For 40 years, Danish architect Jan Gehl has studied human behavior in cities, starting with what he calls “Life Between Buildings.” Gehl has documented how modern cities repel human interaction and argues that we can build cities in a way that takes human needs for inclusion and intimacy into account. In Copenhagen, Gehl has inspired the creation of pedestrian streets and bike paths and the organization of parks, squares and other public spaces throughout the city. Gehl’s ideas are also reflected in cities around the world, from New York to Chongqing. Thinkers, architects and urban planners are interviewed, discussing our assumptions about modernity and exploring what happens when we put people into the center of our planning. Written and directed by Andreas M. Dalsgaard. Produced by Signe Byrge Sørensen.

The Human Scale

2012 DK 77 min
Festival Year: 2014
Types: Documentary, Panel Discussion
Topic: Global Perspectives