Theory and Practice of Human-Centered Design

Brett believes camaraderie is the bedrock of great places — where even the briefest shared experience can turn strangers into trusted neighbors. As a project manager and urban strategist at Gehl, Brett weaves together his expertise in ethnography, planning, and design to advise both public and private sector clients in how to create people-first places that bring people together, instil a sense of belonging, and make everyday life more enjoyable. His experience spans across disciplines and scales from global strategies for equitable community development to site-specific urban transformations. Not afraid to get into the weeds, Brett translates deep analytical research into creative guidance for clients. Brett’s approach is expanded by his passion for queer spaces and music scenes, where communities learn how to carve out their own special places.

Lily is a project manager and senior designer working across scales and portfolios, from district planning to human-scaled design solutions. She combines her experience in architecture and urban design to develop efficient and high quality public spaces that promote well-being and support collective experiences. She is energized by an inclusive design process through which community voices and local needs shape an enriching, imaginative, and socially responsible built environment. Some notable projects she has been involved in include leading the concept design of a large scale community park, a visioning and study of a historic street at Princeton, and guidelines to inform Salt Lake City’s Street & Intersection Typologies Guide. Outside of Gehl, Lily is a design instructor, an aspiring ceramicist, and can typically be found strolling around New York in search of a great coffee spot.

Leila is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in landscape architecture, urban geography, research, and participatory design. Based in the New York office, they are passionate about the power of public spaces to foster a sense of belonging in cities. Leila believes that urban design and planning are most effective when communities are given meaningful opportunities to participate in city-building processes. Originally from Seattle, WA, Leila has also lived and worked in Canada and Denmark.