Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
@modacitylife.com
Dutch-Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of happier, healthier, more human-scale cities.
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The wait is FINALLY over!
Our new book “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation” is NOW AVAILABLE worldwide through RIBA Publishing wherever fine books are sold.
From Paris to Bogota, from Manila to Montreal—when women lead, cities thrive: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi...
Our new book “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation” is NOW AVAILABLE worldwide through RIBA Publishing wherever fine books are sold.
From Paris to Bogota, from Manila to Montreal—when women lead, cities thrive: www.modacitylife.com/women-changi...
Seven years ago this week, our family reduced our earthly possessions to a few suitcases and swapped the peaks of Vancouver for the lowlands of Delft.
Not one of us regrets the life-changing move, as we continue to reap the rewards of a place rich in mobility choices and refreshingly short on cars.
Not one of us regrets the life-changing move, as we continue to reap the rewards of a place rich in mobility choices and refreshingly short on cars.
February 9, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Seven years ago this week, our family reduced our earthly possessions to a few suitcases and swapped the peaks of Vancouver for the lowlands of Delft.
Not one of us regrets the life-changing move, as we continue to reap the rewards of a place rich in mobility choices and refreshingly short on cars.
Not one of us regrets the life-changing move, as we continue to reap the rewards of a place rich in mobility choices and refreshingly short on cars.
When cities are built with women in mind, they become more liveable for everyone.
A fairer planning approach that promotes a universal right to access the city, and considers every aspect of human life, from infancy to elderly; not just those in the so-called productive stage.
youtu.be/uAsRoa5_jXw
A fairer planning approach that promotes a universal right to access the city, and considers every aspect of human life, from infancy to elderly; not just those in the so-called productive stage.
youtu.be/uAsRoa5_jXw
February 7, 2026 at 10:32 AM
When cities are built with women in mind, they become more liveable for everyone.
A fairer planning approach that promotes a universal right to access the city, and considers every aspect of human life, from infancy to elderly; not just those in the so-called productive stage.
youtu.be/uAsRoa5_jXw
A fairer planning approach that promotes a universal right to access the city, and considers every aspect of human life, from infancy to elderly; not just those in the so-called productive stage.
youtu.be/uAsRoa5_jXw
"Now is the time to stop thinking of nature as 'nice to have' and at the bottom of the priority list in urban infrastructure development.
We must see it as an essential aspect of providing health, well-being, and other multiple benefits to the people who will live, work and go to school in cities."
We must see it as an essential aspect of providing health, well-being, and other multiple benefits to the people who will live, work and go to school in cities."
February 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM
"Now is the time to stop thinking of nature as 'nice to have' and at the bottom of the priority list in urban infrastructure development.
We must see it as an essential aspect of providing health, well-being, and other multiple benefits to the people who will live, work and go to school in cities."
We must see it as an essential aspect of providing health, well-being, and other multiple benefits to the people who will live, work and go to school in cities."
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
In her latest book ‘Women Changing Cities’, Melissa Bruntlett explores how an auditing app is letting residents in Delhi score streets for safety, combatting violence against women and offering lessons for cities worldwide.
#ZagConnected
Read more: zagdaily.com/connected/ho...
#ZagConnected
Read more: zagdaily.com/connected/ho...
February 6, 2026 at 11:43 AM
In her latest book ‘Women Changing Cities’, Melissa Bruntlett explores how an auditing app is letting residents in Delhi score streets for safety, combatting violence against women and offering lessons for cities worldwide.
#ZagConnected
Read more: zagdaily.com/connected/ho...
#ZagConnected
Read more: zagdaily.com/connected/ho...
Feelings of unsafety profoundly impact how we all move through the city and access opportunity.
But a citizen-led app is empowering Indian women to take back their streets—auditing lighting, seating, walkability and visibility—and help planners address these problems systematically.
bit.ly/4kl5JhH
But a citizen-led app is empowering Indian women to take back their streets—auditing lighting, seating, walkability and visibility—and help planners address these problems systematically.
bit.ly/4kl5JhH
February 6, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Feelings of unsafety profoundly impact how we all move through the city and access opportunity.
But a citizen-led app is empowering Indian women to take back their streets—auditing lighting, seating, walkability and visibility—and help planners address these problems systematically.
bit.ly/4kl5JhH
But a citizen-led app is empowering Indian women to take back their streets—auditing lighting, seating, walkability and visibility—and help planners address these problems systematically.
bit.ly/4kl5JhH
What do Paris, Montreal, Barcelona and Brussels have in common?
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
February 5, 2026 at 4:34 PM
What do Paris, Montreal, Barcelona and Brussels have in common?
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
How can we ensure every person moves freely and safely through their entire journey—from first mile to last?
This introductory toolkit is a resource for designers, planners and policymakers seeking to integrate gender-inclusive mobility into their processes.
www.genderinclusivemobility.com/toolkit
This introductory toolkit is a resource for designers, planners and policymakers seeking to integrate gender-inclusive mobility into their processes.
www.genderinclusivemobility.com/toolkit
February 4, 2026 at 5:50 PM
How can we ensure every person moves freely and safely through their entire journey—from first mile to last?
This introductory toolkit is a resource for designers, planners and policymakers seeking to integrate gender-inclusive mobility into their processes.
www.genderinclusivemobility.com/toolkit
This introductory toolkit is a resource for designers, planners and policymakers seeking to integrate gender-inclusive mobility into their processes.
www.genderinclusivemobility.com/toolkit
Every great project should starts with a great story!
In January Melissa co-led a ThinkBike workshop for the @dutchcycling.nl that got participants thinking about the users of the space, what they valued, and how to best communicate with them.
Read more: modacitycreative.com/2026/02/02/s...
In January Melissa co-led a ThinkBike workshop for the @dutchcycling.nl that got participants thinking about the users of the space, what they valued, and how to best communicate with them.
Read more: modacitycreative.com/2026/02/02/s...
February 2, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Every great project should starts with a great story!
In January Melissa co-led a ThinkBike workshop for the @dutchcycling.nl that got participants thinking about the users of the space, what they valued, and how to best communicate with them.
Read more: modacitycreative.com/2026/02/02/s...
In January Melissa co-led a ThinkBike workshop for the @dutchcycling.nl that got participants thinking about the users of the space, what they valued, and how to best communicate with them.
Read more: modacitycreative.com/2026/02/02/s...
READ MORE in this comprehensive post from @bicycledutch.bsky.social: bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2025/09/17/r...
Reinventing Utrecht’s Amsterdamsestraatweg: From Imperial Route to Liveable Street
On the last day of August the reconstruction of Utrecht’s Amsterdamsestraatweg was completed. With the final layer of red asphalt applied to the cycle tracks, the municipality closed a project that…
bicycledutch.wordpress.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
READ MORE in this comprehensive post from @bicycledutch.bsky.social: bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2025/09/17/r...
The Amsterdamsestraatweg now feels less like a shortcut and more like a destination: cooler, calmer, and designed for people rather than throughput. Shaped by the same thinking that put Utrecht on the global cycling map, it marks a careful but confident first step in a push toward a low-car future.🔚
February 2, 2026 at 3:33 PM
The Amsterdamsestraatweg now feels less like a shortcut and more like a destination: cooler, calmer, and designed for people rather than throughput. Shaped by the same thinking that put Utrecht on the global cycling map, it marks a careful but confident first step in a push toward a low-car future.🔚
Not all plans were realised: the street has not yet been turned into a full 'fietsstraat' because daily car flows remain too high. However, this layout was designed with future adaptability in mind, so a transition to a cycle-priority corridor can be made with modest interventions when volumes fall.
February 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Not all plans were realised: the street has not yet been turned into a full 'fietsstraat' because daily car flows remain too high. However, this layout was designed with future adaptability in mind, so a transition to a cycle-priority corridor can be made with modest interventions when volumes fall.
Sidewalks were expanded and repaved, clutter from lighting posts removed, and crossing points reconfigured with raised surfaces and refuge islands to calm traffic and improve access for wheel- and push-chairs. A 30 km/h limit is intended to reduce speed without entirely eliminating vehicular access.
February 2, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Sidewalks were expanded and repaved, clutter from lighting posts removed, and crossing points reconfigured with raised surfaces and refuge islands to calm traffic and improve access for wheel- and push-chairs. A 30 km/h limit is intended to reduce speed without entirely eliminating vehicular access.
Over 30,000 m² of surface was renewed to ensure longevity, including upgrades to 4.4 km of pipes and cables. The cycle tracks were widened to 2.5 m and surfaced with smooth red asphalt, creating comfortable passing space and improved safety for 20,000 daily cyclists. Bike parking grew to 688 spaces.
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Over 30,000 m² of surface was renewed to ensure longevity, including upgrades to 4.4 km of pipes and cables. The cycle tracks were widened to 2.5 m and surfaced with smooth red asphalt, creating comfortable passing space and improved safety for 20,000 daily cyclists. Bike parking grew to 688 spaces.
Utrecht’s municipal plan—developed over several years with input from stakeholders, business owners, disability and cycling advocates—set out a broad set of goals: elevate spatial quality, enhance safety, slow traffic to 30 km/h, add greenery, support climate resilience and boost commercial success.
February 2, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Utrecht’s municipal plan—developed over several years with input from stakeholders, business owners, disability and cycling advocates—set out a broad set of goals: elevate spatial quality, enhance safety, slow traffic to 30 km/h, add greenery, support climate resilience and boost commercial success.
Once dominated by motor traffic, the street carried heavy volumes of cars at 50 km/h, contributing little to public life and offering cyclists only painted lanes until the 2000s. Since then, incremental improvements had been made, but residents and planners argued a comprehensive rethink was needed.
February 2, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Once dominated by motor traffic, the street carried heavy volumes of cars at 50 km/h, contributing little to public life and offering cyclists only painted lanes until the 2000s. Since then, incremental improvements had been made, but residents and planners argued a comprehensive rethink was needed.
After fifteen months of intensive reconstruction, the historic Amsterdamsestraatweg in Utrecht has emerged as a markedly greener, safer and more inviting urban thoroughfare—a physical testament to the city’s evolving transport priorities and ambitions for liveability, safety, and economic vitality.🧵
February 2, 2026 at 3:27 PM
After fifteen months of intensive reconstruction, the historic Amsterdamsestraatweg in Utrecht has emerged as a markedly greener, safer and more inviting urban thoroughfare—a physical testament to the city’s evolving transport priorities and ambitions for liveability, safety, and economic vitality.🧵
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
De Fietsersbond verwelkomt elk jaar veel nieuwe leden. We organiseren daarom een kennismakingsbijeenkomst; dit jaar op woensdagavond 11 februari. Ook leden en mensen die overwegen lid te worden zijn van harte welkom. Dit jaar is Melissa Bruntlett @modacitylife.com te gast! #denhaagfietst
Kennismakingsbijeenkomst met Melissa Bruntlett – Fietsersbond Haagse regio
De Fietsersbond verwelkomt elk jaar veel (véél) nieuwe leden. We organiseren daarom jaarlijks een kennismakingsbijeenkomst; dit jaar op woensdagavond 11...
haagseregio.fietsersbond.nl
February 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
De Fietsersbond verwelkomt elk jaar veel nieuwe leden. We organiseren daarom een kennismakingsbijeenkomst; dit jaar op woensdagavond 11 februari. Ook leden en mensen die overwegen lid te worden zijn van harte welkom. Dit jaar is Melissa Bruntlett @modacitylife.com te gast! #denhaagfietst
In this talk, we explore how designing cities around people—not just cars—can create more inclusive, connected and vibrant communities.
We highlight how thoughtful transport planning and public spaces foster empathy, accessibility and sustainability for all ages and abilities.
youtu.be/NRd94n2I6Mc
We highlight how thoughtful transport planning and public spaces foster empathy, accessibility and sustainability for all ages and abilities.
youtu.be/NRd94n2I6Mc
January 31, 2026 at 1:06 PM
In this talk, we explore how designing cities around people—not just cars—can create more inclusive, connected and vibrant communities.
We highlight how thoughtful transport planning and public spaces foster empathy, accessibility and sustainability for all ages and abilities.
youtu.be/NRd94n2I6Mc
We highlight how thoughtful transport planning and public spaces foster empathy, accessibility and sustainability for all ages and abilities.
youtu.be/NRd94n2I6Mc
Delft Station's renovation enhances the seamless integration of cycling and train travel at one of the country’s busiest parking hubs. More than anything, it embodies a cultural commitment to emphasise the user experience, prioritise maintenance, and continually refine the design of infrastructure.🔚
January 30, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Delft Station's renovation enhances the seamless integration of cycling and train travel at one of the country’s busiest parking hubs. More than anything, it embodies a cultural commitment to emphasise the user experience, prioritise maintenance, and continually refine the design of infrastructure.🔚
Rather than closing the facility entirely, work was divided into four phases over three months, ensuring three-quarters of the parking spaces remained available throughout most of the renovation—a vital concession in a city where alternative bike parking spots are often full, especially on weekends.
January 30, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Rather than closing the facility entirely, work was divided into four phases over three months, ensuring three-quarters of the parking spaces remained available throughout most of the renovation—a vital concession in a city where alternative bike parking spots are often full, especially on weekends.
The result now reflects all nine principles of station parking from Dutch Railways: 1. Proximity to platform, 2. Always open spaces, 3. Secure and socially safe, 4. Good movement and flow, 5. Comfort and ease of use, 6. Always free of charge, 7. Sheltered from elements, and 8. Sustainable materials.
January 30, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The result now reflects all nine principles of station parking from Dutch Railways: 1. Proximity to platform, 2. Always open spaces, 3. Secure and socially safe, 4. Good movement and flow, 5. Comfort and ease of use, 6. Always free of charge, 7. Sheltered from elements, and 8. Sustainable materials.
Worn-out racks were replaced, with new spaces added for bikes with crates, child seats, and cargo. The drab floors and walls received a fresh coat of paint, while energy-efficient LED lighting was installed. Wayfinding was improved, and the digital signage showing available spaces was fully updated.
January 30, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Worn-out racks were replaced, with new spaces added for bikes with crates, child seats, and cargo. The drab floors and walls received a fresh coat of paint, while energy-efficient LED lighting was installed. Wayfinding was improved, and the digital signage showing available spaces was fully updated.
A reminder the work of a cycling city is never "done": after a decade of intensive usage, the bike parking facility beneath Delft Station has been thoughtfully renewed. All 5,000 spaces were replaced, and the building reimagined to reflect the latest insights and best practices from Dutch Railways.🧵
January 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM
A reminder the work of a cycling city is never "done": after a decade of intensive usage, the bike parking facility beneath Delft Station has been thoughtfully renewed. All 5,000 spaces were replaced, and the building reimagined to reflect the latest insights and best practices from Dutch Railways.🧵
Reposted by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
NEW BONUS EPISODE: We shared the stage with @modacitylife.com to talk about their new book, "Women Changing Cities." Why are so many of the cities that are doing the most to reclaim space from the automobile led by women?
Become a Patreon supporter for full access:
www.patreon.com/posts/149174...
Become a Patreon supporter for full access:
www.patreon.com/posts/149174...
January 27, 2026 at 3:04 PM
NEW BONUS EPISODE: We shared the stage with @modacitylife.com to talk about their new book, "Women Changing Cities." Why are so many of the cities that are doing the most to reclaim space from the automobile led by women?
Become a Patreon supporter for full access:
www.patreon.com/posts/149174...
Become a Patreon supporter for full access:
www.patreon.com/posts/149174...
Traffic jams, unsafe streets, growing inequity, cities built around cars instead of people... ➡️ It’s time for change!
On Tuesday 3 February, we’ll be hosting an event at Amsterdam’s Pakhuis de Zwijger to talk about our book 'Women Changing Cities'.
🎟️ Free entry, reserve your spot: lnkd.in/eJRpjuhv
On Tuesday 3 February, we’ll be hosting an event at Amsterdam’s Pakhuis de Zwijger to talk about our book 'Women Changing Cities'.
🎟️ Free entry, reserve your spot: lnkd.in/eJRpjuhv
January 26, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Traffic jams, unsafe streets, growing inequity, cities built around cars instead of people... ➡️ It’s time for change!
On Tuesday 3 February, we’ll be hosting an event at Amsterdam’s Pakhuis de Zwijger to talk about our book 'Women Changing Cities'.
🎟️ Free entry, reserve your spot: lnkd.in/eJRpjuhv
On Tuesday 3 February, we’ll be hosting an event at Amsterdam’s Pakhuis de Zwijger to talk about our book 'Women Changing Cities'.
🎟️ Free entry, reserve your spot: lnkd.in/eJRpjuhv