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Searching for People Friendly Cities in an Increasingly Urban World
In 2007, approximately half of the people of the world will be living in cities. In the next 20 to 30 years this will increase to 70%. This compares to only 10% back in 1900.
According to Jaime Lerner, former Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil,
"A city is a collective dream. To build this dream is vital,...". "It is in our cities that we can make the most progress toward a more peaceful and balanced planet, so we can look at an urban world with optimism instead of fear."
To fulfil this dream, cities must be 'People Friendly', that is, places where people want to be; where they can...
Such cities will follow our Principals of People Friendly Cities.
Click on the links below to view examples of these Principles.
Our Search
For the last few years, we have traveled to cities in Asia, Europe and the USA to study, observe and document exactly what makes a People Friendly City. These travels took us around the world and back to Albuquerque, New Mexico, our home base.
Click on the links below for our latest additions from our Adventures in Europe - 2008. (The latest two, Pisa and Cinque Terre were added September 26, 2008.)
Our Evaluations of People Friendliness
We have also attempted to evaluate to what degree some of the places we have visited are consistent with our Principles.
Click here to review our evaluations. (updated)
So, how can we ensure that our cities grow People Friendly? And who should be doing this, anyway?
We believe that there are three key groups of people who determine how this transition happens;
- Urban Planners and Designers
- Developers
- Home seekers - commuters, students, employers and employees - US!
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