Pictures of the Future    Spring 2007

Experiencing Megacities In New Ways

Interview with Harald Mieg and Christian Hoffmann

Hoffmann: Satisfaction with one’s living situation depends on a lot more than a city’s physical design. Also very important are soft factors such as social cohesion—in other words, the degree to which people are incorporated into personal networks. There are also objective criteria, of course, including noise levels, air pollution and crime, job opportunities, freedom of movement and good public transport.

Why do cities with a poor quality of life, from an objective standpoint, often have the most dynamic population growth?

Mieg: People move to cities like Jakarta and Lagos because they’re the most attractive places in their countries. We may not find them appealing, but people go to them because they enable them to take control of, and improve, their lives. There’s also a lot of psychology involved. The myths associated with city life exert a very powerful attraction.

What influence does urban psychology have on urban planning?

Mieg: There’s great potential here. Urban psychology examines the interfaces between people and their urban environment, addressing issues like the user-friendliness of mobility services, for example. Experienced urban planners always use psychology—even if they don’t refer to it as such. Urban psychology can be applied in many areas: to help lower crime, improve communication between planners and residents, and control traffic flows.

How can crime be reduced?

Hoffmann: According to the "Defensible Space" concept, urban construction should be carried out in a manner that leads residents to identify with their surroundings. Put simply, you have to build in a way that prompts people to say: "This is my neighborhood and I’m going to help take care of it." Spaces should be open and visible, and no areas should become stigmatized due to cheap forms of construction. The less visible a building doorway is, for example, the more likely you’ll see a higher level of crime there.

What must an architect take into account to ensure that residents feel comfortable?

Mieg: The most important factor is the design of semi-private areas—those between public places, such as streets and squares, and private spaces. This could be the area in front of a building, or an inner courtyard—places where people talk with their neighbors, which is why they’re so vital for communication. The design of apartment building lobbies, for example, has a major impact on whether people talk to each other or remain anonymous.

How should an apartment building lobby be designed?

Mieg: It must be visible and open, but access to the apartments should be clearly separated. It should be bright and pleasant, with plants around. If possible, there should also be daylight streaming in from above. The lobby must be clean and orderly; it must be clear that someone is caring for it. Otherwise, the semi-private area becomes public space, which increases the risk of vandalism.

And what about public places?

Mieg: Outdoor spaces will be used in accordance with their appearance. If a square is desolate, people won’t treat it with respect—they won’t feel responsible for it. Generally, people feel responsible for their private spaces and to some extent for semi-private areas.

Are the guidelines you’ve mentioned actually being used?

Hoffmann: Yes. Take Helmholtzplatz in Berlin, close to where I live (www.kiez-lebendig.de). Seven years ago there were many vacant commercial buildings, houses in need of renovation and a lot of drug dealers. Residents got involved to make the square more open by helping to build playgrounds and renovating houses and shops. Within five years the place became one of the city’s top locations, and it all started by asking local residents what could be done to make the square more attractive.

Mieg: Berlin’s many courtyards are another example. They used to be symbols of a poor quality of life. You could hear construction crews hammering away at 6:00 a.m.; the courtyards smelled bad. Today they’re beautiful, with small playgrounds for kids, cafes, interesting shops and a delightful urban atmosphere—an example of an ideal semi-private area. And the Sony Center, with its large public spaces that exude grandeur, even elicits a new way to understand democracy—but in a manner conceived to welcome people, not to impress them.

What can technology accomplish here?

Mieg: It can help to meet basic needs by supplying food, warmth and mobility. It can also have a more subtle impact in the form of lighting, which not only creates a sense of security but also can make a city more attractive. The typical urban atmosphere was in fact created with the advent of electric light. New types of traffic guidance systems are also greatly enhancing the quality of urban life by helping visitors to circumvent traffic jams. In the future, pedestrians will even be guided by satellite, enabling them to experience cities in a completely new way.

                                                                              Interview: Norbert Aschenbrenner