Cities are the bedrock of civilization. For millennia, they have attracted people with the promise of superior standards of living — from better economic and educational opportunities to easier access to quality public infrastructure such as housing, healthcare, and public transport. Today, however, many cities around the world are finding it challenging to live up to this promise. With urban migration accelerating at a dizzying rate – the United Nations projects that over two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities or urban centers by 2050 – existing resources and services in cities are coming under increasing pressure, rendering them dysfunctional and leading to glaring inequities.
There is no singular way to define or assess liveability; every city has a unique set of characteristics, from its history, culture, geography, and demographics, to how it is governed and what urban issues plague it. Therefore, improving liveability requires concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders including people, governments, and experts, to identify critical problem areas and opportunities, and devise contextual solutions. The TV show Tale of Two Cities, where Indian architect and urbanist Dikshu C. Kukreja sits down with global leaders, brings out great insights into what some major cities in the world are doing to create more liveable environments for their inhabitants. Here we present five examples: from Bogotá, Kolkata, Hannover, Tirana, and Washington, D.C.
Improving Public Transportation Systems
Episode 1
Most metro cities today are synonymous with traffic congestion and pollution, with gridlocks and longer commute times having a direct impact on residents’ well-being. In the first episode of the series, the Colombian capital of Bogotá presents an example of how investing in public transport infrastructure can make a city more liveable. The city’s TransMilenio, or the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), is a high-capacity transportation system, which was started in 2000. With over 1500 buses traversing 112 kilometers daily, the system has provided affordable transportation to the city’s urban poor, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and laid the foundation for a comprehensive urban development process for the city. Moreover, according to the Centre for Public Impact, it has directly led to the reduction of crime rates in the city.
Investing in Walking and Cycling Infrastructure
Episode 3
Modern urban lifestyles are often sedentary, where people shuttle between their homes and offices in cars or trains with limited physical activity and interaction with the outdoors. Urban spaces that encourage walking and cycling, therefore, become vital for people’s physical and social well-being. Such spaces also provide opportunities for recreation and social engagement.
The third episode of the series shows how Kolkata, India, invested in creating a walkable oasis in the city's heart through the curated Dalhousie Square Walk which connects 55 municipal landmarks. The walk allows people to explore 2 square kilometers of the city’s colonial history on foot. The Yarra Riverfront Development in Melbourne, Australia, also discussed in the same episode, exemplifies a similar urban design intervention. Originally a severely neglected and underutilized part of the city, the river’s north bank has been rejuvenated into a four-kilometer-long promenade, connecting open green spaces through the city's center for pedestrians and cyclists.
Connecting People With Nature
Episode 7
Green areas offer pockets of respite from concretized urban environments that tend to dominate cities. More importantly, though, establishing an active connection with nature reduces stress, significantly enhancing people’s well-being and overall quality of life.
The seventh episode of the series touches upon how Hannover, Germany, offers numerous places where people can stroll, cycle, jog, picnic, and enjoy nature, with 65 percent of the city’s total area taken up by green spaces. One of these is the Eilenriede Forest spread across 642 hectares — the city’s green lung and Europe’s largest urban forest. Additionally, Hannover’s rivers and canals are a hub for eco-friendly pursuits and outdoor activities, presenting opportunities for taking city tours while canoeing or paddleboarding.
Integrating Culture Into the Fabric of Cities
Episode 2
A city's architectural and cultural heritage, often represented through historical settlements, festivals, fairs, crafts, food, and more, is a source of pride for its residents. The second episode of the series focuses on how a truly liveable city must reflect this vibrancy in its urban fabric and public spaces. This is vital to engaging communities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Though geographically separated by vast distances, the cities of Tirana in Albania and Panaji in Goa, India, find common ground in placing their culture front and center through regular, city-wide cultural festivals such as the Gjirokastër Folk Festival and the Goa Carnival. The cities’ cultures are also represented in the urban fabric through public murals, colorfully evocative buildings, and inviting public squares.
Building Mixed-Use Communities
Episode 8
Most cities around the world today are characterized by segregated land use zones that situate places of work, living, and recreation in entirely different parts of the city. Consequently, residents must grapple with increased commute times, traffic congestion, and pollution among other serious urban issues. Mixed-use developments present a solution to this multifold problem. They are characterized by high-rise neighborhoods where offices, shopping areas, and a number of housing options are all located within a proximate cluster of buildings to encourage improved mixed-income living. Mixed-use developments are also often supported by a strong public transport system within a walkable distance.
In the eighth episode of the series, The Wharf in Washington, D.C., which was developed by revitalizing underutilized land, provides a glowing example of such neighborhoods. Located on the banks of the Potomac River, the mile-long, mixed-use development, contains everything from a historic fish market, and residential and office buildings, to shops, hotels, restaurants, parks, piers, docks and marinas, and live music venues. The development, which opened in 2017, is one of the most vibrant places in the city today.
