COMMONS MAGAZINE

Posted
July 12, 2012

12 Steps to Creating a Community Commons

Design is only part of what enlivens public spaces

“Cultures and climates differ all over the world,” notes architect Jan Gehl, “but people are the same. They will gather in public if you give them a good place to do it.”

Gehl, an international consultant on creating great urban spaces from Copenhagen, lists the attributes of a good place here in collaboration with colleague Lars Gemzoe of GehlArchitects .

1. Protection from traffic
2. Protection from crime
3. Protection from the elements
4. A place to walk
5. A place to stop and stand
6. A place to sit
7. Things to see
8. Opportunities for conversations
9. Opportunities for play
10. Human-scale
11. Opportunities to enjoy good weather
12. Aesthetic quality
— Jan Gehl & Lars Gemzoe