The 8-80 City model is an urban planning approach originating in Canada, aimed at creating more inclusive, equitable, and safe cities for all people, regardless of age or abilities. The central idea of the model is that if a city is safe and accessible for both an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, then it will be safe and accessible for everyone.

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"If everything we do in our public spaces is great for an 8-year-old and for an 80-year-old, then it will be great for people of all ages." – Guillermo Peñalosa, Colombian-Canadian urban planner and Founder of 8-80 Cities.

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Five principles of the 8-80 City model:

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1. Inclusivity: Design public spaces and services that are accessible and usable by people of all ages and abilities.
2. Safety: Ensure that streets and public spaces are safe for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing traffic speed and improving infrastructure.
3. Active mobility: Promote the use of active transportation modes such as walking and cycling by creating adequate and safe infrastructure.
4. Quality public spaces: Create parks, plazas, boulevards, and other public spaces that are attractive and welcoming for everyone, regardless of age.
5. Citizen participation: Engage the community in the planning process to ensure that the needs and desires of residents are taken into account.

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What are the benefits of the 8-80 City model?

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• Improved public health: Promotes physical activity through active mobility.
• Greater safety: Reduces traffic accidents and improves the perception of safety.
• Social cohesion: Encourages interaction and social cohesion by creating spaces where people of different ages and backgrounds can meet.
• Sustainability: Encourages the use of sustainable transportation modes and reduces car dependency.

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"In urban centers, 18% of people use private cars, occupying 80% of the streets, while the remaining 82% are pedestrians, public transport users, and cyclists, occupying the remaining 20% of the streets." – ArchDaily

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Implementation cases in cities

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The 8-80 City model has been successfully adopted in various cities around the world, demonstrating its effectiveness in creating more inclusive and safe urban environments. Here are three success stories in the implementation of the 8-80 City model in cities:

• Copenhagen (Denmark): With an extensive network of safe bike lanes and accessible public spaces, Copenhagen is an example of a city that applies the principles of the 8-80 City model.
• Bogotá (Colombia): Under the leadership of Peñalosa, Bogotá implemented several transportation and public space policies aligned with the 8-80 City model, such as the creation of bike lanes and pedestrian spaces.
• Dallas, Texas (USA): An eight-lane highway was transformed into a green space that not only united two historically separated parts of the city but also became a meeting point for people of all ages.

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In short, the 8-80 City model is a guide to creating more livable, equitable, and sustainable cities, benefiting all residents by focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable.

At Meep, we are committed to implementing models that improve the quality of life in our cities. We believe in the 8-80 City vision and work to implement sustainable, accessible, and safe mobility models for everyone.