The Pursuit of Form

Jan Gehl talks about the problematic history of architecture, landscape architecture and yes, planning, when it comes to building cities for people rather than celebrating form for its own sake.

1 minute read

April 15, 2011, 9:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Talking with the American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA), Gehl gave landscape architects some credit:

"The landscape architects, maybe they are the nicest. I always felt, visiting landscape schools, that they had a nicer atmosphere. They were closer to the ground. But still the education concerning people is very weak if nonexistent."

Gehl makes a plea for turning the attention of the professionals to making cities for people:

"They would be safer because if people are using a city it will be safer. They would be more sustainable because suddenly it'd be much easier to make cities where we can have a good quality public transportation system, where we can walk in style and dignity to and from the station day and night in safety and have a good time doing it."

FULL STORY: Interview with Jan Gehl

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 in ASLA's The Dirt blog

Land Use Landscape Architecture World Jan Gehl People

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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