The polar opposite of the harsh, urban grind, the “soft city” is one that supports relationships between people.

I like the idea of human-centered urban design. In his new book called Soft City, the architect David Sim delves into this idea of softness in the urban context and what it means and looks like. One way to do so that stands out: “layered” buildings. 

A “layered” approach supports a multitude of resources and interactions for inhabitants offering them distinct uses
and amenities on different floors on the same building.
Sim illustrates how highly functional it is, and how it fosters relationship-building across generations & contexts.