Cities Shape Us – We Shape Cities:

When the city makes us sick, stressed, and lonely, what can we do?

When traveling abroad or meeting people from other cities around the world, have you ever wondered why people from different cities have such drastically different lifestyles, personalities, or perspectives?

Why do people from one city appear effortlessly stronger and physically healthier than us even at the same age and those from another city seem to have better mental health and cheerful attitudes, all while those of us in Bangkok feel both stressed and lonely? Or why do people from some cities care about certain issues that people in our city might never think twice about?

As we head into Bangkok Design Week 2024, we invite you to contemplate the relationship between ‘people’ and the ‘city’ through three case studies that reveal how cities shape us more than we think. A city is not just a place to live in; it plays a crucial role in shaping the thoughts, lifestyles, and very existence of its inhabitants in terms of physical and mental health, economics, and society. At the same time, people have a vital role in contributing to the construction and improvement of their city.

How can we apply these lessons to transform the cities we live in, such as Bangkok, into a place that is better for the body, better for the mind, and more livable overall?

Improving health by changing the city

Why do we get sick often? Is our health to blame or the city? From the moment we open our eyes, we are breathing the city’s air. We walk to work on city pavement, and on the way home, we might take a break in the municipal parks. In a single day, our bodies have interacted with the city in more ways than we realize, and that’s why the city is a crucial factor in our physical health. 

Several years ago, Barcelona, Spain faced air pollution issues that negatively impacted the health of its residents. Various local government and private entities in the Eixample district intervened and initiated a project to increase green spaces over the span of a decade. This involved creating 21 public squares, ensuring that every resident lives within 200 meters of a small public park.

The city also promotes walking and cycling over motor vehicles. This not only reduces pollution but fosters better physical health through walking and sufficient recreational spaces. The result has been improved physical and mental health, more social interactions, and the subsequent creation of economic value. The project is expected to succeed by 2030. It’ll be interesting to see how the city’s transformation will contribute to improving the physical health of its residents.

A lovable city loves its people

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared ‘loneliness’ to be a global public health threat. Have you ever noticed how our city is related to feelings of isolation, stress, and overall mental well-being?

Singapore, which enjoys strong economics and innovation, also boasts an urban layout that is conducive to physical well-being. Nonetheless, its people have lacked a sense of connection with each other and the city. The city’s focus on commercial activities to the exclusion of a shared culture to foster that connection has gradually impacted the people’s mental well-being. 

The Loveable Singapore Project was initiated to build and strengthen connections between people and the city through the concept, “How can we pass on our love to the city?” This led to providing spaces where people of all ages can share positive experiences and foster an atmosphere of happiness. Activities have included exhibitions in old buildings showcasing memorabilia to foster intergenerational connection, as well as community design workshops to exchange thoughts on “What do we love about Singapore, and can make us love this city even more?”

This project inspires residents to see their connections with each other and the city. In the long run, it may contribute to developing a strong culture that positively influences mental wellness.

Contributing to city growth via design

When a city nurtures both body and mind, the next step is to foster the growth of both the people and the city. A crucial element of urban development is ‘design.’

Asahikawa, Japan, renowned for its forestry, used design to leverage its strengths through a variety of activities under the concept of “Forest of Design.” They include organizing wood furniture design competitions to showcase the potential of its timber industry and establishing design education hubs in the city center to foster a design mindset and awareness of the value of forestry.

These efforts have earned Asahikawa recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2019 and turned it into a major destination for design and woodworking enthusiasts.

Out of these three case studies of cities that promote physical health, cultivate mental well-being, and drive growth via design, they all have one thing in common: a collective movement across all sectors — the government, private business, and people — to bring about change. 

If you are committed to transforming Bangkok into an even more ‘livable’ city, be ready with your creative ideas. Bangkok Design Week, as a platform for creative thinking and crafting new city experiences through ‘Festivalization,’ aims to be a medium to connect people and various organizations interested in developing the city into a place we all want to live in. Everyone can take part, starting with small initiatives around them. Just by adjusting your perspective and having the desire to improve your surroundings, you can become part of creating a ‘Livable Scape: The More People Act, the Better the City’

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Bangkok Design Week 2024

Livable Scape

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27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024

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