Iain Montgomery
@iainmonty.bsky.social
Innovation, Urbanism, Public Transportation & Design type stuff.
Maybe a bit of Burnley FC, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Vikings too.
Maybe a bit of Burnley FC, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Vikings too.
I knew Metrolinx were fucking useless, but this is a remarkable new low.
The contrast between the palatial entry pavillion and the absolute lack of even the most basic canopy on the platform is both depressing and hilarious, especially in this rainy day.
I guess "signature architecture" is more important than real weather protection.
I guess "signature architecture" is more important than real weather protection.
June 2, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I knew Metrolinx were fucking useless, but this is a remarkable new low.
I will remember bsky exists. I will remember this place exists.
May 28, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I will remember bsky exists. I will remember this place exists.
New Challenger Cities on how North America’s transit isn’t broken because we don’t know what to do.
Rather it's because everyone keeps pretending it needs to he reinvented from scratch.
@rmtransit.bsky.social on buses, bullshit and building better:
🎧 challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Rather it's because everyone keeps pretending it needs to he reinvented from scratch.
@rmtransit.bsky.social on buses, bullshit and building better:
🎧 challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Challenger Cities EP28: Why North American Transit is Mediocre ... and How to Make it Actually Good with Reece Martin
Listen now | What thousands of hours creating a transit YouTube channel can teach us about how to build better cities.
challengercities.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 8:03 PM
New Challenger Cities on how North America’s transit isn’t broken because we don’t know what to do.
Rather it's because everyone keeps pretending it needs to he reinvented from scratch.
@rmtransit.bsky.social on buses, bullshit and building better:
🎧 challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Rather it's because everyone keeps pretending it needs to he reinvented from scratch.
@rmtransit.bsky.social on buses, bullshit and building better:
🎧 challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
This piece ended up doing really well, with both classical and 'accidental' urbanists.
Now can we start talking about them in ways people actually understand, and do more together, rather than gatekeeping it all.
challengercities.substack.com/p/urbanists-...
Now can we start talking about them in ways people actually understand, and do more together, rather than gatekeeping it all.
challengercities.substack.com/p/urbanists-...
Urbanists Have a Communication Problem, and it’s Costing us Great Cities
Can we stop lecturing people about what makes good urbanism, and start selling the feeling of better places to play, live and work?
challengercities.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This piece ended up doing really well, with both classical and 'accidental' urbanists.
Now can we start talking about them in ways people actually understand, and do more together, rather than gatekeeping it all.
challengercities.substack.com/p/urbanists-...
Now can we start talking about them in ways people actually understand, and do more together, rather than gatekeeping it all.
challengercities.substack.com/p/urbanists-...
🚀 Clear the clutter and move forward with confidence.
Innovation is littered with abandoned labs, legacy frameworks, and stalled projects. Our 5C’s of Innovation Canvas helps teams refocus and take meaningful action. 🧵👇
Innovation is littered with abandoned labs, legacy frameworks, and stalled projects. Our 5C’s of Innovation Canvas helps teams refocus and take meaningful action. 🧵👇
February 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
🚀 Clear the clutter and move forward with confidence.
Innovation is littered with abandoned labs, legacy frameworks, and stalled projects. Our 5C’s of Innovation Canvas helps teams refocus and take meaningful action. 🧵👇
Innovation is littered with abandoned labs, legacy frameworks, and stalled projects. Our 5C’s of Innovation Canvas helps teams refocus and take meaningful action. 🧵👇
Are cities stressing us out without us really knowing?
Bus stops triggering fear. 🚏
Cyclists who don't see you. 🚴♂️
Station lighting that doesn't illuminate. 🚆
Nick Tyler of UCL PEARL shares how cities mess with our brains and how to fix them. 👇
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Bus stops triggering fear. 🚏
Cyclists who don't see you. 🚴♂️
Station lighting that doesn't illuminate. 🚆
Nick Tyler of UCL PEARL shares how cities mess with our brains and how to fix them. 👇
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Challenger Cities EP20: Rethinking Cities Through Lessons from Music, Psychology and Engineering with Nick Tyler
Listen now (75 mins) | Urban design often focuses on hardcore infrastructure, but what about the people who use it? We explore how psychology, neuroscience and philosophy can make urban spaces work be...
challengercities.substack.com
January 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Are cities stressing us out without us really knowing?
Bus stops triggering fear. 🚏
Cyclists who don't see you. 🚴♂️
Station lighting that doesn't illuminate. 🚆
Nick Tyler of UCL PEARL shares how cities mess with our brains and how to fix them. 👇
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Bus stops triggering fear. 🚏
Cyclists who don't see you. 🚴♂️
Station lighting that doesn't illuminate. 🚆
Nick Tyler of UCL PEARL shares how cities mess with our brains and how to fix them. 👇
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
A recent conversation with Mary Rowe of the Canadian Urban Institute for Challenger Cities was pretty refreshing. If you're having one of those days where everything feels overwhelming, focusing on the local can be a good solace.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
January 21, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A recent conversation with Mary Rowe of the Canadian Urban Institute for Challenger Cities was pretty refreshing. If you're having one of those days where everything feels overwhelming, focusing on the local can be a good solace.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Reposted by Iain Montgomery
Cycling can transform cities into happier, healthier places.
In his recent appearance on the Challenger Cities Podcast, Chris Bruntlett chats with @iainmonty.bsky.social on how Dutch cycling culture can inspire cities worldwide.
CHECK IT OUT: ow.ly/nRhm50UFnsU
In his recent appearance on the Challenger Cities Podcast, Chris Bruntlett chats with @iainmonty.bsky.social on how Dutch cycling culture can inspire cities worldwide.
CHECK IT OUT: ow.ly/nRhm50UFnsU
January 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Cycling can transform cities into happier, healthier places.
In his recent appearance on the Challenger Cities Podcast, Chris Bruntlett chats with @iainmonty.bsky.social on how Dutch cycling culture can inspire cities worldwide.
CHECK IT OUT: ow.ly/nRhm50UFnsU
In his recent appearance on the Challenger Cities Podcast, Chris Bruntlett chats with @iainmonty.bsky.social on how Dutch cycling culture can inspire cities worldwide.
CHECK IT OUT: ow.ly/nRhm50UFnsU
Toronto can actually do interesting Challenger City things. Worth checking out what is happening on the old Downsview Airport lands with 10 new neighbourhoods emerging over the coming years.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
January 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Toronto can actually do interesting Challenger City things. Worth checking out what is happening on the old Downsview Airport lands with 10 new neighbourhoods emerging over the coming years.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Cycling isn’t just a commute, it’s city transformation. 🚲 @modacitylife.com shares lessons from the Netherlands on bold leadership, cohesive networks, and why bikes + transit are the future. No copying Amsterdam—just building better cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Challenger Cities EP17: Cycling, Leadership and the Future of Urban Living with Chris Bruntlett
Bicycles are more than a mode of transport—they’re a tool for creating liveable, inclusive cities. Why cities need to learn from the Dutch, and get brave with their leadership.
challengercities.substack.com
December 20, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Cycling isn’t just a commute, it’s city transformation. 🚲 @modacitylife.com shares lessons from the Netherlands on bold leadership, cohesive networks, and why bikes + transit are the future. No copying Amsterdam—just building better cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
How did North America go from world-class transit to $30M staircases & sunshades that don’t provide shade?
@thetransitguy.com doesn’t hold back, breaking down broken systems, bold ideas & how we can rebuild trust in our cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
@thetransitguy.com doesn’t hold back, breaking down broken systems, bold ideas & how we can rebuild trust in our cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Challenger Cities EP16: Red Tape to Results; Rethinking Governance for Better Cities with Hayden Clarkin
Hayden Clarkin argues that North America’s cities are stuck in a cycle of over-planning & under-delivering. We must prioritise outcomes, streamline governance and rebuild trust in public institutions.
challengercities.substack.com
December 18, 2024 at 2:31 PM
How did North America go from world-class transit to $30M staircases & sunshades that don’t provide shade?
@thetransitguy.com doesn’t hold back, breaking down broken systems, bold ideas & how we can rebuild trust in our cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
@thetransitguy.com doesn’t hold back, breaking down broken systems, bold ideas & how we can rebuild trust in our cities.
challengercities.substack.com/p/challenger...
Why Swiss trains are like playgrounds.
Why Oslo sees autonomous vehicles as more than robotaxis.
Why Walthamstow should be on the transport tourism circuit.
& why bold leaders who back public transit always win.
My chat with @freewheeling.info for Challenger Cities.
shorturl.at/zMsDa
Why Oslo sees autonomous vehicles as more than robotaxis.
Why Walthamstow should be on the transport tourism circuit.
& why bold leaders who back public transit always win.
My chat with @freewheeling.info for Challenger Cities.
shorturl.at/zMsDa
Challenger Cities EP15: Trains, Pains and Automobiles with Thomas Ableman
What some cities get so right about transportation, why some cities get it wrong, and how we can go about making the whole thing much better.
shorturl.at
December 13, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Why Swiss trains are like playgrounds.
Why Oslo sees autonomous vehicles as more than robotaxis.
Why Walthamstow should be on the transport tourism circuit.
& why bold leaders who back public transit always win.
My chat with @freewheeling.info for Challenger Cities.
shorturl.at/zMsDa
Why Oslo sees autonomous vehicles as more than robotaxis.
Why Walthamstow should be on the transport tourism circuit.
& why bold leaders who back public transit always win.
My chat with @freewheeling.info for Challenger Cities.
shorturl.at/zMsDa
2025 was supposed to be sci-fi come to life, but all we got was better WiFi. The future didn’t fail from bad ideas; it failed because no one built them. Utopia isn’t perfection—it’s messy progress.
challengercities.substack.com/p/will-2025-...
challengercities.substack.com/p/will-2025-...
Will 2025 be the the year we stopped procrastinating and finally started building the future again?
We never made the utopian future the tech and urbanist types promised us. We likely still won't ever see it, but we can at least get building bits of it again.
challengercities.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:23 PM
2025 was supposed to be sci-fi come to life, but all we got was better WiFi. The future didn’t fail from bad ideas; it failed because no one built them. Utopia isn’t perfection—it’s messy progress.
challengercities.substack.com/p/will-2025-...
challengercities.substack.com/p/will-2025-...
The longer we plan, to more we stay in the riskiest place by maintaining the status quo. Which is weird because the whole point of starting the plan is because the status quo probably isn't working very well, or won't for much longer.
innovatorssocialclub.substack.com/p/the-tyrann...
innovatorssocialclub.substack.com/p/the-tyrann...
The Tyranny of the Perfect Plan
Planning is seductive. It's also necessary. But when we lean so hard into the plan, we seem to forget all the things we didn't think of, or could never possibly control.
innovatorssocialclub.substack.com
December 2, 2024 at 4:43 PM
The longer we plan, to more we stay in the riskiest place by maintaining the status quo. Which is weird because the whole point of starting the plan is because the status quo probably isn't working very well, or won't for much longer.
innovatorssocialclub.substack.com/p/the-tyrann...
innovatorssocialclub.substack.com/p/the-tyrann...