Mar 19, 2018
We had been trying to live a slow life for a long time before realizing that there was such a thing as the Slow Movement. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the same time my partner Andrew Plumb and I were finishing architecture school and starting our careers. The fast-paced, 80-hour weeks at “starchitecture” firms…
Mar 19, 2018
There are many views about how best to make cities happier. But before we get into that, it’s important to be reminded of the essence of the city. As Shakespeare said, “a city is but its people” and we know cities are not empty buildings and infrastructure, or as Edward Glaeser explains in Triumph of…
Mar 19, 2018
Modern living offers many conveniences but increasingly comes at the price of our health and our wellbeing. How we live, eat, work, play and organize our communities impact our climate, health and wellbeing. Rising challenges such as obesity and non-communicable diseases need to be urgently addressed. Failing to do so will mean that for the…
Mar 19, 2018
When imagining the streets, parks, canals, or squares of any city our minds automatically picture human faces. Some are playing in the grass, others walking to work, taking a bus to school or catching up with friends and family. These snapshots reflect the reality that a city is more than just its physical infrastructure. Indeed,…
Mar 19, 2018
What do ordinary South Africans need to do to make sure that wellbeing is a top priority for policymakers? I live and work in Grahamstown, a small South African university that prides itself on being an excellent educational center attracting young people and scholars not only from South Africa but from the whole of Africa…
Mar 19, 2018
As an architect I look at how we can develop spaces – spaces within buildings, between buildings, between people – that foster greater engagement and connection. I believe in architecture that adds value and benefits society ‘beyond buildings’, focusing on the people that inhabit spaces, the local environment and public arenas. Whether large- or small-scale,…
Mar 19, 2018
Today, more than half of the world’s population live in cities. By 2050, this proportion is expected to grow to two-thirds. People live in cities to be close to employment and educational opportunities and services, and cities can be wonderful places for social interaction and access to cultural activities. When cities are built using good…
Mar 19, 2018
When we think “smart”, our mind instantly connects it to “tech”. When we think future, our thoughts immediately ping artificial intelligence. When we discuss “innovation”, we imagine digital products. There is no doubt about technology’s clout in transforming our today and shaping our tomorrow. Cities are heavily investing in massive networks and data collection machines…
Mar 19, 2018
Urban wellbeing is a term that refers to people’s sense of wellness and happiness in the city. It is, of course, very difficult to measure and it is not a static concept. People also experience the city in diverse ways which affects their perception of wellbeing. So what does wellbeing mean to a woman or…
Mar 19, 2018
Good health provides a solid basis for our physical, mental and social wellbeing. Fundamentally, good health gives us the freedom to live the lives we want, while illness and poor health limit our possibilities. This makes health an important resource for the individual Copenhagener and for Copenhagen as a whole if we are to realize…
Mar 06, 2018
Cities have been the birthplace of societal progress throughout history. But their capacity to bring about change has been particularly striking in most recent years. From pro-democracy protests such as the Arab Spring to activist movements such as Black Lives Matter, cities have become a vital place for citizens to mobilize, confront power and catalyze…
Mar 05, 2018
Global gender equality has stalled in 2017, after ten years of steady progress according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2017. Switzerland’s rank in the international gender gap index has dropped to 21, compared to position 11 in 2016. Our country remains a black sheep of equality, particularly in the areas of…
