Karl Dickinson

In response to the collective demands of 100,000 people, Via Verde has transformed Mexico City’s two-story highway from symbol of bad decision-making to a green space that supports citizens’ wellbeing. The greater metro area of Mexico City, Mexico, is home to more than 22 million people with 9 million in...

The cities we build today will still be standing for generations to come, so we need to anticipate how these will form the physical and social infrastructures people need in the future. Siobhan Burger explains how to achieve that with social design – and how she infiltrated decision-making circles...

When we as citizens feel helpless to interject in the questionable actions of decision-makers, the cracks in democracy are laid clear. But what if there was a way to put power back in the hands of the electorate? Citizens’ assemblies are designed to give people a stronger voice, says...

The benefits of school streets are numerous. So too are the triggers that prompt people to set them up. For campaign group Mums for Lungs, it’s urban air pollution. We explore how their mission has united parents, councils, and drivers as one and learn some basics for campaigning for...

Food service organisations are well placed to make a big dent in greenhouse gas emissions just by reducing how much meat they serve. The World Resource Institute’s Coolfood Quick Guide shows them how. And it’s remarkably simple. Whether it’s the vehicles we drive, the goods we buy, or the waste...

Karolina Taczalska was appalled by the density of traffic outside her son’s school, so she and Mateusz Cyganek started a project that aims to make the street child friendly by implementing small but effective changes. Od-Nowa Czerwona will be realised by summer 2025, but what’s remarkable about this story...

There has been a lot of talk about school streets in the sustainable cities sphere of late, but what does the term really mean, and why are school streets necessary? We gen up on the basics. By now, most people know that roads are built to prioritise the movement of...

Preserving historic architecture seems at odds with renovating buildings to meet modern sustainability standards. One Spanish university, however, is bridging these two worlds – by reviving traditional construction methods. It just so happens that d-Lab is also reviving social infrastructure in an otherwise shrinking city. As Romina Canna, d-Lab Director...

Urban manufacturing needs a range of suitable spaces to thrive. Diversifying the uses within buildings, blocks, and neighbourhoods opens up considerable gains: we should consider co-location as a primary tool for making cities more resilient. Here we explore the advantages, review the challenges, and explain how to create a...

Transport is integral to urban manufacturing. It is the gateway to resources and the marketplace. Businesses rely on the logistics that links them with staff, partners, and clients. Cities aiming to (re)build and develop a production base should be designing infrastructure with makers in mind. That includes private and...

Cities of Making advocates for establishing the role of a city Curator to change perceptions, fight urban manufacturing’s corner, and facilitate its growth. But what exactly can this champion achieve, and how can you set one up in your city? What Is a Curator? Foundries of the Future defines the Curator...

A Curator has the power to unlock a city’s manufacturing potential, but how exactly can we go about getting one in place? We look at who best fits the role in your city, set out the steps you need to follow, and examine the options for the trickiest part...

Manufacturing in its many manifestations creates mountains of waste. This presents an opportunity. With the correct systems in place, waste becomes a resource and opens the door to innovative businesses, job creation, and economic growth, all while mitigating making’s impact on the environment. “Cities are accumulators of vast amounts of...

The 21st-century European city is an amalgamation of the old and new. Contemporary manufacturing is heavily influenced by what came before. This heritage is key to its identity, survival, and revival, but time has also shaped our cities physically and culturally. So, what can we learn from a city’s...

When drivers don’t observe – or know! – traffic laws, people can get hurt. A quirky idea expanding through Africa is making streets safer by educating motor users about courteous driving. It’s called the Kids’ Court, and as the name suggests, it’s putting the power into the hands of...

Urbanisation in the post-industrial age led to the burial of waterways to make way for buildings, roads, and public spaces. Water, though, cushions the blow of climate change, so many cities are raising channels from the deep. It’s expensive, but the benefits pay dividends many times over. In autumn 2024,...

Diversifying cultural representation in architecture extends a sense of belonging to communities that have long been hidden. Reanna McKay tells us how Indigenous urban design and place markers are rolling back centuries of exclusion in the Canadian city of Winnipeg and explains how traditional knowledge holds the secrets to...

Create a more equal world is a lot of work. We not only have to build inclusive cities, but first dismantle the long-established and accepted systems that stand in our way. It can be a lot to get to grips with, but as a starting point this easy-reference glossary...