Constructive Voices
Urban Design
CorkSustainable Building in Cork Ireland: An Updated Report
Sustainable building in Cork: the city holds an EU Mission Label and a €2.2bn climate plan, yet just 6% of its rated homes are A-rated. This report is part of our ongoing commitment to analyse how sustainable building is going in Cork, Ireland. It sits within the Constructive Voices’ national record, that you can find […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/9/2026
Urban DesignResearchers from South Korea Reveal How Gender Shapes Perceptions of Safety in Urban Parking Spaces
How Gender Shapes Perceptions of Safety in Urban Parking Spaces Have you ever felt uneasy in a dimly lit parking lot? Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SEOULTECH), South Korea have uncovered how urban design influences our sense of safety—and why men and women experience it differently. Using virtual reality, they found […]
Jackie De Burca · 2/10/2025
PodcastsS3, E21: The Nature of Our Cities with Dr Nadina Galle, Part 4
The Nature of Our Cities with Dr Nadina Galle, Part 4 “Nature has a calming and restorative effect. It can improve our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being—it’s not just a luxury; it’s essential.”– Dr Nadina Galle LISTEN BELOW TO DR NADINA GALLE Welcome to the fourth episode in our special series featuring Dr Nadina […]
Dr. Nadina Galle · 11/26/2024
Urban DesignPublic Art and Urban Spaces: How Vancouver Shapes Cultural Identity Through Design
Public Art and Urban Spaces: How Vancouver Shapes Cultural Identity Through Design Vancouver, a vibrant Canadian city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, has long been renowned for its distinctive urban design that seamlessly integrates public art and cultural expression. The city’s unique geography, including its proximity to bodies of water and […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignConnecting the City: Vancouver’s Success with Public Transit and Urban Integration
Vancouver, a vibrant West Coast Canadian city, has long been recognised for its progressive approach to urban planning and transportation. At the heart of this success lies the city’s Transportation 2040 Plan, a comprehensive strategy that has transformed the way residents and visitors move around the metropolis. Approved by the Vancouver City Council in 2012 […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignThe Green City Blueprint: Vancouver’s Innovative Approach to Sustainability in Urban Design
Vancouver stands at the forefront of1 sustainable urban development, implementing innovative solutions to address environmental challenges. The city’s approach encompasses green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and community engagement. With projected population growth of over a million new residents in the coming decade, Vancouver is reimagining its regional transportation and urban design to create an affordable and […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignFuture-Proofing Vancouver: How Urban Design Adapts to Climate Change Challenges
As the percentage of the global population living in cities continues to climb1, urban design and planning have become critical tools for addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Vancouver, a vibrant and forward-thinking city, is at the forefront of this movement, implementing innovative solutions to create a resilient and sustainable urban environment. Urban […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignBeyond the Glass Towers: Human-Centred Urban Design in Vancouver
Vancouver, a pioneer in high-density urban development, is evolving beyond its well-known ‘Vancouverism’ model1. The city’s urban landscape is diversifying, with a focus on luxury housing and a tech-fueled office boom. A record 3.96 million square feet of office space is under construction downtown, with 65% of buildings planned for 2022-2023 already leased, primarily by […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignSkyline Meets Shoreline: Urban Design Lessons from Vancouver’s Waterfront
Vancouver’s waterfront transformation offers invaluable urban design lessons, showcasing innovative solutions for sustainable urban development and public spaces1. The city’s central waterfront, developed by Farrells and Arup, aims to recraft the relationship between the downtown core and harbour with a human-centric extension1. This vision explores how emerging transport trends could energise the area, transforming it […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver’s Urban Planning Legacy: The Evolution of Eco-Friendly Design
Vancouver’s urban planning legacy is characterised by a unique approach known as ‘Vancouverism’. This concept combines high-density residential areas with mixed-use developments, emphasising public transit, green spaces, and view corridors1. The city’s transformation began in the late 1980s, driven by a recession-induced shift towards high-density residential development. Vancouver’s planning approach has since become a global […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignFrom High-Rises to Hidden Trails: Exploring Vancouver’s Multifaceted Urban Design
Vancouver, a city renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and progressive urban planning, is a veritable tapestry of architectural marvels and sustainable design. As one navigates through its streets, the skyline is punctuated by towering glass-and-steel skyscrapers, while hidden amongst the urban fabric lie tranquil greenways and trails that seamlessly blend the built environment with […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver's Urban Design Revolution: Balancing Growth with Green Spaces
Vancouver, a thriving Canadian city, has emerged as a global leader in urban design, seamlessly blending rapid urbanisation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. As the city grapples with the challenges of population growth and the pressing need to address climate change, its urban planners and designers are spearheading a revolution that is redefining the […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignLiveability Redefined: How Urban Design Shapes Community in Vancouver
As Vancouver faces a significant urban transformation, driven by the implementation of Bill 47 in June 2024, the city has an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the nature of urban living. This legislation, which mandates the reworking of city planning to accommodate more residents on less land, has paved the way for a shift towards multiplex […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignDesigning for Density: How Vancouver Leads the Way in Liveable Cities
Vancouver has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, balancing urban density with sustainability and quality of life1. The city’s approach to urban planning, known as Vancouverism, focuses on creating a city of neighbourhoods where people can work, play, and shop1. This philosophy has resulted in a unique cityscape that combines high-rise […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver’s Urban Forest: Integrating Nature into City Life
Vancouver’s Urban Forest Strategy provides tools for growing and maintaining a healthy, resilient urban forest for future generations1. The city’s approach integrates nature into everyday life, creating thriving natural areas. Vancouver residents can witness the magic of seeing salmon in local streams, whales in the harbour, and eagles overhead. The urban forest comprises all trees […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignThe Rise of Vancouverism: A Model for Sustainable Urban Design
Vancouverism has emerged as a unique urban strategy, captivating the global stage as a model for sustainable development. This hybrid approach, blending influences from metropolises like New York and Hong Kong, has rewritten the narrative of urban planning1. With over thirty years of civic service experience, including fifteen years as co-chief planner in Vancouver, Larry […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
PodcastsS3, E20: The Nature of Our Cities with Dr. Nadina Galle, Part 3
The Nature of Our Cities with Dr. Nadina Galle, Part 3 “Urban nature isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a daily lifeline for biodiversity, human health, and climate resilience.” – Host, Jackie De Burca LISTEN BELOW Welcome to the third episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle, ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author […]
Dr. Nadina Galle · 11/19/2024
Urban DesignThe Future is Vertical: Urban Design Trends in High-Density Living
The Future is Vertical: Urban Design Trends in High-Density Living Urbanisation is transforming cities worldwide as populations grow and land becomes scarce. High-density residential design has become a focal point in urban housing development, prioritising efficient land use while addressing sustainability, affordability, and community engagement challenges1. Throughout history, cities have adapted to growing populations by […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignUrban Design in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges and Innovations
Urban Design in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges and Innovations Urban design and planning are critical tools for addressing climate change, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation involves reducing carbon emissions through principles of New Urbanism, while adaptation is localised and varies by community1. Urban design influences behaviour, potentially reducing carbon emissions […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignNature in the Metropolis: Blending Green Spaces into Urban Design
As urban populations continue to surge, cities worldwide face mounting challenges such as air pollution, urban heat islands, and a lack of communal spaces. However, the strategic integration of natural elements into urban planning represents a transformative response, serving as nature’s remedy to these pressing issues. By blending green spaces seamlessly into the fabric of […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignLighting the Way: How Urban Design Shapes Nightlife and Safety in Cities
From the dimly lit streets of medieval cities to the dazzling metropolitan landscapes of today, urban design has played a pivotal role in shaping the nightlife and safety of our cities. In the late 17th century, public lighting consumed 15% of the police budget in Paris, showcasing the significant allocation of resources towards lighting for […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024