Why smart? Why not happy?
Presentation date: 24. October
Presentation time: 10:15
Cities are a reflection of the culture of the peoples that created them. Without that consideration, it is difficult to develop the necessary understandingof public space. Sadly, too many cities are still pursuing outmoded planning models and measuring success via monetary value models only. Riccardo Marini works with city administrations all over the world to enable transformations that put people central to the future of those cities. Once this happens, what becomes meaningful is the health, well-being and happiness of people – and the economic performance of the cities benefits no end.
Riccardo Marini/IT/UK, Marini Urbanismo
Riccardo Marini is an Architect and Chartered Town Planner with a deep knowledge of developing people-centred solutions. He started his career as an architect at Stephen + Associates in Edinburgh, then moved to the Planning Department in Glasgow City Council, where he acted as Senior Architect and later became the Group Leader of the Urban Design Team. From 2002 to 2005, Riccardo was part of the International Scientific Committee for the Strategic Plan for Provincia di Treviso in Northern Italy. While holding this position he also took on the role of City Design Leader in the City of Edinburgh Council. In 2012, he joined Gehl Architects in Copenhagen, where he was a Director until 2017, when he founded Marini Urbanismo.
Riccardo is an inspirational speaker and regularly lectures on place-making and governance. He is challenged by how the bureaucratic systems we have created in the name of efficiency destroy the kind of places that bring joy to our hearts, and is convinced that the path to health, happiness, wealth and wellbeing is one that places people, their culture, and art central to the planning process.
