What happened: panel discussion on people-first integrated urban development

A panel discussion titled “Building economic cities, not just real estate: the future of integrated urban development” argued that area planning should focus on people rather than on buildings.

Panellists discussed multiple planning concepts and linked them to resident needs:

• Pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods, designed to make walking safe and convenient. • “15-minute cities,” planned so essential daily needs can be reached within about 15 minutes. • Workable areas, planned at a scale intended to function for residents’ everyday living. • Transport-oriented development, which centres land use around public transport access.

One contributor added a community-engagement point: when people see events happening in their locality, people tend to show greater curiosity and engagement with the area.

The contributor also argued that footpaths should be read as more than physical infrastructure. Footpaths should reflect local context and local character, rather than being designed as generic walkways.