How can we achieve real change in urban design?
How did we manage to implement superblocks and green axes to reclaim space for communities, sustainable mobility, and biodiversity from the dominance of automobiles? What were the challenges and obstacles we faced in delivering significant change, and what lessons did we learn from both successes and failures?
Today, most people (though unfortunately not everyone) recognize the need for an urban transition toward a new model grounded in proximity and climate adaptation. Yet, initiatives for change often encounter resistance and controversy, as we experienced in Barcelona. So, how can such difficulties be managed?
I shared three key ideas:
Political will is essential—it’s time for bold leadership.
Prepare for controversy—total consensus is impossible. Implementing short-term changes demonstrates that a better urban model is achievable, regardless of scale.
Support change with data—evidence strengthens decisions and defends interventions.
I was truly delighted and honored to participate on the panel alongside Tony Reddy, Cathal O’Boyle, Claragh Mulhern, with Dr. Alan Mee as rapporteur, all brilliantly facilitated by Eoghan Lynch.
References:
https://www.theaou.org/events/a-balanced-ireland
