THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS GRAND VALLEY CHAPTER EXPLORES THE HUMAN DIMENSION IN PLANNING AND DESIGN

CHAPTER HOSTS DANISH ARCHITECT, JAN GEHL OF THE ROYAL DANISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS AS PART OF ITS REGULAR PROGRAM SERIES NOVEMBER 9 IN GRAND RAPIDS

As part of its monthly program series to bring awareness to issues impacting the quality of life in West Michigan, The Grand Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Grand Valley) will present ”Between Buildings: The Human Dimension in Urban Planning and Design“ on Thursday, November 9, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Calvin College Chapel  inGrand Rapids. The public wis invited.

Jan Gehl is a founding partner Gehl Architects and the Urban Quality Consultants Professor of Urban Design, at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture. For more than 30 years, Jan Gehl has been an advocate of turning vehicle-centric cities into pedestrian- and people-friendly cities. With his leadership, all 18 public squares in Copenhagen that had been parking lots have been turned back to public squares and pedestrian streets that thrive for walking, shopping and people-watching. Gehl's research in Copenhagen was quickly applied to many other cities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, earning him the title of "master of public space." Many of you may already be familiar with him through his books ”Public Space Public Life," "Life Between Buildings" and "New Urban Spaces."

GEHL ARCHITECTS - Urban Quality Consultants is a consulting firm in the field of architecture, urban design and urban planning offering expertise concerning the human dimension in city and site planning. The character and vitality of public spaces are seen as an important key to urban quality. Gehl's focus is on people and ensuring quality public space for people to enjoy.  Accordingly, planning and design solutions are based on extensive research on how people use public space and experience urban quality throughout the world.  We base our work on the close relationship between well-functioning, well-designed and lively public spaces and people’s perception of quality in cities.  By allowing the aspirations for public life to drive the design process, the public realm can serve as a place for all, while embracing the unique qualities and amenities of the specific urban context. 

GEHL Architects work in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Africa, New Zealand, and Australia acting as a consultant for local governments and private developers.  Services provided by GEHL Architects vary from improvement of existing public spaces and urban regeneration of entire city centers to consulting in relation to the master planning of new mixed-use development, city districts and housing areas as well as with the master plan framework of new city areas.  By focusing on improving the environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and other forms of alternative transport, GEHL Architects have been instrumental in promoting sustainable cities.