THE BIG RETHINK: URBAN DESIGN

Sutainability- The Big Talk

By 2050 it is predicted that 64.1% and 85.9% of the developing and developed world respectively will be urbanized.

With growing population in the urban cities, the basic design principles slowly shifts towards improving quality of spaces and life, providing the people with necessities and comfort. Every city in the world wishes to have a stable economy and well-being for its people. Thus, sustainability has became the common topic among designers to develop the cities of the future.

One of the movements introduced to improve the qualities of life is the Slow City movement (Cittaslow)

Cittaslow

A movement to decrease the speed of life (the traffic, pace) to:

• making life better for everyone living in an urban environment
• improving the quality of life in the cities
• resisting the homogenization and globalization of towns around the globe
• protecting the environment
• promoting cultural diversity and uniqueness of individual cities
• provide inspiration for a healthier lifestyle

Imagine yourself in a vehicle. As it moves, you realize that it is hard to see the surroundings clearly because everything is moving too fast. But when it slows down or comes to a stop, you can see everything clearly, detailed. The same applies to our perspective in life. Naturally when everything slows down, we are able to appreciate even the slightest details in our surroundings, people will tend to be happier.

Buildings nowadays are built in a sense they no longer continue the characteristics and historical values of the city. Cityscape can be shaped by the humans, but in turn they will also affect the people. It is a cycle whereby the people and spaces both defines one another. A good urban design retains the city's character and history even when striving to improve, with the aid of modern technology. It is a smart mixture of the past, present and the future.

It is the balance between its people, economy, character, and sustainability.