Urban design surrounds and sustains city life. It combines the time-tested principles and innovative ideas that enable vibrant growth. It invites people to visit, start businesses, and invest in neighborhoods. And by design, it connects people to places and each other.
Connection is vital for people to realize their full potential. The same is true for our city. We must consider the interconnectedness of our neighborhoods and citizens, so that we can design with every component in mind. Because when all of these elements are working as a system, the result is a community that truly connects people, places, and opportunity.
It doesn’t simply matter that a city grows; it matters how a city grows. Successful cities have the vision to look beyond the short-term, and rely upon leadership which addresses the needs of today while laying the groundwork for a greater tomorrow. Such places are highly responsive to the needs of their citizens, and lead to a built environment that enables all to flourish.
As it turns out, human beings are excellent judges of urban character. We tend to seek out the one that makes us feel at ease, safe, happy and full of life. We instinctively value those places that affirm our humanity, and we return to them often. That’s the power of urban design.
