As designers, we all strive to create and live in spaces that elevate our way our life. Over the last century, however, this has come at a grave cost. Global temperatures and levels of pollution have risen exponentially. We need to start solving these problems with design at macro scale!

That is exactly what Human Centric Urban Innovations focuses on. Authored by Baharash Bagherian, this book illustrates how future cities could operate. Most importantly, it highlights how sustainable living does not have to be a compromise. In fact, when done correctly, it is highly aspirational. The book is a visual delight, with key diagrams explaining how future cities can be put together. There is a strong narrative of both design and socio-economic influences. Unlike other books on the topic, this one can be easily digested by anyone interested in the topic of urban innovation through sustainability.

Key principles to urban design are tackled with a pragmatic approach. Cities are an urban tapestry, and as such have multiple layers, each providing a function to the built environment. Baharash crafts a narrative that allows the readers to go on a journey, delivering an experience that dives deep into case studies of urban innovation around the GCC. The reader can visually see how a city has a ‘heart & arteries’, and how that impacts the pedestrian experience. This book contains tangible insights that aim to inspire and spark conversations about how we experience urban cities. I would highly recommend this book to any designer who is passionate about the topics of sustain-ability and the built environment.