PREVIEW: Women Changing Cities with Melissa and Chris Bruntlett
About this episode
Melissa and Chris Bruntlett discuss their new book, 'Women Changing Cities,' which explores the significant role of female leadership in transforming urban spaces. Highlighting examples from cities like Montreal, Paris, and Sydney, they illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for innovative public space initiatives. The conversation reveals how cities embraced pedestrianization and cycling infrastructure to adapt to new mobility needs, showcasing inspiring stories of urban transformation and the importance of inclusive public spaces for all citizens.
***This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, presale tickets to live shows, and more, become a Patreon supporter of The War on Cars.***
When it comes to transforming cities and reclaiming space from the automobile, some of the best and boldest leaders are women. There's Mayor Anne Hidalgo in Paris and former Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, just to name two. Why is that so? That's the question explored by our guests, urban mobility experts Melissa and Chris Bruntlett, in their new book: Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation. The Bruntletts discuss the qualities that have allowed these leaders—along with women planners, advocates, and policymakers—to reshape their cities to benefit people, not cars. When women lead, cities thrive.
This bonus episode was recorded live at the Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida. Thanks to Transit Alliance Miami for hosting this epic teamup.
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Order our new book, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile, out now from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Find us on tour and get tickets at lifeaftercars.com.
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