Episode 23: How the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto is Making Toronto's Streets Safer for All with Lanrick Bennett Jr. (Co-Hosts: Joycelyn Guan & Erin Asaba)

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's first Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond.

In this episode, we discuss crucial topics such as Vision Zero and efforts to reduce vehicular-related fatalities in Toronto. We delve into designing inclusive cycling infrastructure and offer advice for those looking to cycle in the city and who want to get involved in making their streets safer for all.

Key insights from the episode include:

• Understanding the significance of inclusive cycling infrastructure
• Exploring how Shaw St has evolved into Toronto's cycling haven
• The importance of political will in creating safer streets
• Ways to actively contribute to advocating for safer streets in your community
• Insights from international transit advocates on Toronto's cycling infrastructure
• What it takes to ensure safer streets for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike
• The global network of Bicycle Mayors and their impact on urban development

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You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Lanrick Bennett Jr., Bicycle Mayor of Toronto + Charlie's Freewheels

Lanrick Bennett Jr is currently the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. His previous work has kept him within the active transportation, urban design, and placemaking sphere. His city advocacy work started with his son traveling to all 100 libraries by public transit. He volunteers with the Bike Brigade and HousingNowTO and has been Toronto’s first Bicycle Mayor since 2021.

• Website:  www.charliesfreewheels.ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanrickbennettjr/

Co-Host: Joycelyn Guan, Urban Planner

Joycelyn is an urban planner passionate about collaborating with others to develop equitable, accessible and inclusive neighbourhoods and cities. They are interested in connecting people through community economic development, parks and recreation, and sports and sports infrastructure.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycelyn-guan-a4a074227/

Co-Host: Erin Asaba, Aspiring Urban Planner

Timestamps

• 01:55 | Introduction to Joycelyn  
• 04:47 | Introduction to Lanrick and how he was selected as Toronto’s first Bicycle Mayor 
• 08:31 | What is BYCS?
• 14:49 | Why do you cycle?
• 22:57 | How do we design inclusive cycling infrastructure so that it benefits our cities and communities (and integrated into the broader mobility/transportation network)?
• 29:18 | Alexandra's cycling story
• 33:17 | Paint a picture for us of what the cycling landscape is like in Toronto? How does Toronto’s cycling infrastructure compare to other cities around the world, and what can we learn from these comparisons?
• 45:24 | About Charlie's FreeWheels: The origins, their build-a-bike program, and the impact they have on youth
• 51:45 | Advice for those who want to cycle in Toronto?
• 54:38 | How to advocate for better cycling safety in the city
• 57:38 | What's next for Lanrick now that his term is over?
• 59:04 | His work leading Kidical Mass Rides and East End for All
• 1:04:46 | Key takeaways from Joycelyn and Alexandra
  

Show Notes

• Andy Costa | My Dream for Africa Foundation
• 880 Cities
• BYCS
• Charlie's FreeWheels
• Charlie's FreeWheels Build-A-Bike Program
• Vision Zero Road Safety Plan
• Vision Zero 2.0 - Road Safety Plan Update
• War on Cars Podcast
• Becky Katz, Manager of Cycling and Pedestrian Projects at the City of Toronto
• City of Toronto's Transportation Services
• Evergreen
• Kidical Mass Rides
• East End for All
• Cycle Toronto
• Ya Bikes!
• Infrastructure Institute
• Zoë Bennett’s Deputation to City Council

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. 

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

• Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
• Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please send me an email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, teacher, telemarketer, tree planter... and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! 

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop

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Urban Limitrophe Featured in STEPS Public Art's Fieldnotes

I'm excited to share that Urban Limitrophe has been highlighted in STEPS Public Art's Fieldnotes blog series 5 Public Art Podcasts to Keep You Inspired! 

Here's an excerpt: 

"We put together a list of podcast episodes from across Canada that will change the way you think about public art. Dive into the lost history of a plaza in Toronto, join a bike tour through Winnipeg’s growing Indigenous public art collection, or tune into a question-and-answer period to get behind-the-scenes in a professional public art installation process. Hear from artists, thought leaders, and public art experts in these specially selected podcasts to spark your creativity."

The excerpt shared here is just a glimpse of what's to come! To uncover the full story and explore other recommended podcasts, please click here.

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Urban Limitrophe Featured in Coquitlam Heritage Exhibition

Thrilled to have Urban Limitrophe featured in Coquitlam Heritage's Intersectionality and Urban Spaces exhibition available up until November 30th at Coquitlam Public Library (City Centre Branch)!

"The exhibit encourages the viewer to consider the ways in which the city can shape and be shaped by us, how people experience it, and the history of how it all came to be."

Visitors will "Learn about the history of segregation in North American cities, and how it has affected different racial groups’ ability to access appropriate housing, learn about ‘hostile architecture’ and how it can be disguised into the mundane environment, learn about the history of public transit in Coquitlam and the Lower Mainland and more"

To learn more about the exhibit please click here.

A sneak peek of exhibition content!

Thanks to Markus Fahrner and the team at Coquitlam Heritage for providing an opportunity to showcase Urban Limitrophe and expose the work of so many of the podcast's guests to new audiences!

 
Make sure to check it out while it's still available and follow Coquitlam Heritage for upcoming exhibitions: www.coquitlamheritage.ca/

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Episode 22: Artistry Beyond Borders: Exploring the Power of Public Art in Toronto with Destinie Adélakun [VIDEO]

Public art plays a big role in bringing our favourite city streets and neighbourhoods to life.

Join me as I chat with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Blanche, her work bridging mental wellness and public art as part of the Scarborough-based Behind the Art Collective, and the crucial role that public art plays in shaping the identity of our cities. 

Watch

Make sure to please link, comment, and share the episode! Don't forget to subscribe and press the notification bell to stay in the loop for upcoming video content. 

Guest: Destinie Adélakun, Behind the Art Collective

Destinie Adélakun is a daughter of the diaspora hailing from the ocean groves of West Africa and South Asia. The award-winning artist aims to celebrate the Black and Brown identities of the diaspora using photographs, paintings, sculpture, film and digital media. Destinie’s work is driven by her personal values and experiences — themes of pre-colonial history, social justice, ancestry and belonging are vital in her work.  Destinie has been awarded the Canadian Women Artist of the Year Award 2020 by New York Foundation for the Arts. 

• Website:  www.destinieadelakun.com/ 
• Instagram: @destinieadelakun

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities, the Department of Geography and Planning, and GlowReel

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. 

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Glowreel is dedicated to amplifying and elevating women of colour founders and community leaders in business, tech, and beyond! To subscribe to the free newsletter please visit www.glowreel.co/

Production

• Videographer and Editor: Lowel Alomar (www.artoflowel.com/)
• Location: Thank you to the Clark Centre for the Arts in Scarborough for hosting our discussion

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please send me an email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, teacher, tennis instructor, tax accountant... and leave a review! 

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop

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Introducing the Urban Limitrophe YouTube Channel!

We've got some thrilling updates to share with you. The Urban Limitrophe podcast has just taken a giant leap into the world of visuals with the launch of our very own YouTube channel! 

Subscribe to Urban Limitrophe on YouTube

Are you ready to embark on a visual journey with us? Our podcast has been all about exploring the fascinating dynamics of urban planning, African cities, and innovative ideas shaping our urban landscapes. Now, with our YouTube channel, we're taking this experience to a whole new level!

Click here to subscribe to @urbanlimitrophe on YouTube!

What to Expect on Our YouTube Channel:

Get ready for immersive visual content that delves deep into the heart of urban planning, African cities and diasporic communities, and the stories that shape them. From captivating interviews with experts in the field to on-site explorations of urban initiatives, we're here to paint the vibrant tapestry of our cities.

Watch the Trailer

Upcoming Highlights 

The YouTube channel will feature in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the podcasting journey, on-the-ground tours of urban projects, and much more. Sharing all these moments via film allows us to delve deeper into the stories that matter most.

Join us on this exciting new adventure by hitting that subscribe button and ringing the notification bell! Be the first to catch upcoming videos and get involved in the conversation.

Stay Connected

If you're not already following the podcast on social media, now's the perfect time to do so! Connect with Urban Limitrophe on Instagram and Twitter for regular updates, sneak peeks, and engaging discussions about all things urban.

Thank you for your incredible support on this journey. I can't wait to [visually] explore the world of urban planning, African cities, and innovative ideas with you on our new YouTube channel!

P.S. Stay tuned for the first YouTube video dropping soon – you won't want to miss it! Subscribe now and be part of the Urban Limitrophe community

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Episode 21: How the Charter Cities Institute Promotes Inclusive and Adaptable Planning for Sustainable New Cities

Join me in this captivating episode of the podcast as I have an insightful conversation with Heba Elhanafy, an urban researcher from the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia. Together, we explore the fascinating world of charter city development and dive deep into the Planning Guidelines Report titled "Guided Organic Growth: An urban planning framework for charter cities." 

Discover the recommendations outlined in the report on how to enhance City Development, Urban Planning, and Mobility in new cities. Learn how taking a flexible and adaptable approach, in collaboration with communities, can lead to more inclusive outcomes for citizens and foster a holistic approach to city building.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What are charter cities and why promoting good governance is at the heart of making them work
• The benefits of taking an incremental approach to infrastructure development for more affordability and efficiency 
• The importance of adapting urban policies and plans to the evolving needs of citizens
• And much more!

Powered by RedCircle

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Heba Elhanafy, CCI Zambia

Heba is an urban planner and researcher. Her research interests lie in human settlements, culture, heritage, community, and new city development. Heba has been working as an urban researcher at the Charter Cities Insitute for two years. 

• Website:  www.chartercitiesinstitute.org
• Twitter: @hebaelhanafi
• Instagram: @hebaelhanafy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-elhanafy-918691a0

Timestamps

• 03:19 | Introduction to Heba and her work
• 04:47 | About the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) and its approach to urban development (.e. the Charter City Model)
• 07:02 | What are Charter Cities and why is good governance so important?
• 11:08 | Can you walk us through the planning guidelines report?
• 16:09 | Can you explain more about the Guided Organic Growth Paradigm and why it is important for urban planners to keep in mind?
• 24:58 | What are some key takeaways from the report that readers should keep in mind moving forward?
• 27:20 | Do you have any insight to ensure urban planning remains flexible and remains a dynamic process?
• 30:19 | In general, what can urban planners do to ensure that when making charter cities, the voices of the community are included and people don’t get left behind?
• 29:23 | Can you tell us what’s next for your research or the work that you’re up to?
• 33:32 | How can people get involved with CCI (i.e. their co-authorship program, etc.)
  

Show Notes

• Planning Guidelines - Guided Organic Growth: An Urban Planning Framework for Charter Cities
• Charter Cities Institute

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. 

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

• Editor and Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
• Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please send me an email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, social worker, software engineer, ski instructor... and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! 

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop

Read more »

Episode 20: How Ushahidi is Using Crowdsourcing to Help Community Disaster Response and Recovery

In this episode, I chat with Angela Oduor Lungati, the CEO of Ushahidi. Ushahdi is a mobile platform dubbed “Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley” by the New York Times. Born out of a crisis, the open-source software enables virtually anyone with a cellphone or internet connection to efficiently crowdsource information, map it and share it with those the most in need and guide those who can provide aid. Ushahidi is a powerful planning and decision-making tool for communities and cities in the midst of an emergency and has been used by groups worldwide to track everything from COVID-19 recovery to police brutality and everything in between. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• how Ushahidi has been leveraged by communities and governments worldwide, 
• how to keep communities at the center of innovation, 
• and much more!

Powered by RedCircle

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Angela Oduor Lungati, Ushahidi

Angela is a technologist, community builder and open-source software advocate who is passionate about building and using appropriate technology tools to impact the lives of marginalised groups. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Ushahidi, a global non-profit technology company that helps communities quickly collect and share information that enables them to raise voices, inform decisions and influence change. She’s also a co-founder of AkiraChix, and serves on the Board of Directors of Creative Commons.

• Website:  www.ushahidi.com
• Twitter: @AngieNicoleOD | @Ushahidi
• Instagram: @Ushahidi
• Donate: give.ushahidi.com

Timestamps

• 5:17 | Can you walk me through the process of using the platform?
• 8:32 | Who are the typical users of Ushahidi actually creating the deployments vs the people using it?
• 9:47 | How does Ushahidi make the software accessible to both those collecting the data and those viewing the final maps?
• 12:58 | What have been some of the challenges of getting communities to actually use the platform and take part in this crowd-sourcing process?
• 16:44 | Can you share some examples of projects that have been created by Ushahidi that you find particularly noteworthy?
• 22:54 | Why is crowd-sourcing data important for city builders?
• 24:47 | What do you think city-builders should consider in ensuring that the smart cities of today don’t leave anyone behind?
• 26:56 | What kind of policies or partnerships do you think cities/ governments can provide to organizations like yourself to expand the reach of your work?
• 28:47 | What's next for Ushahidi?
• 30:52 | How can people support the work that you’re doing?

Show Notes

• Frena La Curva: Connecting Spanish Speakers With Critical Resources Around Them

Sources

• Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley: How to Track a Crisis
• Ushahidi

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. 

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

• Editor and Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
• Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please send me an email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, racecar driver, rapper, radio host... and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! 

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop

Read more »