Combining public life research with urban planning to create evidence-based solutions for families and small children.

What does the city look like from 95 cm — the height of a 3-year-old? The public life data approach combines public life research with urban planning to create evidence-based solutions for families and small children. In this interactive outdoor event, experts from Gehl and the Van Leer Foundation who have developed the Public Life Framework and App will explore a human centered and child-friendly approach to urban design

Meet our speakers

Sophia Schuff is a director, urban anthropologist, and leads Gehl’s EMEA team focused on foundation and philanthropic sectors. Her expertise in evidence-based research, community development and storytelling ensures that projects always center people and their needs. Sophia has been central in establishing Gehl’s initiatives in health such as food systems, childhood development, and air quality. Additionally, Sophia leads the strategic development of public life studies, innovation work, public realm action plans, and placemaking program frameworks. Some notable projects she has been involved in include the implementation of Novo Nordisk’s Healthy Neighborhood Strategy, Google’s Global Placemaking Program, and Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Urban95 program development. Outside of her professional pursuits, Sophia shares her knowledge and experiences as a university lecturer, workshop facilitator, and keynote speaker. During her free time, she enjoys urban gardening and hiking.

Simen Sorthe is an architect, urban strategist, and researcher, dedicated to creating inclusive cities where everyone can be safe and healthy. At Gehl, he works with foundations and philanthropic organizations to tackle societal and health challenges with human-centered designs and strategies. His past work has included expanding the Thriving Foodscapes approach and methodology, to reach a global audience. Outside Gehl, Simen is engaging in the professional discourse, with contributions to biennales, festivals, and publications, as well as research projects on spatial justice and equity. When not at work, Simen likes to disconnect with a good book or spend time in nature.

Victoria Chavez Barriga is the Urban95 Officer in the Foundation’s Knowledge for Policy team, where she supports large-scale urban projects in Urban95 cities, focusing on areas like sustainable mobility, public space, air quality, climate change, and social justice through an early-years lens. With an MSc in socio-spatial planning from the University of Groningen and a Bachelor's in architecture from the University of Cuenca, she previously co-founded Huasipichanga, promoting participatory urban development across Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Passionate about citizen engagement and collaborative planning, she emphasises the role of research and technology in creating inclusive, child-friendly, and sustainable cities.

Meet our chair

Katie Beck is a Policy Fellow at LSE Cities where she co-leads the Urban95 Academy, an executive education programme for municipal leaders who want to improve their cities for young children and their caregivers. Before her work at the LSE, Katie was a broadcast journalist for BBC News.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #Urban95Academy

More about the event

LSE Cities is an international centre that investigates the complexities of the contemporary city. It carries out research, graduate and executive education, engagement and advisory activities in London and abroad.

The Urban95 Academy is a fully funded leadership programme, delivered online over six weeks, to help city leaders design better cities for young children and their caregivers.

The van Leer Foundation is an independent Dutch organisation working worldwide to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a good start in life. We inspire and inform large-scale action that improves the health and wellbeing of young children – especially the most vulnerable – and the people who care for them.