The best urban design should enhance people’s lives, now and in the future, by transforming the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the area in which they live. In traffic-clogged and run-down town and city centres people can easily feel alienated and ‘crowded out’. The solution is to create vibrant and accessible public spaces that put people first: environments where people feel safe and secure and which encourage human interaction and movement.

Improving the urban fabric helps to create a unique sense of place and forge a strong sense of identity among the people who live there, whatever their cultural or economic backgrounds. Buro Happold’s engineers and transport planners work closely with clients, stakeholders and the local community to find ways of adding value and creating more user-friendly designs. Our solutions aim to knit communities together and create sustainable environments in which people want to live, work and play.

For urban developments to function properly and be appealing they need to be supported by quality infrastructure. Getting from A to B should be smooth and seamless and as sustainable as possible, with conveniently located car parks and opportunities for multi-modal travel. Streets should be pedestrian-friendly and put the needs of walkers and cyclists above those of vehicles. Streets and squares should be bright and welcoming with good signage and plenty of safe crossing points.

To realise the potential in an urban development we take into account a range of physical, social, commercial, ecological and environmental factors. Our multi-disciplinary team offers strategic advice on all major sustainability issues, including energy targets, environmental impact and sustainable construction. By identifying the design drivers – and constraints – at an early stage in the planning process we ensure that the masterplan works with, not against, the environment.

Buro Happold’s integrated approach is ideally suited to provide the skills needed to bring complex urban projects to fruition. Using advanced analysis and modelling tools, our specialist engineers are able to fine-tune aspects of the urban design by assessing factors such as noise, security, wind, crowd circulation and inclusive access. Our models take into account key factors such as transport interchanges, land use patterns and how people move through and interact with the built environment.