The Century of Cities

Shiro Muchiri: How Do Cities Create a Sense of Belonging?

The Century of Cities welcomes Shiro Muchiri, London-based interior architect and founder of SoShiro, whose work explores the intersection of culture, craft, and the built environment. She examines how culture has shaped urban regeneration, and why cities must now move beyond creating destinations to cultivating a deeper sense of identity and belonging. As cities continue to evolve, Shiro challenges the rise of polished, interchangeable spaces and makes the case for embedding local culture, creative voices, and human connection into urban development from the outset. She argues that cultural infrastructure is essential to city life, and that the real measure of a city is whether people feel seen, connected, and truly at home.