Sustainable Urban Models: Humanizing Transit Urbanism

The seminar will start with a broad spectrum look at the roots and driving forces of 21st century urbanism, highlighting how city organization influences both carbon footprint and user experiences. It will delve into the significance of transit-oriented development in the search for more sustainable and resilient cities, while also addressing the challenge of humanizing density and the importance of fostering a sense of place. The seminar will also provide insights into current and emerging mobility systems, exploring their potential impact on the future of our cities, using the Vancouver Central Waterfront Vision as a vehicle through which to explore the application of contextual transit urbanism.

Themes/Topics 

• Urbanism
• Transit
• Placemaking
• Sustainability
• Future Mobility

Learning Objectives 
At the completion of this session, participants will be able to..

• Describe the key drivers and influencing factors that have shaped the development of 21st century urban environments.
• Recognize how the physical design and organization of cities can impact sustainability metrics, such as carbon footprint, as well as the overall human experience and quality of life. 
• Explore the principles and benefits of transit-oriented development as a strategy for creating more sustainable and resilient cities. 
• Analyze the challenges and best practices for "humanizing" high-density urban environments, including the importance of cultivating a distinct sense of place.