A Nigerian-born public speaker, Dr Osemeike Gloria Eyieyien, has called on urban planners and built-environment professionals to put human connection and a sense of belonging at the centre of city design.
Eyieyien made the call while speaking at TEDx Wibsey in Bradford, United Kingdom, where she presented her ideas on how urban development can encourage stronger social interaction among diverse communities.
In her presentation, titled “The Future Is Social Product: Designing Cities for Connection,” she argued that cities should be designed not only to accommodate growing populations but also to create spaces where people can interact, participate and build meaningful relationships.
She described cities as more than buildings, roads and other physical infrastructure, stressing that the quality of social interaction enabled by those spaces is equally important.
Eyieyien urged planners and engineers to consider how streets, public spaces, neighbourhoods and community facilities can encourage people to meet and participate in community life.
She introduced the concept of a “social product”, which shifts attention from the physical features of urban spaces to the social value they generate.
Her message has particular relevance to Bradford, a city with diverse cultures and communities. She said future urban development should intentionally incorporate belonging, peaceful coexistence and participation.
The scholar’s intervention highlights growing attention to the social dimensions of urban planning as cities face population growth, technological change and increasing cultural diversity.
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