Danish Architecture Center Marks Jan Gehl's 90th Birthday with 'Cities for People' Exhibition
On October 5, coinciding with World Architecture Day, the Danish Architecture Center (DAC) in Copenhagen will celebrate architect Jan Gehl's 90th birthday with the exhibition Cities for People. This showcase, created in collaboration with Gehl Studio, focuses on Gehl's 12 criteria for enhancing urban public spaces and underscores the significance of people-oriented design for community well-being and health. The AfterDAC program will include discussions, featuring a dialogue between Gehl and architect Ane Cortzen. Notably, Copenhagen has been ranked first in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Habitability Index 2026, a testament to Gehl's influence. His seminal 1971 book, Life Between Buildings, critiqued car-centric urban planning, while his wife, Ingrid Gehl, highlighted the importance of catering to people's needs in cities.
Key facts
- The Danish Architecture Center opens the exhibition Cities for People on October 5, World Architecture Day, honoring Jan Gehl's 90th birthday.
- The exhibition was developed with Gehl Studio and Jan Gehl and is based on his 12 quality criteria for urban public space.
- Jan Gehl founded Gehl Architects, now Gehl Studio, in 2000.
- Gehl's book Life Between Buildings was first published in 1971 and has been translated into 30 languages.
- His latest book, A Good City – The Short Story, was written with former Copenhagen city architect Camilla van Deurs.
- Copenhagen was named the world's most livable city for a second consecutive year in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Habitability Index 2026.
- The AfterDAC program includes a talk between Jan Gehl and architect Ane Cortzen.
- More than 70% of the world's population is projected to live in cities.
- Beijing was designated UNESCO/UIA World Capital of Architecture 2029.
Entities
Artists
- Jan Gehl
- Camilla van Deurs
- Jane Jacobs
- Ingrid Gehl
- Ane Cortzen
- Kent Martinussen
- Antonia Piñeiro
- Ellen Van Loon
- Rasmus Hjortshøj
- Søren Svendsen
- Hans Werlemann
Institutions
- Danish Architecture Center
- Gehl Architects
- Gehl Studio
- Economist Intelligence Unit
- OMA
- UNESCO
- UIA
- European Union
- ArchDaily
- Collection Maykova
- Shutterstock
- European Citizens' Initiative
- COAST
Locations
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- New York
- London
- Brussels
- Beijing
- China
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Belgium
- European Union