Edition 56: August 2026
What’s New
💻 Real men don't bike: how cars became the symbol of manhood. Women in Urbanism Canada’s Co-Founder and Chair, Nicole Roach, spoke with The 19th to unpack masculinity, its ties to car culture, and why bike lanes, transit, and walkable communities have become culture-war targets. Read the article.
💻 The best urbanism books: 18 reads for anyone shaping a city. Check out All Things Urban’s list of 18 essential books on urbanism, from old-school classics to fresh takes on mobility, equity, and city economics. Read the blog.
💻 Au‑delà de la « ville 15 minutes » : ce qui donne vraiment envie de marcher.Une professeure de l’Université de Montréal constate d’importantes disparités dans l’accessibilité au sein des territoires dans la ville. Lire le blogue.
📰 Opinion: Decisions on road safety best made by municipalities. Sustainable Calgary’s Celia Lee urges for protected bike lanes to improve safety for vulnerable road users and reduce traffic fatalities. Read the op-ed.
📄 WNHHN makes recommendations to National Housing Council on accessible housing. The Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network’s (WNHHN) recent testimony outlines key systemic barriers and calls for action to improve housing accessibility across Canada. Read the statement.
📄 WomanACT statement on recent femicides in Toronto. WomanACT calls for survivor-centered justice reform and coordinated risk prevention. Read the statement.
🎙️ Are our cities making us unhealthy? Public health expert, Kia Silvennoinen, shares insights on how urban planning and design shape our health and well-being in this episode of Crosswalks & Crosstalks. Listen to the podcast.
🎙️ Is transit-oriented development good for cities? In this episode of the Good for Cities podcast, The Bentway’s Ilana Altman talks about reimagining transit spaces, adapting existing infrastructure, and using programming to create more welcoming public spaces. Listen to the podcast.
🧰 Pedestrians first: tools for a walkable city. These tools, developed by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, help measure walkability for babies, toddlers, their caregivers, and everyone in ci ties. Use the toolkit.
What’s Inspiring
🎨 Demolition might be unavoidable, but city structures are being captured in art first. CBC’s Metro Morning speaks with Toronto architect, Haneen Arshad, about using art to document the city’s oldest structures before they face potential demolition in the future. Listen to the segment.
🏘️ Toronto condominium designed by all-female development team showcases amenities for women. A new condo with amenities designed with women and mothers in mind has opened in Etobicoke.Watch the coverage.
🚲 Big win: Richmond rolling out 30km/h speed limits on local streets. Championed by HUB Cycling's advocacy, this milestone covers roughly 500 km of residential roads, directly protecting vulnerable road users by reducing traffic speeds and collision risks. Read the article.
🌻 ‘If a space is cared for, everything improves’: Meet four gardeners transforming their urban communities. From improving biodiversity to managing antisocial behaviour, the benefits of greening towns and cities are massive. Read the article.
🚲 Fancy Women Bike Ride 2026 had its largest turnout to date. Over 100 women pedalled through the streets of Winnipeg for their annual Fancy Women Bike Ride. Watch the reel.
🔎 Safer journeys for women and girls: MPs launch inquiry. The UK Transport Committee has launched an inquiry to examine how thoughtful urban design, better transport infrastructure, and policy interventions can combat gender-based violence. Read the article.
What’s Coming Up
✍️ Toronto public washroom survey by Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC) seeks to learn more about the experiences of people using public washrooms in the city. Complete the survey.
🚴🏻♀️ Stand up for safe streets and municipal decision-making with Bike Edmonton by sending a letter opposing provincial overreach or attending in-person events to fill out postcards with Paths for People.
✍️ BUILD youth program by Apathy is Boring will focus on upcoming federal legislation addressing online harms and related technology. Sign up for the program by August 30, 2026.
🗓️ Share your story in CUTA’s Forum magazine by submitting articles focused on rail and light rail transit development initiatives. Make your submission by August 30, 2026.
👩💻School Travel Planner employment opportunity at Green Communities Canada. Apply by September 6, 2026.
✍️ ISOCARP’s Women in Planning Awards 2026 are calling for nominations to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women and allies across the global planning profession. Submit a nomination before September 8, 2026.
🗓️ Blog writing best practices online workshop led by Women in Urbanism Canada (that’s us!) shares best practices for blog-writing on gender equity and urbanism. Register for the workshop on September 16, 2026.
🗓️ Our city hall forum: council candidates debate on key election priorities in Vancouver identified through Women Transforming Cities’ Our City Hall campaign. Register for the forum on September 16, 2026.
🗓️ Ontario Traffic Council and Share the Road Cycling Coalition are bringing together transportation planners, engineers, and municipal leaders to share practical strategies for advancing active mobility. Register for the symposium on September 21, 2026.
🗓️ Women changing cities: live with Melissa Bruntlett webinar by Women in Urbanism Canada (that’s us, again!) will explore key themes in her book, Women Changing Cities. Register for the webinar on September 24, 2026.
🗓️ Forum des mobilités plurielles par l’Accès transports viables qui approche les enjeux d’inégalité de genre dans l’espace urbain en mettant en dialogue les expériences citoyennes et les savoirs professionnels. S’inscrire à ce forum au 24 septembre 2026.
🗓️ Movement YVR’s bravery in public office event invites you to join their live conversation with Veronica Davis and outgoing municipal leaders about critical decisions needed to build inclusive transportation systems. Register for the event on September 28. 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.
