What does 40City mean?
The concept of 40City comes from our examination of the many years of human urban evolution.
As communities formed it was noticed that there is a threshold that underpins their liveability. These standards, guidelines or rules of thumb had been developed by trial and error and in most cases by researched analysis.
In the development of these cities and places the number 40 is a reoccurring somewhat constant factor.
Be it speed or distance, the limit of human experience and enjoyment is determined by 40; for example
Speed limits of 40km/h (25m/h) are used to calm streets for pedestrian and cyclists safety.
Historically, 40km (25mi) was the typical distance between villages, as equal to a day’s walk.
40 feet (12 metres) is when you can clearly recognise facial expressions of people coming towards you
Today, 40km (25mi) is considered the average travel distance for employment in cities
12m (40 feet) is the maximum building depth to naturally light and ventilate spaces.
These are just some of the many examples that led to the 40City philosophies for good place making. 40City is based upon research and experimentation and uses this knowledge to help plan, design and manage places that are specifically for people in mind.
We offer strategic visioning and design solutions as well as being a respected resource hub in the creation of sustainable, liveable and accessible places. Placemaking is our mantra.
What does placemaking mean?
Placemaking is more than designing pretty landscapes, and to truely be successful at creating great places you need to understand what attracts people to visit, own and enjoy places, and more importantly what is their attachment to it.
40City develops placemaking strategies for developers and place managers, where understanding the motivation people have in being attached to a place provides more value for everyone involved.
What is our experience?
Experience matters; we have lead the visioning of places, technical design, development and management strategies to deliver mixed-use communities across the globe, from Australia, Asia and the Middle East. We know how to make places work and obtain the best investment return and customer experience.
We focus on providing strong theoretical and practical services for strategic planning and development projects, that maximise its potential while delivering efficient and sustainable outcomes. Our service is to bring about wealth generation for everyone without the environment losing out.
Meet our innovators
Kevin Abbott
Kevin is the inspiration behind the 40City concept and has over 25 years’ experience in the built environment industries, from government growth area and transit planning and including building and planning standards. Working with developers in Australia, Middle East, Asia and Europe with a particular focus on cities and master planned communities.
He holds a Built Environment Master’s degree majoring in Urban Design from Queensland University of Technology.
He is an observer of cities and how they deliver on life expectations and activities for people. Having travelled and documented the placemaking qualities from Qingdao, Dubrovnik, Siena, Muscat, Jaipur, Santa Fe and many many others. He is drawn to cities where tourism, culture and normal everyday events matter, building upon the essence of placemaking by understanding the people who inhabit, live and visit these places.
Having designed and developed award-winning mixed-use communities, he is passionate about the value placemaking brings, leading projects from inception to activation. He has held senior executive positions in numerous giga projects within Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and recently as an independent consultant provides specialist advice on critical infrastructure planning within these projects.
His leadership of planning and design departments have incorporated innovative urban change, through clarity and thoughtful investigation to challenge norms, elevate new ideas and to provide paths to the creation of better places for everyone.
Karen Montagu
Karen is a marketing and community engagement specialist, having led senior positions in brand management for major sporting events and state and local government communications units.
She is heavily invested in understanding the important and leveraging place making and the customer relationship to the visitors, residents as well as the developers.
Karen holds a Masters in Marketing Management and has over 25 years experience in Australia and the Middle East.
