Debbie Barton
@debbiebarton.bsky.social
City lover, housing & placemaking, nature, walker, everything is political & connected
Reposted by Debbie Barton
NEW: Hundreds of public servants are being let go at federal agencies that monitor climate risks, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports
Cuts at Natural Resources Canada ‘decimate’ wildfire and flood tracking capacity, unions warn
Carney's cuts have hit Natural Resources Canada, causing uproar from public sector unions warning the layoffs will hurt Canada's ability to respond to cliamte change and protect Canadians from wildfir...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
NEW: Hundreds of public servants are being let go at federal agencies that monitor climate risks, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
November 29, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
Reposted by Debbie Barton
IMPORTANT: All of you following my work and posts, and even my recent co-curation of the Paris City Hall Exhibition (see below), know one of my KEY messages is that CITIES MUST LEAD on #ClimateAction, and NATIONS MUST DO MORE to position cities in that leadership, including with #ClimateFinance. 1/3
Canadian Cities Guru Teams Up with Paris Mayor for Groundbreaking New Exhibition
Canadian urbanist Brent Toderian teamed up with Paris and, in particular, Mayor Anne Hidalgo on a new exhibition, From Paris to Belém.
momentummag.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
IMPORTANT: All of you following my work and posts, and even my recent co-curation of the Paris City Hall Exhibition (see below), know one of my KEY messages is that CITIES MUST LEAD on #ClimateAction, and NATIONS MUST DO MORE to position cities in that leadership, including with #ClimateFinance. 1/3
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Manhattan should be a Low Traffic Neighborhood.
More praise for Low Traffic Neighborhoods via @nyc.streetsblog.org @usa.streetsblog.org
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/07/f...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/07/f...
Friday Video: The Utopia of London’s Low-Traffic Neighborhoods - Streetsblog New York City
Streetsfilms follows an urban planner around the “low-traffic neighborhood” of St. Peter’s in the London borough of Islington.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Manhattan should be a Low Traffic Neighborhood.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
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!
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Is it time to call it a referendum on the president yet?
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Is it time to call it a referendum on the president yet?
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Sticking with car dependence is a failure of imagination, particularly when the wide range of benefits of ending car dependence is so clear.
“In a city once choked with cars and infamous for its traffic snarls, Paris has pulled off a remarkable turnaround…the French capital has officially become Europe’s best city for children to walk, cycle, and move around independently.” Via @momentummag.bsky.social
A victory for FAST leadership.
A victory for FAST leadership.
Paris Pedals to the Top: How the City of Light Became Europe’s Best for Young Cyclists
The French capital has officially become Europe’s best city for children to walk, cycle, and move around independently
momentummag.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Sticking with car dependence is a failure of imagination, particularly when the wide range of benefits of ending car dependence is so clear.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
This is how we design sustainable cities - by prioritizing parks, pedestrians, and pedals. Both human and planet health improve when local leaders step up like this! 💪🌎 #cities #climatepolicy #sustainability #adaptation #RunOnClimate
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability & quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability & quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This is how we design sustainable cities - by prioritizing parks, pedestrians, and pedals. Both human and planet health improve when local leaders step up like this! 💪🌎 #cities #climatepolicy #sustainability #adaptation #RunOnClimate
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Very exciting! The seminal 1980 documentary "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" by William H. "Holly" Whyte has been RESTORED and screening in NYC this week!
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
William “Holly” Whyte in His Own Words, “The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces” (1980)
YouTube video by Streetfilms®
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Very exciting! The seminal 1980 documentary "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" by William H. "Holly" Whyte has been RESTORED and screening in NYC this week!
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Over the past 20 years, #Paris has undergone a major physical transformation, trading automotive arteries for #bike lanes, adding green spaces and eliminating 50,000 #parking spaces which has significantly improved air quality.
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability & quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability & quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Tree equity means that all neighbourhoods — regardless of the race, health or socio-economic class of its residents — should get the benefits of trees.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
8 Ottawa neighbourhoods urgently need more trees. Here's where they are | CBC News
As part of the inaugural 'tree equity' analysis, city staff have identified eight priority areas across the city where more trees are badly needed.
www.cbc.ca
September 7, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Tree equity means that all neighbourhoods — regardless of the race, health or socio-economic class of its residents — should get the benefits of trees.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Debbie Barton
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
June 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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
Reposted by Debbie Barton
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 before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the before-and-after
August 13, 2025 at 3:52 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 before-and-after
Streets for people.
HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the before-and-after
Reposted by Debbie Barton
When urbanists take pictures of a Paris street (like Rue de Rivoli) showing all the people on bikes now taking advantage of protected infrastructure, it’s not just because we “like bikes.”
It’s because we’re picturing the gridlock if they were driving cars.
And the public cost, pollution, noise…
It’s because we’re picturing the gridlock if they were driving cars.
And the public cost, pollution, noise…
August 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
When urbanists take pictures of a Paris street (like Rue de Rivoli) showing all the people on bikes now taking advantage of protected infrastructure, it’s not just because we “like bikes.”
It’s because we’re picturing the gridlock if they were driving cars.
And the public cost, pollution, noise…
It’s because we’re picturing the gridlock if they were driving cars.
And the public cost, pollution, noise…
Reposted by Debbie Barton
“You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Miss the days where American presidents were leaders of the free world. As Trump & GOP pivot from democracy and goodwill, Europe hasn’t forgotten. Listen to Danish PM remind the world Zelensky and Ukrainians are heroes as well as Russia’s threat.
“The best thing about heroes is that they always win at the end. And if they aren’t winning, then it’s not the end.” —Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Kyiv
Astonishing speech by Danish Prime Minister.
YouTube video by Dylan Burrill
youtu.be
March 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
“You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Miss the days where American presidents were leaders of the free world. As Trump & GOP pivot from democracy and goodwill, Europe hasn’t forgotten. Listen to Danish PM remind the world Zelensky and Ukrainians are heroes as well as Russia’s threat.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
A reminder for these times.
March 1, 2025 at 10:24 PM
A reminder for these times.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
A major Norwegian fuel company is refusing to provide fuel to U.S. warships after the “shitshow” in the White House yesterday over Ukraine. This is the way. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fu...
Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine
Haltbakk Bunkers will cease supplying fuel to U.S. forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
March 1, 2025 at 9:36 PM
A major Norwegian fuel company is refusing to provide fuel to U.S. warships after the “shitshow” in the White House yesterday over Ukraine. This is the way. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fu...
Reposted by Debbie Barton
We seem now to be isolated on the world stage, with an improved relationship only with Russia in exchange for demolished relationships with all our main allies. Has there ever been a time in human history when a national leader has undermined so many alliances so quickly? 
March 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
We seem now to be isolated on the world stage, with an improved relationship only with Russia in exchange for demolished relationships with all our main allies. Has there ever been a time in human history when a national leader has undermined so many alliances so quickly? 
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Watching this and knowing how different things would be right now, isn’t sad. It’s infuriating.
Kamala was right. And it only took him less than 30 days to roll over for Putin.
March 1, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Watching this and knowing how different things would be right now, isn’t sad. It’s infuriating.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Joni Mitchell, singer-songwriter, musician, poet, painter, genius #WomensArt
March 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Joni Mitchell, singer-songwriter, musician, poet, painter, genius #WomensArt
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Air pollution has dropped significantly in #Paris in the last 15 years. Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s leadership has traded car space for green space, safe bike space, kid space.. and traded pollution for people.
Good trade.
Good trade.
January 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Air pollution has dropped significantly in #Paris in the last 15 years. Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s leadership has traded car space for green space, safe bike space, kid space.. and traded pollution for people.
Good trade.
Good trade.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
“The Ford Govt aims to remove bike-lanes in #Toronto & obstruct or prohibit their installation elsewhere in Ontario. Now advocates are taking it to court.”
Good.
We already know that they know this will injure & kill people while making traffic worse. It’s also stealing Canadian Charter Rights.
Good.
We already know that they know this will injure & kill people while making traffic worse. It’s also stealing Canadian Charter Rights.
TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts
www.tvo.org
December 11, 2024 at 6:01 PM
“The Ford Govt aims to remove bike-lanes in #Toronto & obstruct or prohibit their installation elsewhere in Ontario. Now advocates are taking it to court.”
Good.
We already know that they know this will injure & kill people while making traffic worse. It’s also stealing Canadian Charter Rights.
Good.
We already know that they know this will injure & kill people while making traffic worse. It’s also stealing Canadian Charter Rights.
Reposted by Debbie Barton
Bringing my pinned Tweet along with me as I migrate here because this still matters & because we cannot normalize what Trump intends to do to DOJ. Justice should never be a political tool for presidents & their pals.
November 28, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Bringing my pinned Tweet along with me as I migrate here because this still matters & because we cannot normalize what Trump intends to do to DOJ. Justice should never be a political tool for presidents & their pals.