Brent Toderian
@brenttoderian.bsky.social
Global advisor on better cities, city planning, transportation & urban change. City planner + urbanist leading @ToderianUW.bsky.social. Past Chief Planner for Vancouver BC. Past/founding President of @CanUrbanism.bsky.social. International speaker & media.
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Incredibly short-sighted and irresponsible, and completely disconnected from the real values & priorities of Vancouverites. This move would be awful not only for Vancouver, but also for all the cities that Vancouver’s leadership has inspired over decades of North American sustainability leadership.
November 11, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Incredibly short-sighted and irresponsible, and completely disconnected from the real values & priorities of Vancouverites. This move would be awful not only for Vancouver, but also for all the cities that Vancouver’s leadership has inspired over decades of North American sustainability leadership.
You don’t have to ban cars everywhere to transform your city centre. But you do have to seriously rethink and redefine the car’s role. There are many ways to do that, from #completestreets to #sharedstreets, pedestrian priority streets & Dutch #woonerfs, that prioritize streets for people, not cars.
November 11, 2025 at 1:10 AM
You don’t have to ban cars everywhere to transform your city centre. But you do have to seriously rethink and redefine the car’s role. There are many ways to do that, from #completestreets to #sharedstreets, pedestrian priority streets & Dutch #woonerfs, that prioritize streets for people, not cars.
A complete, connected, comfortable network of protected bike-lanes is a climate mitigation strategy. It’s a healthy cities strategy. It’s a social equity strategy. It’s an affordability strategy. It’s an economic devt strategy. It’s a smart mobility & space saving strategy.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
A complete, connected, comfortable network of protected bike-lanes is a climate mitigation strategy. It’s a healthy cities strategy. It’s a social equity strategy. It’s an affordability strategy. It’s an economic devt strategy. It’s a smart mobility & space saving strategy.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
The Mamdani text generator has some important messages to share.
November 10, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The Mamdani text generator has some important messages to share.
Is there “life after cars?” As authors always say, “you’ll have to read the book.”*
Congrats to @visionzerovancouver.ca on a great packed event last night with @sgoodyear.bsky.social & @brooklynspoke.bsky.social + guests @lucymaloney.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social.
*spoiler: a BETTER life!
Congrats to @visionzerovancouver.ca on a great packed event last night with @sgoodyear.bsky.social & @brooklynspoke.bsky.social + guests @lucymaloney.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social.
*spoiler: a BETTER life!
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Is there “life after cars?” As authors always say, “you’ll have to read the book.”*
Congrats to @visionzerovancouver.ca on a great packed event last night with @sgoodyear.bsky.social & @brooklynspoke.bsky.social + guests @lucymaloney.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social.
*spoiler: a BETTER life!
Congrats to @visionzerovancouver.ca on a great packed event last night with @sgoodyear.bsky.social & @brooklynspoke.bsky.social + guests @lucymaloney.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social.
*spoiler: a BETTER life!
We’ve been using carts or trolleys to get our groceries for 15+ years on foot. Our little boys fight over who gets to pull. And sure, Costco has big stuff for bigger grocery hauls, but we buy mostly small/medium stuff there, and we often share bigger things with our neighbours (like pumpkin pies!)
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
We’ve been using carts or trolleys to get our groceries for 15+ years on foot. Our little boys fight over who gets to pull. And sure, Costco has big stuff for bigger grocery hauls, but we buy mostly small/medium stuff there, and we often share bigger things with our neighbours (like pumpkin pies!)
Many city halls are deep in budget-time. Some are pushing austerity ideologies, and are ignoring the difference between costs and cost-savers/value creators. Citizens, PAY ATTENTION, and never forget that the TRUTH about a city’s REAL aspirations isn’t found in its visions. It’s found in its budget.
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Many city halls are deep in budget-time. Some are pushing austerity ideologies, and are ignoring the difference between costs and cost-savers/value creators. Citizens, PAY ATTENTION, and never forget that the TRUTH about a city’s REAL aspirations isn’t found in its visions. It’s found in its budget.
This is really important.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
November 9, 2025 at 8:09 AM
This is really important.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
Happy to tour visiting authors & @thewaroncars.bsky.social podcasters @sgoodyear.bsky.social and @brooklynspoke.bsky.social around some key central Vancouver city-building this morning, before their book event with @visionzerovancouver.ca tonight! (some tickets left, apparently)
Great conversation!
Great conversation!
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Happy to tour visiting authors & @thewaroncars.bsky.social podcasters @sgoodyear.bsky.social and @brooklynspoke.bsky.social around some key central Vancouver city-building this morning, before their book event with @visionzerovancouver.ca tonight! (some tickets left, apparently)
Great conversation!
Great conversation!
It’s really important that #Vancouver’s Downtown Business Association, who were originally against bike-lanes, are now among their most vigourous supporters, because of ACTUAL EVIDENCE that they’re better for downtown business than any street parking they replaced.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
November 8, 2025 at 3:51 AM
It’s really important that #Vancouver’s Downtown Business Association, who were originally against bike-lanes, are now among their most vigourous supporters, because of ACTUAL EVIDENCE that they’re better for downtown business than any street parking they replaced.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
This breaks some people’s brains.
In most cities, Costco stores fuel sprawl & car dependency.
In Vancouver, our full-sized downtown Costco has residential towers above & a skytrain station next door. LOTS of customers don’t drive to it.
We live a block from it. We call it “the convenience store.”
In most cities, Costco stores fuel sprawl & car dependency.
In Vancouver, our full-sized downtown Costco has residential towers above & a skytrain station next door. LOTS of customers don’t drive to it.
We live a block from it. We call it “the convenience store.”
November 8, 2025 at 3:03 AM
This breaks some people’s brains.
In most cities, Costco stores fuel sprawl & car dependency.
In Vancouver, our full-sized downtown Costco has residential towers above & a skytrain station next door. LOTS of customers don’t drive to it.
We live a block from it. We call it “the convenience store.”
In most cities, Costco stores fuel sprawl & car dependency.
In Vancouver, our full-sized downtown Costco has residential towers above & a skytrain station next door. LOTS of customers don’t drive to it.
We live a block from it. We call it “the convenience store.”
Have you heard of “The Populist Playbook?”
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
November 8, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Have you heard of “The Populist Playbook?”
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
CALIFORNIA! This is BIG if true @buffywicks.bsky.social! As @scottford.bsky.social & I championed in our “Downtown Sacramento Livability Strategy,” the way Cali (and OTHER states) does liability/construction deficiencies is a HUGE barrier to building apartments! Read: indd.adobe.com/view/54b2070...
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 AM
CALIFORNIA! This is BIG if true @buffywicks.bsky.social! As @scottford.bsky.social & I championed in our “Downtown Sacramento Livability Strategy,” the way Cali (and OTHER states) does liability/construction deficiencies is a HUGE barrier to building apartments! Read: indd.adobe.com/view/54b2070...
According to this ranking, Canada’s reputation has improved since 2024. We are now the 2nd most reputable country in the world.
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
November 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
According to this ranking, Canada’s reputation has improved since 2024. We are now the 2nd most reputable country in the world.
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
Still one of the most amazing photos I've ever seen - aerial view of Central Park in Manhattan, #NewYorkCity.
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Still one of the most amazing photos I've ever seen - aerial view of Central Park in Manhattan, #NewYorkCity.
With a title like “How to be a good pedestrian — it’s harder than you think,” there was a good chance I was going to hate this. I thought I’d see if there was even ONE word about being a good DRIVER.
Nope.
Not one.
The Oscar for car-brain & victim blaming goes to…
www.khon2.com/top-stories/...
Nope.
Not one.
The Oscar for car-brain & victim blaming goes to…
www.khon2.com/top-stories/...
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
With a title like “How to be a good pedestrian — it’s harder than you think,” there was a good chance I was going to hate this. I thought I’d see if there was even ONE word about being a good DRIVER.
Nope.
Not one.
The Oscar for car-brain & victim blaming goes to…
www.khon2.com/top-stories/...
Nope.
Not one.
The Oscar for car-brain & victim blaming goes to…
www.khon2.com/top-stories/...
Investing smartly in public transit checks ALL the boxes right now, @mark-carney.bsky.social. It’s a credible example of both real nation-building & climate action. It’s a proven cost SAVER with a great ROI that makes Canadian cities more successful & competitive. It supports equity & affordability.
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Investing smartly in public transit checks ALL the boxes right now, @mark-carney.bsky.social. It’s a credible example of both real nation-building & climate action. It’s a proven cost SAVER with a great ROI that makes Canadian cities more successful & competitive. It supports equity & affordability.
Vancouver’s urban tree canopy, and the “kissing canopies” over the streets the mature trees create, are one of our city’s most important assets. Cooling, cleaning, beautifying and strengthening the city while integrating urban life with nature for livability. Great pics via @traffictrish.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Vancouver’s urban tree canopy, and the “kissing canopies” over the streets the mature trees create, are one of our city’s most important assets. Cooling, cleaning, beautifying and strengthening the city while integrating urban life with nature for livability. Great pics via @traffictrish.bsky.social
They called this IMMEDIATELY as the polls closed. It wasn’t close. Very important result in the U.S. fight against Trump’s fascism. #Prop50
November 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM
They called this IMMEDIATELY as the polls closed. It wasn’t close. Very important result in the U.S. fight against Trump’s fascism. #Prop50
BREAKING: Others haven’t called it yet, but @decisiondeskhq.bsky.social is PROJECTING ZOHRAN MAMDANI as the NEXT MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY!
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 AM
BREAKING: Others haven’t called it yet, but @decisiondeskhq.bsky.social is PROJECTING ZOHRAN MAMDANI as the NEXT MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY!
If #Mamdani wins in New York, especially if he wins BIG, it would be the most powerful indication we’ve seen that big money, big media & big politics CAN be beat in today’s USA. That might be the most hopeful & inspiring thing to come out of a depressed & broken United States this year. #VOTEMamdani
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 AM
If #Mamdani wins in New York, especially if he wins BIG, it would be the most powerful indication we’ve seen that big money, big media & big politics CAN be beat in today’s USA. That might be the most hopeful & inspiring thing to come out of a depressed & broken United States this year. #VOTEMamdani
A typical European car is parked 92% of the time. It spends 1/5th of its driving time looking for parking. Its 5 seats only move 1.5 people. 86% of its fuel never reaches the wheels, and most of the energy that does, moves the car, not the people.
Sound efficient?
HT @ellenmacarthurfdn.bsky.social
Sound efficient?
HT @ellenmacarthurfdn.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A typical European car is parked 92% of the time. It spends 1/5th of its driving time looking for parking. Its 5 seats only move 1.5 people. 86% of its fuel never reaches the wheels, and most of the energy that does, moves the car, not the people.
Sound efficient?
HT @ellenmacarthurfdn.bsky.social
Sound efficient?
HT @ellenmacarthurfdn.bsky.social
I believe the 2 most important city mayoral elections in the world will be tomorrow’s New York City Election (the most important turning point #VOTE in New York history? #VOTEMamdani) & next year’s Paris Election for the successor of this generation’s most important/influential mayor, Anne Hidalgo.
November 4, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I believe the 2 most important city mayoral elections in the world will be tomorrow’s New York City Election (the most important turning point #VOTE in New York history? #VOTEMamdani) & next year’s Paris Election for the successor of this generation’s most important/influential mayor, Anne Hidalgo.