Jan Gehl: «the public component of our lives is disappearing»

“In a Society becoming steadily more privatized with private homes, cars, computers, offices and shopping centers, the public component of our lives is disappearing. It is more and more important to make the cities inviting, so we can meet our fellow citizens face to face and experience directly through our senses. Public life in good quality public spaces is an important part of a democratic life and a full life.

“Only architecture that considers human scale and interaction is successful architecture.”
“First life, then spaces, then buildings – the other way around never works.”
“The social changes of our era can help explain the dramatic increase in urban recreation – premium public spaces, with their diversity of functions, multitude of people, fine views and fresh air obviously have something to offer that is in great demand in society today.”

Jan Gehl

'Jan Gehl é um arquitecto e urbanista dinamarquês cuja carreira se tem focado em melhorar a qualidade da vida urbana reorientando o design da cidade em função do peão e do ciclista. Um autor que a ESTAMO e a CML deviam ouvir no âmbito dos desastrosos projectos que se pretende implementar nos antigos Hospitais civis da Colina de Santana.

FOTO: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, um dos muitos espaços públicos que continua refém de uma mobilidade urbana centrada no transporte particular com óbvios prejuízos para a qualidade de vida de todos.