The concept of urban vitality, as coined by Jane Jacobs in her seminal work “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” (1961), suggests that the physical form of cities can have a significant impact on the vibrancy and liveliness of neighbourhoods. Jacobs argued that diverse, mixed-use, and pedestrian-friendly urban environments promote social interaction and a sense of community, while monolithic and car-centric designs can lead to social isolation and decline.
In recent years, urban vitality ideas are undergoing a revival. Under this framework, urban policies are promoting proximity dynamics by investing in accessibility, pedestrian-oriented developments, and diversity. At the same time, there has been a growing interest in academia in understanding these theoretical conditions for urban vitality with an applied perspective, by characterizing built environment and exploring their relationship with daily life urban outcomes.
This session aims to bring together researchers who are working under the framework of urban vitality in contemporary cities. We welcome research from a range of disciplines (urban studies and planning, geography, sociology, anthropology, architecture, and other science fields) that explore how the design and planning of cities can support or hinder neighbourhood life, and how policy and practice can facilitate the creation of vibrant communities. We are particularly interested in studies that offer insights for practitioners and policymakers seeking to enhance the vitality of their cities, including but not limited to case studies, comparative analyses, and conceptual or theoretical frameworks. We look forward fostering a lively discussion to exchange ideas on the role of urban form in creating vibrant cities.
 

Irene Gómez-Varo (1); Oriol Marquet (2)
(1) Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (2) Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)

 
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