Who is Mikael Colville-Andersen?
Mikael Colville-Andersen is a Danish urban designer, author, photographer, and documentary host known for shaping global conversations on human-scale cities. He has worked in more than 100 cities and is considered a leading voice in modern mobility and tactical urbanism.

What is Mikael Colville-Andersen known for in the field of urbanism?

He helped mainstream the global cycling-urbanism movement by founding Copenhagenize Design Company, popularising the terms cycle chic and Copenhagenize, and demonstrating how cities can rebuild themselves through low-tech, citizen-driven design. His work blends anthropology, storytelling, and on-the-ground fieldwork.

What topics does Mikael Colville-Andersen cover in his keynote speeches?
His keynotes focus on human-scale urbanism, mobility, behaviour-first planning, tactical urbanism, climate adaptation, and citizen-led solutions. He brings field stories from more than 20 countries, including extensive work in Ukraine, to show how cities evolve under pressure.

Why should event organisers book Mikael Colville-Andersen as a keynote speaker?
He gives fast, sharp, visually driven talks rooted in real global experience. Audiences get practical frameworks, memorable insights, and a strong push to rethink outdated planning culture. His talks are consistently rated as energising, relevant, and highly actionable.

How does Mikael Colville-Andersen approach urban design and mobility planning?
He starts with human behaviour, not technology. His method focuses on observation, everyday movement patterns, citizen priorities, and simple design tools that scale quickly. The result is effective, low-cost solutions that help cities move faster.

What is The Life-Sized City, and what role does Mikael play in it?
The Life-Sized City is an award-winning documentary series exploring how people shape cities around the world. Mikael is the creator, writer, and host, bringing stories from 23+ cities to an international audience. The series airs in more than 30 countries.

How does Mikael Colville-Andersen work with cities and governments around the world?
He advises municipalities, ministries, and NGOs on mobility, public space, and behaviour-based planning. His work ranges from strategic plans and policy frameworks to hands-on pilot projects and tactical urbanism implementations.

What is Copenhagenize, and how does it relate to Mikael’s work?
Copenhagenize Design Company, founded by Mikael in 2007, specializes in bicycle planning and urbanism. Mikael left in 2018, but the firm continues to help cities build modern cycling infrastructure and rethink urban transport policy. Its influence remains global.

What kind of creative projects does Mikael Colville-Andersen produce?
His work spans documentary filmmaking, photography, public-space design, tactical urbanism, writing, and visual storytelling. From large-scale urban interventions to intimate photo essays, his projects combine creativity with grounded urban knowledge.

Does Mikael Colville-Andersen work on projects in Ukraine?
Yes. Since 2022, he has volunteered extensively on urbanism, cycling, community gardens, and trauma-sensitive design projects in Ukraine. He founded Bikes4Ukraine.org and DIY Ukraine and has led large-scale interventions such as TORV Kyiv and the Nordic Therapy Garden.

How can organisations collaborate with Mikael Colville-Andersen?
He works with cities, universities, cultural institutions, companies, and NGOs on research, design, documentaries, public engagement, and keynote speaking. Collaboration usually begins with a conversation about goals and impact.

How can I book Mikael Colville-Andersen for a conference, lecture, or TV project?
Use the contact form on this website or reach out directly via email. Speaking requests are usually handled within 48 hours.

What makes Mikael’s storytelling style different from traditional urban planning speakers?
His approach is narrative-driven, field-tested, and visually rich. He draws on journalism, filmmaking, and years of international on-the-ground experience. The result is urbanism explained through people, not PowerPoint.

What are Mikael Colville-Andersen’s core areas of expertise?
Human-scale cities, mobility, cycling infrastructure, tactical urbanism, urban anthropology, public space, behaviour-based planning, climate adaptation, and crisis-driven urbanism, including wartime design in Ukraine.

Where can I watch episodes of The Life-Sized City?
Full episodes are available on Mikael’s YouTube channel and on selected broadcasters internationally. Links appear throughout this site.