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Cities for People
by
For more than forty years Jan Gehl has helped to transform urban environments around the world based on his research into the ways people actually use—or could use—the spaces where they live and work. In this revolutionary book, Gehl presents his latest work creating (or recreating) cityscapes on a human scale. He clearly explains the methods and tools he uses to
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Hardcover, 285 pages
Published
August 6th 2010
by Island Press
(first published May 20th 2010)
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I write this review from the perspective of a lay person. I’m not an architect or an urban planner – I am a real estate agent. So perhaps I’m best described as an interested observer.
However, I really like this book. I’ve read a few other urban planning books, and as some of the other reviewers suggest, this book doesn’t necessarily break a ton of new ground. But the main reason I’m giving this book high marks is for the pictures. The pictures are outstanding. I’d estimate that roughly 40% of ...more
However, I really like this book. I’ve read a few other urban planning books, and as some of the other reviewers suggest, this book doesn’t necessarily break a ton of new ground. But the main reason I’m giving this book high marks is for the pictures. The pictures are outstanding. I’d estimate that roughly 40% of ...more
Jan Gehl presents his perspective on how to properly develop cities on a human scale. He gives persuasive evidence for how modern architecture has departed from the essence of livability that had dictated city design for prior centuries. The main argument brought forward supports pedestrianism as the key to designing cities that are lively, safe, sustainable, and healthy.
If I had to sum up this book in one phrase, it would be, "Cars, bad. Bikes, good."
Some interesting points to consider that I ...more
If I had to sum up this book in one phrase, it would be, "Cars, bad. Bikes, good."
Some interesting points to consider that I ...more
This is an amazing book, would definitely recommend to anyone who is into urban studies or design.
At first I had doubts, as a planner and designer I've read loads of things in relation to designing for urban environments in a human scale, however, this book amazed me. It is a timeless, a very international collection of examples, theories, and concepts. I very much enjoy and adore Scandinavian practices so extra points for me there. Lots of good visuals complementing the texts. Very interesting ...more
At first I had doubts, as a planner and designer I've read loads of things in relation to designing for urban environments in a human scale, however, this book amazed me. It is a timeless, a very international collection of examples, theories, and concepts. I very much enjoy and adore Scandinavian practices so extra points for me there. Lots of good visuals complementing the texts. Very interesting ...more
The book is most interesting when Gehl dives into the specifics such as scale and dimensions. His insights about how physical distances and barriers can affect social life in cities are profound. He supports his ideas with well-placed illustrations and photographs. Most of his arguments are quite compelling, however they are often redundant. He repeated some topics such as cycling and the small scale over and over. He often writes that we have to "carefully" pay attention when designing the
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The harshest thing I can say about the book is that it can be summed up well by its title. I guess that means it has a good title.
It has lots of helpful graphics that really add to the book. Really, they’re fundamental to the book.
For some reason I wanted more practical tools to be outlined in this book. I’m not sure why though. I’m not an urban planner or architect.
It has lots of helpful graphics that really add to the book. Really, they’re fundamental to the book.
For some reason I wanted more practical tools to be outlined in this book. I’m not sure why though. I’m not an urban planner or architect.
Couldn't actually finish it. I gave the second star because I agree with many of the values that the writer has (I know, not a very good reason to give the second star). Jan Gehl has really taken on board with some of the great ideas, e.g. making cities more green or sociable, but there seemed to be no critical thinking going on. They do not discuss, where and how in the city, these should be implemented. As if it was possible to make the cities only for pedestrians and basically in the forest.
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This book had a lot of interesting information and I found the pictures quite helpful to illustrate and distinguish points. That said, I found it difficult to read this book because it was so frustrating. I hate to put down a book due to linguistic differences, but I found it difficult to read what seemed like a poor translation to English (not sure if that was by the author himself or by someone else, but either way editors should have addressed this). And even putting aside the poor writing
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Cities for People
By Jan Gehl
Overall I think this book is incredibly useful for those starting out in city planning and gathering basic theories that are increasingly at the fore in planning. It's easy to read, gives examples and actually (perhaps unironically) designed well in layout - something I don't tend to notice with books unless done really well.
I give it 2.5 stars/5 mainly due to the premise being fairly basic. I read this and then started The Death and Life of Great American Cities ...more
By Jan Gehl
Overall I think this book is incredibly useful for those starting out in city planning and gathering basic theories that are increasingly at the fore in planning. It's easy to read, gives examples and actually (perhaps unironically) designed well in layout - something I don't tend to notice with books unless done really well.
I give it 2.5 stars/5 mainly due to the premise being fairly basic. I read this and then started The Death and Life of Great American Cities ...more
i definitely recommend reading this if you are interested in urban planning, sociology etc. Jan Gehl has spent a very long time thinking about and researching the information he shares in this book. the importance to humans, a social being, to actually socialize. how cities go about stopping this and how cities go about achieving this. fantastically explained, a lot of pictures and diagrams helping to explain also. not your typical wall of text style book. information is broken up and more
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This books presents some of the fundamental elements of urban design, transportation planning, and architecture that define how people interact with their city. Unfortunately the typographical layout of the book makes it an awkward back-to-back read, especially the lowercase section titles on the margin where customarily side notes and complimentary material would reside, but the content makes up for this shortcoming. Otherwise reasonable structured and richly illustrated, this book is essential
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Presented the problem and solutions through wonderful graphics that properly explain how cities could be more humane. Everything was concise, although some were repetitive. Gehl has been cited from other books, which led me to reading one of his own, which means he is highly respected by colleagues and provides valuable information that could be applied to most areas. What I loved most is that he provided a chapter for Developing Countries, of which I reside in. He acknowledges the problems that
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Gehl, an architect largely responsible for Copenhagen's trend-setting redesign, addresses common issues in city design and helps the reader see them like a designer. Also, helps architects and designers see cities from the perspective of the people who will be using them. Helpful appendix summarizes his most important principles.
It's eye opening to read this book and then go out on the street and see how many town planning / urban design errors have been committed against a human centric diverse and functional city in favour of expediting automobile traffic.
Thankfully Melbourne is one of the cities Gehl features to illustrate how some cities are actually doing okay.
Thankfully Melbourne is one of the cities Gehl features to illustrate how some cities are actually doing okay.
I enjoyed this book. Learnt what makes a good human-centric urban city design. Even the book is well laid out with lot of illustrations. You can read the book just going through the pictures and their descriptions. After reading the book, i felt the need to go to places like Venice and Copenhagen and experience good urban design firsthand.
A rundown of the elements of city life that improve the human experience. As specific as the width of a square, and as general as the principles that invite or shut out life in public spaces. Written in the format of a light textbook, with the simplicity and humility one would expect from a Scandinavian subject matter expert. One of the best I've read on the topic.
This book is one of the better books I have read about urbanism because of how holistic it is with providing solutions to some of the pressing issues facing major cities. Particularly helpful was the toolbox, which provided a nice summary of the key concepts from previous chapters.
The title really says it all: cities for people. For people to walk around in, for people to cycle in, for standing around in. Cappucino, that wonderful excuse to sit down in a cafe by the street and watch - people, what else. Here's waiting for all this to happen.
A great book for all those interested in architecture and urban planning. If you'd like to get an idea on how to make the city comfortable for people, how to resolve the transportation problems etc., Jan Gehl explains it perfectly well.
Got this at The Strand after seeing it listed as the top book about city planning in a list on kottke
This is an interesting book if you wanna know what makes cities comfortable for living, it explains lots of urbanism concepts, there are many examples and pictures, but I could not wait to finish it.
An excellent book on the fundamentals of placemaking.
good one even for those far from Architecture :) gives a perspective on how people-friendely cities should work and look.
Excellent book for people interested in urbanism. Minus 1 star for repetitive style though.
Essential, easy to read, eye opening.
Should be a must-read for every municipal politician.
Lots of wisdom packed into an easy to digest format.
Interesting ideas on how to make cities more walkable, e.g. uninterrupted walking paths (cars to stop instead of pedestrians), height and facade of buildings etc. How walkable a city can be, however, depends how highly on the weather and climate.
Jan Gehl provided interesting specifics about what is human scale to a city. But there is way too much redundancy. It could have been a much shorter book and address some of the deeper issues more directly.
May 13, 2013
Frank
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Shelves:
with-pictures,
non-fiction
This is a book to leaf through. Read it like you would read a magazine, take a look at the many photos and illustrations and read their captions. And you will definitely be inspired and learn something along the way.
I, on the other hand, read the whole thing. From A to Z. And that, I would not recommend.
Later this month, I will attend a meeting for the alumni of the master study I finished a couple of years ago. It is part of their Great Books program and intended to gain new knowledge and ...more
I, on the other hand, read the whole thing. From A to Z. And that, I would not recommend.
Later this month, I will attend a meeting for the alumni of the master study I finished a couple of years ago. It is part of their Great Books program and intended to gain new knowledge and ...more
A look at how the architecture of a city affects its livability. It starts off examining how cities work at human speeds (i.e. walking speed) and at ground level. Livable cities are those in which much interaction happens in public spaces. Those things are influenced by what the spaces between buildings are like and whether people would actually want to linger there.
Modernism emphasizes tall grand buildings with sheer blank facades surrounded by vast open public spaces which are designed to fit ...more
Modernism emphasizes tall grand buildings with sheer blank facades surrounded by vast open public spaces which are designed to fit ...more
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“Cities must urge urban planners and architects to reinforce pedestrianism as an integrated city policy to develop lively, safe, sustainable and healthy cities. It is equally urgent to strengthen the social function of city space as a meeting place that contributes toward the aims of social sustainability and an open and democratic society.”
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“Neither the city planners nor the traffic planners put city space and city life high on their agenda, and for years there was hardly any knowledge about how physical structures influence human behavior. The drastic consequences of this type of planning on people’s use of the city were not recognized until later.”
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