Ontario Community Changemakers Highlights

It's been a year since our 2022-2023 #OCCChangemakers joined our Ontario Community Changemakers program.

In this blog series, they share their experiences while implementing their projects in their communities at the one-year mark of receiving funding and participating in ongoing working sessions with subject matter experts. Congratulations to all for their accomplishments!

Ontario Community Changemakers is a leadership and micro-grant program for young civic innovators with bold ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement and foster social inclusion. Powered by 8 80 Cities and funded by Balsam Foundation.
 

Lessons From Copenhagen

In this blog post, Scott Kratz of Building Bridges Across the River summarizes our latest Study Trip to Copenhagen. Scott articulates what we at 8 80 Cities try to achieve in these immersive workshops. Great cities for people take time and commitment to people-centred design processes. We had a great week with friends and colleagues at MONSTRUM, Gehl - Making Cities for People, Cobe, SLA, 3XN/GXN, Henning Larsen and BLOXHUB. The program is powered by 8 80 Cities with funding from the Ralph C Wilson Jr. Foundation.

What We Are Reading

A Walkable Neighbourhood Is Elder Care

In this article, Andy Boenau makes the compelling case that modern transportation systems and car dependency are forms of ageism. More and more, we learn that factors like social isolation, bad zoning, and car dependency are affecting how we age.

Comfort And Image: How To Create A Welcoming Place

We know creating a great public space goes beyond just providing the basic requirements. In this article, Katherine Peinhardt dives deep into the importance of comfort and image to creating a successful and welcoming public space. A comfortable place is one where you want to spend time; it results from various factors that work together to make visitors feel welcome and included. Learn about some age-friendly features from our 8 80 Cities Executive Director Amanda O’Rourke, who was one of the outside experts interviewed for this article.

Right Turns On Red Lights?

“In the last 50 years, Americans and Canadians have enjoyed a unique freedom—the right to turn right at a red traffic light”, writes Ron Johnson, author of this article. Turning right on red lights is a common practice while driving, followed in most states and provinces, except for a few cities like New York and Montreal. However, due to increasing concerns about pedestrian safety and the rising number of pedestrian deaths, this long-standing tradition is being reevaluated. Should we consider banning right turns on red lights in all major cities?

Connecting With Nature And One Another

The benefits of a nature-rich public realm are limitless, from improved health outcomes to climate resilience to bring people together and socialize.  In this article by Reimagining the Civic Commons, we learn about how investments in  Memphis and Philadelphia are supporting these two cities in creating public spaces that support connection with nature and bring people together outdoors.

Four Winning Models For Building Community Wealth

In this Op-ed, Deb Nelson, Executive Director of the Just Economy Institute, discusses how four financial activists offer a window into their work, flowing resources to front-line communities from Atlanta to Burlington. Learn about these four fantastic advocates and their approaches and initiatives to change systems for a just, resilient economy in America and the world.

WHO Launches Commission To Foster Social Connection

Great news! WHO has announced a new Commission on Social Connection, to address loneliness as a pressing health threat, promote social connection as a priority and accelerate the scaling up of solutions in countries of all incomes.

What We Are Watching & Listening To

Tools & Resources

Winter Cities Toolkit

The Power Of Us

10-MInute Walk ' Improving Park & Green Space Access

Overdue: The Case For Canada's Public Libraries

Events & Announcements

Cities For Everyone with Gil|The Webinar: Last Session Of The Year


In the last session of the year, the guest is Marco te Brömmelstroet. In the last session of the year, the guest is Marco te Brömmelstroet. Marco holds the chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam. His teaching centers on the interactions between land use patterns and individual mobility behaviour focused on walking and riding bicycles. His presentations use amazing visuals to make the case.
Register here. Watch past webinar recordings here.

Save the Date: February 22 - 24, 20224. Winter Cycling Congress! 
Register now for an unforgettable multi-day event filled with informative sessions, bicycle excursions, and a community of passionate winter cyclists. Discover new possibilities while exploring the cycling-friendly city of Edmonton. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn from experts in the field.

Join City Parks Alliance in Seattle for Greater & Greener 2024, an exciting mix of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences focusing on honest dialogues around solutions and cross-sector and peer-to-peer networking. You’ll take home strategies and tools for using parks to build more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable cities. June 21-25, Seattle, WA. More details here.

AIHP Green City Panel 

Our ED, Amanda O'Rourke, is part of a team of multi-disciplinary experts from around the globe who form the technical panel for the 2024  edition of the AIPH Global World Green City Awards. Learn more about the panel here.

World Urban Parks Member Marathon

This 5th and 6th of December 2023, our friends at World Urban Parks are celebrating the WUP Member Marathon: Shaping the Future of Urban Green Spaces! Join 24 hours of dynamic discussions and opportunities for collaboration in the world of parks. Learn more here.