Transformative Urban Projects as Stimulators for the Quality of Stay

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Together with overcrowding, cities face several challenges in climate action and sustainable development that reshape how we live in, experience and plan city spaces. With transformative projects, a new kind of urban planning is emerging that places residents in focus and yields new qualities beyond economic growth, such as the quality of stay, notably when integrating the needs of local residents and tourist visitors. This chapter asks: How do transformative urban projects stimulate a change in the quality of stay in city spaces? We analysed the characteristics and impact of 15 transformative urban projects through the lens of the Theory of Change. As a result, this chapter introduces encounter, atmosphere and purpose as leitmotifs to an increasing quality of stay. Our contribution helps to change the perspective of urban planning towards a stronger well-being orientation for residents and guests. Based on the cases discussed, we illustrate that aspects of well-being go hand in hand with aspects of engagement in transformation projects.