Jan Gehl is an urban theorist who has done much research on the city as an organism that was created in response to human senses. The our size, height, speed, hearing abilities, social interaction, drove the cities-of-old to be created as extensions of humanity. Today our top-down institutional structures have created a city that appeals more to machines and their speed, social needs, hearing abilities. He recommends five principles to follow and five to avoid:
Assemble vs. Disperse
A city should locate its functions close together versus making them further apart.
Integrate vs. Segregate
Increase the diversity of form, function, and experience of buildings and spaces by mixing them.
Invite vs. Repel
Make city space attractive to humans on a human scale, that humans can walk comfortably and safely throughout.
Open Up vs. Close In
Open up the edge between buildings and the city, allowing the buildings to interact with the city.
Increase vs. Reduce
Invite people to spend more periods of longer says in city spaces.
