Edition 52: April 2026
What’s New
💻 Tools and toolkits for gender-inclusive transport systems. This blog shares three tools that help move research findings into practice. Read the blog.
💻 Cities are not designed for old people. This blog explores why urban spaces are not inclusive for the elderly. Read the blog.
📖 The paradox of proximity. This book explores how cities can be designed to both divide and connect, and how to prevent urban loneliness. Read the book.
📄 A ride can save a life: transporting survivors in rural Alberta to safety and healing. This report explores the transportation challenges faced by survivors in rural communities and outlines practical solutions. Read the report.
📄 Unaddressed: women & gender-diverse people’s housing need & homelessness in Calgary. This report is the first comprehensive, community-based study that exposes systemic barriers to accessing safe, affordable, and appropriate housing for women and gender-diverse people. Read the report.
📄 Exploring social connectedness, well-being, and public space. This research article evaluated The Bentway’s “The Softer City” season, to explore the role that public space and programming play in facilitating connections. Read the research article.
📄 The creation of feminist urban public squares. This research article analyzes two cases of public spaces dedicated to feminists: the Place des Montrealaises and the Place des Pionnieres. Read the research article.
🎙️ Designing cities for dignity with Emma McInnes. This Crosswalks & Crosstalks podcast episode explores why Emma co-founded Women in Urbanism Aotearoa and how the organization has evolved. Listen to the podcast.
🎙️ Women after dark book by Nourhan Bassam. This Urbanistica Podcast - Cities for People episode reflects on how cities continue to exclude women and marginalized groups after sunset. Listen to the podcast.
🎙️ The case for civic joy with Ilana Altman. This episode of Challenger Cities discusses how a space underneath a working highway became one of Toronto’s most beloved destinations. Listen to the podcast.
📺 What is architecture + advocacy? This video explores how the organization is working to equip the next generation of leaders to transform their neighbourhoods into safe, thriving places to live. Watch the video.
🔧 Facilitation guide: emotional mapping. This participatory planning tool can be used to help map the emotional experiences evoked in different areas of the neighbourhood. Use the tool.
What’s Inspiring
🚌 Corner Brook launches 7-day transit options with new on-demand service. This city in Newfoundland and Labrador is expanding its transit options with new on-demand service. Read the news.
🎨 Edmonton artists launch the Good Neighbour Arts Network. It is a collection of free little art galleries that highlight the different creatives that live and practice in the city’s East Side. Learn about the project.
🚌 Government of Manitoba released budget to eliminate transit costs for youth. The province will work with the City of Winnipeg and other Manitoba municipalities to roll out the new program. Read the news.
🚴♀️ Vancouver city council approved the Cheap, Easy, and Everywhere motion to support shared mobility. The motion directs staff to develop a Vancouver Bike Share Growth Strategy to extend the capacity and geographic reach of bike share. Read the motion.
🌈 A youth-led transit mural in Edmonton. This case study explores how public art can be used to reframe transit, amplify youth voices, and build community pride. Read the case study.
🚴♀️ Bike share Toronto unveils new and improved e-bike model. The city is rolling out 100 prototype e-bikes with better baskets, lighter batteries, and the capacity to lock up mid-ride. Read the news.
🗺️ Researchers just mapped New York City’s foot traffic for the first time ever. This effort from MIT researchers could supply data that finally gives pedestrian infrastructure the funding it deserves. Learn about the research.
🏠 Nova Scotia government increases budget for community housing programs. The programs targeting affordable housing owned by non-profit organizations is up 80 per cent. Read the news.
🪑 Parkly launches its first “Parkly & Friends” product, the movable chair. The chair is the “ultimate placemaking furniture”, with thousands of movable chairs distributed across European cities. Learn about the project.
What’s Coming Up
🙋♀️ Board member volunteer opportunity at Interval House of Ottawa. Apply by April 30, 2026.
👩💻 Senior Project Management Officer employment opportunity at Egale Canada. Apply by April 30, 2026.
🗓️ Urbanism in times of war & crisis with guest Mikael Colville-Anderson in Edmonton. Register for the event on May 1, 2026.
🗓️ Jane’s Walk is happening across Canada. Lead or join a Jane’s Walk near you from May 1-3, 2026.
👩💻 Director, Fundraising employment opportunity at Evergreen. Apply by May 3, 2026.
👩💻 Community Engagement Coordinator employment opportunity at Fora Network for Change. Apply by May 4, 2026.
🎓 Editorial Fellowship for BIPOC Journalists at The Walrus. Apply by May 4, 2026.
🗓️ Evergreen Conference is Canada’s premier public space event held at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. Register for the conference on May 6-7, 2026.
📝 City of Vancouver Book Award is inviting nominations of authors contributing to the appreciation of Vancouver's diversity and history. Submit your nominations by May 12, 2026.
👩💻 Executive Director employment opportunity at Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. Apply by May 12, 2026.
✍️ Prioritize Whyte Avenue Survey is asking for input to help inform improvements to the public realm. Complete the survey before May 15, 2026.
🗓️ Channeling Connections Conference includes the BIABC conference and Annual General Meeting in Penticton. Register for the conference on May 24-27, 2026.
👩💻 Senior Manager or Director, Research and Policy employment opportunity at The Prosperity Project. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
💰 Activate YYC grant opportunity by Federation of Calgary Communities. Apply by August 31, 2026.
Becoming a member gives you the opportunity to shape the organization and welcomes you into a community of like-minded women and gender-diverse people.
