TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
@toderianuw.bsky.social
TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW) is a Vancouver-based national and international city planning/design, mobility and "advanced urbanism" consultancy led by @BrentToderian.bsky.social.
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NEW: “Canadian urbanist @brenttoderian.bsky.social teamed up with the city of Paris and, in particular, its mayor, @annehidalgo.bsky.social on a new exhibition that shines a light on cities and global climate action.”
Thanks very much @momentummag.bsky.social for the great questions! #Paris
Thanks very much @momentummag.bsky.social for the great questions! #Paris
“I think Paris is uniquely positioned to celebrate bold action from cities all over the world. Because in my observation Paris, and Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social, have been the most inspiring in the world over the last 10 years, really exemplifying those key words ‘further and faster.’” — BT
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
I recommend following (and sharing) the starter packs from my friend @brenttoderian.bsky.social, an international expert in urban planning for life, people and wellbeing.
All of his posts and recommendations are also worth reading and sharing.
And don't hesitate to continue to follow him, too!!
All of his posts and recommendations are also worth reading and sharing.
And don't hesitate to continue to follow him, too!!
I don’t know how many people join Bluesky each day, but my sense is that more & more people are discovering the outstanding community/conversation here (best on social media) about better cities. I still think STARTER PACKS are a superpower. I’ve made many, but here’s my first again. Please share.
February 11, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I recommend following (and sharing) the starter packs from my friend @brenttoderian.bsky.social, an international expert in urban planning for life, people and wellbeing.
All of his posts and recommendations are also worth reading and sharing.
And don't hesitate to continue to follow him, too!!
All of his posts and recommendations are also worth reading and sharing.
And don't hesitate to continue to follow him, too!!
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
If you want to help make cities better, listen to this interview with Brent Toderian (@brenttoderian.bsky.social).
Not only is he a veteran city planner, he’s got his head on straight about communication, advocacy, and making critical change happen effectively.
Not only is he a veteran city planner, he’s got his head on straight about communication, advocacy, and making critical change happen effectively.
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!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:03 PM
If you want to help make cities better, listen to this interview with Brent Toderian (@brenttoderian.bsky.social).
Not only is he a veteran city planner, he’s got his head on straight about communication, advocacy, and making critical change happen effectively.
Not only is he a veteran city planner, he’s got his head on straight about communication, advocacy, and making critical change happen effectively.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
We're offering a free workshop for @dnv.org family programs, all about getting around the city with little kids, without a personal car. Please spread the word and check out the link below for booking info ⬇️
Buses, Bicycles, Babies
Buses, Bicycles, Babies! Tips on Sustainable Transportation with Little Kids – workshop series.
visionzerovancouver.ca
February 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
We're offering a free workshop for @dnv.org family programs, all about getting around the city with little kids, without a personal car. Please spread the word and check out the link below for booking info ⬇️
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
This day was unreal - the energy downtown was the most jubilant and joyful I've ever seen Vancouver. And the winning game happened on my birthday, so it was easy to pretend the party was for me 😄
Final day of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Gold Medal Men’s Hockey game, overtime after Team USA tied it with 24 seconds left.
Iginla makes perfect pass, Crosby scores the Golden Goal. Canada wins final Gold Medal of the Games, breaks the record for host city Golds.
Vancouver goes Berserk.
Gold Medal Men’s Hockey game, overtime after Team USA tied it with 24 seconds left.
Iginla makes perfect pass, Crosby scores the Golden Goal. Canada wins final Gold Medal of the Games, breaks the record for host city Golds.
Vancouver goes Berserk.
February 8, 2026 at 4:49 AM
This day was unreal - the energy downtown was the most jubilant and joyful I've ever seen Vancouver. And the winning game happened on my birthday, so it was easy to pretend the party was for me 😄
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Wish we could do this in America.
If we also banned gas stations from posting prices on giant signs visible to speeding drivers on the street, then maybe our politics wouldn't revolve around lowering gas prices?
If we also banned gas stations from posting prices on giant signs visible to speeding drivers on the street, then maybe our politics wouldn't revolve around lowering gas prices?
“Amsterdam is set to ban climate-damaging advertising [fossil fuel and meat adverts] in public spaces, following a trend spreading across Dutch cities.
France has also enacted legislation outlawing adverts from non-renewable energy companies, and one Italian city has plans to do the same.”
France has also enacted legislation outlawing adverts from non-renewable energy companies, and one Italian city has plans to do the same.”
The European city banning all fossil fuel and meat adverts in public
Amsterdam initially proposed the move in 2020, becoming the first city in the world to do so.
www.euronews.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Wish we could do this in America.
If we also banned gas stations from posting prices on giant signs visible to speeding drivers on the street, then maybe our politics wouldn't revolve around lowering gas prices?
If we also banned gas stations from posting prices on giant signs visible to speeding drivers on the street, then maybe our politics wouldn't revolve around lowering gas prices?
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Yes! Being unbiased in your analysis is vital, but being neutral about your findings is inhuman, and a tradition born of political (even courtly) expedience!
“Scientists should stop trying to be neutral and instead embrace their values,”says a group of top climate scientists, including @katharinehayhoe.com. The neutrality myth is harming the reputation of science right when we need it most.” #ClimateCrisis
Science isn’t neutral. It’s science.
Science isn’t neutral. It’s science.
Prominent climate scientist argues it's time to ditch the 'myth of neutrality' | CBC Radio
Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe talks to Bob McDonald about the polarization of science and why she thinks scientists should stop pretending to be neutral when it's our planet at risk.
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Yes! Being unbiased in your analysis is vital, but being neutral about your findings is inhuman, and a tradition born of political (even courtly) expedience!
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
"Just because this shouldn’t be a surprise to ANYONE, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be absolutely outraged about this" needs to go on a shirt.
Just because this shouldn’t be a surprise to ANYONE, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be absolutely outraged about this, & shouldn’t tolerate it for a second. We have to stop confusing the complete predictability of their evil and corruption as some weird form of futile acceptance. Too many are doing that.
Now we learn from Reps of both parties who saw the unredacted Epstein files today that Trump, Bondi, & Blanche are covering up the absolute worst things in the Epstein files to protect the wealthy, powerful and politically connected. DOJ is being run by criminal co-conspirators.
February 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"Just because this shouldn’t be a surprise to ANYONE, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be absolutely outraged about this" needs to go on a shirt.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
This is about that guy who is a "keen cyclist" who writes in to every consultation about new cycle lanes saying "I don't need it, so you don't." And is personally responsible for people dying and kids getting driven to school because cycling is too dangerous.
February 11, 2026 at 2:43 PM
This is about that guy who is a "keen cyclist" who writes in to every consultation about new cycle lanes saying "I don't need it, so you don't." And is personally responsible for people dying and kids getting driven to school because cycling is too dangerous.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Really enjoyed this interview!
Brent's attitude is too rare. Made me think of Alexandria's Zoning for Housing plan, and how it felt like city staff proposed something that already compromised on every level with anticipated NIMBY pushback. And the city still got sued! Wish staff had been bolder.
Brent's attitude is too rare. Made me think of Alexandria's Zoning for Housing plan, and how it felt like city staff proposed something that already compromised on every level with anticipated NIMBY pushback. And the city still got sued! Wish staff had been bolder.
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!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Really enjoyed this interview!
Brent's attitude is too rare. Made me think of Alexandria's Zoning for Housing plan, and how it felt like city staff proposed something that already compromised on every level with anticipated NIMBY pushback. And the city still got sued! Wish staff had been bolder.
Brent's attitude is too rare. Made me think of Alexandria's Zoning for Housing plan, and how it felt like city staff proposed something that already compromised on every level with anticipated NIMBY pushback. And the city still got sued! Wish staff had been bolder.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Getting ahead of your opposition by stating all of the discussion points - from both sides - so that your opposition has nothing to add... is a fascinating technique.
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!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Getting ahead of your opposition by stating all of the discussion points - from both sides - so that your opposition has nothing to add... is a fascinating technique.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
If you widen that highway
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
February 10, 2026 at 3:55 AM
If you widen that highway
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Langford is a finalist in the Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of Excellence. Times have changed!
#urbanism #yyj
#urbanism #yyj
BIG NEWS! Our new city-wide Plan for Langford, BC is a FINALIST for the Canadian Institute of Planners AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE!
I love the message this recognition sends— you don’t need a big city & a big budget to create cutting-edge planning for a better city. We showed a better way in a small city.
I love the message this recognition sends— you don’t need a big city & a big budget to create cutting-edge planning for a better city. We showed a better way in a small city.
February 7, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Fantastic discussion, two guys the world needs to hear about how to make cities better. Great listening: they don’t mince any words.
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!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Fantastic discussion, two guys the world needs to hear about how to make cities better. Great listening: they don’t mince any words.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Very sad day in BC. The world doesn’t need more tragedy and more dead children.
Oh my God. 10 dead in a high school mass shooting (7 killed inside the school) in the small community of Tumbler Ridge in north-eastern British Columbia today. One of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history. This is an unthinkable nightmare that isn’t supposed to happen here. Or ANYWHERE.
10 dead, including suspect, in mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. | CBC
www.cbc.ca
February 11, 2026 at 5:47 AM
Very sad day in BC. The world doesn’t need more tragedy and more dead children.
If you haven’t LISTENED to this yet & you care about how to ACTUALLY make cities better, this might be the truth-telling interview you’ve been waiting for. Jason from #NotJustBikes interviews @brenttoderian.bsky.social & boy do they get real and go deep on what works AND DOESN’T WORK.
Please share.
Please share.
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:56 AM
If you haven’t LISTENED to this yet & you care about how to ACTUALLY make cities better, this might be the truth-telling interview you’ve been waiting for. Jason from #NotJustBikes interviews @brenttoderian.bsky.social & boy do they get real and go deep on what works AND DOESN’T WORK.
Please share.
Please share.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - don’t or won’t get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
If you widen that highway
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
February 10, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - don’t or won’t get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Vancouver lags in building bike routes. This is the problem.
OMG, how I love Canada.
OMG, how I love Canada.
“The study, which mapped changes in both size & quality of bike infrastructure in Canadian cities, found Vancouver’s network grew by less than 1% between 2022-2024, the 2nd-lowest rate of any large Canadian city.”
Remember, cities with less can increase the % easier.
Still, poor leadership lately.
Remember, cities with less can increase the % easier.
Still, poor leadership lately.
Vancouver falling behind other Canadian cities in building bike routes
An SFU study found that recent developments in Vancouver’s bike network lags other big cities.
vancouversun.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Vancouver lags in building bike routes. This is the problem.
OMG, how I love Canada.
OMG, how I love Canada.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
the thing about traffic congestion is that it doesn’t cost money to solve it, but rather the opposite: solving it with congestion pricing *raises* money
that’s because a critical mass of car trips are very low value and it’s essentially a coordination problem to get them off the road at scale
that’s because a critical mass of car trips are very low value and it’s essentially a coordination problem to get them off the road at scale
This is still one of my favourite videos ever, perfectly explaining the staggering amount of public money that’s going into NOT solving traffic congestion.
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit."
Jevon’s Paradox via Australia’s great show “Utopia.” Please share!
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit."
Jevon’s Paradox via Australia’s great show “Utopia.” Please share!
How to Fix Traffic Congestion In Australia | Utopia
YouTube video by Working Dog Productions
youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:55 AM
the thing about traffic congestion is that it doesn’t cost money to solve it, but rather the opposite: solving it with congestion pricing *raises* money
that’s because a critical mass of car trips are very low value and it’s essentially a coordination problem to get them off the road at scale
that’s because a critical mass of car trips are very low value and it’s essentially a coordination problem to get them off the road at scale
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
In almost every way, Vancouver’s Games were the opposite to Beijing’s, certainly in the budgets involved - but if Beijing’s goal was national reputation and identity-building, Vancouver’s Games did that in spades, without a single piece of iconic starchitecture.” My article in @opinion.bloomberg.com
What Vancouver Gained By Hosting the Olympics
The Games have a lot of naysayers. But Vancouver's former planning chief says the 2010 games made his city stronger.
www.bloomberg.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:10 PM
In almost every way, Vancouver’s Games were the opposite to Beijing’s, certainly in the budgets involved - but if Beijing’s goal was national reputation and identity-building, Vancouver’s Games did that in spades, without a single piece of iconic starchitecture.” My article in @opinion.bloomberg.com
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Langford’s Official Community Plan has been shortlisted for the 2026 CIP Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence!
This plan felt pretty special when it was adopted and it’s amazing to see it amongst some inspiring projects. Thank you @brenttoderian.bsky.social for work on this!
This plan felt pretty special when it was adopted and it’s amazing to see it amongst some inspiring projects. Thank you @brenttoderian.bsky.social for work on this!
CITY OF LANGFORD’S OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN NAMED FINALIST FOR CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS AWARD - City of Langford
(Langford, B.C.) – The City of Langford is pleased to announce that its new Official Community Plan (OCP) has been shortlisted as a finalist for a 2026 Award of Excellence by the Canadian Institute of...
langford.ca
February 7, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Langford’s Official Community Plan has been shortlisted for the 2026 CIP Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence!
This plan felt pretty special when it was adopted and it’s amazing to see it amongst some inspiring projects. Thank you @brenttoderian.bsky.social for work on this!
This plan felt pretty special when it was adopted and it’s amazing to see it amongst some inspiring projects. Thank you @brenttoderian.bsky.social for work on this!
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Good thread! It’s sad that it can be both true that you can make people’s lives significantly better and save taxpayer dollars and that this program can be canceled because of, well, ideology.
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back to a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me
In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.
thebetter.news
February 8, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Good thread! It’s sad that it can be both true that you can make people’s lives significantly better and save taxpayer dollars and that this program can be canceled because of, well, ideology.
“Sometimes I think we do ourselves a disservice by calling such options ‘bold’ when frankly they’re just common sense given the real challenges cities face. The truth is, we tend to think of them as bold because not enough cities are doing them, even though they should.” — @brenttoderian.bsky.social
NEW: “Canadian urbanist @brenttoderian.bsky.social teamed up with the city of Paris and, in particular, its mayor, @annehidalgo.bsky.social on a new exhibition that shines a light on cities and global climate action.”
Thanks very much @momentummag.bsky.social for the great questions! #Paris
Thanks very much @momentummag.bsky.social for the great questions! #Paris
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
“Sometimes I think we do ourselves a disservice by calling such options ‘bold’ when frankly they’re just common sense given the real challenges cities face. The truth is, we tend to think of them as bold because not enough cities are doing them, even though they should.” — @brenttoderian.bsky.social
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
One last thing—for the Cauldron design, we wanted a walkway added underneath so people could feel more connected, take better pics etc. The organizing committee was worried about vandalism and wouldn’t budge. So I pushed for that triangular “indent” you can see.
Families love taking pictures in it.
Families love taking pictures in it.
February 7, 2026 at 5:55 AM
One last thing—for the Cauldron design, we wanted a walkway added underneath so people could feel more connected, take better pics etc. The organizing committee was worried about vandalism and wouldn’t budge. So I pushed for that triangular “indent” you can see.
Families love taking pictures in it.
Families love taking pictures in it.
“As the world speeds towards 2C of global heating, the risks of extreme weather disasters & climate tipping points are increasing fast. But current economic models entirely miss such shocks…models assume the future will behave like the past…”
A sane human species would take this seriously.
A sane human species would take this seriously.
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:36 PM
“As the world speeds towards 2C of global heating, the risks of extreme weather disasters & climate tipping points are increasing fast. But current economic models entirely miss such shocks…models assume the future will behave like the past…”
A sane human species would take this seriously.
A sane human species would take this seriously.
Reposted by TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW)
Unfortunately during the Olympics, many iconic things are behind fences. Whether that’s handled well or badly though, especially in a city like Vancouver where public realm design is a big deal, involves a dance between the host city & the organizing committee, who have VERY different priorities. 3/
February 7, 2026 at 5:43 AM
Unfortunately during the Olympics, many iconic things are behind fences. Whether that’s handled well or badly though, especially in a city like Vancouver where public realm design is a big deal, involves a dance between the host city & the organizing committee, who have VERY different priorities. 3/