If you design a city just for cars, you fail everyone, including the drivers.

Better Cities not "better cars" are the solution. Cities are the #1 source of greenhouse gases with their combination of transportation+housing. EVs won't move the needle enough. Nor reduce land-wasting car infrastructure. We need #transportation that minimizes land use.

When we build sidewalks & multi use paths, we are serving our disabled residents. #kamloops

This iconic @FabianTodorovic cartoon is still one of the best at illustrating the amount of space we surrender to cars, leaving little space left for everyone/everything else. The newer Chris Pollett text makes the bonus point that many drivers still manage to complain about it.

A city councillor here would regularly reject transit improvements calling them "social engineering" if he thought they intended to get people out of their cars. But he'd also happily vote in favour of parking & road network expansions as they were council's "core services".

If you add more lanes for Santas, it doesn’t solve Santa congestion. It just induces more Santas. It’s a thoroughly documented fact. It’s called Induced Santas, or the Irrefutable Law of Santa Congestion. Wait, did I say Santas? I meant cars. #InducedTraffic #LawOfCongestion

“I still see every single day how incredibly important social media is to the struggle for better cities and city-building. Don’t give up on it. Make it work for you.” — Brent Toderian

2. Speak at City Hall in support of something good for your city rather than just going to oppose things. And before you oppose something (such as well-designed density, new housing choices, or affordable housing), think about who it’s meant to help & put yourself in their place.

“Let’s be really clear again — this isn’t about “cyclists vs motorists.” That kind of lazy narrative is a red flag for uninformed, populist politics, and shoddy click-bait media.”

I work across Canada and all over the world, and I can state unequivocally that smart, successful cities know that great bike infrastructure is a remarkably valuable asset for economic competitiveness…” — Brent Toderian

“9. Take every opportunity to participate in civic life. Linger in and enjoy good parks, places, and streets every day, not just during special events. Your very presence and engagement adds life, vitality, and safety to a place, and helps them be more enjoyable for everyone.”

“Toderian conducted a test by posting the same thread on the 2 platforms. On X, he got 1 repost, 3 likes & 2,500 views despite having 149,000 followers. Meanwhile, on his Bluesky account of around 44,000 followers, he got 28 reposts, 160 quote responses, 125 likes & 58 comments.”

“Toderian conducted a test by posting the same thread on the 2 platforms. On X, he got 1 repost, 3 likes & 2,500 views despite having 149,000 followers. Meanwhile, on his B*****y account of around 44,000 followers, he got 28 reposts, 160 quote responses, 125 likes & 58 comments.”

When cities holistically tackle pollution, they get results. This is a clear example that it is possible to work from multiple angles to create more livable, green cities for everyone.

Brent Toderian This is a very good question to pose and perhaps isn't discussed enough. Waste water is a very real issue. Belfast impeded by limited WW resource. I'd suggest that few cities are planning for data use and the need for digital infrastructure

If walking costs you $1, we all pay $0.01. If biking costs you $1, we all pay $0.08. If bussing costs you $1, we all pay $1.50. If driving costs you $1, we all pay $9.20. Via The Discourse study. This isn’t just about choice. It’s about who pays for your choice. #citymakingmath

"It was the perfect tool for the moment. As the platform was growing, the starter pack function allowed people to find their community. If a few people could work to identify the community members, it was an incredibly powerful tool.” — ⁦Brent Toderian planning.org/planning/2025/…

No president (except Trump) from Truman to Biden, would have countenanced such a thing. When he was told, in the 1950s, that China was seriously considering an invasion of Taiwan, Republican President Eisenhower bluntly said “They will have to go through the 7th Fleet.”

I mean, who could have known Ebola was worth preventing?

Great crowd last night as @brenttoderian presented his “urban diagnosis” & recommendations on smart downtown city-building in Sarasota Florida, tackling issues like better tall buildings, & the “urban contract” ensuring not just downtown homes, but a great downtown neighbourhood.