Amanda Burden: How public spaces make cities work

[@kendomyers]

any politics aside, a government employee that takes that much time to walk around and learn and listen is a good government employee bravo

[@blessedkids2106]

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[@thienphucn1]

Problem: they don't even try to do it

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

Yes 👏👏👏

[@avataranonymous]

You just described any city planner. They are government employees, majority of the time, who conduct their research via public.

[@kendomyers]

@@avataranonymous As someone who works in government I think Im qualified to discuss good and not so good government employees. If you think my statement describes any government employee you might be too optimistic. Especially with what America has survived for the last 4 years, we should realize that not every government employee actually has the people's best interest in mind. Some government employees are parochial, some are capricious, some lazy and selfish, and some are compromised and working for someone else.

[@srimansrini]

Amanda Burden is on the verge of making concrete jungles to real jungle. Certainly a commendable job. This is how the city planners should think about while designing their cities. Keeping aside the commercial interest, the real architect should give importance to the public interest by creating 'meaningful and enjoyable public places for the people. Highly recommended.

[@paulmertens5522]

It's perfectly possible to create a good public space where there's also room for commerce. Include living, relaxation and small businesses and this will mean the space can be very multifunctional for local people.

[@ryanburgert174]

***** What do you mean "include small businesses"? Thats not possible without inviting chains that would degrade the general atmosphere of the space

[@paulmertens5522]

I think it's quite possible to not invite large chains. I'm no real estate manager, but my guess is there's plenty of ways to get small businesses in there. The city can simply draw up some criteria for who's allowed to rent or buy. I guess in America this is not common, but in Europe it's very common for cities to have a lot of control over who get's to rent what. This is of course the dreaded 'socialism' you hear so much about, but it's principal function (and success) is in creating liveable city spaces.

[@paulmertens5522]

I'm not saying you should become communists of course, but the idea that you HAVE to invite large chains in there is a total fallacy regardless of what kind of political preference you have.

[@naybobdenod]

***** I think the general idea is to rid public spaces of commercialisation which invokes peacefulness.

[@Chrome166]

This woman's vision, and those like it, need to be kept in the public consciousness!

[@reynacaraveo]

"details really do make a difference, but design is not just how something looks, its how you feel in this space."

[@Hombolicious]

She made an 18minute Tedtalk about ubran planning and public spaces in New York and It was intersting for 18minutes.

[@alnight3865]

exactly. It felt like 5 minutes.

[@Yanaschaf]

We need more people like her! I bet each of us knows a few 'lost' places that could use clever green public transformation.

[@أحمدالدسوقي-ت9س]

That is because she has an idea!

[@Safarography]

So

[@IAmJopert]

I wanna do what she does. New York's public spaces, especially the High Line, have always inspired me. I want to take the same ideas to my own city.

[@samph3315]

Right? Is she not inspiring?

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

Any updates? Did u ever do it? Lol

[@Southpaw128]

A lot of these ted talks inspired me to become a planner when I started learning about the field 3 years ago as a junior in college and majoring in environmental policy. I'm now working as a transportation planner and will hopefully get my masters in the next 2 years :D

[@ranocchiasimpatica]

I want to do that too :)

[@yookyungchang1518]

I don't live in NY, but it was so touching to see someone working so hard for everyone to enjoy more of their life. Thank you for your work. Truly inspiring.

[@elquemando]

Thank you, Amanda. Don't back down. Keep NYC livable.

[@hellozup]

I got teary eyed listening to this talk.. public space should never be taken for granted

[@mikewadley2700]

Amanda, you hit the nail on the head. Planning is about people!!!!

[@kamogadouglas9369]

"How do you transform a space into a place where people want to be. Well it's up to you, not as a city planner but as a human being. You don’t tap into your Design expertise, but into you humanity. I mean, could you want to go there, would want to stay there, can you see into it and out of it, are there people there, does it seem green and friendly. Can you find, Your Very Own seat." - Amanda Burden wooooow........... This is the most passionate city planner I have ever seen. WOwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bevankoelmeyer3630]

As a student urban planner I found her very inspiring

[@imakemusique]

Another important aspect of public spaces for people to interact is that it removes some of the barriers between it`s inhabitants and further grows connectedness. If we only interact on our social media we miss the chance to get a true connection with someone we might not have engaged with in the 1st place.

[@PatHowlett]

This makes me want to plan to trip to NY and visit these parks - and in frankness I've never really wanted to visit NY before.

[@siliasporter4424]

Same

[@GregoryGuerrier]

standing ovation. Thank you Amanda

[@callmeswivelhips8229]

Replace a well designed and well placed park with a mall and concrete, and watch how quickly all those tourists disappear. People don't come to shop, they come for the public space. It's funny how developers can look at amazing public spaces and just want to tear them down for commercial interests, which would actually reduce the income of the city. Why? Because the reasons people had to come were bulldozed and replaced with concrete slabs.

[@l2xsniper1]

Yup was thinking just that as she brought it up that those developers don't see how public spaces are actually benefiting sales. They are idiots.

[@glaex1526]

Except chinese tourist

[@karikling8812]

I think developers are thinking in terms of income for giant corporations, not for middle and lower income people who might own or operate mom and pop stores and vendors in those public spaces.

[@rebrav4714]

Brilliant visions put into action. Such an amazing, passionate woman.

[@caroller100]

London UK needs an Amanda Burden! No-one else there has anywhere near her vision, her values, her commitment, her skills.

[@fijigang6732]

I love the message she put out. People want to stay in a city with close public parks and public places to relax. More parks equal more residences for that city, especially a beautiful one like this.

[@bielmark99]

Oh my God, the passion in her voice! Made me wish I could be a city planner

[@HollywoodF1]

I get tired of every development project that includes public space being somewhere that I'm expected to spend money. They always want me to shop and eat and drink. I get full. I don't want to keep eating. I don't want to buy anything. Why should I be made to feel like a vagrant if I'm not constantly streaming money out of my pocket? Spend-- or don't bother stopping. But why does this type of public space keep developing? It's because profit-motivated developers are the only ones proposing them. And that's the problem. Governments need to invest in their role and do what they do best; and that is: provide those things that are necessary to a society that don't generate a direct profit. They need to assert their influence and not roll over and die every time a developer flashes fancy plans at them. Reject their consumer opportunities and build a park instead.

[@nowheretosit]

This view is totally misguided. The government should not be building parks or cars or houses or theater plays or artwork. The government is a terrible and wasteful manager of everything.

[@fernandonagore7349]

I feel like the idea of public spaces in cities like NY is to develop a perspective of rural scenery whilst at the same time being in the city (like Olmsted said). Having such a chaotic life in the streets with little greenery nonstop movement can stress people out. However, having little parks and public areas can minimize that stress. I think you are seeing it from a very economic point of view.

[@brucemsabin]

@@nowheretosit you just watched a video about amazing public spaces where people can hang out and enjoy their city. Think of any great city in the world, and you'll find public spaces, such as town squares, parks, etc. Think about how amazing Central Park is for New York City.

[@nowheretosit]

@@brucemsabin You have to understand that anything paid for with money collected at gunpoint always has or potentially has all the same problems. First the government has no way to know what the people want or what they want to pay for. Second, money spent that was collected at gunpoint always breeds corruption and waste. And third, such waste and misdirection of capital prevent or at least hinder the creation of safer, cheaper programs that do the same thing but better. Having the government build crappy "public spaces" prevents free market solutions that truly address the public's needs.

[@michaelirwin1887]

Thank you for all your work in making New York City a people place, a place I feel at home in. Now I have an image in my mind of the city planner who feels like I do when I get to return to the public places we city people all enjoy.

[@ChristianHandy]

as a urban planning student her Talk has made me smile the whole video, and i really agree with her, even though that creating a public space is always challanging because if it doesn´t work, it would probably becoming a criminal place or a place where people don´t feel safe. but let´s take the positive side of the open public space and try to give our best to create it to make the place or even the world better.

[@paddyl888]

I totally agree, further more it's important for HEALTHY citizens, you need to have space which are attractive and fun to be in to get people out and walking around and moving their body, which we of course know is so important for health. Not only that but mental health is so dependent on a persons interaction with their enviroment and people, these spaces affect all these things in an important an positive way!

[@AmzarSaidi]

I just love the way she deliver the speech. The contents, her experience and etc is totally worth to spend 18 minutes here.

[@meg27mm]

What a brilliantly engaging yet simple talk. And delivered so simply and elegantly by this lovely woman! Watched this 3 times to soak it all in. Thank you for this!

[@ar.fazlinarosley]

I watched this during 4th Covid-19 lockdown in Malaysia. I, too, cheered when Ms Amanda mentioned High Line

[@veraBeStnews]

Such a pleasure to watch her tell about what she has took part in. You can see by her face or in her voice that she is proud of what had been done and determined to do more My pleasure

[@rinabellemae4385]

I really love the way she explained it as an Architect student I'm really inspired. Thank you for that wonderful speech, I've learned a lot

[@CiaranHudson]

This woman has done great work. It’s particularly difficult to ensure there are enough public spaces in a world city like New York. I love walking The High Line;it feels kind of surreal to walk above the city, weave between buildings and watch the hustle and bustle of the city below. Every now and then lists are released of the best cities to live in and invariably they are dominated by Canada, Australia and Western Europe. These places all recognise that alongside the independence we all love about where we live, there is an interdependence too. Recognising this and planning for it results in good parks, great public transport and housing for all ages and lifestyles. Then people live in these cities all their lives, rather than just for a few fun years in their twenties before disappearing off to the ‘burbs.

[@crazzzik]

Can you come to Toronto? At least get rid of the METAL benches that are as hot as a frying pan during summer and equally cold during winter.

[@luddity]

No need to get rid of them, just cover them with wood.

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

Now whose idea was that.... 🤦 smh

[@stevenl5049]

Get rid of the Gardiner Expressway, or make it into a park, not rebuild a section of it like what they're doing now.

[@vespill708]

@@stevenl5049 YES PLEASE

[@elsaireland]

Your speech is like a beautiful symphony, Thank you, amazing work 🌷. A greatful citizen

[@Yetiplush]

LOL her last line at 18:02 is almost exactly like Jan Gehls famous quote “A good city is like a good party - people stay longer than really necessary, because they are enjoying themselves” 💀 Jan Gehl: you can copy but don't make it obvious Amanda Burden: “I believe that a successful city is like a fabulous party, people stay because they are having a great time”

[@sohara....]

It's a storytelling device, begin with an idea ... and finish with it too

[@willshares]

We need "a" Amanda Burden in São Paulo - Brazil ASAP.... and also in many other brazilian cities... as well !!! With due respect: That is the way to go; well done!

[@myvanwycalista3387]

Oh. An actual expert on zoning. What a surprisingly interesting talk.

[@illfaptothis333]

+Closely Distant Yes, let's hope TED gains a little confidence and brings in more people who actually know what they're talking about from now on...

[@rolandfla]

Loved this TED Talk, Amanda is so right about the importance of parks in our large cities especially as they continue to grow, we must retain as much green space and public space as we can.

[@samfoong3558]

What a wonderful job she has. She has a direct impact on people’s lives and she gets to see the results of her work on communities in her city.

[@dcrikki7367]

I think she rocks! I love her! She’s 5,000% correct about just knowing a welcoming, pleasant, serene public space is nearby making all the difference in improving your view of your city. Been living 17 years now across from Meridian Hill Park on 16th in DC. Love it! My building, my apartment, all of it, my neighborhood. I think I’m good. We’ll see.👍🏼❤️😉

[@kamogadouglas9369]

"I believe that a successful is like a fabulous party, People stay, because they are having a great time.! - Amanda Burden. Woooooooooooooooow.........

[@NuniVkn]

Jan Gehl is the author of the phrase.

[@lintangyuniarpratiwi2310]

Totally agree,,good planning is about space and people..such an amazing presentation..

[@soupsweats]

Paley Park is unreal. So brilliant.

[@kogcyc]

Brava! On behalf of city-dwellers everywhere, thank you for your service.

[@JohnCleary-d4i]

What a great contribution to new york from a resilient and imaginative public servant.

[@jirenuniverse116]

Great insight, I'm now working on a historic city revitalization project in Gulangyu island, China. My main goal is to create an urban square and park while preserving the existing cultures of the place

[@imperialsecuritybureau6037]

You're actually designing it? Very cool... power to you! I'm sure it will turn out well if you're taking her talk as inspiration.

[@88marome]

Wow the Swedish subtitles are really great! It's even written with swedish expression, not just directly translated!

[@zacherybonzheim]

I am an urban planning major and this is super dope.

[@rmns987]

All the best Zac

[@jordibares]

New Yorkers are extremely lucky to have such a visionary at the helm, wonderful.

[@hughmoore786]

We need more champions like Amanda ! ! !

[@yinyang8254]

I felt she is very clear and straight to point in explaining...she is such a good speaker and inspiring woman I have seen..

[@siliasporter4424]

It reminds me of the place in singapore where it looks like a bunch of blocks stacked 9n top of each other and the surface area available to walk on was 112% of area the land is on and there is vegetation pools and lots of other stuff. It is one of my favorite building in the world.

[@ramishaalan5484]

I think New York is a lucky city...that has a planner like Amanda.. i like her

[@megaramyths9930]

Now that was absolutely amazing and such a inspirational talk. I totally agree with her, public space has definitely determined what city I've felt in love the most.

[@BruceThomson]

GREAT video. One comment: Although she says the large concrete aprons in front of high rises are bleak and a 'waste', I suspect the architects intend that there be some deliberately open space completely uncluttered by anything, as relief from confinement and crowding by people. You can walk a moment across one, or stand near it, and recover. I'm sure she understands minimalism, the comfort of it. Bruce Thomson in New Zealand.

[@marsco2442]

That might be what they intended for the plaza in front of Boston city hall, but it is regarded as desolate and empty. I don’t think she’s wrong, nobody wants to linger in a place like that, because it’s uncomfortable. And an uncomfortable place is hard to be relaxing.

[@fijigang6732]

I understand that point, but it would be nicer for some water fountain and maybe 2 trees or flowers, it doesn't look safe for me to be alone.

[@zackhadley9433]

As an aspiring city planner who wants to make Columbus the world’s greatest city, this video sounds like my future goals. You’ll hear from me world.

[@davidr9266]

I love the emotion an passion that she demostrate when she talks.

[@noemijoseph2]

“I believe city planning is like a party, people stay when they have a good time”. This is actually a quote from danish city planner Jan Gehl. He wrote it in his book “Cities for People”. I want to give credits to him, because he is one of the reasons cities like New York have a different view on public spaces.

[@Sandmn05]

Look up "William Whyte social life of small urban spaces". She is continuing His work.

[@mikewadley2700]

+Ryan Sand Absolutely! I remember seeing his video when I was a young pup planner.

[@solecurious1448]

Bravo...👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 we need more Amanda(s) to keep on championing humanity in a concrete jungle.💖👍

[@elisabethgehrke577]

Wow. This is just outstanding. She is a hero.

[@ChaseWulff]

I'm all about public spaces. But if there is no shade, either from trees or structures, I don't use them. I'll walk through (I loved walking the High Line when I lived in NYC) but I won't sit down and read a book or write. None of the parks along the waterfronts she showed looked appealing to me at all. I would never go eat my lunch on my lunch break in a park like that. Who wants to sweat to death in the midday sun? But maybe a walk in the early morning or just as the sun is going down could be nice. But again, that is just going through. This may be by design, though, now that I think about it. I'm guessing public spaces designed to be just comfortable enough that people will walk through but not actually stay are the least amount of work. Create a path or two, add some planters, a garbage can and a bench and call it a day. This also offers the least amount of upkeep going forward. But spend money on infrastructure that would make a park comfortable at any time of day, i.e. Tables and chairs under trellises (or other shade structures), a public restroom and free wifi, then you have an outdoor space people actually want to spend more time in. Which means more money spent initially and much more money for upkeep. On top of that, you'll then have to think about all the people who are going to camp out there and how that will influence the usage of the park. People will stop going if they feel unsafe. And, for some reason, people without homes make people with homes feel unsafe. So, the questions is, do you design a bare bones park that the most people will kinda use or an awesome park that the homeless and a few "brave" souls will use? Let's have a TEDTalk on that!

[@genli5603]

“For some reason”...because the homeless are largely antisocial and behave in antisocial ways. Unpredictable, obscene, violent, and also cleptomanic. In the real world, this is what the chronically homeless do. It’s why they are continually unhoused.

[@connorhalleck2895]

This person is a modern hero

[@WildAimee]

Thank you Amanda Burden, you have inspired me greatly. Thank you for the amazing work you have done

[@drugsbunny8586]

Brutal brutal! Saludes desde Colombia! Bogotá DC!

[@smrithisaladi5983]

Love this. Qouting it everywhere i go from here on!

[@aladdinbenokba6127]

Amazing speech from a very wise woman . Great job.

[@kevincounselling]

fantastic - there is more to living than purchasing and selling

[@junainashamdeen4063]

I have one year of University left and I will graduate with a degree in Urban planning and design...I have been regretting my decision to go into this field for the last year or so and have been super angry and depressed about it. This video reminded me why I have nothing to regret anymore.

[@smile-tl9in]

so build higher but with green spaces and bars/coffe shops while improving commuting ? I'm all for it ! Building higher is reallly the only way to lower housing prices. And a beautiful city attract tourists . And communting lower poverty and pollution

[@fizzy8236]

I love the way you speak. Interesting stuff.

[@susannunes6196]

Why can't we apply this lesson to New London, CT....Not just the waterfront

[@lightning_gio]

I have to listen to this for an assignement, yay

[@moonettewolfsong9960]

Completely new take on things, really interesting. Also the point about designing for people and the constant fight for public space is eye opening.

[@marycooney4282]

Boston needs this hero!

[@alsmit5]

Great sign off to a great talk

[@brycenw.9481]

I was going to do an internship as a city planner. Unfortunately, I declined because I thought it wasn't for me. Knowing how much my surroundings have affected me, I want so badly for my area to be designed most carefully for the well being of all. I want people to feel safe, and healthy. I love places that allow for this. How do I make a difference? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like my area planned for longer than 25 years. The roads, for example are built around automobiles and suburban housing. Therefore there are only 2 main roads that go north to south and 1 main road that goes east to west that connects the freeway. I happen to live on this road in a town house. No sound barrier was built, driving me to insanity. The least they could have done was put some sound reducing trees. The zoning in this area is not healthy. I mean, seriously? "Let's put some town homes 20 feet away from a 60 MPH street." Why did no body even care? Also the design of the buildings are quite gross, and makes it so that there is no sense of community. Neighbors come and they go. It honestly hurts. All I want in the world to belong and feel like I live somewhere people actually care about things like air pollution, and crazy noise pollution. Until then, I am stuck here. It's definitely not a place I would ever like to even call home or raise a family. I just to find peace of mind.

[@nowheretosit]

Having the government force things on people isn't going to make anyone feel better. If you don't like the environment of your townhouse you shouldn't have moved there. Go find a house situated like you want it. Your view comes across as very selfish. You want the government to force everyone else to do exactly what you think you want them to do.

[@ERNESTOMESON]

Excelente Amanda te Felicito!!!!

[@Zoza15]

Amanda should look at the Netherlands, and see how we create public spaces.. There are millions of solutions to create public spaces that gives to the people and back to nature..

[@wowhodatgirl]

What she is talking here is what landscape architects do... without landscape architects all of these projects won't be successful;-)

[@MandeepSainiarch007]

i really like ur words and thoughts regarding planning. Planning really belongs to PEOPLE but also to create balance nature and its mining.

[@lilianealcantara2269]

Very good point of view!

[@markcarey8426]

She is overlooking another strong influence on the design of public spaces. If they are uncomfortable people with be driven into places that ARE comfortable. Cafes, bars, restaurants, shops - all manner of places where you can be sold something. So making public spaces uninviting promotes business, business provides employment, employment reduces poverty. A simple principle.

[@73m98]

“I can only sell coffee to people if the parks around me are uncomfortable” doesn’t sound like a business worth saving

[@taslimannafrawi4498]

Terimakasih atas translatenya kak

[@m.c.luisf.verduzco2687]

AMANDA, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! IVE SEEN UR TED TALK LIKE 10 TIMES

[@Ekspatt]

Amazing speech!

[@tgurigbhutiegbteri2374]

Why is this in a playlist callers 'batman eats a hotdog'

[@GT-xp6bx]

Beautiful lady! Great talk!

[@lucacecca5535]

THIS was just brilliant.

[@ylhameresov9492]

amazing works

[@yahyadhashiru9507]

wow. what a great presentation.

[@sentpol]

Wow! Amazing work!!

[@TheHugosouthafrica]

There is a whole profession called landscape architecture that specifically deal with public space creation. Irritates me a bit that she doesn't mention it at all. They fight long and hard to create success full public space. Wonderful examples through out the world

[@jennytrinh6802]

As a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture graduate and as someone who is currently working on becoming a landscape architect, thank you for your recognition! We are always striving to teach the public about landscape architecture and how it can literally change the world :)

[@soyandoat4106]

This is surprisingly so interesting!

[@nisshanthnarendran4769]

Thanks Amanda!

[@mrmann673]

Wow, amazing woman.

[@guskoutsour1060]

She looks a lot like her mother. I'd seen her several times and was impressed, but I never noticed the resemblance before.

[@SeanODonovan-hc1he]

Is the New York pocket park shown at the start, the one featured in Annie Hall ?

[@simsimma305]

Amazing amazing work

[@natalies38]

i love this woman

[@katadila3166]

Nice speech ms. Amanda. :)

[@hikodzu]

im introvert but i love alive city

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

put the cap on the CBE ! cross bronx expressway . use new land from cap project to build affordable housing. put a cap on RR tracks, north park ave line - bronx, 132 st -190 st. use land for affordable housing. build on the long island sound " A florida keys style overseas highway " . this will relieve the CBE