Cities Designed for People

I've spent the last few years building digital products, tools to help people be more productive, more informed, or just have more fun online. But recently, I've found myself thinking less about the digital environments we inhabit and more about the physical ones.

Most American cities, including my home in Phoenix, are built on a fundamental assumption: that the primary mode of transportation is the private automobile. We build wide roads, massive parking lots, and sprawling suburbs. We design our lives around the car.

But what happens when we design for people instead?

The Human Scale

When you walk down a street in a city designed for cars, you are a second-class citizen. Sidewalks are narrow or non-existent. Crossings are dangerous. The noise and exhaust make the experience unpleasant. There is no reason to stop, no reason to look around, no reason to interact with anyone.

Contrast this with a city designed for people. The streets are narrower, slowing down traffic. Sidewalks are wide and lined with trees. There are places to sit, places to eat, places to just be. In these environments, you run into neighbors. You discover new shops. You feel a sense of belonging.

Spontaneity and Vitality

One of the things I value most is spontaneity, the ability to have unplanned interactions and adventures. In a car-centric city, spontaneity is killed by distance and friction. You have to decide to go somewhere, get in your car, drive there, find parking, and then do the thing.

In a walkable city, spontaneity is built in. You walk out your door and you are already there. The barrier to entry for social interaction is lowered to zero. This creates a sense of vitality, a feeling that the city is alive.

The Journey Ahead

I am currently a non-degree seeking student, taking prerequisites and preparing to apply for a Master's in Urban Planning. I don't claim to be an expert yet. I am a student, a learner, an observer.

This journal will serve as a record of my thoughts and learnings as I explore this field. I want to understand the mechanics of how cities work, but more importantly, I want to understand the human impact of design decisions.

I believe that by building better cities, we can build better communities. And by building better communities, we can live better lives.