All Things Urban

As urban development continues to evolve, it is crucial to gain insights from those at the forefront of these changes. In the lead up to the world cycling summit Velo-city 2023 in Leipzig, All Things Urban sits down with Thomas Dienberg, the city's Deputy Mayor of Urban Development and Construction. With two decades of experience in urban planning, Dienberg discusses global city development trends, Leipzig's role in the green transition, and the essential skills for future urban developers. His unique perspective brings to light the challenges and triumphs of city-level action, and the potential of strategic urban planning for a sustainable future.

As the world continues to urbanize at a rapid pace, the need for professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and soft skills is on the rise. The field of urban studies is becoming increasingly complex, encompassing a wide range of disciplines, from architecture and engineering to social sciences and economics. New multidisciplinary education programs, such as the Bachelor in Urban Studies by IE University, are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in a rapidly evolving urban environment. So, what specific skills are required, and which crucial trends should aspiring urban professionals monitor to remain highly sought-after in the field?

Inhabiting space - whether it be a rural town or a massive metropolis, is an integral part of the human experience, and within our urban encounters lie many stories about the lives we’ve led. Drawing on my experiences of open space in four of the places I’ve lived - Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Cape Town and Brighton - I’ve had a glimpse into the differences and similarities of urban life in these places. What is open space and why do we need it?

How can we strategically transform cities to be more human-centered? Jorn Wemmenhove, co-founder of Humankind – agency for urban change (Rotterdam), shares his expertise on mobility transition and tactical urbanism. In this interview, All Things Urban spoke with Jorn about current trends in urban planning, practical advice for aspiring professionals and Humankind’s upcoming Masterclass „Beyond Flying Cars“.

Coming from a background in Geography, Paulina specialised in Cities & Sustainability at Aalborg University and gained experience working in mobility research at the University of Amsterdam and sustainable urban development at a Germany-based project developer. After working remotely from Lisbon during the pandemic, Paulina is now based in Berlin as a city dialogue consultant for German Railways, bringing their mission of sustainable mobility to life in collaboration with municipalities across the country.

Redesigning urban areas to favor active mobility remains a fool-proof way to reduce emissions and improve everyone’s well-being in urban areas worldwide. In the third article, we check out three different approaches to how to push for more cycling – in Copenhagen, Izmir and Malta. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is bringing to you short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, for you to broaden your horizon in urban mobility best practices from Europe and around the world.

Technological innovations are dramatically changing how we will be moving through our cities in the future. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, provides short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX, so you can tap into their state-of-the-art expertise and future-proof your career in urban mobility. This article covers three technological trends – electric mobility, data spaces and autonomous driving – that every urban practitioner needs to know to stay ahead of the curve.

One of today’s biggest challenges for cities around the globe is providing safe, accessible and sustainable urban transport for their citizens. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is providing short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, so you can get inspired, learn and implement their insights to make our cities better places. This first piece introduces the topic of gender equality in urban mobility planning and what practical steps professionals can take to design cities for all.

Community is the key to most urban planning projects. But how to engage with citizens to make sure their voices are heard and all involved parties – planners, clients, residents – are happy? This article is sponsored by Maptionnaire— a community engagement solution for comprehensive collection, analysis, and reporting of citizens' feedback and ideas for developing urban environments. Maarit Kahila and Anna Broberg, both holding a PhD in urban planning, founded Maptionnaire in 2011, which has since been used in over 40 countries. Maptionnaire believes that successful, resilient, and inclusive planning is achieved only together with residents – because they are the ones who have unique knowledge about their living environments. In this piece, Maarit and Anna explain why community engagement is essential and how Maptionnaire can help you navigate the key tools of efficient community engagement.

Mariko Sugita is an independent editor, journalist, and researcher on architecture and urbanism. She owns the website Traveling Circus of Urbanism and manages the cultural space Bridge To in Kyoto where she hosts an “urbanist in residence” program. Mariko co-founded For Cities, a new urban experience design studio based in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Amsterdam.