The human dimension
Gehl Architects – Urban Quality Consultants is a consulting firm offering expertise in the fields of architecture, urban design and city planning, founded by professor Jan Gehl and urban designer Helle Søholt in 2000. Our work is based on the human dimension – the built environment’s effect on activity patterns and interaction between people. We consider the attractive and lively public realm to be one of the most important keys to quality in cities.
The work of Gehl Architects builds on Professor Jan Gehl’s 40 years of extensive research on life in public spaces. Along with new research this continues to build the foundation for our work in small and large cities in all corners of the world.
Although physical aspects of humans such as our senses and the way we walk and sit are timeless, we continually work to develop our knowledge regarding how the physical environment influences social interaction. An integral part of our work is to keep track of current research and knowledge, and to continue to carry out own research projects and analysis.
Empirical analysis
We develop solutions based on detailed analysis of the existing social and built context in the form of public life and public space surveys. Thus our design and planning solutions are based on a comprehensive understanding of people’s use of public space and the way people experience urban quality.
Gehl Architects work both to improve existing cities and city areas, as well as to consult on the planning and design of new city areas, urban residential developments and new towns.
Cities for People 
We are a cultural and educational nonprofit for children in Ghana, working to host a charrette on the design of urban spaces for children. We are rooting this idea in local culture and conditions, but also trying to invite the expertise of global professionals with experience in natural playground and sustainable building models. You would be helping us a lot by simply directing us to information that could be useful, including the contact links of people who might find this a worthwhile project to be involved with.
Jan,
I am an Architect Planner working in North Australia with Indigenous people on a major project to supply houses and infrasructure and new suburbs into remote towns where the majority of the population is of indigenous decent.
People are the saviours of Places and Spaces and it is time people took over public spaces for the common good. The engagement of people in processes to develop living areas and take over palces and spaces are fundamental principles in the work of our small practice.
However we are working on a major development project wher teh government funsing has included holistic objectives with the intention of contributing positively to “Closing the Gap” between the status of indigenoous people and teh balance of the Austalian population. I remember your work from my time at Melbourne University too many years ago and am interested in catching up in Stockholm at your office in October if you are going to be there? I know you are speaking at an International conference on Future Cities but that is outside of our program…
Yours sincerely
Geoff Barker