Gehl, the global urban design and public-life consultancy, is reinforcing its leadership in data-driven urbanism by expanding the use of digital tools to better understand how people experience cities at eye level. Building on founder Jan Gehl’s decades-long commitment to measuring public life, the firm is combining traditional observational methods with advanced digital platforms and AI to deliver deeper, more human-centered urban insights.
The approach traces back to Jan Gehl’s early research with developmental psychologist Ingrid Gehl, whose simple question—why architects were not more interested in people—sparked a shift in how cities are studied and designed. Early clipboard counts of how people moved, lingered, and interacted in public spaces laid the foundation for what is now known as the “Gehl Lens,” a methodology that blends qualitative observation with quantitative analysis.
Today, Gehl applies this lens across more than 250 cities worldwide, using a consistent framework that allows urban performance to be compared globally. The firm’s evolving toolkit includes digital engagement platforms and applications such as Eye Level City and Celebrate Public Life, enabling richer community participation and more nuanced insights into social interaction, movement patterns, and perceptions of place.
By integrating AI and digital data ecosystems, Gehl is scaling empathy in urban design—interpreting stories, behaviors, and experiences at a level previously impossible. This data-led process informs strategies for city leaders, policymakers, and developers, translating insights into concrete designs that support wellbeing, social connection, and sustainable urban life.
As cities continue to grow and adapt, Gehl’s work underscores a core principle: measuring what we care about—people—remains essential to creating livable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments.
