Question 9

Heidi Sokolowsky is a passionate urban designer who has been practicing for over 30 years in the Bay Area and in Europe. Heidi focuses on context-based sustainable development with an emphasis on the public realm, connectivity, urban mixed-use, public transit and alternative mobility, and community engagement. She has managed small and large projects, ranging from the implementation of public art to the preparation of site studies, design guidelines, and district and station area plans.  Heidi has also been a lecturer for urban design at San José State University and Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see the role of urban design evolving in an increasingly interconnected world, and what key principles do you believe will shape the future of urban landscapes?

A: We live in an age of uncertainty and acceleration. The social landscape and the way we live has changed significantly. Old wisdoms and formulas may not work anymore, whether we like it or not. However, this Umbruch presents an unprecedented opportunity to experiment with new solutions and perhaps even. The pandemic has shown that long established ways of work had to change rapidly, not due to some envisioned new work concept to increase effiency but due to a sudden external impulse. And we did cope and find new solutions. For me, the key principles for the future of urban landcapes are (in no particular order): Embrace change, think holistically, be truly sustainable

My hope is that we will be able address major issues such as global warming, the housing crisis, and inequality, now that we stare in the face of them.