What makes a city truly beautiful? Is it grand architecture, or is beauty something that emerges from the people and interactions within it? In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Stefano Cozzolino challenges conventional ideas of urban aesthetics and explores how cities evolve in response to social and spatial dynamics.Examining the impact of vacant storefronts, unclean streets, and changing communities, he reveals how our perception of beauty is shaped by more than just design—it’s about belonging, movement, and connection. Through real-world examples, he invites us to rethink urban planning, not as a rigid formula, but as a living, breathing process that reflects the needs and experiences of those who inhabit it. Dr. Stefano Cozzolino is a Senior Researcher at ILS in Dortmund and a Lecturer at RWTH Aachen University. His work focuses on urban self-organization, the evolution of cities, and how social dynamics shape the spaces we live in. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx