Chapter6.Conclusion

This research aimed to investigate and understand more deeply the role of human scale and healthy urban planning on health and wellbeing. With a focus on Copenhagen, a city considered to be a leading example of healthy urban planning, the research examined the topic from a number of angles:

• Post-war history of Copenhagen’s healthy urban plan

• A literature review focused on human scale and healthy urban planning

• Closer examination of urban planning interventions selected from Copenhagen’s existing cityscape

• Investigation of student perceptions of the ‘lived experience’ of aspects of Copenhagen’s urban plan

Consideration of healthy urban planning is evident from the start in Copenhagen’s post-WWII plan where a conscious decision, albeit partly influenced by circumstance, saw investment favouring human scale rather than the car. The pedestrianisation of large sections of Copenhagen, and the establishment of a world class cycling network have clearly contributed to Copenhagen’s consistent recognition as one of the healthiest and happiest places to live in the world. Additionally, the continuation of Jan Gehl’s research and learning by the expanding Gehl Institute keeps the focus firmly on Copenhagen as a leader in the field of healthy urban planning.

The literature review highlighted strong support and a growing ‘movement’ who are researching, promoting and supporting the healthy urban planning cause, and whose combined efforts are ‘spreading the word’ in a practical, flexible and sustainable manner. This includes involvement of a growing number of worldwide organisations such as the WHO, research institutes such as the Gehl Institute, a range of practitioners including architects and urban planners, and importantly involvement of the citizens themselves who will inhabit these spaces.

Examination of current interventions in Copenhagen’s urban plan highlighted the theory put into practice as part of these designs. Superkilen Park is an example of healthy urban planning which has thoughtfully and successfully resulted in the realisation of a human scale public space which truly is supportive of health and wellbeing, whilst at the same time having taken into consideration the various aspects of equality and inclusion. Evidence of consideration of human scale and ‘dignity’ was captured nicely in another example - Copenhagen’s street bin design features a shelf for people to place their glass bottles and so enabling quick and easy collection for recycling by those involved in this activity.

A survey seeking to elicit the perceptions of students living in Copenhagen with regard to aspects of urban planning on their health and wellbeing showed promise. Although the number of responses limited the ability to draw any firm conclusions, the feedback gathered reflected promise of insightful results worthy of further investigation. Repetition of the survey, following some adjustments, is recommended with a focus on ensuring an increased number of questionnaire returns.

In conclusion, this research has enhanced and deepened the authors knowledge and understanding of the importance of human scale and healthy urban design in helping to nurture healthy, happy and prosperous communities or populations. Resultantly this learning will be taken into consideration in all future work and projects. Additionally consideration will be given as to how best to widen and support the key messages of this learning ,including to colleagues and other relevant contacts.

Good Afternoon,

My name is Kate Pittendreigh. I am an undergraduate Architecture student, studying at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland.

I am currently undertaking a dissertation as part of my Masters degree. My research aims to explore whether a city’s population considers the humane urban design of their city to be important to their health and wellbeing. More specifically, my research seeks to investigate whether students who are currently living and studying in Copenhagen consider the urban design of Copenhagen to have a positive, negative or neutral effect on their mental and physical health.

I have created a questionnaire (please see below) which will be open from the 15th March 2022 - 29th March 2022.

https://robertgordonuniversity.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/architecture-health

I would be very grateful if you would forward this link to your students, encouraging them to complete the questionnaire. All data collected will be anonymous and will solely be used for academic study. The results may subsequently be reported more widely through academic papers, in anonymised form.

Thank you for your help. If you have any queries, please contact me: k.pittendreigh@rgu.ac.uk

Kind regards,

Kate Pittendreigh