Human-Centric Spatial Planning

Why Some Places Just Feel Right, And How We Can Design More of Them Have you ever wondered why certain parks, streets, or public spaces just make you feel good, calm, safe, relaxed, or even energized? It’s not a coincidence, it’s about how your senses respond to the environment around you. Researchers Stoltz and Grahn developed the Perceived Sensory Dimensions (PSD) model, which shows that there are eight basic types of sensory experiences that humans naturally look for in a space. These include things like: • Feeling safe and protected • Being close to nature • Having space to socialize • Enjoying peace and quiet • Getting a little stimulation or play Here’s the interesting part. These needs are not just preferences — they’re layered, meaning they build on each other. Think of it like this: 1. First, we need to feel safe and comfortable. 2. Then we look for nature, calm, or maybe social connection. 3. Finally, we might want inspiration, creativity, or even a bit of fun. Each layer supports the next. And together, they shape how we experience and respond to a place — physically, mentally, and emotionally. 🔍 Studies show that when neighborhoods include more of these sensory layers, people report higher satisfaction, less stress, and better overall well-being (Bj��rk et al., 2008). So what does this mean for our cities? Urban planners and designers can use the PSD model as a practical guide to create spaces that feel good to be in — because they speak to real human needs, not just aesthetics. As Stoltz (2019) says, for a place to support health (a salutogenic environment), it must offer a variety of sensory qualities, because every person connects with places differently. This isn’t just about making cities look nice — it’s about designing places that help people feel safe, connected, inspired — and human. My contribution focuses on applying the PSD model to support children’s right to sensory-rich environments that nurture their development, well-being, and sense of belonging. #HealthyCities #UrbanWellbeing #CityDesign #PublicHealth #UrbanPlanning #HumanCenteredDesign #PSDModel #PerceivedSensoryDimensions #SalutogenicDesign #NatureInCities #DesignForWellbeing #Placemaking #UrbanResilience #EnvironmentalPsychology #SustainableCities #BiophilicDesign #UrbanTransformation #LandscapeArchitecture #InclusiveDesign #DesignMatters #SmartUrbanism

Bringing Product Design Thinking to Urban Planning For too long, urban planning and design has been driven primarily by architects, policymakers, and theoretical principles rather than the needs and experiences of the people who live in cities. However, a new wave of urban designers are applying techniques from the world of product design to rethink how our cities are built and experienced. At its core, product design is a human-centered approach focused on solving real problems for real users through an iterative process of prototyping, testing, and refinement. Great products are not conceived from theory alone, but by deeply understanding the behaviors, frustrations, and needs of the people who will use them. This same mindset can be revolutionary when applied to the design of cities and urban environments. Rather than planning from the top down based on zoning regulations and traffic modeling, urban design guided by product thinking starts with the human experience. It involves extensive ethnographic research into how people actually live, work, and play in a city. Do parents feel streets are safe for their kids? Are there enough third spaces for community gathering? How do pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers interact at key intersections? What cultural norms and desires shape public life in different neighborhoods? These are the types of questions that drive product-inspired urbanism. From this deep user understanding, urban designers can then prototype solutions at a small scale and put them through iterative rounds of testing and feedback before scaling to larger interventions. A parking lot might be temporarily turned into a parklet to gauge demand. A street could be blocked off for a monthly play street or civic event. Signage, sidewalk designs, and other street infrastructure upgrades start as quick builds using temporary materials. This lean, agile approach is a stark departure from traditional urban planning that often involves years of studies, meetings, and proposals before implementation. Instead, urban dwellers become co-creators in shaping the cities they live in through real-world experimentation and hands-on participation. Of course, there remain important roles for urban policy, large-scale infrastructure projects, and architectural vision. But infusing a product mindset of human-centered empathy, prototyping, and iterative learning into the urbanist toolkit can lead to more dynamic, responsive, and inclusive cities that truly serve the people who inhabit them. #urbanism

Recommended reading! From London. While urban planners strive to create inclusive environments for all citizens, truly inclusive cities require acknowledging that our spaces do not serve everyone equally. Cities historically designed primarily by and for men need deliberate recalibration to address the needs of women and other overlooked groups. This requires policymakers and designers to specifically examine how urban environments function for diverse populations with different lived experiences. The 2024 Handbook: Gender-Informed Urban Design & Planning LLDC (London Legacy Development Corporation) and Arup have released a usefull handbook addressing a critical gap in urban planning: gender-informed design approaches. The publication features beautiful illustrations by Shanice Abbey. Key findings: • Urban environments, traditionally viewed as gender-neutral, often contain embedded biases that compound gender inequalities • Over half of UK girls aged 13-18 report unwanted sexual comments in public spaces • Women's movement patterns are significantly impacted by caregiving responsibilities • Research identified specific "hotspot" areas perceived as unsafe within the LLDC boundary Practical recommendations for implementation: • For local authorities: Establish gender-informed corporate strategies, implement gender budgeting, adopt targeted planning policies, and utilize planning obligations • For developers: Embed gender-informed principles throughout project lifecycle, conduct participatory engagement, and prepare Gender-Informed Design Statements • Deploy specific design interventions including strategic lighting, carefully placed public realm furniture, and thoughtful land use planning This handbook offers evidence-based insights and practical tools for integrating gender-informed principles into existing planning frameworks, emphasizing intersectionality and meaningful community involvement. The guidance extends beyond theoretical concepts, suggesting concrete design solutions such as layered lighting for human scale, social seating configurations, and interim uses for vacant sites. A valuable resource for all urban professionals committed to creating truly inclusive cities. #UrbanPlanning #GenderEquality #InclusiveDesign #PublicSpace #UrbanSafety #SpatialPlanning #DesignInnovation #CommunityEngagement

Maps Can’t Measure It! You can map land use. You can measure setbacks, densities, floor space ratios. You can count how many units fit on a lot. But you can’t map: → Belonging → Dignity → Trust Not everything that matters in city-building fits on a legend. Planning is often seen as data-driven—and it is. But it’s also emotional. Relational. Human. A space can meet every technical requirement and still leave people feeling like they don’t belong. And a modest space, designed with care, can make someone feel seen. So, as we work with numbers, zones, and codes— Let’s also ask: ▪️ Who is this really for? ▪️ What does it feel like to be here? ▪️ And what stories will this space allow to unfold? Cities aren’t just built with metrics. They’re built with values. #Planning #UrbanDesign #HumanScale #CityMaking #PeopleFirstPlanning #InclusiveDesign #PlaceMatters

I’m pleased to share my interview with The Business Year, where we discussed how we, at the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, are shaping the shift in Saudi Arabia’s cities from car-centric planning toward more human-centred urban environments. In the conversation, I reflected on how earlier phases of rapid growth prioritised highways, roads, and vehicle movement between cities often at the expense of the everyday human experience within them. Today, that approach is evolving. Urban design is increasingly focused on people: how they walk, gather, interact, and experience their surroundings. We spoke about current initiatives such as the Saudi Architectural Map and Project Joy, and how they aim to reintroduce local identity, activate public spaces, and improve quality of life across different regions of the Kingdom. This work is grounded in understanding cultural, environmental, and social context, and translating it into practical, implementable design guidelines for municipalities. We believe that urban design is about creating places that feel authentic, where identity is visible and daily life is enhanced. Not just cities that function, but cities that are experienced. Many thanks to Edoardo Caccin, Niko Gianvanni, and Alena Hakansson 🔗 full interview: https://lnkd.in/ddFUgvB6

The 15-Minute City is no longer just a vision—it's a global movement. I've been diving into the insightful report"Mapping of 15-minute City Practices" from the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership, and the findings are a must-know for anyone in urban planning, mobility, or sustainable development. The study mapped 94 cities worldwide with 414 distinct practices, revealing how this concept is being adapted from Paris to Portland. Here are my key takeaways: 🌍 A European-Led Trend: Europe is at the forefront, with 58 of the 94 identified cities implementing 15-minute city strategies. 🏙️ The "Innovators": Three cities stand out as pioneers with the most comprehensive and radical strategies: Paris, Melbourne, and Barcelona. Their approaches are multifaceted, covering mobility, land use, logistics, and governance. 🛠️ From Theory to Practice: The most common actions focus on: 1. Creating people-centered spaces (58% of practices) – reclaiming streets for people, creating multi-purpose buildings. 2. Promoting sustainable mobility (53%) – building cycling networks, pedestrianizing areas, and improving public transport. 3. Engaging citizens in governance (22%) – using participatory budgets and tactical urbanism. 💡 Key Lessons for Success: · You don't need to reinvent the wheel. Many cities are building on existing planning principles. · Schools are a powerful catalyst. Transforming school areas into community hubs (like Paris's "Oasis" courtyards) is a highly effective starting point. · Cross-departmental cooperation is essential. Breaking down silos between transport, planning, and climate departments is crucial. · Don't forget logistics & governance. These are often overlooked but are vital for a truly functional 15-minute city. The Road Ahead: The report also highlights challenges, including public acceptance of reallocating road space, the need for better regional governance, and integrating smart urban logistics to reduce delivery traffic. This report is a fantastic resource, offering deep dives into cities like Bologna, Edinburgh, Ghent, Lisbon, Paris, and Vienna, showing the diverse paths to achieving a more liveable, sustainable, and accessible urban future. What are your thoughts? Is your city on the map? #15MinuteCity #UrbanPlanning #SustainableMobility #SmartCities #UrbanDevelopment #DUTPartnership #FutureOfCities #PublicSpace #CommunityEngagement

Thrilled to share our latest article in Journal of Environmental Management— “Human-perceived vs Actual Built Environment: Using Human-centred GeoAI and Street View Images to Support Urban Planning in Australia.” 🔍 What we did Mined 100k+ street-view images from Mapillary and paired them with open geospatial layers; Applied deep-learning and explainable GeoAI to quantify six perception metrics (beauty, livability, safety, etc.) and classic “5D” urban-form indicators; Mapped where perceptions and objective form diverge across metropolitan Melbourne and pinpointed the density “sweet spot” before overcrowding erodes neighbourhood quality. 🌱 Why it matters Our human-centred GeoAI workflow turns subjective experience into actionable, spatial evidence—helping planners design streets and policies that feel as good as they look. The framework is fully scalable and can seed a national database of perceived built environments for health, equity and climate research. 👥 Huge thanks to the team, especially for Siqin (Sisi) Wang and Qian (Chayn) Sun for leading this effort. Meanwhile, we have planned a series of studies around the intersection of Street Views and Large Language Models (LLMs). Stay tuned :) #GeoAI #UrbanAnalytics #BuiltEnvironment #StreetView #SpatialDataScience #UrbanPlanning #Australia Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eRHhsPKX

As healthcare navigates unprecedented complexity, I'm seeing human-centered design principles create impact far beyond traditional patient experience improvements. The most forward-thinking organizations are applying these approaches to address healthcare's most pressing challenges: Workforce retention starts with environments that support meaningful connection. The organizations with lowest turnover design spaces where staff can build substantive relationships with patients and colleagues. Physical design either enables or hinders these connections in profound ways - from collaborative workspaces to respite areas that support emotional wellbeing. Financial sustainability improves when design reveals operational innovations. Organizations applying human-centered approaches to space planning often discover care model innovations that deliver better value. By deeply understanding workflow patterns and relationship needs, they create environments that naturally support more efficient, effective care delivery. Technology integration succeeds when designed around human relationships. The most successful digital transformations don't just implement new tools - they thoughtfully craft environments where technology enhances rather than disrupts human connection. This approach leads to significantly higher adoption rates and greater impact from technology investments. Cross-boundary collaboration thrives in intentionally designed environments. The increasing complexity of healthcare requires seamless coordination across specialties, departments, and organizations. Leaders are creating physical and virtual spaces specifically designed to support these crucial connections, significantly improving care coordination outcomes. Strategic agility develops through spaces that enable rapid experimentation. Organizations building adaptive capacity are designing environments where teams can quickly test and refine new approaches. These flexible, reconfigurable spaces become living laboratories for continuous innovation and improvement. As we face healthcare's evolving challenges, I'm convinced that human-centered design isn't just about creating attractive spaces - it's about fundamentally reshaping environments to strengthen the relationships, enable the workflows, and support the innovations that drive sustainable transformation. The organizations that thrive will be those that view every square foot as an opportunity to address healthcare's most critical challenges through thoughtful, human-centered design.

How to Apply Behavioral Thinking in your Urban Design and Urban Planning Project The way people move, interact, and make decisions in public spaces directly affects whether urban solutions succeed or fail. Here are practical ways to apply behavioral thinking in urban design and urban planning: 1️⃣ Observe real human behavior in public spaces Before designing solutions, planners should observe how people actually use streets, parks, and public spaces. Where do people naturally walk? Where do they stop or gather? Which areas do they avoid? These observations provide valuable behavioral insights for better urban design decisions. 2️⃣ Identify behavioral patterns that shape urban challenges Repeated behaviors often reveal underlying issues in the urban environment, such as: •Informal pedestrian crossings •Underused public spaces •Preference for private cars over public transport Understanding these patterns helps planners address traffic congestion, public space usage, and mobility challenges more effectively. 3️⃣ Understand the motivations behind behavior Urban behavior is often influenced by: •Convenience •Perception of safety •Comfort and accessibility •Social interaction •Daily habits Recognizing these motivations helps create human-centered urban planning solutions. 4️⃣ Design environments that guide positive behavior Instead of forcing behavioral change through rules or enforcement, urban design can guide behavior naturally by shaping the environment. Examples include: •Improving walkability and visibility to •increase pedestrian activity •Placing crossings where pedestrians naturally walk •Designing inviting public spaces that encourage people to stay and interact 📌One important note: Behavioral thinking is not only about watching movement patterns. It requires deep observation, empathy, and attention to small details: the tiny pauses, hesitations, shortcuts, or subtle interactions people have with a space. Often, these small behaviors reveal the most important insights. When observation is deep and understanding is close to the human experience, the response in design becomes more thoughtful, more accurate, and ultimately more effective. #BehavioralInsights #UrbanDesign #UrbanPlanning #CityPlanning #UrbanBehavior #PublicSpaceDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #Urbanism #PlaceMaking #CommunityDesign #Architecture #UrbanDevelopment #CityLife #PublicRealm #BehavioralGuide #التصميم_الحضري #السلوك_الإنساني #أنسنة_المدن #الفراغات_العامة #التخطيط_العمراني #مدن_ذكية #إدارة_المدن #رؤية_2030 #العمارة #التنمية_الحضرية