AARP Livable Winter Placemaking Lessons: Winter Health & Resources

Placemaking programs and activities can make a difference and help people care for their physical and mental health despite the cold. Learn some strategies from our Project Manager, Jayne Armstrong as part of the video series produced by our friends at AARP.

What We Are Reading

How Communities Around the World Are Connecting Social Isolation and Health

Globally, 1 in 4 seniors and up to 15% of adolescents feel isolated or lonely, leading to elevated risks of early death, anxiety, depression, suicide, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. It's as detrimental as smoking or obesity. While loneliness is usually seen as a social issue, innovative public health strategies are being deployed worldwide to connect individuals with each other and with health support systems. Understand the public health principles being used to tackle global social isolation and loneliness in this article by Paul Cann.

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The Women Who Reclaimed Our Streets

In this tribute, Lauren Elkin discusses the historical concept of the flâneur, a figure associated with leisurely strolling in the city, primarily portrayed as a male activity. It highlights the lack of attention given to the female experience of walking in cities and challenges the notion that women writers on the topic are rare. The article introduces the idea of the "flâneuse," suggesting that women have always engaged with the city in various ways, chronicling their lives and challenging societal norms. The author names examples such as Virginia Woolf, Sophie Calle, and Martha Gellhorn to illustrate the diverse ways women have approached urban exploration and how walking can be connected to creativity and journalism. Claiming the right to flânerie has empowered women to reshape expected paths and disrupt societal norms.

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Getting to See Where We Are Going

In this inspiring article, Ezra Lipton, from Alta Canada, shares his most recent adventure in Spain and the Netherlands, part of Alta's five-year anniversary travel benefit. Ezra explored six cities mostly by foot, bycicle or public transit. He used the opportunity to experience the planning and design best practices that we have been adopting in North America and now he shares his takeaways in the hope of inspiring us all.  

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What Can One Florida Community Teach Us About Climate Resilience?

What Do We Talk About When We Talk About Play Guts

Creating playgrounds that offer kids a whole new universe to discover is Earthscape's motto. They've left their authentic mark on places like Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C., transforming them into lively play zones filled with possibilities. Grosbeak Playground Towers in Toledo, Ohio, is a labyrinth of fun, providing numerous paths and games. Their designs include "guts" - the structures' interiors that focus on igniting curiosity, fostering unstructured play, and providing abundant options to cater to children of all ages and abilities, incorporating accessibility features, such as ramps and walk tubes, fostering interactions and moments of pause within the playground. Overall, the goal is to provide children with diverse and engaging play opportunities in playground structures.

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What We Are Watching And Listening To

Toolkits & Resources

Winter Cities Toolkit
Winter Placemaking Guide
Ottawa School Streets Feasibility Study
Explore Equity In Your City

Events & Announcements

Are you a detail-oriented person with strong financial acumen and a passion for liveable cities? Join our team! We’re looking for a Finance Manager to support our mission to create healthier, more equitable, and sustainable cities.

Read the job description to apply...
 

Cities For Everyone with Gil|The Webinar


Feb. 6^th Building a Strong Town. Guest: Charles Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns. Register here.

Feb. 20^th People Powered Places • Placemaking With Local, and Global, Networks. Guest: Ethan Kent, PlacemakingX, Founder and Executive Director. Register here.
 
March 5^th Flourishing Families and Resilient Cities. Guest: Ankita Chachra,  Senior Fellow at Capita. Register here.  
 
March 19^th Parks, Streets, and Everything In-Between: Making a Civic Impact. Guest: Gia Biagi, former commissioner of Parks, then Transportation. City of Chicago. Register here.  
 

This February, Celebrate Winter in Brampton


Join us on Family Day (February 19th, 12 - 4 pm) and Warm Up The Night (February 24th, 4 - 8 pm) for two winter, family-friendly events in the Nelson Square Pocket Park in Downtown Brampton (20 George Street North). Both events will feature a bonfire with s'mores, games, activities and storytelling. See you there!
 

Winter Cycling Congress

8 80 Cities' very own Shannon Lawrence and Jayne Armstrong will present at the 2024 Winter Cycling Congress that will descend on Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from February 22nd to 24th. 8 80 Cities is excited to speak about Winter Placemaking and how to take quick action through pop-up projects to make winter a warmer and more inclusive time for all. Click here to register! 

AARP Livable Communities Grant

Our friends at @AARPLivableCommunitieshave kicked off the 2024Community Challenge grant program and are now accepting applications for the new grant cycle. The program is aimed at sparking change and improving the quality of life for people of all ages in communities nationwide. In 2024, the program will accept applications across three different grant opportunities. Visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge to learn more about the program and how eligible organizations can apply now through March 6.
 

World UrbanParks Congress


Shape the Future at the Green City World Congress 2024 - Call for Proposals Now Open! Innovators, experts, and visionaries are invited to submit their proposals by January 31st, 2024. Find more information here.
 

TD Park People Grants: Connecting Communities
& Green Space


 Applications are now open for TD Park People Grants 2024! 70 grants of $2,000 are given to community groups and organizations to host two park events across Canada. Help build vital connections between people and parks! Apply now!  
 

Registration for Greater & Greener Will Open Soon!

Greater & Greener is the premiere conference for parks and recreation professionals in the U.S. Tour through and explore the City of Seattle’s most innovative parks, network with peers and industry professionals, and engage in vital learning opportunities on subjects like climate change, inclusivity, health and wellbeing, and equitable funding sources.
The conference will take place in Seattle, WA, from June 21–25, 2024. Click here for more information and to prepare for your registration.