This topic is very much written from the heart since I live in Luxembourg and this is a country full of contradictions, especially when it comes to urban design.
I’ve had the opportunity to see this paradox unfold firsthand. On one hand, there’s ambition and investment - a seemingly endless supply of funds that can transform towns and cities with bold projects. On paper, it sounds like a dream: a country with the resources to make things happen, to create spaces that could rival the best in Europe.
But scratch the surface, and the cracks begin to show. For all its financial might, Luxembourg’s approach to urban planning often feels more like a mad rush to build than a thoughtful endeavour to create truly liveable spaces. The relentless pursuit of progress can leave the older, sometimes more charming parts of towns in the dust - literally and figuratively. There’s something profoundly frustrating about watching the same mistakes play out time and time again, especially when the potential to do better is right there, waiting to be tapped.
Urban design isn’t just about throwing money at shiny new projects. It’s about asking the tough questions: How do we create spaces that truly serve the people who live in them? How do we balance the need for growth with the equally important need to preserve what’s already good?
In Luxembourg, the answers to these questions often feel muddled, lost in the noise of construction sites and the lure of quick profits.
So, let’s dig deeper. Let’s look at what Luxembourg gets right, where it falls short, and what it could learn from cities that have figured out how to balance progress with preservation. Because if there’s one thing this small but ambitious nation should do: Think beyond the immediate future and start building spaces that will truly stand the test of time.
The Bright Side: What Luxembourg Gets Right
Before diving into the critiques, let’s give credit where it’s due: Luxembourg has a unique advantage that many other countries can only dream of - it’s small size and a great budget for urban projects. The kind of money that can turn dreams into reality, like for instance the Velodrome planned for 2026 in Mondorf-les-Bains. It’s the kind of project that doesn’t just check the box of “modern infrastructure” but actually has the potential to create a new heartbeat for the town.
The future Velodrome in Mondorf-les-Bains—an ambitious project that embodies Luxembourg’s commitment to modern infrastructure and the potential to redefine the town’s identity and community spirit.
And let’s be honest, the efforts to greenify urban spaces are a step in the right direction. Walk through towns like Mondorf-les-Bains, and you’ll see bursts of greenery - rows of newly planted trees, carefully arranged planters, all strategically placed to soften the edges of concrete. It’s a move that suggests someone is trying to make urban spaces a bit more liveable.
But here’s the thing: for all these gestures, there’s a sense that it’s more about appearances than substance. Luxembourg’s green initiatives, while visually appealing, can often feel like a veneer - a way to say, “Look, we’re sustainable!” without truly committing to it. The older areas, like Mondorf’s former village centre, for instance don’t get the same attention, while the new developments are dressed up with greenery like stage props.
Luxembourg’s willingness to invest in aesthetically pleasing projects is admirable. With their budget, they can afford to gloss over a lot of the issues that other cities in the region simply can’t. But money isn’t a substitute for vision. It’s not enough to throw cash at a project and call it progress.
True urban design requires more than just a cosmetic touch-up - it demands a commitment to spaces that genuinely enhance the quality of life for the people who live there.
The Dark Side: What Frustrates Me About Luxembourg’s Urban Planning
For all its wealth and potential, Luxembourg’s urban planning too often feels like it’s missing the mark. There’s this relentless push for density, especially in the south, where developers seem to have a free pass to build whatever, wherever - never mind the existing residents who have to live with the consequences. The noise, the dust, the traffic - it’s all just considered collateral damage in the pursuit of “progress.”
Construction chaos: A familiar sight everywhere in Luxembourg, where urban planning often prioritizes development over the lived experience of its residents. Noise, dust, and traffic become the norm, leaving communities struggling to adapt amidst the relentless push for progress.
What’s even more frustrating is the absolute disregard for the character of these neighbourhoods. Instead of thoughtful design that respects what’s already there, we often get row after row of cookie-cutter apartment blocks. Let’s be honest: these new builds are more about maximizing profits than enhancing quality of life. The apartments are small, soulless boxes that do nothing to enrich the communities they’re dumped into. And it’s not just about aesthetics - it’s about the erosion of what makes a place feel like home.
A row of new builds that epitomize the cookie-cutter approach, uninspired, profit-driven designs that strip neighbourhoods of their character and fail to foster a sense of home.
The quality of new construction doesn’t fare much better. Luxembourg has the budget to do great things, but what do we see?
Bland, uninspired buildings that could be anywhere in the world. There’s no sense of place, no thought given to creating spaces that inspire. Camillo Sitte (1843-1903), the famed urban planner who championed beauty and complexity in design, would be horrified by the aesthetic monotony that’s being churned out here.
Located in Esch-sur-Alzette, this development exemplifies the uninspired architecture often seen in Luxembourg's modern constructions. The austere brick facades and rigid metal fencing lack warmth or character, evoking a sense of isolation rather than community - a stark contrast to the thoughtful urban design Luxembourg could achieve with its resources.
Also in Esch, this stark white building reflects the monotonous trends in contemporary architecture. With its boxy design and sterile facade, it offers little to the imagination or the urban fabric, embodying the aesthetic monotony Camillo Sitte would have decried as the antithesis of vibrant, livable spaces
But perhaps the most concerning aspect is the gradual loss of historic village centers in Luxembourg. Take Mondorf’s old Dorfkern with the church, for example. It’s a charming area with immense potential - one that could be preserved, restored, and thoughtfully integrated into the town’s evolving identity.
Instead, new developments often prioritize modernization over preservation, sometimes at the expense of history, craftsmanship, and the stories embedded in these walls.
Mondorf’s old village center: the Church stands as a quiet witness to history, brimming with charm.
A glimpse of Mondorf’s old village center: cobblestone steps leading down from the church, exuding a quiet romance that whispers of history and timeless charm.
Luxembourg has the money, the resources, the potential to do better. But instead of using that power to create something meaningful, it seems content to repeat the same mistakes: more density, more surface-level fixes that don’t get to the heart of what makes a place truly liveable.
It’s time for Luxembourg to stop bulldozing through its past and start asking the hard questions:
What kind of future are we really building here? And who are we building it for?
Comparing Luxembourg to Cities That Approach it Differently
Take London, for instance. Yes, it’s a sprawling metropolis with its own set of challenges, but it’s also a city that understands the value of green spaces. London doesn’t just plant a few trees here and there as a cosmetic touch - it invests in expansive parks, green corridors, and public spaces where people can actually breathe. Luxembourg, on the other hand, seems content with surface-level gestures, like scattering planters around new developments while leaving older areas to fend for themselves.
Greenwich Park: A prime example of London’s commitment to green spaces. Unlike many cities that see greenery as an afterthought, London integrates vast parks into its urban fabric - offering residents not just trees, but entire landscapes to breathe, walk, and unwind.
Greenwich Park at sunset, with the towers of Canary Wharf looming in the background.
An aerial view of Marble Arch Hill and Playground, located near Hyde Park and Oxford Street in London. This vibrant public space demonstrates London’s dedication to creating accessible and dynamic green areas. It’s a prime example of how expansive parks and thoughtfully designed public spaces can elevate urban living, offering residents and visitors a place to relax, connect, and breathe amidst the city’s bustling energy.
And then there’s Amsterdam, a city that proves density doesn’t have to mean soulless high-rises. The Netherlands has managed to build densely while often preserving the character of its neighbourhoods. Amsterdam’s narrow streets and historic buildings coexist with modern infrastructure in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s approach often feels like a tug-of-war between the old and the new, with the latter almost always winning out.
Amsterdam’s approach to density is anything but sterile. With a mix of historic and mid-century brick architecture, integrated canals, and cycling infrastructure, the city proves that high-density living can still feel warm, connected, and deeply human.
In Amsterdam, density doesn’t mean sacrificing quality of life. Public spaces like Museumplein show how the city blends historic architecture with modern urban planning, creating vibrant, walkable environments where people can gather, live, and breathe.
Copenhagen is another example of what Luxembourg could aspire to be. The Danish capital prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists. In Luxembourg, cars still reign supreme, and there is no solution to congestion.
In Copenhagen, cycling isn’t just for summer - it’s a year-round commitment. Even in the snow, the streets belong to cyclists, proving that when a city prioritizes biking infrastructure, people embrace it as an essential part of urban life.
Cycling in Copenhagen isn’t just about getting from A to B - it’s about convenience, comfort, and style. Here, the streets are designed to make biking the easiest choice, whether you're commuting in a suit or a dress. In contrast, Luxembourg still struggles to integrate cycling as a true alternative to cars, making it a challenge rather than a natural way of moving through the city.
But here’s the thing: Luxembourg has the resources to learn from these cities, to experiment with biophilic design, to invest in truly sustainable projects. What’s missing isn’t the money - it’s the imagination. It’s the willingness to start thinking about what kind of country Luxembourg wants to be, not just next year, but in the next fifty years.
Because true urban planning isn’t just about building more - it’s about building better.
How Luxembourg Can Elevate Its Urban Design
Luxembourg has the budget, the ambition, and the opportunity to truly stand out in the world of urban design. But if it keeps playing it safe, it risks becoming just another overdeveloped, car-clogged country. Here’s how Luxembourg can pivot towards a more inspired future.
1. Put People Over Developers! Enough with prioritizing profit margins over liveability. Luxembourg needs to shift its focus away from catering to developers and instead start designing cities that serve the people who actually live in them. That means being willing to say “no” to projects that might be profitable but don’t add real value to the community. It’s time to listen to residents, to involve them in planning, and to preserve the character of neighbourhoods rather than bulldozing them for the next high-density project.
2. Move Beyond Cosmetic Greenery: Embrace Biophilic Design Let’s be real: planting a few trees and lining streets with planters isn’t enough to make a city truly sustainable. Luxembourg has the resources to invest in biophilic design - think green roofs, living walls, and public parks that do more than just look pretty. True sustainability is about integrating nature into the urban fabric, not just sprinkling it around like a garnish.
3. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity in Construction!! Why is a country with Luxembourg’s resources settling for cookie-cutter apartment blocks that could be anywhere in the world? The relentless drive to pack in more units is leading to a landscape filled with aesthetically uninspired buildings. It’s time to raise the bar. Let’s explore new materials, embrace innovative designs, and focus on creating spaces that inspire people to actually want to live there.
4. Preserve and Revitalize Historic Areas Instead of Demolishing Them: The old village centres aren’t just relics of the past - they’re vital threads in the cultural fabric of Luxembourg. Tearing them down to make way for soulless new developments is short-sighted and a missed opportunity. Instead, Luxembourg should be investing in adaptive reuse, turning these historic buildings into vibrant community spaces that honour the past while serving the present.
5. Think Long-Term, Not Just for Today True progress isn’t about filling a quota or ticking boxes. It’s about creating spaces that will stand the test of time, that people will still want to live in 50 years from now. Luxembourg has the chance to become a leader in thoughtful, sustainable urban design. But that means asking the hard questions, taking the road less travelled, and being willing to invest in projects that might not pay off immediately but will enrich the lives of future generations.
The potential is there. The resources are there. Now, it’s just a matter of having the vision - and the courage - to do what’s right.
Conclusion: Building a Future that Honours the Past
Luxembourg stands at a crossroads. It has the resources, the ambition, and the opportunity to create something truly exceptional. But that future can’t be built on a foundation of convenience and compromise. True progress requires to look beyond short-term gains and embrace a vision that respects the past while paving the way for a sustainable, inspiring future.
There’s no question that Luxembourg’s potential is immense. But if the country continues to prioritize density over design, developers over residents, it will be a future filled with more of the same: soulless apartment blocks, congested streets, and neighbourhoods that lack character.
The question isn’t whether Luxembourg can afford to do better- it’s whether it will choose to. Because at the end of the day, great cities aren’t built on the quick and easy. They’re built on vision, creativity, and a commitment to creating spaces that truly enhance the quality of life.
So here’s the challenge: Let’s dare to think differently. Let’s stop tearing down the old to make way for the bland. Let’s invest in spaces that inspire, that connect, that endure.
Because in the end, urban design is about more than just buildings and roads. It’s about the lives that unfold within them.
Book Recommendations
1. "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs - A classic that explores the importance of community-centered urban planning and the pitfalls of overdevelopment.
2. "Soft City: Building Density for Everyday Life" by David Sim - Examines how to design high-density cities that are liveable, human-centered, and vibrant.
3. "Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design" by Charles Montgomery - A look at how cities can be designed to enhance happiness, well-being, and community.
4. "Cities for People" by Jan Gehl - An insightful guide on creating more sustainable, human-friendly urban spaces.
5. "How to Study Public Life" by Jan Gehl and Birgitte Svarre - Offers practical methods for observing and improving public spaces.
6. "Rebel Cities: From the Right to the City to the Urban Revolution" by David Harvey - A deep dive into how cities can be reimagined to serve people rather than profit.
7. "Designing the Urban Future: Smart Cities" by Christoph Gengnagel - Explores innovative urban design strategies for future cities.
8. "The Nature of Cities" by Timothy Beatley - Advocates for integrating nature into urban spaces to create biophilic cities.
9. "The Architecture of Happiness" by Alain de Botton - Explores how architecture and design influence our happiness and quality of life.
10. "Building and Dwelling: Ethics for the City" by Richard Sennett - A thoughtful look at the ethics of urban design and how cities can balance tradition and modernity.