Lecture by Arkady Gershman “What Is a City for People?” in Tbilisi

On April 5, urbanist Arkady Gershman invites you to a meeting where we will take Tbilisi apart “piece by piece.” This is not a lecture about how everything is bad — it is a conversation about how global practices and simple solutions can make our walks through the city more enjoyable and our streets more human-friendly.

🔎 Topics we’ll explore:
● Why pedestrian crossings are not an obstacle for cars, but a remedy for traffic jams;
● Why modern cities are bringing trams back — and whether they have a future in Tbilisi;
● How courtyards can become spaces for life and play rather than just parking lots;
● And why even the most progressive urbanists sometimes argue about bike lanes.

You can expect an honest and thought-provoking conversation about the future of cities, discussions of global case studies, and answers to questions that arise for anyone who has ever tried to walk around Tbilisi with a stroller — or simply on foot.

Come for a new perspective, engaging stories, and informal conversation. Let’s learn how to better understand the city we love.

Arkady Gershman is an urbanist and the author of the YouTube channel “City for People.” He explains how cities work: why some streets are comfortable and safe while others are not, and why trams, bike lanes, and well-designed public spaces matter.
For more than 15 years, he has studied urban environments, participated in developing national standards, and advised cities. His goal is to help people better understand their cities and how they can be improved for everyday life.