Writing For Urban Development

Big cities: engines of prosperity, but at what cost? For decades, urbanisation has been seen as a force for economic dynamism. Yet, new research by Dylan Connor, Siqiao Xie, Jiwon Jang, Amy Frazier, Peter Kedron, Garima Jain, Yilei Yu, and Tom Kemeny suggests a troubling paradox: the very cities that generate wealth and seem to propel prosperity also entrench inequality — both within and across generations. Their study, spanning a century of US urban development, finds that large, dense, and sprawling cities were once ladders of opportunity. But since the mid-20th century, they have become barriers. The geography of upward mobility has shifted, favouring smaller towns and rural areas, while major cities have become more segregated, less socially connected, and increasingly inhospitable to those born into disadvantage. The culprit? Not just economics, but the physical structure of cities themselves: sprawl, fragmentation, and the erosion of social capital. The very fabric of urban life has changed, and with it, the pathways out of poverty. If cities are to remain centres of opportunity, we, as a society, must rethink how they grow. Density without connectivity fosters exclusion. Expansion without integration deepens divides. The urban future must be designed with both economic and social mobility at its core. Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/dKUBfiVn

When we talk about transport challenges in cities, the focus is often only on congestion. But mobility is more than traffic jams. It is a system shaped by three intertwined elements: supply, demand and performance. 1️⃣ Supply is what cities provide: roads, footpaths, buses, trains and vehicles. We have some data here, but it is scattered and incomplete. 2️⃣ Demand is about people: how, when, where and why they travel. This is the missing piece, because demand data is rarely collected regularly. 3️⃣ Performance is about outcomes that show how well the system works: peak-hour travel times, the share of trips by public transport, average trip length, crash numbers and the pollution the system generates. The biggest gap is in understanding the demand. Without knowing how people actually travel, it becomes difficult to design systems that meet the city’s needs. One way to address this is through a 2% sample household travel behaviour analysis. This would give us clear insights into travel patterns like trip characteristics (origin, destination, mode, purpose), time and distance, demographic factors (household size, income, vehicle ownership). The cost for such an analysis is only about 5 to 10 crores, which is small compared to the 1000s of crores we will be spending on urban transport projects. Our new expert note, ‘Toward a Framework to Support Better Decision Making in India’s Mobility Planning’ lays out a framework for this approach. It calls for a return to first principles: collect the right data, understand how supply and demand shape each other, and use these insights to inform city decisions while building a shared understanding of this framework across the mobility planning community. 🔗 Read here: https://lnkd.in/gwbpCGNf We hope that this helps cities take a more systematic approach to mobility planning, one where investments are based on real commuter needs and the outcome is safe, clean, and sustainable transport for everyone.

Rethinking Urban Planning with Nature-Based Solutions Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges — from climate change impacts like heatwaves and floods to increasing social inequalities. As an urban planner, I’ve been reflecting on how our cities need to evolve, and I came across an insightful guide: *Planning, Designing, and Monitoring of Nature-based Solutions — Guidelines to Urban Transformations* by @INTERLACE. This guide emphasizes a structured, modular approach to integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into urban planning. What stands out is its focus on adaptability, justice, and inclusivity — principles we urgently need in Pakistan’s urban landscape. A few key takeaways: - Decision Framing: Understanding the local policy context and defining urban challenges lays the groundwork for successful NBS integration. - Co-Creation: Involving diverse stakeholders ensures that solutions are rooted in local knowledge and community needs. - Spatial Vulnerability Assessment: Mapping environmental and social vulnerabilities helps prioritize NBS interventions where they’re needed most. - Design & Monitoring: Crafting site-specific solutions and continuously evaluating their impact creates resilient, future-proof urban spaces. The guide also highlights inspiring case studies from cities like Krakow, Granollers, and Portoviejo, where these principles have shaped more sustainable urban futures. Pakistan, with its rapidly urbanizing landscape, can learn a lot from such approaches. Imagine cities where green corridors cool our streets, urban wetlands mitigate floods, and public spaces foster community ties — all while restoring nature. Urban planners, policymakers, and communities must come together to champion such solutions. Let’s embrace the transformative power of nature in shaping resilient, inclusive, and livable cities. #UrbanPlanning #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableCities #ResilientFuture #CommunityEngagement

Another inspiring report from New York. The report "Growing Up! Reshaping Neighborhoods for NYC Youth" presents a compelling vision for transforming New York City's neighborhoods into youth-friendly spaces through innovative design interventions and enhanced inter-agency collaboration. The report highlights concerning disparities in access to youth-friendly spaces across the city, with quality often correlating to socioeconomic status. Current urban environments frequently prove hostile to young people, characterized by narrow sidewalks, busy streets, and a scarcity of safe gathering places. Additionally, the research identifies significant gaps in neighborhood planning and coordination between city agencies regarding youth initiatives. Key recommendations focus on implementing a comprehensive systems approach to neighborhood planning that actively involves young people in assessing and evaluating youth-friendliness. The report advocates for establishing a dedicated office within NYC Public Schools to oversee outdoor space initiatives and coordinate with other agencies. Increased funding for improving accessibility and ensuring long-term maintenance of existing spaces is deemed crucial. The proposed physical design interventions span multiple scales, from school grounds to neighborhood spaces. These include innovative use of roofs, playgrounds, and parking lots, as well as improvements to streets, sidewalks, parks, and retail areas. To demonstrate the collective impact of this neighborhood-focused approach, the report suggests organizing an annual NYC Neighborhood Day of Play and creating financial incentives for Business Improvement Districts to develop youth-specific programs. This comprehensive study was authored by (urban) experts Eduarda Aun, James Francisco, AICP, Stephany Lin, Niyanta Muku, Rujuta Naringrekar, and Nasra Nimaga AIA, NCARB, NOMA. Their research provides valuable insights for urban professionals seeking to create more inclusive and youth-friendly cities. For more inspiration across various urban domains, visit Urban Design Forum: https://lnkd.in/gN7qZdRw Urban Design Forum #urbanplanning #youthengagement #citydesign #publicspace #urbaninnovation #neighborhoodplanning #sustainablecities #communitydesign #urbanpolicy #newyorkcity

Cities must prepare for future uncertainties associated with climate change and societal challenges. This study highlights how integrated planning approaches can balance urban growth with ecosystem protection, emphasizing nature-based solutions to enhance resilience. By assessing multiple development scenarios using PLUS and InVEST models, the study identifies strategies to mitigate trade-offs between urban expansion and vital ecosystem services like water yield, carbon storage, and habitat quality. Full text: https://lnkd.in/gZ3i8r7i Led by my excellent PhD student, Kamaleddin Aghaloo #UrbanResilience #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAction #EcosystemServices

It was great to speak with James Nation, the former Deputy Director of the 10 Downing Street Policy Unit, to get his thoughts on what gets policy unstuck. His key points: 1️⃣ Focus on tangible impact metrics, not big headline numbers. To get the attention of political advisors, prioritise the tangible benefits of your policy proposals (like job creation or meeting manifesto commitments), rather than over-indulging on large/questionable economic estimates. 2️⃣ Understand the constraints on government. The effective campaigner knows the constraints (political, financial, etc.) on government and works within them to secure the best possible outcome given the context. Empathise with political advisors and work with them, not against them. 3️⃣ Small is beautiful. Small, targeted interventions with clear implementation plans are much more likely to be taken forward than grand and/or abstract proposals. Read his thoughts in full here: https://lnkd.in/e_3YZdRz

One of my research project, I explored the growth patterns of ancient cities, comparing their organic development with today’s rigid urban planning. It’s fascinating how ancient cities like Ur and Thebes—shaped by human needs and natural environments—still offer valuable lessons for addressing modern urban challenges like rapid urbanization, climate change, and social disconnection. - Here are a few key takeaways: ⭐ Human-Centered Growth Ancient cities developed organically, responding to the daily lives of their residents. Cities like Ur grew around social, religious, and economic hubs, forming naturally flexible layouts. In contrast, modern urban grids often impose rigid structures that can feel disconnected from human experience. Today’s "15-minute city" concept, where all essential services are accessible within a short walk, is a nod to this older model. Cities should evolve based on local needs, fostering stronger, more resilient communities. ⭐ Climate Adaptation Ancient cities were deeply connected to their environments. Thebes thrived along the Nile, which supported agriculture and trade, while Mesopotamian cities pioneered irrigation to survive in arid landscapes. These cities understood the need for harmony with nature. In the face of climate change, modern cities must adopt similar approaches—embracing green infrastructure, sustainable water management, and climate-resilient architecture. The key is to design cities that adapt to, rather than fight against, environmental realities. ⭐ Public Spaces for Social Interaction In ancient times, public spaces were the heart of urban life. Marketplaces in Athens and mosques in Islamic cities served as hubs for both commerce and community, where ideas and relationships flourished. Unfortunately, many modern cities prioritize cars and large buildings over human interaction. However, cities that reimagine public spaces—like Copenhagen with its pedestrian streets and bike lanes—prove that prioritizing people leads to more vibrant, inclusive, and socially connected urban environments. ⭐ Local Self-Sufficiency Ancient cities mastered the art of using local resources, building their economies on what was available nearby. This approach not only minimized waste but also promoted self-sufficiency. Modern cities, in contrast, rely heavily on global supply chains, making them vulnerable to disruptions. By adopting local economic models—like urban farming, as seen in Singapore—cities can reduce dependence on imports, lower waste, and create more resilient communities. Investing in sustainable, local food systems and circular economies is key to future urban success. My research was influenced by "History of Urban Form Before the Industrial Revolution" by A.E.J. Morris, a renowned urban planning historian. For further insights into urban growth, I recommend MIT's "Theory of City Form" lectures. #UrbanDesign #CityPlanning #SustainableCities #UrbanGrowth #ResilientCities #SocialSustainability

🚦 Can Big Data and AI Fix Urban Mobility? Lessons from Chennai’s Urban Mobility Transformation Report 🚦 Cities worldwide are struggling with traffic congestion, declining public transport ridership, and the challenges of integrating new mobility solutions. But what if data, AI, and digital platforms could help cities move smarter? An excellent new The World Bank report, “Chennai’s Urban Mobility Transformation,” highlights how the city is leveraging real-time data, AI-driven analytics, and smart transport systems to improve urban mobility. 📊 Big Data for Smarter Planning 🔹 The Digital #Chennai Initiative is building a centralized data platform to integrate real-time insights across agencies. 🔹 Chennai is using mobile phone location data and CCTV-based pedestrian counts—techniques inspired by Seoul and São Paulo—to analyze travel patterns and optimize transit networks. 🚍 Intelligent Public Transport 🔹 #GTFS real-time data now powers Chennai’s buses and metro, making them more predictable and accessible via Google Maps and Moovit. 🔹 A Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform is in development to create a seamless multimodal experience, combining buses, metro, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing. 🔹 #AI -driven computer vision is enhancing road safety monitoring, identifying near-collisions and high-risk intersections. 💡 The Challenges Despite these advancements, the report highlights key barriers: ⚠️ Siloed data collection across agencies limits real-time decision-making. ⚠️ #Data governance gaps slow down AI adoption in transport planning. ⚠️ Inter-agency coordination remains a challenge in executing digital mobility projects. 🌍 What Can Indian Cities Learn? The report draws lessons from London, Singapore, and New York, where AI-driven analytics, open data policies, and seamless digital ticketing have transformed urban mobility. India’s DataSmart Cities Strategy aims to bring similar innovation to Chennai and beyond. 💬 What’s Next? As Chennai pioneers big data, AI, and digital governance, can it become a model for other Indian cities? Or will governance bottlenecks hold back innovation? 📥 Read the full report- link comments below Let’s discuss! How can Indian cities scale data-driven mobility solutions? Share your thoughts in the comments. ⬇️ #UrbanMobility #WorldBankReport #SmartCities #BigData #ArtificialIntelligence #PublicTransport #Chennai #DataDrivenDecisionMaking #DigitalTransformation Jen Jungeun Oh Gerald Ollivier Abedalrazq Khalil

#𝐋𝐎𝐆_𝐍𝐎_𝟏𝟐𝟐 🚧 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 🏙️ Urban Transportation Planning, where I dive into the complex challenges and evolving strategies shaping our cities’ mobility future. 🔍 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Urban transportation is a critical backbone of economic productivity, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship. However, increasing traffic congestion, pollution, and fragmented land-use patterns are placing unprecedented strain on urban systems. 💡 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫: 📌 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Successful urban mobility planning depends on harmonizing land use with transport infrastructure. Compact, mixed-use development reduces trip lengths and encourages modal shifts toward public transit and non-motorized travel. 📌 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: We emphasize a transition from car-centric designs to mass transit systems, cycling infrastructure, and walkable environments, aligned with climate goals and equitable access principles. 📌 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 & 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬: The study references traditional four-step travel demand models while acknowledging a shift toward activity-based modeling, GIS-based analysis, and real-time traffic simulation tools for better forecasting and network design. 📌 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Fragmented jurisdiction and overlapping authorities often hinder effective planning. The paper highlights the need for integrated governance, stakeholder participation, and long-term visioning through frameworks like National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) and Comprehensive Mobility Plans (CMPs). 📌𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: A comparative review of global best practices (e.g., Curitiba, Singapore, and Delhi Metro) illustrates how multi-modal investments, transit-oriented development (TOD), and public-private partnerships (PPP) can drive transformative change. ✅ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: Transportation planning is not just technical its strategic, participatory, and deeply interdisciplinary. We must plan for people, not just vehicles. 🔗 If you're working at the intersection of mobility, sustainability, and urban development, I'd love to connect and collaborate. Let’s move cities forward—smarter, greener, and more inclusive. #𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 #𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 #𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 #𝐆𝐈𝐒 #𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 #𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 #𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 #𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 #𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 #𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧