PRIMAFELICITAS’ Post

Preserving the Heartbeat of Our Cities: A Reflection on Intangible Heritage A recent NY Times article invites us to rethink what preservation truly means for our communities. While we often associate preservation with iconic landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge or Grand Central Terminal, it’s equally important to protect the intangible elements that give cities their soul—local businesses, cultural practices, and even the unique sense of place. Here’s why this matters: 1️⃣ Preserving More Than Brick and Mortar: A beloved bookstore or a vibrant farmer’s market might not have "architectural significance," but these staples define the identity of neighborhoods and foster connection among residents. 2️⃣ Balancing Progress and Culture: As urban development accelerates, we must ask: How can we honor cultural heritage while supporting growth? Special purpose districts and initiatives, like San Francisco’s Legacy Business Fund, offer models for maintaining this delicate balance. 3️⃣ Redefining Value: Preservation isn’t just about saving structures; it’s about protecting experiences. The salt air at Valentino Pier in Brooklyn or the community spirit of a neighborhood market carries immeasurable value that deserves safeguarding. The challenge lies in creating frameworks that respect these intangible assets without stifling necessary innovation or growth. By reimagining preservation, we’re not just saving the past—we’re shaping the future of vibrant, inclusive cities. 💡 What steps can businesses and policymakers take to ensure the heart of our cities thrives alongside urban development? #CFO #UrbanDevelopment #PreservationMatters #Sustainability #CommunityLeadership

Artist Tonika Johnson’s work about racist housing practices in South Side Chicago has bridged the intellectual divide between art and urban policy – and found that home repairs can offset gentrification. Tonika Lewis Johnson had a beautiful ‘80s childhood in Greater Englewood on Chicago’s South Side. She made her first friends, rode her bike with them and played outside every day. She would go with her friend, Raymond, to the corner store for cookies, pickles and chips. Then Johnson began high school. She enrolled in a selective program in the diverse Lane Tech High School fifteen miles north of her neighborhood. Every morning she would have to be at the bus stop by 5:45 am just to make it to school by 8am. On her daily train commute she would look out the window, listening to her Walkman. The long journey across Chicago submerged her into the city’s psyche, into understanding the connection between race, geography and Chicago’s segregation. This was in 1993, so there was no GPS, no cell phones, “you had to know the streets,” Johnson says. Then adult life happened. She went to college, got married, had kids, and then realized how difficult it was to afford buying a home in Chicago, so she returned to Englewood. Tonika Johnson is not a follower of norms; her work doesn't fit into the straitjacket of disciplinary silos. That may be the success of her work. What started as an artistic work could reach state of the art urban policy. Johnson is using her project "UnBlocked Englewood" to create a case study that can be offered to policymakers with a view to influencing local governments’ decisions. #gentrification #urbansolutions #neighborhood #Blackcommunities #redlining #displacement #affordablehousing #UnBlockedEnglewood #BlackHomeownership Continue reading 👇

A recent article highlights key insights into creating safer urban spaces for women and girls. While it’s a common belief that addressing public safety is solely a matter of law enforcement, the truth is much broader. Myth: Women only face safety issues at night. Fact: Safety concerns can arise at any time, and urban design plays a huge role in accessibility and security for women throughout the day. Myth: Only police presence can ensure safety. Fact: Effective urban planning, such as well-lit streets and safe public transport, is crucial for fostering a secure environment for everyone. Myth: Women's needs are secondary in city planning. Fact: Involving women’s voices in urban design not only enhances safety but also elevates community contributions. The more inclusive our cities are, the stronger our community can become. Each of us can play a part in advocating for policies that prioritize safety and equality. Let's engage with our communities and local leaders to make these critical changes happen. Collaboration is key! https://lnkd.in/ehWHi3r4

Cities evolve by borrowing good ideas. I’ve been thinking about the ways that other cities have tackled challenges that feel similar to our own struggles here in Toronto, particularly around transit-oriented density, fragmented and disconnected development land, and political gridlock. I took some time to explore these problems and three interesting ideas from elsewhere that could offer a way forward: 🔹 Athens’ Antiparochi model for unlocking small scale infill housing on corridors 🔹 Tokyo’s land readjustment system for coordinating tenure, infrastructure and ownership on complex sites 🔹 Citizens’ assemblies for breaking political deadlock Of course, no solution is a perfect fit. But looking outward at how others have solved similar problems is an essential part of problem solving and building new ideas. And perhaps more important than these particular ideas, we need better methods to identify and adapt solutions that work. What’s a planning or policy idea from another city that you think Toronto should explore? #UrbanPlanning #CityBuilding #PolicyInnovation #Toronto #FutureCities

I'm still internalizing just how impactful the design of the public realm can be for society. In my professional journey, not a day passes without pondering how public spaces impact each and every one of us... Setha Low says it well, "They [public spaces] are places of social interaction and community building. They are places where people learn to live with difference. They offer a stage for political and social protest and can encourage democracy and equality. They are crucial to the flourishing of people and their greater societies. #landscapearchitecture #publicspaces #socialjustice

What makes a city truly inclusive? In the latest #GlobalUrbanLectures series, Sarah Sabry, PhD, Global Urban Lead at Save the Children International, challenges us to rethink urban design with #inclusion at its core. 🚸 Are cities designed for children’s safety, well-being, and happiness? 🚶 Do pedestrians, caregivers, and people with disabilities feel supported and valued? 🚺 Are women, girls, and aging populations prioritized in urban planning? Sarah explores practical ideas for creating inclusive cities that serve everyone not just the few. Watch her thought-provoking lecture on “Inclusive Cities: Cities for Children” to learn how we can build urban spaces that ensure everyone counts.

In many urban spaces, women's voices and safety often take a backseat in city planning. Did you know that anywhere from 65% to 99% of women worldwide have faced street harassment? That's a staggering reality impacting women’s mobility and social engagement. Cities historically designed around male experiences need to rethink their approach to foster inclusivity and safety for everyone. Strategic urban planning can be a powerful tool in reshaping our communities. From installing better lighting and surveillance to ensuring accessible public transportation, the steps are within our reach. Initiatives like the Safe Cities program by UN Women demonstrate the global commitment we need to adopt locally. It's time for urban planners, policymakers, and community members to collaborate and create safer environments. By sharing insights and taking action, we can build a future where our streets and public spaces are welcoming to all, irrespective of gender. What actions do you believe are essential for making our cities safer for women and girls? Let’s discuss! https://lnkd.in/ehWHi3r4

I agree wholeheartedly with both these commentaries, and note the simplistic approach to “safety” that can degrade the qualities of our public spaces (such as omitting trees and shrubs, or overly intrusive lighting). These are nuanced commentaries from experienced designers who also live in the world as women. There is obviously much we can do to design spaces that feel safe. It’s more fundamental to look at how great streets and spaces promote and support civic pride, community, sense of belonging - all of which reduce crime. Conviviality breeds respect. I would like to see these gender based discussions broadened to look at why women get attacked and not just how to inhibit attacks through design interventions because at this point we are merely putting little plasters on a bigger societal wound. I’d like people’s ideas around this, but I will start by suggesting we look after our teenage boys better - they need at least as much love and support as our wildly successful girls; encourage our young people to hang out together outdoors and do teenage stuff in our parks and streets; create spaces encouraging conviviality between different parts of our multicultural, multigenerational communities; anything that reduces the polarities that seem to be encouraged by our press and our politics. I am a proud feminist and I believe that we need to nurture our boys to create safer places for our girls in the future. Attacks on women happen when men have problems. We are all just people and these are hard times. And yes, before everyone shouts at me that I am not recognising the severity of the problem, I have personally experienced street crime, harassment, sexual assault and indecent exposure. And yes I pay for taxis for my daughters to come home. And I have known two women killed by men, one by a stranger on her way home from a club, in a quiet residential street in a posh suburb of Bath - the other by a stranger in her own home in a tiny village in rural Wales. Both safe places.

"Recent urban policy debates have heralded the “15-minute city” as a solution to a host of environmental, social, and economic challenges facing our cities. In an urban world where cities have been designed by and for men, however, can the 15-minute city promise to improve the lives of women, girls, and other marginalized groups without deeper transformations?" https://lnkd.in/emBvkeu9

What if our cities were designed with the safety and empowerment of women and girls at the forefront? This thought struck me after reading about 16 impactful actions cities can take to foster safer environments. While walking through my neighborhood, I noticed the lack of well-lit areas and spaces that truly feel welcoming to everyone. It got me thinking: each of us can play a part in shaping our communities to be safer and more inclusive. The takeaway? Small changes in urban planning and community initiatives can lead to significant differences in how safe we all feel. It’s not just about addressing issues—it's about actively creating spaces where everyone has a voice and a place. Let’s spark conversations in our communities! What steps can we take to make our neighborhoods safer for all? How can we support local initiatives aimed at this cause? Share your thoughts and let’s inspire action together. https://lnkd.in/ehWHi3r4