On November 8th, we marked World Urbanism Day, an occasion established in 1949 by Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires to increase professional and public interest in urban planning on both local and global scales.

This day serves as an important reminder of the pivotal role urban planning plays in the development and sustainability of our cities and communities in the modern era.

As we observe World Urbanism Day’s focus on liveable cities this year, ELREP has made incorporating principles of sustainability into urban environments the forefront of our vision, ensuring our projects provide ecological, social, and economic benefits for all.

The Far-Reaching Importance of Urbanism

Urban planning impacts all our lives, even those whose careers lie outside this field. With approximately 55% of the global population currently residing in urban areas, a figure projected to reach nearly 70% by 2050 due to continued rural-urban migration, the need to develop liveable cities globally is more paramount than ever.

Major international initiatives like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda, and the World Health Organization’s Healthy Cities Movement underscore this urgency, with Sustainable Development Goal 11 specifically striving to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” for all people.

However, the continuing growth of cities and urban populations has also brought considerable challenges, including housing unaffordability, overcrowding, economic and social disparities, crime, mental health issues stemming from urban living, and added resource demands, waste production, traffic congestion, and pollution.

World Urbanism Day highlights that proper urban planning practices and policies can help address these pressing issues at the root, shaping future sustainability and resilience rather than reacting after problems emerge. It underscores that how we choose to structure, build, and organize our cities profoundly influences their habitability, accessibility, and ability to foster healthy, connected communities.

Citizen Engagement in Urban Planning

In the past, excluding the public from decision-making and planning processes has had adverse consequences for cities. World Urbanism Day now emphasizes the vital need to authentically engage average citizens in helping to shape the future of their cities and communities. Urban planning impacts society in myriad ways, from disaster resilience to environmental sustainability to accessibility for disabled residents.

Citizens can promote more responsible urban development in many ways:

– Attending local events, workshops and discussions focusing on urban issues and planning

– Joining community organizations or advocacy groups that seek positive change

– Participating in urban improvement projects such as litter cleanups or mural paintings

– Educating themselves and those in their networks about urban planning and its significance

– Advocating for government policies that promote inclusion, sustainability, and liveability

Technology and Innovation for Liveable Cities

As we focus on urban liveability and quality of life, innovations like “smart cities” that utilize new technologies have emerged seeking to improve urban life through connectivity and data optimization. However, any tools—from real-time public transit updates to surveillance systems—must be applied thoughtfully and equitably to meet all residents’ needs.

At ELREP, we champion this holistic approach by prioritizing public transport connections in our projects.  The completed project ABC Schiphol Trade Park, Hoofdorp, The Netherlands and our new project at Sechtem, Germany are strategically positioned within walking distance of a train station, ensuring an easy commute for our tenants’ workforce. Our commitment extends to weaving sustainability into the fabric of our projects. Significant e-bike charging stations are being integrated in our new projects, offering not just a mode of transportation but a sustainable lifestyle choice.

World Urbanism Day prompts consideration of how technology can promote wider civic participation, sustainability, inclusivity, and human-centric design. Urban planners, policymakers, technologists, and community members must collaborate to develop thoughtful, holistic strategies for innovating and using technology that enhance cities without sacrificing complexity of urban living or connection between residents. With vision, smart city principles can certainly serve as a valuable component of building responsive, sustainable, and resilient cities. However, they cannot be an end unto themselves, or a replacement for the irreplaceable human element at the heart of all cities.

New urban developments like Sweden’s Wooden City also showcase innovative planning centred on sustainability and liveability. This massive urban timber construction project led by developer Atrium Ljungberg will provide ecological benefits alongside offices, housing and retail space once completed. The use of engineered wood promotes sustainability while providing a human-scale sense of warmth and community, contrasting cold steel and glass structures. Collaborative experimental projects like this, which consider the human experience from the ground up while aiming for sustainability, offer valuable lessons for other cities worldwide.

In the realm of groundbreaking urban developments, ELREP’s commitment to innovation extends beyond connectivity and sustainability. Take, for instance, our project ABC Schiphol Trade Park, Hoofdorp, Netherlands, where design is elevated by incorporating an external green wall. This feature isn’t merely a visual spectacle; it boasts various environmental benefits, including the improvement of air quality by removing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide. The green wall is meticulously crafted, visible not only to those within the project but also to passers-by on public roads and neighbouring residences.

The annual Sustainable Urban Design Summit brings together urban planning leaders and stakeholders to exchange ideas for collectively shaping sustainable city futures. Through solution-based thinking and knowledge sharing on pressing issues like equitable development, mobility, and transitioning to a circular economy, the summit emphasizes the critical need for collaborative planning, foresight, and ongoing innovation to build flourishing cities that protect the planet and our communities.

In Conclusion

World Urbanism Day highlights the vital role urban planning plays in sustainable development, calling us to involve professionals, government leaders and the public alike to proactively ensure liveable cities for all instead of reactively responding to preventable problems.

As we celebrate World Urbanism Day, let us commit to making our cities cleaner, greener, safer, more resilient, and more sustainably designed for people from all walks of life. With open communication and proactive, collaborative planning, we can work together to shape an urban future that benefits both people and planet.