Sofie Kvist, Director at Gehl Architects, shared insights from her global work in urban design — emphasizing the need to bring human experience, creativity, and participation back to the heart of city-making.
Drawing from her upbringing in Denmark and her experience working across cities like Copenhagen, Melbourne, and San Francisco, Kvist reflected on how “small things create big experiences.” She contrasted people-oriented design with environments shaped by rigid standards, questioning whether technical rules and measurements have overshadowed creativity and inclusivity in urban planning.
Through examples, Kvist illustrated how cities can balance structure with imagination. Copenhagen’s long-term commitment to livability and consistent measurement of human-centered outcomes has created a city that works for people first. Melbourne’s creative activation programs—using art to enliven construction zones—have built civic pride and collective identity. In San Francisco, the Civic Center Commons Initiative demonstrates how partnerships and stewardship, including programs employing unhoused residents, can transform public spaces into inclusive community assets.
Across these examples, Kvist called for designers and policymakers to act as facilitators rather than fixers—setting a shared vision, bringing diverse voices to the table early, and continuously adapting through feedback. “The places we live in become part of us,” she said. “We become part of them.”