Urban Design for Communities

I had a conversation with a city manager recently that’s been bugging me. Cities will throw millions at parks without thinking twice. Another baseball field? Approved. Another patch of grass? Done. But suggest investing public money in spaces that actually bring people together and create economic value, and suddenly everyone gets squeamish about public-private partnerships. Here’s the thing: most parks are afterthoughts. Grass, some benches no one sits on, maybe a swing set. We check the “green space” box and move on. Meanwhile, no one’s actually there. No one’s connecting. No one’s building the social fabric that makes a place feel like home. Go back through history and you’ll find the same thing in every thriving community: the plaza, the square, the commons. Places where people gathered, saw their neighbors, where commerce and conversation happened in the same spot. We had this figured out for thousands of years, then we forgot. We started separating everything. Public over here, private over there. We built parks in isolation, disconnected from daily life. And now we wonder why people feel disconnected, why they don’t know their neighbors, why they have no roots. Why is it acceptable to dump public money into a park that generates zero economic activity, but controversial to invest in beautiful public spaces that private businesses can use? The best public spaces aren’t empty grass. They’re places where cafes spill onto sidewalks, where markets happen, where businesses create reasons to show up and stick around. That’s not a bug, that’s the point. We need spaces people want to be in year-round. A patch of grass doesn’t work in February. But a well-designed plaza with a great coffee shop, protected from wind, heated in winter? A public square with markets and events in summer, indoor gathering spaces when it’s cold? That serves the community. And yeah, businesses profit. Good. That’s a functioning economy. The city builds the bones, the plaza, the streets, the lighting. Private businesses bring the life, the cafe, the bookstore, the reasons to be there. Everyone wins. We need to stop being precious about keeping public and private in separate boxes. Stop measuring success by how much grass we planted and start measuring it by whether people actually show up, connect, and belong. That’s the point of public space. Not the grass. The people.

I’m excited to share our new @Nature paper 📝, which provides strong evidence that the walkability of our built environment matters a great deal to our physical activity and health. Details below.🧵 Paper link: https://lnkd.in/gsaySAs8 8 years ago, we published a study using smartphone data to understand people's activity globally 🗺️. We found huge differences in daily steps across cities. https://lnkd.in/gv9KNPZA The big question we couldn’t yet answer at the time: is it the city that makes people walk more, or do active people just choose to live there? 🤔 To solve this, we ran a massive "natural experiment." We studied smartphone data from 2 million people 🤳, including ~5,000 who moved between 1,609 U.S. cities. This gave us a unique before-and-after picture 📸 of how their physical activity changed with their environment. The key finding: your city can make you healthier. 🏙️➡️🚶♀️ People who moved from a less walkable city to a more walkable one increased their walking by ~1,100 steps a day, on average. That's about 11 minutes of extra walking without even thinking about it! 👟 This effect is symmetric. People moving to NYC from less walkable places gained ~1,400 steps 🗽. People who moved away from NYC lost ~1,400 steps. This "before and after" picture is powerful evidence that the environment is the key driver of physical activity. 🔄 This isn't just about more steps—it’s about the right kind of steps. Our study shows this additional activity is mostly brisk walking, which is the moderate-to-vigorous exercise (MVPA) recommended by doctors to prevent disease. A move to a highly walkable city can add an hour of this health-boosting activity to a person's week. 💪📈 In fact, moving to a much more walkable city nearly doubled the chances that a person would meet the national guidelines for physical activity (150 mins of MVPA/week), jumping from 21.5% to 42.5%. This is great news! 🎉 So, is it just that active people choose walkable cities? Our data says no. People who moved between similarly walkable cities saw no change in their activity. This suggests that the built environment, not just personal choice, is a central driver. ✅ The big takeaway: city planning is a powerful public health tool 🛠️. Investing in sidewalks, parks, and mixed-use zoning is a direct investment in the health of citizens. Our work shows that creating activity-friendly environments is a powerful way to make entire populations healthier. 💚 Huge thanks to my amazing co-authors Boris Ivanovic, Abby King, Jennifer Hicks, Scott Delp, and Jure Leskovec. (representing University of Washington, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine and NVIDIA) 🙏

People said nobody would ever give up their car. Paris proved them wrong. 🚲🇫🇷 For years, we were told that cycling would always be a niche activity. The data now tells a different story. In central Paris: 🚲 Bikes account for 11.2% of trips 🚗 Cars have fallen to just 4.3% During rush hour, the gap gets even bigger: 🚲 Bikes: nearly 19% of journeys 🚗 Cars: just 6.6% And the biggest winner of all? 🚶 Walking, with more than half of all trips. This didn’t happen because people suddenly became more environmentally conscious. It happened because the city changed the system. Over the past decade, Paris: 🌳 Replaced parking spaces with trees and public spaces 🚴 Built more than 300 km of protected bike lanes 🌊 Turned major roads along the Seine into pedestrian areas The lesson is bigger than cycling. People rarely change because they’re told to. They change because infrastructure makes a better choice easier, safer, and more convenient. Behavior follows design. The climate conversation often focuses on individual responsibility. But maybe the bigger question is this 👇 What if the fastest way to change behavior is simply to redesign the environment around it? 📌PS: Found this helpful? Join 18,000+ founders and investors leveling up their game to fix this climate mess. 👉 Subscribe to my newsletter and get actionable insights delivered weekly! 🌍🚀 https://lnkd.in/ektv3C_s #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #ClimateAction #ActiveMobility #Cycling #Cities #BehaviorDesign

Every monsoon, the same story repeats. A few hours of rain. Roads disappear under water. Vehicles break down. Businesses lose working hours. Ambulances get delayed. Children struggle to reach school. The problem isn't that India gets rain. The problem is that our cities are still not designed to handle it. India is building world-class expressways, metro networks, airports, and smart cities. Our infrastructure is moving forward at an incredible pace. Now it's time to give equal importance to what lies beneath our roads. Countries across the world have adopted solutions such as underground stormwater storage tanks, permeable pavements, smart drainage sensors, automated pumping systems, flood monitoring networks, and nature-based water retention systems to reduce urban flooding. These are proven technologies that help cities recover faster after heavy rainfall instead of coming to a standstill. Urban flooding is no longer just an inconvenience. It is an economic problem, a safety problem, and a productivity problem. Government studies and urban planning reports have repeatedly highlighted that rapid urbanisation, loss of natural drainage channels, and inadequate stormwater infrastructure are among the biggest reasons behind recurring waterlogging in Indian cities. This is not about criticism. It is about planning for the India we are building. If we can engineer some of the world's most ambitious infrastructure projects, we can also build cities where a few hours of rain don't bring life to a halt. I sincerely request policymakers, urban planners, municipal corporations, infrastructure experts, and civic leaders to explore and accelerate the adoption of modern stormwater management technologies across India. If you agree, please tag the relevant ministries, state governments, municipal commissioners, urban planners, civil engineers, and policymakers. The more this conversation reaches the right people, the closer we get to cities that are resilient, future-ready, and truly built for every season. #India #Infrastructure #UrbanPlanning #SmartCities #Monsoon #FloodManagement #Innovation #Sustainability

Recommended reading! Every urban professional uses one or more metrics to assess whether a neighborhood or city is well-designed and functioning properly. But are we measuring the right things? Do we truly understand what our measurements capture? Often not, as Steve Mouzon demonstrates in this excellent blog post on https://lnkd.in/eEaywVyi The Fundamental Flaw  Traditional planning metrics like "units per hectare" are fundamentally inadequate—they reveal little about actual place quality and fail to distinguish between UNESCO World Heritage sites and notorious housing projects with similar densities. Conventional distance measurements using quarter-mile radii are equally misleading, as people move along streets and paths, not in straight lines. A New Approach to Measurement  Network-based "diamond" measurements prove more accurate than circular radii, with a 15-minute walk covering approximately 720 acres (roughly 3 square km) —significantly smaller than traditional radius calculations. Quality-Based Indicators That Matter  Instead of quantity-focused metrics, he proposes indicators that capture what truly makes places livable: * Neighborhood Markets frequency per 720 acres—supporting walkable access to daily needs * Thoroughfare length per view change—measuring visual interest during walks * Properties per acre—indicating business diversity (Jacobs Diversity Standard) * Daylight hours for safe outdoor play—using hide-and-seek as the ultimate safety test for children * Age of oldest buildings relative to city age—revealing which structures are cherished and maintained * Building shell efficiency and adaptability—simpler forms often prove more economically adaptable * Street trees per linear foot—indirectly reducing building energy use while encouraging outdoor activity * Elementary schools per 2 square miles—enabling children to walk to school * Housing value range spread (15:1 in US, 40:1 in Europe)—predicting neighborhood economic development potential * Third Places frequency per 720 acres—cafés, bars, community gathering spots * Playgrounds per 12 acres—ensuring 2-minute walk access to play facilities Practical Applications These metrics offer concrete tools for urban designers evaluating project quality, policymakers crafting evidence-based regulations, developers creating genuinely functional communities, and communities benchmarking existing neighborhood quality. Let's make urban professionals assess and create better places—moving from measuring the convenient to measuring the meaningful. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityDesign #WalkableCities #UrbanQuality #PlaceActivation #SmartGrowth #Architecture #CityPlanning #LiveableNeighborhoods

What We Can Learn From Historically Black Neighborhoods When we think about the future of cities, we often look to new models: the 15-minute city, mixed-use development, walkable urbanism. But the truth is, many of these ideas aren’t new. They’ve been here before. Historically Black neighborhoods, including right here in Raleigh, once embodied these principles long before they were buzzwords. Built for Self-Sufficiency Before highways cut through communities and redlining locked out opportunity, many Black neighborhoods were self-sufficient by necessity. You could walk to a barber, a grocery, a church, a corner store, and often your job. Public life thrived on porches, sidewalks, and main streets. These weren’t luxury communities. They were resilient ones. In fact, they were 15-minute cities before the term existed, daily needs within walking distance, commerce and culture interwoven, and safety rooted in connection. What Changed The decline of these neighborhoods was not natural. It was engineered. -Urban renewal promised progress but delivered displacement. In Raleigh, neighborhoods documented in Carmen Wimberley Cauthen’s Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh, like Smoky Hollow and parts of East Raleigh, were bulldozed for highways, government buildings, or projects that never materialized. Renewal became removal. -Stolen land and resources robbed families of generational wealth through eminent domain and exploitative buyouts. -Redlining and systemic discrimination blocked access to mortgages and insurance, keeping homes undervalued and families locked out of equity-building. -Disinvestment followed. Businesses closed, infrastructure declined, and food and financial deserts replaced once-thriving corridors. What was once walkable, mixed-use, and economically diverse became fractured landscapes. Lessons for Today As we wrestle with affordable housing, we should look back at what worked: -Walkability and proximity reduced car dependence. -Mixed-use design kept money local. -Community wealth grew through ownership and business. -Social cohesion thrived in daily third places. These aren’t just memories. They’re blueprints. Moving Forward Affordable housing cannot only mean lower rents. It must rebuild ecosystems of opportunity, housing tied to small businesses, public spaces, and services. If we want to honor history, we must preserve what’s left of these neighborhoods and carry their lessons forward. Because what was lost to disinvestment can inspire reinvestment, done differently, and done right. What’s one principle from historically Black neighborhoods that we should bring back into modern community design?

Nature as an Air-Conditioner for Cities? In Seoul, an innovative approach called “Urban Wind-Path Forests” is showing how green infrastructure can fight rising urban temperatures. 🌡️ These specially designed forest corridors connect the surrounding mountains to the city center, guiding cool, clean mountain air into densely built areas. Along the way, native trees filter out dust and pollutants—delivering fresher, healthier breezes right where people live and work. Beyond cooling and cleaner air, these green corridors also provide habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals, boosting biodiversity in the heart of the city. It’s a perfect example of ecological planning solving modern climate challenges while making urban life more liveable. As our cities face increasing heat waves, it’s inspiring to see how Seoul is integrating climate action, urban cooling, and biodiversity restoration into one beautiful, functional design. 🌱 #UrbanCooling #GreenInnovation #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #CityPlanning #SustainableCities.

The negative impacts of summer heat waves are particularly felt in underrepresented communities that lack access to opportunities. Temperatures can soar up to eight degrees higher in these areas compared to wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods. This stark difference is not a coincidence. It is a direct result of historical redlining practices and the urban heat island effect. Unfortunately, these influences continue to shape communities today. The legacy of discriminatory practices has led to neighborhoods that have fewer opportunities, and these neighborhoods bear the brunt of extreme weather. They often don’t have adequate places to cool off, including #greenspaces like public parks or community centers. As a result, these communities sustain higher rates of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. According to the City of New York, Black New Yorkers die from heat stress at double the rate of white residents. This pressing issue demands our attention and action, however, initiatives to mitigate these impacts face significant challenges. Addressing the limited resources and higher safety concerns within affected neighborhoods should be a priority. We must fortify these communities with the infrastructure needed to endure excessive temperatures. Increasing green spaces and establishing more cooling centers will be a good start. We can help create a future where every community, regardless of its past, has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and healthy environment. It will take working together and investing in equitable solutions. https://nbcnews.to/4cCyhOc

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]

Solar Trees: Powering Public Space Energy infrastructure is no longer confined to rooftops and distant solar farms. It’s moving into the everyday spaces where people live, walk, and gather. In Dubai, solar-powered “Smart Palm” trees are redefining what public infrastructure can do — blending clean energy, connectivity, and climate comfort into a single urban feature. These sculptural solar trees integrate: ✔ Photovoltaic panels generating clean electricity ✔ Free public Wi-Fi connectivity ✔ Solar-powered device charging ports ✔ Shade and seating for thermal comfort ✔ Smart lighting and surveillance integration The idea is simple — but transformative: Embed energy generation directly into public infrastructure. Instead of drawing electricity from centralized grids, street furniture becomes a micro-energy hub — powering lighting, connectivity, and charging through on-site solar. Why this matters: 🔹 Hyper-distributed generation Energy produced exactly where it's consumed reduces transmission losses and grid stress. 🔹 Visible renewables When solar becomes part of daily life, public familiarity — and acceptance — accelerates. 🔹 Climate-adaptive design Shade structures lower heat exposure while generating electricity — critical for high-temperature cities. 🔹 Energy + digital convergence Clean power enables connectivity, sensors, and smart-city services without additional grid dependency. As electrification expands — from mobility to personal devices — cities will need localized, resilient energy nodes. Solar trees show that the next-generation grid won’t only live in substations and rooftops. It will live in benches. In walkways. In the trees above us — quietly powering daily urban life. Follow: Abhishek Agrawal for more inspiring insights. #SolarEnergy #SmartCities #UrbanInnovation #RenewableEnergy #CleanTech #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #ClimateAction #DistributedEnergy #FutureCities