CITY, CONGRESS FOR NEW URBANISM TO HOST SCREENING OF “THE HUMAN SCALE” AT SOMERVILLE THEATRE JAN. 30

The Human Scale, directed by Andreas Dalsgaard, questions

our assumptions about modern cities, exploring what happens when we use a

people-centered approach as the focus of city design. For forty years Jan Gehl

has systematically studied human behavior in cities: how human beings use the

streets, how they walk, see, rest, meet, and interact. Gehl's work is

statistically rigorous, but is always rooted in human experience. For instance:

How many people use a street in a 24-hour period? How many are pedestrians? How

many are driving cars or riding bicylces? How much of the street space are the

various groups allowed to use? Is this street performing well for all its

users? The film also explores topics consistent with City of Somerville goals,

including fostering happiness and quality of life among constituents.

"In Somerville, our core value is to make the city a great place to live,

work, play and raise a family", said Mayor Curtatone.  "Somerville residents often use terms like

'human scale' and 'personal' to describe both our urban fabric and our social

fabric. These values are reflected in our award-winning, grassroots SomerVision

plan for the future, and communities around the world are using similar

strategies because of designers like Jan Gehl."  

Jan Gehl conducted his first research in Italy and used his observations to

transform the planning of Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, over the past 40

years. His ideas inspired the creation of highly walkable streets, the

expansion and improvement of cycling infrastructure, and the reorganization of

parks, squares and other public spaces throughout Copenhagen and across the

Nordic region. Today, cities like New York, Melbourne, Christchurch,

and Somerville are all taking notice of Gehl's work, which helped Copenhagen

transform itself into

the world's happiest city.

"I'm proud to say that Somerville is one of the only cities in North America

that systematically measures residents' happiness," said Mayor Curtatone.  "Our research has shown that small changes in

the built environment can make a huge difference, especially if they promote

walking, interacting with neighbors, working or shopping locally.  We are using that research to prioritize

projects and improvements in neighborhoods that need them most.  I'm excited that Somerville residents will

have an opportunity to see this important film for free, and I want to thank

Ian Judge and his team at the Somerville Theatre, as well as the New England Chapter

of the Congress for New Urbanism."

Gehl

Architects is an urban research and design consultancy focused

on the relationship between the built environment and people's quality of life.

They address global trends with a people-focused approach, utilizing empirical

analysis to understand how the built environment can promote human flourishing.

They apply this analysis to strategic planning and human-centered design to

empower citizens, decision makers, company leaders, and organizations. The

work of Gehl Architects is based on Jan Gehl's five decades of extensive

research on life in public spaces. Their research continues to deal with the

many factors that influence public life and public space and how people use it.

Join us Jan. 30, at the Somerville Theatre for The

Human Scale. For tickets, visit http://humanscalesomerville.eventbrite.com.