By joshua Nigerian born Lady gives recipe on how new cities can be designed to accommodate
growing population in Uk
From Emmanuel Adeyemi,
Lokoja
A Nigerian born lady and a celebrated Public speaker , Dr Osemeike Gloria Eyienyien has on Monday in Bradford, United Kingdom shared a compelling vision on how cities and communities can be designed to strengthen human connections and create a deeper sense of belonging among Africans and their host foreign nationals
Presenting a paper at the TEDx Wibsey which drew many scholars and diplomats across the world including the Mayor of Bradford, Dr Eyienyien stressed that it was not enough to create a place where people of different races can simply live , but where they can truly mix and interact, connect, actively participate with the spirit of belongingness.
In her speech entitled, “The Future Is Social Product: Designing Cities for Connection,” she placed people and relationships at the heart of the conversation about the future of the built environment.
At a time when cities are increasingly shaped by technology, infrastructure and rapid development, Dr Eyieyien challenged city planners and Engineers to consider another essential question on how to effectively design places that bring people together to live peacefully and productively.
While stressing the need for cities planners to build places where people want to truly belong, she said social interactions and inter connectivity among different races in the world are hallmark of global peace, unity and progress.
Dr Eyieyien explored the idea that cities are more than buildings, roads and public infrastructure. They are living social environments, shaped by the interactions and relationships that take place within them.
“From public spaces and streets to neighbourhoods and community facilities, the way places are designed can create opportunities for people to meet, connect and participate in community life.
“The concept of the social product shifts the focus from simply creating physical spaces to understanding the social value those spaces can generate.
“What happens when a street encourages people to stop and talk? What happens when a public space becomes a place where neighbours gather? And what happens when communities are designed with belonging in mind from the very beginning?”
These questions formed part of Dr Eyieyien’s TEDx contribution, encouraging the audience to think differently about the relationship between urban design and community life.
Her message carries particular relevance in Bradford, a city characterised by diverse communities, cultures and identities.
“As Bradford and other UK cities continue to evolve, the challenge is not simply how to accommodate growing populations, but how to create places where people can establish meaningful connections”
Dr Eyieyien’s vision is one in which belonging becomes an intentional part of design saying the future city, should not simply be a place where people live, but should be a place where people meet, connect, participate and belong.
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