Jan Gehl

Last updated
Jan Gehl
Jan Gehl 2006.jpg
Jan Gehl in 2006
Born (1936-09-17) 17 September 1936 (age 88)
Nationality Danish
Alma mater Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture
OccupationArchitect
Awards Sir Patrick Abercrombie Prize (1993)
Civic Trust Award (2009)
Global Award for Sustainable Architecture (2015)
Practice Gehl Architects

Jan Gehl Hon. FAIA (born 17 September 1936, Copenhagen) is a Danish architect and urban design consultant based in Copenhagen whose career has focused on improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards the pedestrian and cyclist. He is a founding partner of Gehl Architects.

Contents

Biography

Gehl received a Masters of Architecture from the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (KADK) in Copenhagen in 1960, and practiced architecture from 1960 to 1966. In 1966 he received a research grant from KADK to study " the form and use of public spaces"; his book Life between Buildings (1971) reports his studies of public life in public spaces, and develops his theories about how city planning and architecture influence public life. He became a professor of urban planning at KADK, and a visiting professor around the world. [1] He co-founded Gehl Architects in 2000 with Helle Søholt, held a Partner position until 2011, and remains a Senior Advisor. [2]

As a "young architect working in the suburbs," Gehl married a psychologist and "had many discussions about why the human side of architecture was not more carefully looked after by the architects, landscape architects, and planners... My wife and I set out to study the borderland between sociology, psychology, architecture, and planning." [3]

Influence

Gehl Architects' project for Brighton New Road employing shared space, awarded the UK Civic Trust Award New Road, Brighton - shared space.jpg
Gehl Architects' project for Brighton New Road employing shared space, awarded the UK Civic Trust Award

Gehl first published his influential Life Between Buildings in Danish in 1971, with the first English translation published in 1987. Gehl advocates a sensible, straightforward approach to improving urban form: systematically documenting urban spaces, making gradual incremental improvements, then documenting them again. In 2012 the book is translated into a film by the same name, exhibited in a 24 meters curved room at the "New Nordic Architecture" exhibition Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and later at the Venice Biennale for Architecture. [4]

Gehl's book Public Spaces, Public Life describes how such incremental improvements have transformed Copenhagen from a car-dominated city to a pedestrian-oriented city over 40 years. Copenhagen's Strøget carfree zone, one of the longest pedestrian shopping areas in Europe.The first section of Strøget was transformed to a pedestrian street on 17. November 1962, and Gehl used it as a living lab for observing peoples use of public space. Later his influential reports and books led to a collaboration with the City of Copenhagen and its political shift towards promoting predestrian zones and bicycling. [5]

Gehl participates in and advises many urban design and public projects around the world:

Gehl credits the "grandmother of humanistic planning" Jane Jacobs for drawing his attention to the importance of human scale. “Fifty years ago she said – go out there and see what works and what doesn’t work, and learn from reality. Look out of your windows, spend time in the streets and squares and see how people actually use spaces, learn from that, and use it.” [15]

Awards and distinctions

Selected publications

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jørn Utzon</span> Danish architect

Jørn Oberg Utzon was a Danish architect. In 1957, he won an international design competition for his design of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Utzon's revised design, which he completed in 1961, was the basis for the landmark, although it was not completed until 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strøget</span> Pedestrian zone in Copenhagen, Denmark

Strøget is a pedestrian, car-free shopping area in Copenhagen, Denmark. This popular tourist attraction in the centre of town is one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe at 1.1 km. Located at the centre of the old city of Copenhagen, it has long been one of the most high-profile streets in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyhavn</span> Street, canal and district in Copenhagen

Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the Inner Harbour just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. The canal harbours many historical wooden ships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling advocacy</span> Activities promoting cycling

Cycling advocacy consists of activities that call for, promote or enable increased adoption and support for cycling and improved safety and convenience for cyclists, usually within urbanized areas or semi-urban regions. Issues of concern typically include policy, administrative and legal changes ; advocating and establishing better cycling infrastructure ; public education regarding the health, transportational and environmental benefits of cycling for both individuals and communities, cycling and motoring skills; and increasing public and political support for bicycling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Hall Square, Copenhagen</span> Central square in Copenhagen, Denmark

City Hall Square is a public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark, located in front of the Copenhagen City Hall. Its large size, central location, and affiliation with the city hall makes it a popular venue for a variety of events, celebrations and demonstrations. It is often used as a central point for measuring distances from Copenhagen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gammeltorv</span>

Gammeltorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen, Denmark. With adjoining Nytorv it forms a common space along the Strøget pedestrian zone. While the square dates back to the foundation of the city in the 12th century, most of its buildings were constructed after the Great Fire of 1795 in Neoclassical style. Another dominating feature is the Caritas Well, a Renaissance fountain erected by King Christian IV in 1610.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nytorv</span> Public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark

Nytorv is a public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with the adjoining Gammeltorv it forms a common space, today part of the Strøget pedestrian zone. The square is dominated by the imposing Neoclassical façade of the Copenhagen Court House, which from 1815-1905 also served as the City Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bjarke Ingels</span> Danish architect (b.1974)

Bjarke Bundgaard Ingels is a Danish architect, founder and creative partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Denmark</span>

The architecture of Denmark has its origins in the Viking Age, revealed by archaeological finds. It was established in the Middle Ages when first Romanesque, then Gothic churches and cathedrals, were built throughout the country. During this period, brick became the construction material of choice for churches, fortifications and castles, as the country had little access to stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Copenhagen</span> Architecture of the capital of Denmark

The architecture of Copenhagen in Denmark is characterised by a wide variety of styles, progressing through Christian IV's early 17th century landmarks and the elegant 17th century mansions and palaces of Frederiksstaden, to the late 19th century residential boroughs and cultural institutions to the modernistic contribution of the 20th century such as Arne Jacobsen's National Bank and SAS Royal Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gråbrødretorv</span>

Gråbrødretorv is a public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark, just off the pedestrian street Strøget.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amagertorv</span> Square in central Copenhagen, Denmark

Amagertorv is a public square in the district of Indre By in central Copenhagen, Denmark. Today it forms part of the Strøget pedestrian zone, and is often described as the most central square in Copenhagen. Second only to Gammeltorv, it is also one of the oldest, taking its name from the Amager farmers who in the Middle Ages came into town to sell their produce at the site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiolstræde</span>

Fiolstræde is a pedestrianised shopping street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It passes the square Frue Plads on its way from Nørreport station in the north to Skindergade in the south where Jorcks Passage connects it to the shopping street Strøget. Copenhagen Cathedral is located on the street which also passes the rear side of Copenhagen University Library.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakalat Street</span>

Wakalat Street, sometimes spelled as Al-Wakalat Street, is a street in Amman, Jordan, in the district of Sweifieh. Its name means "brands" in Arabic, referencing the numerous brand-name clothing stores that line the commercial street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gehl Architects</span>

Gehl is an urban research and design consulting firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 2000 by Professor Jan Gehl and urban designer Helle Søholt as a continuation of Gehl's research within the area over the past four decades. The firm specialises in improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards pedestrians and cyclists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8 House</span> Mixed-use development in Copenhagen, Denmark

8 House, also known as Big House, is a large mixed-use development built in the shape of a figure 8 on the southern perimeter of the new suburb of Ørestad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Designed by Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the bow-shaped building consists of 61,000 square metres of three different types of residential housing and 10,000 square metres of retail premises and offices. It is the largest private development ever undertaken in Denmark. Commissioned by Store Frederikslund Holding, Høpfner A/S and Danish Oil Company A/S in 2006, it is Ingels' third housing development in Ørestad, following VM Houses and Mountain Dwellings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Købmagergade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Købmagergade is a pedestrian shopping street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It connects Amagertorv on Strøget to Nørreport station, although the last section, north of Kultorvet, is part of Frederiksborggade, which continues on the other side of the railway station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kultorvet</span> Square in Copenhagen, Denmark

Kultorvet is a public square in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with Købmagergade and the southern part of Frederiksborggade, it forms a pedestrian zone between Nørreport station and Amagertorv on Strøget. The square is lined with cafés and shops and is a popular venue for outdoor concerts in the summer time. Copenhagen Central Library was from the 1950s based on the square but has now relocated to a building in Krystalgade. Its old building has now been taken over by Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrik Valeur</span>

Henrik Bjørn Valeur is a Danish architect-urbanist, founder and creative director of UiD (Denmark) and UiD Shanghai Co., Ltd (China), curator of CO-EVOLUTION: Danish/Chinese Collaboration on Sustainable Urban Development in China, which was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2006, and author of the book India: the Urban Transition - a Case Study of Development Urbanism (2014), which is based on his experiences teaching, researching and practicing in India.

Lene Dammand Lund is a Danish architect and educator. Since April 2012, she has been rector of the schools of architecture, design and conservation at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

References

  1. "Exhibition "Changing Mindsets" - Jan Gehl's Life of Work". Danish Cultural Institute. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  2. "Jan Gehl". Gehl. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. Paul Makovsky: Pedestrian Cities: An interview with Danish architect Jan Gehl on how public spaces work. in Metropolis Magazine August/September 2002, Retrieved 16 October 2010 Archived 4 April 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Life Between Buildings". Archived from the original on 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  5. "'Copenhagenizing' the world, one city at a time". The Copenhagen Post. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12.
  6. "New York City DOT Releases World Class Streets Report, Calling for Enhanced Public and Pedestrian Space". New York City Department of Transportation . 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  7. Melbourne 'Places for People' Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine
  8. City of Perth – Public Spaces Public Life Archived 2009-09-19 at the Wayback Machine
  9. City of Adelaide – Public Spaces and Public Life 2002 Archived 2007-09-12 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Sydney CBD Public Life and Public Spaces Survey
  11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2018-09-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Gehl Architects report - Public Spaces and Public Life Study 2004". Wellington City Council. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  13. Gehl, Jan (2010). "Jan Gehl Public Space Public Life Study (Christchurch 2009, Public Space Public Life)". Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  14. "Hobart – A City with People in Mind". Hobart City Council. Archived from the original on 19 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  15. Anderson-Oliver, M. (2013) "Cities for people: Jan Gehl", Assemble Papers, 13 June 2013
  16. "Heriot-Watt University Honorary Graduates" (PDF). www1.hw.ac.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  17. AIA College of Fellows, Red Book Directory 2017 AIA College of Fellows History & Directory. 2017 Edition
  18. "NYC Award presented to Jan Gehl". Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  19. "King presents Prince Eugen Medal". Royal Court of Sweden. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  20. "C.F. Hansen Medaillen" (in Danish). Akademiraadet. Archived from the original on 2015-02-02. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  21. "Global Award for Sustainable Architecture". Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  22. amckeag (2015-06-11). "Athena Medals". CNU. Retrieved 2022-06-25.