Randy D. Dunn’s Post

When it comes to finding inspiration for new ideas and models in urban planning, Europe is (almost) always a sure bet. Take this next example of JOY in city building: the Barcelona superblock, the city’s street transformation program. The basic idea of a superblock is to combine a large area of roughly three-by-three blocks as shared-use space. Here are the principles that inform this new street model: ✅ Priority use for citizens ✅ A single-level street from façade to façade, with asphalt road surfaces a thing of the past ✅ More greenery (from 1% to more than 10%) ✅ A new environmental infrastructure and more fertile subsoil ✅ Streets accessible for everyone ✅ A new lighting system for a new atmosphere ✅ New furniture to encourage social uses ✅ Focus on local commerce While there are only a handful of superblocks at present, plans are to build up to 500 throughout the city. How does the Barcelona superblock exemplify the JOY Principles? It’s clear that one of the main priorities with Barcelona’s new street program is increasing social relations and connectedness among citizens. From a people-first approach to new furniture and lighting that promote socialization, this project clearly reflects one of the new JOY contexts: expanded scope to a “social scope”. The Barcelona superblock is about more than just getting rid of cars—it’s an opportunity to bring people together. While they may not have stated it as such, the City of Barcelona understands that when developing new urban projects, one of the problems we need to solve for are the human and community effects of a divided society, epidemic levels of loneliness, depression, isolation, and distrust of institutions. Thoughts? Have you visited a superblock? Share your experience in the comments below. #citybuilding #cityliving #urbandesign #urbanplanning #urbanist #placemaking #socialconnection #socialfabric #barcelona #joyfulcities #joyexperiments

In honor of International Day of Happiness, let's explore what makes cities truly happy places! Our latest article dives into the key design elements that can transform cities into havens of well-being. ️ Key Takeaways: - Bustling plazas and interactive elements encourage social interaction and a sense of belonging. We explore the Sky Garden at Orange County Great Park as an inspiring example. - Walkable cities with bike lanes promote healthy lifestyles, reduce pollution, and foster connection. The Greek city of Heraklion's #ChallengeMyCity project is a great case study. - From rooftop gardens to expansive parks, nature in the city improves mood, reduces stress, and boosts overall well-being. New research even shows community gardens can benefit biodiversity! By incorporating these design elements, we can create cities that are vibrant, healthy, and joyful. Read the full article to learn more about how design can build happiness, one block at a time! https://lnkd.in/dfkeHRRq Photo: Corey Seip #designthinking #happyplaces #urbanplanning #internationaldayofhappiness

I had a great opportunity to study current planning and open space practice in Barcelona in late May, with Barcelona Field School - City Lab Barcelona. Great colleagues and leadership for the program, which showed the challenges of urbanism that were familiar, surprising, shared and very specific. No surprise, but Superblocks are a lot more complicated than a diagram, and generate a lot of different perspectives, in a city that is also reckoning with the weight of global tourism. https://lnkd.in/gtaN7tkt

Green harbour. Designing public spaces with a modern approach focused on people's well-being and the development of sustainable cities is becoming a central theme for many urban centers. Prioritizing pedestrians over cars while constructing a new parking garage in the city center demonstrates that even the most progressive communities take cars into account. However, beyond a garage for a maximum of 300 cars, an outdoor public space is also introduced, highlighting the precedence of pedestrian-friendly areas. Activating the street level transforms previously unused industrial land into a usable space for people. This solution illustrates how infrastructure can be designed to simultaneously de-prioritize the presence of cars and make our cities more livable and human-centric. Opera Park, designed by the Danish architecture firm Cobe, is a public space adjacent to the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. Situated on a former industrial island, the park provides much-needed green space in the heart of the historic city center. At street level, the green space supports people's leisure activities. Opera Park is in bloom all year round: the vegetation was selected so that its appearance, scent, color, and density vary with the seasons. # 230 URBANISM, Denmark 👇 More contents on our website, the link to the featured news is in the first comment below. If you want to learn more about our transformative approach to generating growth (yes, what we call innovation marketing!), feel free to write me privately. Nina Mathiesen, Mette Marie Stahl Pedersen, Stine Lund Hansen, Cobe More about this topics follow #MaurizioRibotti #innovationmarketing #cultureofmodernbusiness #luxury #premium #lifestyle #DRUMROLL --- All rights and credits are reserved to the respective owner(s). Contact us to add you as a reference or content removal.

Paris 2.0 ++ [improving the pedestrian experience] Efforts to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists in urban design have significantly transformed Paris into a more livable, sustainable, and vibrant city, enhancing the overall experience for its residents and visitors. Here are some key initiatives and changes that have contributed to this transformation: *Pedestrianization of Streets: Paris has increasingly implemented pedestrian-only zones, particularly in the city center.  *Expansion of Bike Infrastructure: The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, creating dedicated bike lanes and increasing the number of bike-sharing programs, such as Vélib’. *15-Minute City Concept: The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has championed the "15-minute city" concept, which aims to ensure that all essential services and amenities are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride for residents. *Green Spaces and Urban Parks: Paris has focused on creating and maintaining parks and green spaces to promote biodiversity and improve air quality.  *Street Design and Public Spaces: Reimagined public spaces, including larger sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly street furniture, and increased seating areas, allow for longer stays outside. 

Conquering Urban Obstacles: Top Challenges in City Beautification and How to Overcome Them City beautification isn't without its hurdles, but with strategic solutions, we can transform our urban landscapes into vibrant, welcoming spaces. 🚧 Budget Constraints 🚧 One of the biggest challenges is funding. Solutions include public-private partnerships and grants. For example, cities like Chicago have leveraged corporate sponsorships to fund beautification projects, ensuring financial sustainability. 🛤️ Urban Planning Conflicts 🛤️ Balancing development with beautification requires careful planning. Collaborations between urban planners, architects, and community stakeholders, as seen in the redevelopment of Mumbai's Marine Drive, ensure that aesthetic enhancements complement functional urban growth. 👥 Community Engagement 👥 Engaging residents can be tough. Initiatives like participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, empower citizens to have a direct say in how beautification funds are spent, fostering community buy-in and active participation. 🌳 Maintenance and Sustainability 🌳 Maintaining beautified spaces can be a long-term challenge. Sustainable solutions such as xeriscaping, which uses drought-resistant plants, reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact, as demonstrated in cities like Las Vegas. 🌆 Cultural Sensitivity 🌆 City beautification must respect cultural heritage. Incorporating local art and design elements, like the mural projects in Mexico City that celebrate indigenous culture, ensures that beautification efforts honor and enhance cultural identity. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can create beautiful, sustainable urban spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of their communities. At Suncity Innovations, we are committed to overcoming these obstacles and bringing beauty to every corner of our cities. Ready to tackle city beautification challenges together? Let’s create a more beautiful urban future. #citybeautification #urbanchallenges #sustainablecities #communityengagement #culturalsensitivity #suncityinnovations

🌳 🏦 The vital role of Urban #boulevards in City Life! #Urban boulevards are lifeblood of vibrant cities, offering a blend of aesthetic appeal, functionality, and social significance. 👉Here's why urban boulevards are essential to modern urban landscapes: 🔹Aesthetic value ✨ Boulevards are often beautifully landscaped with trees, flowers, and public art, creating scenic pathways that enhance the visual appeal of a city. 🔹Connectivity and accessibility 🚶♂️🚴♀️ Designed to accommodate various modes of transportation, boulevards improve connectivity within cities. They often feature wide sidewalks, bike lanes, and efficient public transit routes. 🔹Economic vitality 💼 Boulevards are hubs of economic activity, lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, and offices. This mix of commercial spaces attracts both locals and tourists, boosting the local economy and providing numerous job opportunities. 🔹Social interaction and community building 👫 . These spaces serve as social magnets, where people gather, stroll, and engage in community activities. Boulevards often host events, markets, and festivals, fostering a sense of community and belonging among residents. 🔹Cultural significance 🎭 Many boulevards are home to historical landmarks, museums, theaters, and galleries, making them cultural corridors that reflect a city's heritage and contemporary artistic expressions. Below 10 out of the most famous boulevards in the world: 1️⃣Champs-Élysées, Paris, France 2️⃣Avenida Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil 3️⃣Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain 4️⃣Broadway, New York City, USA 5️⃣Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany 6️⃣The Bund, Shanghai, China 7️⃣Orchard Road, Singapore 8️⃣The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland 9️⃣Av. 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1️⃣0️⃣Avenida Reforma, Mexico City, Mexico Comment which others are missing ✨! Picture: Av. 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires (author: Juan Pablo Mascanfroni)

Conquering Urban Obstacles: Top Challenges in City Beautification and How to Overcome Them City beautification isn't without its hurdles, but with strategic solutions, we can transform our urban landscapes into vibrant, welcoming spaces. 🚧 Budget Constraints 🚧 One of the biggest challenges is funding. Solutions include public-private partnerships and grants. For example, cities like Chicago have leveraged corporate sponsorships to fund beautification projects, ensuring financial sustainability. 🛤️ Urban Planning Conflicts 🛤️ Balancing development with beautification requires careful planning. Collaborations between urban planners, architects, and community stakeholders, as seen in the redevelopment of Mumbai's Marine Drive, ensure that aesthetic enhancements complement functional urban growth. 👥 Community Engagement 👥 Engaging residents can be tough. Initiatives like participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, empower citizens to have a direct say in how beautification funds are spent, fostering community buy-in and active participation. 🌳 Maintenance and Sustainability 🌳 Maintaining beautified spaces can be a long-term challenge. Sustainable solutions such as xeriscaping, which uses drought-resistant plants, reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact, as demonstrated in cities like Las Vegas. 🌆 Cultural Sensitivity 🌆 City beautification must respect cultural heritage. Incorporating local art and design elements, like the mural projects in Mexico City that celebrate indigenous culture, ensures that beautification efforts honor and enhance cultural identity. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can create beautiful, sustainable urban spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of their communities. At Suncity Innovations, we are committed to overcoming these obstacles and bringing beauty to every corner of our cities. Ready to tackle city beautification challenges together? Let’s create a more beautiful urban future. #citybeautification #urbanchallenges #sustainablecities #communityengagement #culturalsensitivity #suncityinnovations

🔍 Emerging Opportunities in Estepona's Real Estate Estepona, often referred to as the Garden of the Costa del Sol, is not just a beautiful coastal town—it's a burgeoning hub for real estate investment. With a wave of new developments, our latest article delves into the trends and opportunities that are attracting global investors to this vibrant region. 💡 Sustainability at the Forefront: Estepona's new builds are setting standards with eco-friendly designs, from solar energy to water conservation systems. 🏢 Luxury Meets Lifestyle: Discover properties offering comprehensive lifestyle features, including fitness centers, coworking spaces, and lush gardens, redefining the concept of modern living. 📐 Innovative Architecture: Investment in architectural innovation is driving Estepona’s market growth, with designs optimizing space, light, and views to create not just homes, but experiences. For investors, Estepona represents a chance to be part of a community that values environmental sustainability, luxury amenities, and architectural beauty. 📊 Whether you're looking to diversify your portfolio, purchase a holiday home, or relocate, understanding the dynamics of Estepona's real estate market is key. Read our complete guide to investing in Estepona's real estate boom and find out how to make the most of these exciting times: https://shorturl.at/evCS2 #RealEstateInvestment #SustainableDevelopment #Estepona #LuxuryRealEstate #MarketTrends

Integrating nature in our daily surroundings: - Improve our #outdoorSocioculturalPractises and social cohesion, - Engage communities and kids in #placemaking and #urbanLandscapeDesign and #developmentStrategiesDecisions, - Improve users #health and #psychologicalwellbeing, - Enhance #spatialimage, #spatialidentity, environment and air quality, - Provide #visitorsAttraction for economic prosperity.