The transformation of Copenhagen from a car-choked thoroughfare to a lively, pedestrian center began in 1962 with the closing of the Strøget, and folks walked and biked in record numbers. Now architect Jan Gehl hopes to spread this new urban culture.
"Mr. Gehl is the chief proponent and visionary for a burgeoning global movement known as 'pedestrianization'.
He feels people are healthier and happier when their feet are on the ground, and his ideas have helped to turn his native Copenhagen into a haven for walkers and cyclists - and inspired similar changes in cities as diverse as Oslo, Barcelona, London and Melbourne.
Now he is facing his greatest challenge: bringing this vision to the car-obsessed cities of North America. His company, Gehl Architects, is working with municipal governments in Seattle and New York, and San Francisco may sign on soon."
"So far no major city has committed fully to implementing his ideas - which revolve around his core message: "Cultures and climates differ all over the world, but people are the same. They will gather in public if you give them a good place to do it."
Thanks to Gabriella Condie
FULL STORY: Urban Planning: A step in the right direction-TEACHING A CITY TO WALK AGAIN
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