) Overall goal: double bicycle commuting between 2007
and 2015, triple it by 2020
Of this: 4.9 miles of bike paths physically separated from
car traffic lanes, 20 sheltered bike parking structures, and
car traffic lanes, 20 sheltered bike parking structures, and Goal of 1,800 bike lane miles by the year 2030
Goal of 1,800 bike lane miles by the year 2030
3,100 bike racks
These projects led to more than 45% growth in commuter
cycling in that time (3 years)
.
1

41. 30‐06‐2010
Times Square Times Square
‐ before ‐ after
9th Ave. July 07
9th Ave. Sept.07
2

42. 30‐06‐2010
9th Avenue, Manhattan
Pilot Projects as a means to a greater ends
– to improve the process
3

43. 30‐06‐2010
Out‐reach and consultations were across disciplines and
departments
‐ both across city agencies
Pilot Projects –
Build Political Base Quick Wins Permanent Projects
Guaranteed Success
Change of Mindset
Consult
Stake‐ ‐ and in the community
holders
Gehl survey, lectures , visits support Advocacy Private Neighborhood Interest Additional
groups Business Gov’t organizations groups
Justification Operationalizing – ensure
Vision and strategy that change endures and
for change adapts
4

44. 30‐06‐2010
Toward a holistically conceived public realm –
based on Quality for People! This process is about balancing interests and needs
Designing
objects
Making places
(creating
opportunities
for place to
flourish)
Test the waters – the first pilots Test the waters – the first pilots
Small scale
Summer 2006 In ‘forgotten’ city spaces
Private sector initiated
Supported by Dept. Of Transport
5

45. 30‐06‐2010
Test the waters – the first pilots Use publications to frame the argument
Watch and see
•What are the problems? And successes? Vision – PlaNYC
•Who uses the spaces?
Launched ’Earth Day’
April 22, 2007
The second pilots Toward a healthy, vibrant, safe, attractive, sustainable New York City
Lessons learned from first projects
August 2007
6

46. 30‐06‐2010
A strategy for creating real change Gehl Architects are engaged
through a series of pilot projects
Unbalanced distribution of space
All were illegally
parked
7

47. 30‐06‐2010
Seeing places with fresh eyes Quantifying impressions
Existing painted
cycle lanes were
not performing
well
Tough streets for bicycling Tough streets for bicycling
In conflict with other traffic modes Bicycle network is incomplete Poor access for bicyclists Bicycle network is unclear
8

48. 30‐06‐2010
Improve the bicycling infrastructure
Tough streets for bicycling and experience
Introduce bicycling
infrastructure as a
important step towards a
sustainable and healthy
city lifestyle.
i
Poor comfort High risk for accidents
New York is the perfect City for cycling New York is the perfect City for cycling
9

49. 30‐06‐2010
Opportunities to experience potential first‐hand
Test, Refine, Adjust, Re‐launch
2008 – 2009 –
first Summer Streets Revised Route
10

50. 30‐06‐2010
DOT used in‐house staff and recycled materials and resources to deliver the project
quickly and efficiently
• Estimated cost $1.5 million
DOT has implemented 200 miles of Bicycle lanes over the last 2 years
11

51. 30‐06‐2010
9th Avenue, Manhattan
8th Avenue, Manhattan
12

52. 30‐06‐2010
Broadway scheme
Access is allowed but
through traffic is prohibited
And space is reclaimed at the
Pearls on a String for Broadway
The pilots focused on areas where success was most likely –
People cycled already and traffic was minimal
Columbus Circle ‐ before Columbus Circle ‐ after
13

53. 30‐06‐2010
Madison Square Nov. 2008
Broadway, Manhattan
14

54. 30‐06‐2010
Herald Square ‐ before
And where people already choose to spend time What began with the ‘pearls’ …
spread out to the ‘strings’ as well
Herald Square ‐ after
15

55. 30‐06‐2010
The Third Generartion of Pilot Projects place the bicycle lane next to parked cars
16

56. 30‐06‐2010
The design is not perfect... But it is a start The design is not perfect... But it is a start
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
17

57. 30‐06‐2010
And the new space is appreciated by other user groups Inviting for new users and uses
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
And the new space is appreciated by other user groups
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
18

58. 30‐06‐2010
Partnerships and publicity
New public seating integrated with bicycle parking
– on previously disused
subway vents
19

59. 30‐06‐2010
Invitations to soak in the atmosphere
Ian Mahaffy and Maarten De Greeve
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
Inviting a new user group… A place more accessible for all
…locals
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
20

60. 30‐06‐2010
People don’t change their behavior when you tell them to;
People first
Life Space Buildings
Copenhagen Modal Split
61% of those who bike do so out of convenience
People change when the context compels them to
Questions for discussion
The role of cycling in creating cities for people
1. How do we promote a sense of urgency to speed up the
process of changing cycling culture?
2. How can we encourage people that don’t cycle to cycle?
3. How can we promote intermodal behavior to encourage
cycling as part of transport trips?
Please consider strategies for both
‘SOFTWARE’ as well as ‘HARDWARE’
21

61. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Those were the days when architects were
CITIES FOR PEOPLE big, and people were quite smal....
Graduated as
Architect
JAN GEHL, PROFESSOR, DR. LITT.
FOUNDING PARTNER: GEHL ARCHITECTS
1960 The worst period in City Planning ever!
URBAN QUALITY CONSULTANTS, COPENHAGEN
From 1955….
Carinvasion
1960.. Perth, West Australia Elsinore, Denmark
1

62. 30-06-
30-06-2010
All Cities have Traffic & Do you know of any City which have a
People department, a Departments for
Planning Departments and
pedestrians and public life?
perfect statistics concerning
traffic and planning issues Hardly any City have statistics and data
concerning the people who use the city
*
*
The Buildings & the Traffic is
The people in the City tends to be very
very visible and everpresent invisible and poorly represented in the
in the planning proces planning proces
Jane Jacobs 4 ”Life Between
Buildings”
1st edition 1971
1961 decades
Published in
many versions
20 languages
of
research ”New City
Spaces
Spaces” - 2001
00
”Public Spaces
Public Life
- 1996
”New City Life” -
2006
2

63. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Making People Visible
Major City Improvement Projects:
Copenhagen Stockholm
London Riga
Edinburgh Rotterdam
Oslo Zürich
Reykjavik
Seattle
San Fransisco
x New York
Mexico City
Amman
Muscat
Brisbane
Sydney
Perth Melbourne
Cape Town Adelaide
Previous Projects
Hobart
Wellington
Current Projects Auckland
Comming Projects Christchurch
GEHL-
GEHL-Architects, Urban Quality Consultants, Den
3

64. 30-06-
30-06-2010
A Presentation with 3 Tales:
* The Human Dimension
”The Client”
* New Towns/
New Developements
* Cities/City Planning
1. Children always
play where the
activity and life is
THE HUMAN DIMENSION
- introducing ”the Client”
4

65. 30-06-
30-06-2010
People watching People watching
- the number one attraction in any city - the number one attraction in any city
5

66. 30-06-
30-06-2010
IN SEARCH OF A HUMAN SCALE
6

67. 30-06-
30-06-2010
5 km/hour Architecture
THE CLIENT: •small spaces
A slow, linear, horizontal, •small signals
•details
max 5 km/h walking creature •people
•close up´s + distant views
60 km/hour Architecture
•large spaces
•huge signals
•no details
•no people
7

68. 30-06-
30-06-2010
5 km/hour 100 km/hour Architecture
Architecture Dubai
Venice, Italy
8

69. 30-06-
30-06-2010
9

70. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Prerequisities for Planning:
• Human Body
• Human Movements
• Human Senses
2.
• Human Interaction
• Human Behaviour
CITIES FOR PEOPLE AS
DESIGN CHALLENGE
( New Developement / New Towns)
Almeere, New Town, Holland. 100.000 Inh (1975-2000)
”THE BRASILIA SYNDROME”!
(City Planning from 5.000 meter above the ground )
Brasilia (1955- )
(
(1955-
10

71. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Brasilia -The people scale is completely neglected
Welcome to Kenzo Tange & Singapore
Shanghai, China
Downtown, Dubai
11

72. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Downtown, Dubai
Dubai
”Welcome to the ”New” London”
12

73. 30-06-
30-06-2010
”Welcome ?”
Old Housing area (1905)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Uninteresting City
Plan Scale
13

74. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Turning the traditional design process upside down
First LIFE
-then SPACE
But a realy nice
and inviting -then BUILDINGS
People Scale
The secret: A public Space Plan as the first step
in the planning process
Sibelius Park, Residential district, Copenhagen
14

75. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Bo01,
Residential district,
Malmö, Sweden,
2001
Rieselfeld & Vauban,
New Towns Freiburg
Wanted:
3. THE CITIES - Lively City
New City
- Attractive City -
Spaces Safe City -
Jan Gehl &
Sustainable City -
Lars Gemzøe Healthy City
Needed:
ONE STONE-
STONE-
FIVE BIRDS
POLICY
15

76. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Lively City Attractive City
Safe city Sustainable City
16

77. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Healthy City Suggestion for simple
ONE STONE/FIVE BIRDS
Sustainability Policy
”In this City everything will be do e
t s C ty e e yt g done
to invite people to walk and bicycle
as much as possible in the course
of their daily day doings”
”Houston -the City with the
fattest people of the World”
Copenhagen The development of pedestrian areas in the city from
From traffic place to people place 1962…….7 times more People Space!
17

78. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Many more People are walking in the city 4 times more people
spend time in the city
Copenhagen: New Public Life Policy 2009:
”WORLDS FINEST CITY FOR PEOPLE”
In only 40 years the good season has been
extended from 2 to 10 months
18

79. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Official City Poster
September 2007
Copenhagen
The No 1 Bicycle
City in the World
Goals for 2015:
* 50% of all comuting
on bicycles
* Bicycle Accidents to
Melbourne, - 3 mio. Inh.
The Age c. 1980
19

80. 30-06-
30-06-2010
MELBOURNE City Center 1994-2004
1994-
Pedestrian traffic weekdays daytime: +40%
Pedestrian traffic evening: +100 %
Stationary activities +200-300%
+200-
Melburne -but when it comes to street life and ambience it
-looks like any city in the new World has by now a distinct touch of -say- Paris
say-
20

81. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Retail
Residential
Office Vacancies
Employment
Bars and Pubs
A CITY GOOD AT PARTIES, OLYMPICS and SUMMITS….
Copenhagen Melbourne oct 07
21

82. 30-06-
30-06-2010
….. BUT NOT SO GLORIOUS FOR THE EVERYDAY LIFE Main Street in Sydney to be transformed
to Pedestrians, Bicycles and Light Rail
Present situation George St. After conversion
22

83. 30-06-
30-06-2010
Copenhagen Style
Bicycle Lanes (on
Copenhagen Corner)
Sydney, Oct.2008
23

84. 30-06-
30-06-2010
WELCOME TO THE 21st CENTURY
NYC Dept. of Transp. w/
Gehl Architects, Published:
13 nov 2008
24

85. 30-06-
30-06-2010
”the Client”
PLEASE
Never forget who
we are working for! ”CITIES FOR PEOPLE
The forgotten dimension
25