2023 Wrapped - Feel Good News, Projects and Resources that Inspired Women-Led Change This Year
People enjoying street furniture along Mont Royal Avenue in Montreal, QC. Photo by Holly Hixson.
2023 has been a big year in the movement for gender-equitable cities. The news that we have read and the people we have connected with have invigorated our commitment to the mission of inspiring and mobilizing women-led transformation in Canadian cities.Reflecting on Women in Urbanism Canada’s (WIUC) organizational journey, we have substantial progress to celebrate. This year, we published 17 thought-provoking blogs, distributed 12 newsletters, hosted our first workshop series that explored gender-inclusive parks across Canada and engaged with hundreds of people around the world through our work. We also launched our membership program with 90 members who support our mission, incorporated as a national non-profit, enacted organizational by-laws, and received our first grant. Whether you conclude the year with excitement for positive change to come or are feeling discouraged that change isn’t occurring fast enough - we hope that this blog will give you inspiration, remind you that you’re not alone, and reignite a sense of what’s possible in our cities. Continue reading for a curated list of our favourite news stories, articles, projects, and resources that have crossed our feeds this year.Housing
Two youth walking in Le Plateau, Montreal, QC. Photo by Holly Hixson.
On the blog: How 15-Minute Cities Build Feminist Communities
👵 SFU initiated research to identify the role of the built environment in social engagement and aging in place in multi-unit rental housing in Metro Vancouver. Learn about the research.🏘️ City of Calgary approved “Home is Here” Housing Strategy. The strategy works towards increasing the supply of market and non-market housing to meet demand and improve affordability. Learn more. 📺 Women’s National Housing & Homelessness Network hosted a webinar on Gendered Evictions in Financialized Housing Markets across Canada. Webinar explores how financialization disproportionately affects marginalized women and gender-diverse people.Transportation
Shared-use path in Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC. Photo by Nicole Roach.
On the blog:
🧢Sikh mom designed helmets to reduce barriers Sikh children face in sports. See the story.💻 Mobilize Women highlighted key ideas for gender-inclusive transport from previous Sustainable Transport Award winners, ranging from travel safety, targeted interventions on bus systems, citizen engagement, and gender-disaggregated data. Read the blog. 🚲 Montreal’s public bike share BIXI is piloting year-round service across seven boroughs of the City. Learn more about the winter biking pilot. 🎧 Podcast All Bodies on Bikes launched with a focus on creating a size-inclusive bike community.Climate
A self-watering garden box installed in Vancouver, BC, all harvested produce is given to local food banks. Photo by Holly Hixson.
On the blog: Women Spark Climate Action
💻 The Women’s Centre of Calgary outlined in "Wildfires and Gender" how women and gender-diverse people are disproportionately impacted by the impacts of climate change. Read the blog. 🌳 Calgary intersection returns to being a park. Balmoral Circus has been transformed into a green space for the community, as it was in the 1930s. See transformation.☀️ Indigenous communities leading Canada’s clean energy boom. Cowessess First Nation’s $21-million Awasis solar project connects to Saskatchewan’s electricity grid and is capable of powering 2,500 homes annually. Read the news.Marginalized Identities
People of all ages and abilities enjoying a block party in Montreal, QC. Photo by Holly Hixson.
On the blog: Queer Activism in Public Space
🎧 In "Building the Future: The Evolution of Queer Spaces" learn what a ‘queer space’ means, how this definition has changed since the late 1950s, and whether these spaces are as inclusive as they should be. Listen to the podcast.📺 Redevelopment of Downtown Winnipeg Park Rooted in Indigenous Culture. The $2.5 million plan is unveiled as a safe gathering place with areas for performances, storytelling, and trees. Watch the news.📰 Thousands Gather for Protests and Counter-Protests over Gender & Sexual Identity in School Curriculum across Canada. Counter-protests in favour of LGBTQ2S+ children, especially trans and gender nonconforming youth, largely outnumbered the protests. Read about them in Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and more. 🏆 Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn was chosen as the Best World-Changing Idea in North America. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization turns the former Hudson Bay Company building into a space for economic and social reconciliation. Read the news. Parks
A mixed-use path beside Stanley Park Seawall Path in Vancouver, BC. Photo by Nicole Roach.
WIUC Event Recaps:
♿ Waterloo’s first accessible playground opened. Eby Farm Playground aims to be more accessible to kids in wheelchairs and mobility devices with a rubberized surface, ramps, and inclusive play equipment. Read the news.🛹 Inclusive skateboarding group hosted free workshops in Winnipeg for girls, femmes and non-binary youth twice a week during the summer. Watch the news. 📺 Safer Parks for Women and Girls explored how to design, manage, and maintain parks that are safer and more welcoming for women and girls. Aging in Cities
Older women enjoying a closed street in Toronto, ON. Photo by Nicole Roach.
On the Blog: Gender Inequality Makes Aging More Difficult for Women
🚍 Burlington program helped teach older adults about public transit. Burlington Transit and the Burlington Public Library held a session for seniors to learn the basics of transit. Read more. 👵 Canada's first dementia-inclusive park was announced to come to Calgary in partnership with Dementia Network Calgary. Find out more.🚲 Cycling without Age lead a volunteer program that takes seniors on bike rides. They explore North Vancouver trails to help reduce seniors’ isolation. Learn more.Public Space
Public Space People of all ages enjoying a public space on the Halifax waterfront. Photo by Lilit Houlder.
On the blog: Why Public Washrooms aren’t Working for Women
🎧 Urbanistica Podcast - Cities for People. Mustafa Sherif interviewed our Co-Founder, Sharee Hochman, on the importance of gender-equity in cities. Listen to the podcast.🚧 Montréal added nine more car-free streets after “mind-blowing” success. Four years after closing a stretch of a busy downtown street, the transformation continued to receive rave reviews from users and local businesses. Learn more.📰 The non-profit organization, OurSquamish, was recognized for its transformative work in public spaces. Read the news.Learn More about Feminist Cities
Women of all ages walking in Toronto, ON. Photo by Nicole Roach.
On the blog: Feminist Cities are for Men Too
🎙️What Does a City Made for Women Look Like? CBC Radio-Canada spoke to Women in Urbanism Canada Director, Ally Lord, about strategies to diversify the planning field, involve women in decision making, and implement gender-equitable solutions. Listen (en français).💻 What I’m Struggling With: Cities Designed for and By Men. Safaa Charafi for WomeninDev wrote about her experience learning about the gender inequities found in cities. Read the blog.📺 What Would a Feminist City Look Like? Online urban planning education agency, Planetizen, launched course on feminist cities as part of its learning curriculum.📚 Women-Friendly Urban Planning Toolkit launched. Learn how to use the Women-Friendly Urban Planning Toolkit to incorporate women’s and girls’ voices in urban planning.Conclusion
Each of the projects, policies and programs mentioned have provided our team inspiration and encouragement this year. We have been delighted to see women-led change that makes our cities more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive for all. We extend our gratitude toward the people who have supported our mission in 2023 and walk into 2024 more inspired and prepared to continue advocating for gender-equitable transformation in our cities. For more stories like these, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter and becoming a member of Women in Urbanism Canada. 