Advocate for deeper human–nature connections in cities, and protect and design blue-green infrastructure that supports both climate resilience and public health.
As storms become more intense and unpredictable, our infrastructure must adapt. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) manages runoff naturally, reducing the physical damage, health effects, and restoration costs of flooding. As the largest natural spaces in cities, parks hold great potential for GSI, but often go underutilized due to various challenges. Building GSI in parks can…
At a time of increasing loneliness and mistrust, as well as rising economic uncertainty since the global pandemic, public space provides a unique opportunity to address both challenges at once.
Key Takeaways
⇢ Designing for delight—playful “snot-and-drool” moments—makes places memorable and adored.
⇢ Embody kindness in design: small gestures of care ripple into broader social solidarity.
⇢ While individual “first acts” (unpaved road, treehouse, school garden) spark momentum, sustainable placemaking requires collective ownership and iteration.
Summary
a. Low-Cost, Rapid Pilots:
○ Simple interventions, such as movable chairs, hammocks, and…
Key Takeaways North Vancouver’s ambition is to become the “healthiest small city in the world” by placing public health at the center of urban planning and design.
The city’s vision is rooted in the idea that every decision should be evaluated based on its impact on physical, mental, and social health.
The approach…
Key Takeaways School Streets can be successfully implemented in cities of all sizes, from small to
large metropolises - making them an adaptable solution for creating safer, healthier
neighborhoods.
Safe, pedestrianized school zones help reduce traffic and air pollution, making the
environment healthier for children.
School Streets are part of a larger strategy to reduce…
Key Takeaways
⇢ Public spaces are essential civic infrastructure for leisure as well as building social
trust, cohesion, and equity.
⇢ Investments in public spaces need to be equitably distributed, with a focus on
underserved, racially marginalized communities.
⇢ Traditional evaluation methods to measure public space impact need to be
updated and should incorporate factors such as social trust, civic engagement,…
Key Takeaways
⇢ Design with children, not for them.
⇢ Sensory-rich environments, especially those engaging all five senses, are critical
for early childhood development.
⇢ Nature-based play influences physical health, cognitive growth, and emotional well-
being through sensory engagement, motor skill development, and risk navigation.
⇢ Good design requires intentionality: co-design with children and caregivers and
support through policy, operations, and land-use…