Civic Design Projects

Recommended reading: NYC's "Principles of Good Urban Design" Handbook NYC Department of City Planning has released a comprehensive framework for enhancing urban spaces through thoughtful design principles. This handbook, developed through extensive public participation involving over 1,500 New Yorkers, serves as an essential resource for urban professionals engaged in creating better neighborhoods. Beautifully illustrated and written in accessible language, it effectively bridges the gap between technical expertise and public understanding. The handbook establishes four core principles of good urban design: - Enhancing daily life for residents - Preserving neighborhood history, culture, and identity  - Embracing urban dynamics - Addressing key societal challenges Beyond aesthetics, the framework provides practical guidance for multiple stakeholders including government agencies, elected officials, urban designers, planners, engineers, and developers. It demonstrates how well-executed design can benefit both financial investments and community interests. A distinguishing feature is its multi-scale approach, considering design impacts from the individual human scale to the broader city level. This ensures projects integrate effectively with their surroundings while optimizing city-wide functionality. The handbook addresses contemporary urban challenges such as improving public space networks, creating attractive housing solutions, implementing climate resilience measures, expanding mobility options, and ensuring equitable access to city amenities. As a "living document," these design principles are intended to evolve with changing urban needs. The clear visual examples and straightforward explanations make complex urban design concepts accessible to all stakeholders, while maintaining depth and relevance for industry professionals. #urbandesign #cityplanning #architecture #sustainablecities #urbandevelopment NHL Stenden Ruimtelijke Ontwikkeling

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 A guidance paper by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Key messages: 🌳 Green and open public spaces are essential for urban health and well-being. They encourage physical activity, mental wellness, social interactions, and community engagement while reducing air pollution and enhancing quality of life. 💰 Investing in public spaces, especially urban parks, brings economic benefits by lowering healthcare costs. Healthier lifestyles, reduced stress, and better air quality lead to financial savings and economic resilience. Well-integrated public spaces also help address spatial and health inequalities. ⚖️ Equitable access to public spaces ensures all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status, can enjoy recreational and green areas, which are crucial for physical and mental health. 🤝 Public spaces foster social cohesion by providing opportunities for social interactions, cultural events, and community activities. This strengthens social bonds, reduces isolation, and improves mental well-being. 🛝 Inclusive and multi-functional design is key. Spaces that cater to different age groups and activities—such as playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and relaxation areas—support active, healthy lifestyles and diverse community needs. [Link in the comments]

An Austrian adaptation of the Barcelona Superblock, Vienna is putting the finishing touches on its first Supergrätzl ("Super neighbourhood") in the tenth district, where through traffic is filtered out to regenerate an intersection into a liveable, climate-adapted, pedestrian-friendly public space. The Supergrätzl is located in one of Vienna’s more densely-built districts of Favoriten, with a healthy mix of uses and heavy traffic flows. It was chosen because modelling suggests intervening in less affluent and more traffic-burdened areas yields stronger benefits for climate, health, and equity. Design features include: the removal of through traffic (diagonal filters at intersections), pedestrian zones (especially outside the adjacent schools), 100 green beds, 60 shade trees, a variety of water features, public benches and other furnishings, and deletion of 30% of on-street parking spaces. While yet to be completed, Vienna’s first Supergrätzl experiment is already attracting interest, as other neighbourhoods line up to request the next. By reclaiming public space that was hiding in plain sight, it is a paradigm-shifting prototype that will hopefully soon scale across the entire city.

🌧 Manchester + rain = an iconic duo. Since the Industrial Revolution, Manchester's damp climate has fuelled its textile industry. Humidity helped cotton processing and fast-flowing rivers-powered machines. Some say the city's success was built on water. 🌊 But rain wasn't always a friend.   In 1872, 'The Great Flood' hit hard—so bad that bodies from a nearby cemetery washed down the catchment. The River Medlock was canalised, culverted, and controlled. ⚠ Here's the thing: Manchester isn't even in the UK's top 10 wettest cities. But it still floods—a lot. Climate change is worsening, with more frequent and severe rainfall increasing pressure on Manchester's urban infrastructure. 🌿 The Flood-Fighting Park  Enter Mayfield Park —Manchester's first new city centre park in over 100 years. But this isn't just any park. It's climate adaptation in action. 💧 When it rains (a lot), Mayfield doesn't fight the water—it welcomes it. ✔ Floodplain first, park second—heavy rain fills can safely fill designated areas, preventing flooding down the catchment.  ✔ Secondary water channels kick in when needed, providing a larger space of water to spread out to, slowing the flow of water. ✔ The reduction in water's velocity allows more infiltration of water into the soil, delaying the peak flow of the river during heavy rainfall.  ✔ Slower water = more deposition. While temporarily unsightly, the debris is visual evidence of the park's role in protecting the businesses, homes, roads, and railways down the catchment. 🚀 And it's just getting started—Mayfield Park will double in size over time. 🌻 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems = Nature’s Secret Weapon  The park's flood defence playbook:  ✅ Permeable surfaces absorb rainwater instead of letting it run off.  ✅ Rain gardens collect and filter stormwater.  ✅ Wetlands store and purify excess water. In cities filled with concrete, these natural solutions stop floods before they start. 🏙 Manchester Leading the Way in Urban Resilience  Mayfield Park isn't just about green space; it's about future-proofing the city. Manchester proves that urban growth and flood resilience can go hand in hand. 💰 The Economic Impact  ✔ If just 5% of 250,000 local workers used the park daily, even a tiny 0.05% productivity boost = £1.5M in annual economic benefits.  ✔ Property values? Up £3M–£7M** for residential units.  ✔ Higher commercial rental values? £1M–£10M per year. 🌿 Natural infrastructure is good for business and the planet.  🔗 The Big Picture  Want to scale these benefits? Look up catchment. Bigger flood resilience strategies mean stronger, more sustainable cities. Mayfield Park proves that design with resilience first, and everything else follows. #Manchester #FloodplainInTheCity #UrbanPlanning #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateResilience #GreenCities #FloodResilience #MayfieldPark #SUDS #SustainableUrbanDrainageSystems 🌎

Today we publish the second edition of the Healthy and Climate-Resilient Cities report, created in partnership with C40 Cities and the Norman Foster Foundation. This report highlights what future city leaders need in order to put health at the heart of urban environmental design and tackle the impacts of climate change. Recent extreme weather events have further underscored the critical need to consider climate change and its impact on people’s lives when designing future cities. This report outlines essential steps to support city leaders and urban designers in creating spaces that are not only liveable but also foster thriving communities, with health as a central pillar. Key takeaways include: -       Treating health as the foundation of climate-resilient city planning -       Supporting sustainable interventions to enhance urban health -       Creating incentives for health-focused urban initiative -       Developing methodologies for assessing impact, cost, and benefits of these interventions At Bupa, we believe healthcare can no longer be thought of as something confined solely to clinical provision such as hospitals. Our approach to health must be woven into the fabric of our cities, support healthier lifestyles of their citizens and improve accessibility to healthcare for more people through digital solutions. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e5N7YDRv #HealthyCities #ClimateResilience #UrbanDesign #FutureLeaders #SustainableCities

What if a single space could reflect every season? 🍃 Not just visually but emotionally, communally, ecologically? That was the question I kept returning to during a recent design competition. 📍The site was a neglected stretch along London’s Limehouse Cut Canal. And the brief was to reconnect it with its history, its ecology, and, most importantly, its people. Instead of designing a static public space, I asked: how can this place breathe with the city? So I proposed a space that changes with the seasons. 👉 In spring, we start with healing. Bio-mat planting workshops would invite volunteers to prepare floating mats that clean the water, support aquatic life, and attract pollinators. It's community care, disguised as planting fun. 👉 In summer, we turn up the energy. The canal becomes a hub for small-scale kayaking, paddleboarding, and rowing events - woven into local festivals. 👉 In autumn, we invite people to linger. The “Canal Glow Festival” brings warmth and light with a dynamic, sustainable installation that responds to the night. It’s immersive, informative, and joyful - showcasing stories of ecology, history, and community. For me, this wasn’t about ticking seasonal boxes. It was about designing a space that people feel connected to, all year round. P.S.: How can we make public spaces feel more alive, all year long? 👇 ___ 👋 Hey, I’m Vishakha Tiwari, an urban designer, a visual communication designer and the founder of Form Follows People. If you liked reading this post, make sure to follow me and share your thoughts in the comments below! 💬✨

Why Developers Should Think Like Neighbors Last week on Substack, I started unpacking a simple but powerful idea: There’s a difference between building in a community and building with one. Too often, the development process starts and ends at the spreadsheet. We analyze zoning overlays, calculate cost per square foot, forecast IRR. And yes, all of that matters. But if that’s the only lens you’re using, you’re not seeing the neighborhood. You’re just seeing the parcel. What would it look like if developers thought like neighbors? From Transactional to Relational Neighbors ask: Who lives here now, and who’s being left out? -Neighbors think: Will this make the block better for the people already here? -Neighbors care: Not just about what’s being built, but how it fits into the daily rhythm of a place. That’s the mindset shift we need. When you think like a neighbor, your design decisions change. -Your community engagement isn’t just a checkbox. It becomes foundational. - Your material choices aren't just about cost. They reflect dignity. -Your vision expands from buildings to ecosystems. The Cost of Disconnection When developers don’t think like neighbors, we get: Cookie-cutter buildings that don’t reflect the people who live there Pushback and protest instead of collaboration and trust Missed opportunities to invest in the culture, history, and future of a place And we wonder why projects stall. Why communities resist. Why policies harden. It’s not just about aesthetics or politics. It’s about power. Development has the power to uplift or to extract. When developers show up without context, without curiosity, or without humility, people feel that. And they respond accordingly. The Call: Build With, Not For Thinking like a neighbor doesn’t mean abandoning your business model. It means anchoring your work in relationship, not just return. It means asking: -Who will this serve? -Who will this displace? -How does this development connect to the culture, economy, and values of this block? It means building places where people don’t just survive. They belong. Let’s reframe development as civic stewardship. Not just a real estate play. Let’s build like we plan to live next door. #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #urbandesign #Collaboration #PeopleFocusedDevelopment #EmergingDeveloper #MoralObligation #LIHTC

#Stormwater Solutions in the #GCC: From Challenge to Opportunity The GCC region, traditionally known for its arid climate, has recently experienced unprecedented rainfall events, underscoring the urgent need for innovative stormwater management strategies. Last year, some GCC countries faced challenges with stormwater: - In April 2024, the UAE experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, with up to 259 mm recorded over three days. Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest, saw more than 1,500 flights delayed or canceled due to flooding. - Oman received approximately 180 mm of rainfall in some regions, leading to significant flooding and loss of life. - Bahrain faced severe flooding after heavy thunderstorms, recording its second-highest rainfall event in history. These events highlight the pressing need to reconceptualize stormwater—not as a nuisance but as a valuable resource. Adopting a zero-liquid discharge mindset ensures that every drop of rain is captured, treated, and reused, turning potential hazards into assets. Innovative Solutions are becoming more effective: - #SmartDrainage systems that use AI to predict rainfall patterns and adjust water flow in real-time to prevent urban flooding. - Permeable pavements that allow rainwater to seep into the ground, reducing surface runoff and replenishing groundwater reserves. - Stormwater harvesting systems that collect and store rainwater for irrigation, cooling, or industrial use, reducing reliance on desalination. - Underground water tunnels, inspired by systems in Singapore, that can divert excess water away from urban centers. - #NaturebasedSolutions such as restoring natural waterways and expanding green spaces to enhance the land’s ability to absorb and manage rainwater. Beyond #Flood Prevention: A robust stormwater strategy offers multiple benefits. It strengthens water security by reducing dependence on desalination. It lowers infrastructure repair costs caused by repeated flood damage. It also opens up economic opportunities in urban planning, water technology, and #infrastructure resilience. Rain is becoming an integral part of the GCC’s climate reality. The choice is between reacting to floods or proactively designing cities that harness stormwater as an asset. With the right investments, the region can lead in innovative water management. Amer Lahham Filippo Ghizzoni Elias Al Akiki Ghadi Turk Hussein Khalife Kearney Kearney Middle East and Africa #CenterforSustainableFuture #IdeaoftheDay

"Efficient and Sustainable: Finland's Garbage Collection System" Finland's garbage collection system is highly efficient and environmentally conscious. Municipalities oversee waste management, ensuring comprehensive recycling programs.  Households separate waste into categories like bio-waste, mixed waste, paper, cardboard, glass, and metals. Collection is frequent and systematic, with containers provided for different types of waste. Finland emphasizes waste-to-energy processes, converting non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat. The country also promotes the circular economy, aiming to minimize waste generation and maximize material reuse.  Extended producer responsibility (EPR) ensures manufacturers manage the disposal of their products. Public awareness campaigns and strict regulations support high recycling rates, contributing to Finland's status as a leader in sustainable waste management video rights: respective owners. For such interesting content, follow Jefy Jean Anuja Gladis #sustainability #environmentalengineering #engineering #civilengineering #civilconstruction #engenharia #engenhariacivil

How can designers create solutions that ripple through entire communities? Imagine a park bench. It’s a simple design, right? But what if that bench, originally intended to provide a place for rest, became part of a much larger system designed to promote healthy lifestyles in a city? Now, it’s not just a bench—it’s part of a network of walking paths, bike lanes, and shared green spaces that encourage social interaction and well-being. This shift in thinking is exactly what the Social Design Pathways matrix helps us achieve. Created by the Winterhouse Institute, the Social Design Pathways matrix pushes us to think beyond isolated solutions. It challenges designers to collaborate across disciplines, scale up their impact, and work with a wide range of stakeholders—from community members to city planners. For example, when a team of designers, landscape architects, and social workers come together, they’re not just designing a park—they’re helping to reimagine how a city supports the health and social needs of its residents. The beauty of this approach is that it encourages designers to step out of their comfort zones. The more diverse the collaboration, the bigger the potential for change. And these aren’t just theoretical ideas. According to the World Health Organization, cities that prioritize active transportation systems, such as bike lanes and pedestrian paths, report significant improvements in public health and reduced environmental impact. The ripple effect is real. By using tools like the Social Design Pathways matrix, designers can clarify their intentions, collaborate effectively, and ultimately create holistic solutions that address complex social challenges. It’s not just about designing objects—it’s about designing systems that foster long-term, sustainable change. What design project are you currently working on that could benefit from this kind of collaborative, big-picture thinking? #SocialDesign #CommunityImpact #SustainableDesign #DesignForChange #Collaboration