Blaine Merker, an urban designer and leader at Gehl, champions human-centered design in public spaces. He discusses the transformative potential of prioritizing people over structures, highlighting the importance of 'in-between spaces' for fostering community. By integrating empirical data and ecological considerations, he advocates for designs that promote connection and serendipity. Alongside Alice Katter, they explore the impact of spatial innovation on collaboration and creativity, emphasizing the joy of observing human behavior in thoughtfully designed environments.
