“Ever found yourself driving to the grocery store or coffee shop even tho it’s a 10-minute walk & perfectly nice day? New research suggests the reason isn’t just distance—it’s how the walk feels…it’s the sights, street life & amenities along the way that strongly shape whether people decide to walk”
“Not density OR trees, density AND trees.” “Better cities are climate action.” Via the Urban Truth Collective. Background image of very high density street in Yaletown, in downtown Vancouver. Double row of street trees, plus yard trees, plus trees in the bike lane separator, for a total of five rows of trees along the street edge.
Not density OR trees. Density AND trees.
Better cities are climate action. #UrbanTruth
The city’s transition away from the car, tho fantastically chaotic, has become a global role model. Under mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social, Paris was “the most influential city in the world”, says Canadian urbanist Brent Toderian. Hidalgo, stepping down after 12 yrs, exulted: “The bike beat the car.”
Media ad discussing car dependency with cigarette packs and the text “taste the freedom.”
Media ad on supportive housing for the homeless, with text saying “if we don’t build housing to solve homelessness, we don’t really want to solve homelessness.”
Media ad with walkable corner coffee shop and text saying “walkable neighbourhoods aren’t scary, they’re convenient.”
Media ad with car-filled urban arterial street and text saying “Car dependency doesn’t equal freedom. Mobility freedom comes from mobility choices.”
If you checked out our URBAN TRUTH COLLECTIVE website when we first launched 2 weeks ago, you saw some empty pages. It will be “under some construction” for a while, and we dont mind that at all. But its got a lot more in it now, so we invite you to check it out again. www.urbantruthcollective.com
a beer on a bar facing outwards in a window love walkable neighbourhoods so l can easily grab a beverage or a bite to eat. No big conspiracy I just don't wanna go far for stuff.
not complicated
Check this out — Canadian urbanist @brenttoderian.bsky.social (who has launched the @urbantruth.bsky.social with @grantennis.bsky.social & fellow Canadian @tomflood.bsky.social) is the guest on @thewaroncars.bsky.social podcast with @sgoodyear.bsky.social! Discussing Vancouver, & better city-making!
From left, Doug Gordon, Sarah Goodyear, and Brent Toderian take a selfie in downtown Vancouver last fall. Doug is wearing a Seattle Kraken hat, Sarah is hatless, and Brent is wearing a Montreal Expos hat.
New episode up! We talked with planner @brenttoderian.bsky.social about how to build livable downtowns, what Vancouver does right, why developers should welcome regulation, and his brand-new venture to combat misinformation about cities, @urbantruth.bsky.social! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Image of a walkable, local coffee shop in a walkable neighbourhood, with the caption “Walkable Neighbourhoods aren’t scary, they’re convenient.” With the logo Urban Truth Collective” at the bottom. @urbantruth.bsky.social
Walkable neighbourhoods aren’t scary, they’re convenient.
#UrbanTruth
Screenshot of text from the “About Us” section of our website. “The Urban Truth Collective is a collaboration between leading practitioners with persuasive communication, marketing and branding expertise applied specifically to solving the difficult challenges of better cities. This collective was started by three people but is designed to grow with diverse perspectives and experience experiences that reflect who and what make our cities great.”
Our WEBSITE is LIVE!
“The Truth About Cities In An Age Of Disinformation.”
Read about WHO we are, WHY we started this, our PLANS to grow, and most importantly, WHAT WE’RE GOING TO BE DOING.
We hope you’ll support this work, and help us spread the word! #UrbanTruth
www.urbantruthcollective.com
“Flawed economic models mean the accelerating impact of the climate crisis could lead to a global financial crash, experts warn.
Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”.
“This would lock the world into a new and hellish “hothouse Earth” climate far worse than the 2-3C temperature rise the world is on track to reach. The climate would also be very different to the benign conditions of the past 11,000 years, during which the whole of human civilisation developed.”
Check out these urbanism accounts and help grow the great city-making community here on Bluesky! #UrbanistShoutOut
On the #seabus and the children line the windows and are excited about the view!
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
More bikes in Boston:
“The Better Bike Lanes project in the metropolitan area of #Boston has led to a substantial increase in bicycle trips and a modest decrease in the number of motor vehicles on the roads at any given time.”
Way back in 2018 I did a walking tour of Vancouver with @brenttoderian.bsky.social and he explained how that city overcame this problem. You need family-sized units & also, crucially, *good urban schools*.
“In 2023, cars and their drivers killed 8,820 American pedestrians and bicyclists — 7,314 pedestrians and 1,166 cyclists. They injured another 136,281, an increase of over 5,300 injuries from 2022.”
Via @jalopnik.bsky.social
“When families leave, cities lose far more than tax revenue; they lose their highest earners, biggest spenders, and the next generation of workers. Because Gen Z is a smaller generation… they aren’t going to fill the gap left by millennial families.”
“…the opening of the REM has vaulted Canada’s 2nd largest city from a transportation laggard to a frontrunner. It’s also provided a low-cost template of quick-to-build rapid transit that every Canadian city struggling with gridlock, long commutes and inflated transit costs can, and should, emulate.”
Bluesky is at 40 million and the urbanism community on here seems to keep growing. Here’s my updated Starter Pack of Canadian planners, architects, advocates and urbanists. Some well known faces … and some you should get to know! Give them a follow! go.bsky.app/AEYL7FZ
A global network of urbanists shaping the cities of tomorrow. From sustainability to resilience and fairness, we’re all tackling the same challenges—and we have so much to learn from each other. As climate change and other crises intensify, sharing ideas has never been more urgent.
Canadian Cities Guru Teams Up with Paris Mayor for Groundbreaking New Exhibition.
momentummag.com/from-paris-t...
I saw this happen over visits during the last 20 years. It’s amazing.
We could have nice things. Paris quickly cleaned up their air, reduced traffic jams while improving mobility and overall livability 💚
“Recent studies show that between 80% — 89% of the world’s population wants to see climate action. Members of this ‘silent majority’ come from all walks of life…’” #ClimateChange
“One of Hidalgo’s most transformative achievements has been her push to reduce car dominance in Paris, a city historically shaped by automotive culture. Since 2014, her administration has added over 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of bike lanes, making cycling a viable and safe option for commuters.”
Important piece by Brent—please check it out!
Pic of me with the book!
It’s a challenging and exciting time to be in city-building, and an important time to have these inspiring stories shared! Thank you again Melissa and Chris for such a hugely important contribution to a badly needed conversation!
And buy this book!
@modacitylife.com #UrbanismBookClub
5/end
Prioritize impact over power
NOW as I look back at my own journey and the women who inspired me, while also thinking about the people (and women specifically) I now mentor and encourage in city planning, I see these FIVE traits as absolutely key for opening doors to collaboration, learning, and achieving the best outcomes!
4/
Lead with empathy
Have a long-term vision
Value the work of care
Build alliances
My FAVOURITE take-away was their highlighting of FIVE traits that helped these women change-makers be successful:
1. Lead with empathy
2. Have a long term plan/vision
3. Emphasize an understanding of “care work” (ie. care giving and family supports)
4. Build alliances
5. Value impact over power
3/