How can cities evolve to reflect their citizens’ needs while adapting to an increasingly complex and changing world? In this video Carmen Santana talks about the responsibility of architects, planners, and communities to reimagine urban spaces as places of dignity, interaction, and resilience, while prioritizing accessibility, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Urban life today is marked by crises—climate change, financial instability, migration, and demographic shifts. The pandemic revealed deep flaws in how we treat one another, particularly those «invisible» workers—nurses, drivers, garbage collectors—who keep cities functioning. It also taught valuable lessons about adaptability, such as hybrid uses of spaces like gyms and schools converted into emergency hospitals. These insights should now extend to creating more equitable cities that integrate social and environmental needs into their foundations.
To address these challenges, urban planning must embrace a broader range of perspectives—sociologists, philosophers, technologists, environmentalists, and citizens. Collaboration can lead to cities that promote well-being, enable human interaction, and offer safe, sustainable environments. Architects and planners must work closely with diverse communities to design spaces that reflect their needs, ensuring that urban development does not exclude marginalized groups.
Demographic shifts, particularly aging populations, demand solutions that support independent living and address loneliness among the elderly. Public spaces should be universally accessible, fostering participation, creativity, and community. However, many cities, like those in France or Spain, still prioritize vehicles over pedestrians, with 80% of space dominated by traffic infrastructure. Transforming these urban landscapes into greener, pedestrian-friendly environments will create more inclusive and ecologically responsible spaces.
Innovative examples, such as Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s initiative to reclaim the Seine banks, showcase how bold decisions can transform urban life. Tactical urbanism, as seen in Barcelona, offers another approach: low-cost, adaptable interventions that reclaim public spaces and foster new relationships among citizens, though initial resistance is common. By making these spaces welcoming for people of all abilities, urban interventions can strengthen the social fabric and reinforce ecological responsibility.
Inclusivity in design is also essential, from integrating public art that stirs emotion to creating acoustic landscapes that improve neighborhood well-being. Ground floors of buildings could be reimagined as communal spaces, encouraging interaction among neighbors, while private spaces, like kitchens, should be designed as social hubs rather than relegated to the periphery. More accessible design principles, such as barrier-free infrastructure, are vital in ensuring equitable participation in city life.
It is important to preserve and adapt existing buildings, using sustainable materials and prefabrication to reduce waste and disruption. Forward-thinking projects like Montpellier’s reversible parking lot highlight how adaptable design can address future needs, transforming underused structures into dignified housing for vulnerable populations. Urban planning should not only meet environmental standards but also facilitate more connected and supportive communities.
Shaping better cities requires collective effort, a willingness to listen, and the courage to leave our comfort zones. Though this transformation won’t happen overnight, it offers hope for cities that honor human dignity, foster resilience, and reflect the evolving needs of their citizens, while also being more ecologically responsible, socially inclusive, and universally accessible.