Urban Planning Strategies for Sustainable Cities

Cheonggyecheon: From Freeway to Urban Oasis—A Model for City Transformation Cheonggyecheon in Seoul is a standout example of what’s possible when cities put people and the environment first. For decades, the stream was hidden beneath a congested multi-story freeway, dividing neighborhoods and prioritizing cars over community. Instead of renovating the aging infrastructure, Seoul’s government took a bold step: they removed the freeway, restored the natural stream, and reconnected the city with 22 new bridges—12 for pedestrians, 10 for vehicles. The results are remarkable: Reconnected neighborhoods: The stream now links both sides of the city, making it easier for people to walk, gather, and engage. Healthier public space: Green corridors, water features, and pedestrian bridges have replaced concrete, improving air quality and well-being. Sustainable urban mobility: The city invested in public transport and discouraged car use, reducing congestion and supporting active lifestyles. Cheonggyecheon is proof that visionary, people-centered planning can turn barriers into bridges—literally and figuratively. It’s a global model for urban renewal, sustainability, and social connection. What’s one urban transformation that inspires you? How can we apply these lessons to our own cities? #UrbanDesign #CityTransformation #Cheonggyecheon #SustainableCities #PublicSpace #Placemaking

In a world grappling with climate change, Sweden is leading the charge with a groundbreaking initiative: constructing an entire city from wood. According to a recent article in The Economist, this innovative approach not only promises affordability and sustainability but also challenges our preconceptions about urban development. At the Institute for Development Impact - I4DI, we're inspired by such pioneering efforts and align with our urban development practice. Sweden's vision of 'timber cities' offers a blueprint for eco-friendly construction that could revolutionize how we build our urban environments. Wood as a construction material is undergoing a renaissance, thanks to technological advances that make timber buildings as fireproof as their concrete and steel counterparts. This shift towards wood is not just an aesthetic choice but a strategic move to combat urban carbon emissions. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, making wood a carbon-neutral resource when sourced sustainably. Sweden's commitment to building with wood is a testament to the potential of natural materials in creating the sustainable cities of the future. It's a model that encourages us to think differently about urban growth, prioritizing the health of our planet alongside the need for development. We at the Institute for Development Impact continue to support transformative urban development projects, and Sweden's example is a source of inspiration and a challenge to innovate. We are helping urban planners of today prepare more sustainable cities of tomorrow. #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableCities #TimberRevolution #ClimateAction

🌡️ Prioritizing Heat Action Plans for a Resilient Future 🌍 As climate change intensifies, our response must evolve. Today, I want to highlight a critical trend: Local, state, and federal agencies are ramping up efforts to develop comprehensive heat action plans. Why? Because these plans are our roadmap to resilience. 🗺️ Key points: • Tailored interventions for regional needs • Integration of existing tools and risk assessments • Clear guidelines and thresholds • Defined objectives and financial support The goal? To advance extreme heat adaptation measures and protect our communities. But here's the burning question: Is your area prepared? 🤔 My favorite case is Phoenix's Heat Action Plan 🏙️ Phoenix, Arizona, known for its extreme heat, has implemented a comprehensive heat action plan: 🚰 Hydration stations: 200+ across the city 🏠 Cool refuges: Libraries and community centers open as cooling centers 🚶♀️ "We're Cool" initiative: Businesses offer air-conditioned spaces to pedestrians 🌳 Urban forestry: Planting 100,000 trees by 2030 to reduce urban heat island effect 📱 HeatReady app: Provides real-time heat warnings and nearest cooling resources This multi-faceted approach demonstrates how cities can adapt to rising temperatures and protect vulnerable populations. I’m curious what innovative heat action measures have you seen in your area? Share your thoughts on heat action planning in your region. What measures would you like to see implemented? #ClimateAction #HeatWave #Sustainability #ClimateResilience #UrbanPlanning #ExtremeHeat #PublicHealth #CommunityResilience #ClimateAdaptation #SmartCities #EnvironmentalJustice #GreenInfrastructure #ClimateEmergency #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanHeatIsland #ClimatePolicy #ResilientCities #HeatMitigation #ClimateInnovation #UrbanForestry #HydrationStations #CoolRefuges #HeatReady #PhoenixHeatPlan #UrbanCooling #HeatActionPlans

“Technology isn’t the only solution; human power is the greatest force.” As a public health professional within the design industry, I found myself bridging siloes of these professions at my first day at #COP28. A few takeaways: 1.      Creating urban environments for #childhealth requires a focus on prevention that addresses the double burden of infectious and chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Community and youth voices can be prioritized if we are proactive in forming an alliance between designers and public health professionals. Design Firms: Hire or consult with public health researchers and practitioners, early and often to increase human resilience and adaptation. Public Health’rs: Reach out to design and urban planning organizations. All public projects require a hired design professional. Don’t be intimidated by their perfect font selection and renderings. 2.    Individuals with chronic conditions or living with a #disability experience climate threats daily. Designing a safe, sustainable planet must encompass the full “door-to-door” experience, not single discrete elements (Nadia Hadad). Design Firms: Integrate disability from the start. Educate your teams and be intentional about increasing representation of individuals with disabilities in the process so we can deconstruct ableism. Carly Krakow said it best “We cannot say 'net zero' first, then let’s deal with people with disabilities, this is a false and dangerous narrative.” Public Health’rs: Continue and expand research on the disproportionate climate impacts affecting people with disabilities, chronic conditions and older adults. Emina Cerimovic shared that 95% of 2021 Canadian heat wave deaths were people with chronic conditions or disabilities. Quantified impacts across all climate threats are still lacking. 3.    Nature-based solutions have greater health co-benefits than hard infrastructure that remains static. Research continues to illuminate the economic and carbon benefits of natural environment restoration. Check out Siddharth Narayan's research to learn more.   Design Firms: Embrace natural solutions that meet the local needs of the community. If Bangkok is sinking faster than sea level rise due to combined precipitation variability and flooding, then a seawall will not support a vibrant community. Kotchakorn Voraakhom   Public Health’rs: Continue to quantify the health benefits of nature in both urban and rural areas. Just because there are trees in rural environments, doesn’t mean the full benefits of thoughtful landscape architecture are realized. Shout out to Torey Carter-Conneen, CAE for being on the quest to expand this (public health) profession. A huge thank you to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the incredible "Week 2" delegates who have quickly become my friends, Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA, Derek Washam, Lisa M. Ferretto, and Li Ren. #climatejustice #publichealth #architecture #design

Redefining Urban Mobility in the Cities of Tomorrow A PHI Cubed + Ai investigation: A Vision for the Future: Urban Mobility Reimagined 🚀 As urban planners, we are at the cusp of redefining the essence of city living, driven by an urgent need for sustainability, efficiency, and enhanced quality of life. The metamorphosis of urban centers into luxurious, futuristic landscapes where technology and human-centric design converge is not just an aspiration but a necessity. 🚶♂️💡 Imagine the streets of tomorrow's cities: a harmonious blend of green spaces and pedestrian pathways interspersed with a diverse array of electric and autonomous transportation options. From electric scooters to one-wheel skateboards, from electric bikes to self-balancing scooters, and the seamless integration of autonomous vehicles, the future urban scene prioritizes the pedestrian experience, reimagining mobility as we know it. 🛴🚲🛹 Why This Change Is Inevitable: Environmental Urgency: The pressing need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change is driving cities worldwide to embrace electric and alternative modes of transportation. Technological Advancements: Breakthroughs in battery technology, AI, and connectivity are making electric and autonomous vehicles more accessible and reliable than ever before. Public Health: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of outdoor spaces and the need for cities that promote walking and cycling over crowded public transportation. Economic Incentives: The rising costs of traditional urban infrastructure, coupled with the economic benefits of reducing traffic congestion and pollution, make the case for investing in pedestrian-friendly and sustainable transportation solutions. Our role as urban planners is pivotal in navigating these changes. We must champion policies and infrastructure investments that support the integration of innovative transportation technologies while ensuring that cities remain accessible, navigable, and enjoyable for all residents and visitors. The transition to pedestrian-friendly urban environments is not merely about adopting new modes of transportation but about fostering a culture of mobility that values sustainability, safety, and community well-being above all else. The journey toward the urban futures PHI Cubed envision is complex and fraught with challenges, yet it is also filled with unparalleled opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Let us embrace this moment to shape cities that are not just livable but are thriving ecosystems where every street, corner, and pathway reflects our shared commitment to a sustainable, equitable, and vibrant urban future. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #FutureOfMobility #ElectricTransportation #SmartUrbanDesign #ClimateAction #PedestrianFriendly #Innovation #SmartCities #UrbanPlanning