Top-Down, Bottom-Up Urban Design

The United Nations Habitat III conference on urbanization in the developing world, the first in 20 years, convened in mid-October. Three sociologists – motivated to reshape the Athens Charter, a set of rigid guidelines crafted in 1943 to standardize urban design across the world – presented what they call the “Quito Papers,” a comprehensive guide and “more flexible way to design cities,” writes Elizabeth Greenspan of the New Yorker. “The Quito Papers argue that “climate change; big data; and informality” shape developing cities, and urban planners should aim to meet the diverse needs of local populations instead of standardizing the design process. Flexibility can help prevent developers from disrupting neighborhoods and working networks. Understanding urbanization trends and developing programs that improve living standards are vital as increasing numbers of people flock to cities. “By 2030, the U.N. estimates, six of every ten people will live in cities, with ninety per cent of this growth happening in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean," Greenspan notes. As globalization connects cities across distant continents, the researchers hope to help cities plan for new challenges. – YaleGlobal