Unconventional Innovator: Lior Steinberg Transforms City Landscapes Differently

Reimagining Cities: Lessons from Urban Planner Lior Steinberg

Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, Lior Steinberg now resides in Rotterdam, Netherlands - an unexpected twist in his colorful journey. Starting as a computer programmer in the Israeli army, Lior found himself questioning the quirks of traffic patterns, and though the Israel he knew lacked the tradition of urban planning, this curiosity didn't deter him.

His transformation came when he stumbled upon the works of Jane Jacobs and Jan Gehl. He realized that urban planning was his calling. After a stint in Berlin, Lior studied urban planning in Stockholm and later in the Netherlands, where he discovered his love for cycling and life in Dutch cities. He then founded Humankind, now working as an urban planner, consultant, and urban change catalyst.

Lior's work is not without its hiccups, and he is open about it. He admits that sometimes things don't go according to plan, but more often than not, they do.

Embracing Imperfection

Cars, that stalwart symbol of modern cities, are a source of fascination for Lior. Understanding their impact on urban landscapes is crucial, and he acknowledges their historical importance - a horse without the ceremonial trappings. However, unravelling the complex urban dance with cars requires patience and perspective. Cities and decision-makers often jump onto the next technological bandwagon with high hopes, but Lior urges a more discerning approach.

Technology, indeed, holds significant potential. Using algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI), we can uncover previously unknown patterns, paving the way for innovative solutions to unsolvable conundrums. Unsurprisingly, this has given rise to an increasing number of digital professionals turning to urbanism, drawn by the desire to make a meaningful impact.

But in the pursuit of happiness, it's not all about smiles and laughter. Lior explains that the smiles visible in public spaces are not just surface-level, but a reflection of genuine contentment and comfort. This happiness is not a constant state but rather a relaxed sense of security and the ability to be vulnerable enough to show emotion.

Cities That Connect

When we think of happy cities, we tend to envision bustling streets and vibrant public spaces. But there's more to this urban utopia - cities should provide the social safety nets that allow people to falter and stumble, knowing there's help when they need it.

This means fostering environments that bring people together organically. It doesn't mean every paragon of civility will embrace one another with an embrace; people will argue politics, play football, walk their dogs, and go on dates. Lior believes that the core aim should be nurturing connections - whatever form they take - as a means of creating a contented, harmonious city.

Lior's TED Talk, characterized by his frequent mention of the word "kind," highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in a diverse urban landscape. People living in mixed cultural neighborhoods, for instance, tend to have differing political leanings. Lior advocates for urban spaces that encourage encounters and interactions, generating opportunities for people to engage with one another and foster a sense of community - a critical step towards urban contentment.

Urban Initiatives

Through Humankind, Lior has spearheaded numerous projects that showcase the potential for urban change.

In Tel Aviv, Basel Square transformed a former car park into a public space where children could play. Skepticism abounded, but the success of this initiative lay in reframing the conversation about citizen participation: instead of asking about the removal of cars, they asked what the people wanted. Working with other organizations, they created spaces for Tel Aviv's youngest citizens, making it clear that cars were no longer a priority.

Groningen's Open Gym offers free sports lessons in various spots around the city at all hours of the day, inviting those who may feel uncomfortable exercising outdoors to try. Open Café serves as a 24/7 workspace, offering desks, laptop charging stations, and a place to read, expand the appeal of the traditional coffee shop to night owls and remote workers.

Despite the occasional setback, Lior and his team persist, using tactical urbanism to test temporary solutions and gather feedback before committing to long-term, large-scale changes.

Navigating Challenges

Lior concedes that urban planning is not without its obstacles. Overcoming skepticism and engaging the public are constant hurdles - meeting times and locations that work for everyone are seldom convenient, and projects can take years to bear fruit.

Starting from the ground up and engaging citizens in meaningful, collaborative projects help build a culture of cooperation and involvement. City administrations that listen and respond to their constituents' needs and ideas foster trust and confidence, making it more likely for residents to participate in the urban planning process.

Ultimately, Lior views failure as a necessary step in the pursuit of urban happiness. Though disappointing, these missteps offer invaluable lessons that enable us to refine our approach and move forward with greater wisdom and resolution.

Lior Steinberg, an urban planner, acknowledges the historical importance of cars in modern cities, but discourages hasty adoption of the latest technological solutions without careful consideration.
The use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in urbanism can unlock previously unnoticed patterns, opening doors to solve seemingly unresolvable issues.
Lior values happiness in urban spaces beyond mere smiles and laughter, emphasizing a relaxed sense of security and emotional openness as key components.
In Lior's vision of a happy city, social safety nets are essential to allow residents the freedom to make mistakes and are supported in their moments of vulnerability.
Cities should foster organically forming connections among its inhabitants, enabling encounters and interactions in various forms, such as friendly arguments, football matches, pet walks, and dates.
Lior's TED Talk emphasizes empathy and understanding in diverse urban environments, where people can engage with one another and form a sense of community.
Through Humankind, Lior has initiated numerous projects, like Basel Square in Tel Aviv, transforming underused spaces into community hubs that prioritize the needs of citizens over cars.
Open Gym in Groningen presents free sports lessons in various locations around the city at all hours, catering to a broader audience, including night owls and remote workers.
Open Café offers 24/7 workspace facilities, aiming to revamp the traditional coffee shop environment to attract more people at all hours.
Lior understands that urban planning faces challenges, particularly skepticism and public engagement, often necessitating unconventional meeting times and locations.
Building a culture of cooperation and involvement by starting from the ground up and listening to citizens' needs and ideas can help overcome these obstacles and engage more residents in the urban planning process.
Lior sees failure as an integral part of the journey towards urban happiness, as these setbacks provide invaluable lessons for refining approaches and moving forward with newfound wisdom and resilience. This view encompasses aspects such as celebrity lifestyles, fashion and beauty, food and drink, sports, pop culture, entertainment, education and self-development, personal growth, social media, as well as sports-related topics like football, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, basketball, racing, tennis, mixed-martial-arts, and sports-analysis.