About 8 80 Cities8 80 Cities improves the quality of life for people in cities by bringing citizens together to enhance mobility and public space so that together we can create more vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities.We exist to create safe and happy cities that prioritize people’s well-being. We believe that if everything we do in our public spaces is great for an 8 year old and an 80 year old, then it will be great for all people.8 80 Cities880C_db5e09ee-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2cAmanda O'RourkeEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR --
Amanda has been with 8 80 Cities since the beginning in 2007. She was a key architect of the 8 80 concept, and has held several positions within the organization. She has been a key driving force in the development and growth of 8 80 Cities and has worked on numerous projects related to parks, public spaces, and sustainable transportation in North America, Europe, Mexico, and Australia.
Amanda holds a Master's of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Queen’s University. She is also currently Co-Chair of the Children, Play, and Nature Committee for World Urban Parks. She loves being a momma to three small kids, is an eternal optimist, and is passionate about transforming cities into great places for all people.Ryan O'ConnorDIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS --
Ryan’s work as an urban planner includes a diverse list of public realm improvement and community development projects – from parklets to plazas – in Vancouver, throughout Ontario, and in his hometown of Winnipeg.
At 8 80 Cities, Ryan contributed to the Doable Neighbourhood Project, and now supports a variety of initiatives as part of our partnership with the Knight Foundation. He holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of British Columbia.Rossana TudoPROJECT MANAGER --
Rossana joined 8 80 Cities in June of 2015. As a project manager, she leads community engagement processes in cities across North America, writes planning reports, designs immersive study tours, and more. She brings a creative approach to getting communities excited and engaged in transforming their public spaces.
Rossana holds a Master's in Urban Planning from New York University and a B.A. in International Development from McGill University. Outside of work, she likes pottery, floral design, the Toronto Raptors, and visiting big messy cities.
Rossana is currently on maternity leave.David SimorPROJECT MANAGER --
David joined 8 80 Cities in August of 2016, after several years working at Toronto City Hall. An avowed lover of all things urban, he has helped co-ordinate numerous public realm and park revitalizations, planning studies, and neighbourhood improvement projects.
Trained as an actor, David firmly believes listening is the first step towards creating inclusive, accessible and dynamic cities for everyone.Siva VijenthiraPROJECT MANAGER --
Siva joined 8 80 Cities in February 2019. She has worked on community building and civic engagement projects in over 30 cities, collaborating across multiple sectors and different levels of government. She believes that vibrant streets and public spaces are key to creating greater access to the public sphere and therefore greater connectivity, inclusivity, and equity.Camila UrionaADMIN. & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER --
Camila joined 8 80 Cities in August 2011. A great multitasker, she takes care of both administration and communications.
Trained in communications, Camila has special expertise in internal and external clients relations and is always keen to explore new approaches to her areas of work. She has an outstanding sensitivity with people and brings creativity and fun to all the work she does.Pablo MuñozPROJECT COORDINATOR --
Pablo is a designer and creative with a passion for community building. Growing up in East Vancouver, he worked in projects to improve the wellbeing of immigrant and refugee communities locally and across the province.
As a recent OCAD University graduate he has brought interactive art installations to public space with the aim of improving urban life.Candice LeungPROJECT COORDINATOR --
Candice Leung joins 8 80 Cities as a passionate urbanist that takes pride in celebrating the well-being of communities. As Project Coordinator, she brings her experience working in both the private sector of city building and community organizing to support various initiatives. Her focus has primarily been on building capacity in civic engagement, equitable transportation, and community driven design. Her background in urban planning and social and environmental inequities, continue to inspire her to do the work she does.Liliana DiazACCOUNTANT --
It was 2009 when Liliana joined 8 80 Cities, bringing over 10 years of working international experience in General Accounting, Financial Planning, Budget preparation, forecasting and reporting. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, a specialization in taxation and a Financial Planning Postgraduate program recently completed, her hands-on knowledge of accounting standards and best practices allow Liliana to play an important piece in diverse projects and initiatives in different companies from the public and private sectors in both Canada and Mexico.
Liliana is passionate about starting up new projects and solutions. She loves outdoor spaces and nature and believes that being in harmony with nature is an important piece of anyone’s overall health and well-being. She is a firm supporter of 8 80 Cities initiatives, often involved as a volunteer as well, recognizing and contributing to the obvious benefits these multiple projects ultimately bring to society and people’s lives.Niko CasuncadSUMMER PROJECT COORDINATOR --
Niko is an action-oriented person who is passionate about leadership, city-building, and sustainable development. As a Top 30 Under 30 recipient (ACGC), he is dedicated to making cities better for everyone through an inclusive lens. He brings his experience in both the nonprofit sector and student community organizing to support various projects.
Niko holds a B.A. in Urban Studies and Certificate in Sustainability Studies from the University of Calgary. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Urban Planning at Ryerson University.8 80 Cities Board of DirectorsGil PenalosaFOUNDER, Director and Chair of the Board --
Gil Penalosa is passionate about cities for all people. Gil advises decision makers and communities on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities and focuses on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as sustainable mobility: walking, riding bicycles, using public transit, and the new use of cars.
Gil is the founder and chair of the board of the internationally recognized non-profit organization 8 80 Cities. The organization was created centred on a simple but powerful philosophy; if you create a great city for an 8 year old and an 80 year old, you will create a successful city for all people.
Gil also runs his own international consulting firm -- Gil Penalosa & Associates and is an accomplished keynote speaker and facilitator of strategic workshops.Jared KolbDirectorRafael VargasDirectorEti GreenbergDirectorSue LantzDirectorJuliana BerrioDirector... safe and happy cities that prioritize people's well-being. _db5e0b24-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2cTo improve the quality of life for people in cities_db5e0c1e-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2cMobility & Public SpaceBring citizens together to enhance mobility and public space_db5e0da4-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2cEngagementCreate unconventional engagement strategies_db5e0e80-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c1Unconventional Engagement --
Everyone has a voice, we provide the megaphone. Our expertise is in creating unconventional engagement strategies that get people informed, involved, and excited about new initiatives in their cities.
Our goal is to help create resilient communities where people are actively engaged and fairly represented in their city -- to do this we need to involve as many perspectives as possible in the process of city building.
Traditional methods of public consultation (like 7pm meetings at City Hall) tend to attract a narrow segment of the population. That’s why we focus on playful, imaginative, and approachable engagement activities that attract a wide range of stakeholders.
WE WILL HELP YOU:TargetsSet and meet ambitious targets for engaging new, diverse, and underrepresented groups in your community._db5e0f52-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c1.1EmpowermentLearn some tried and tested techniques for empowering citizens in the decision-making process._db5e1038-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c1.2CoalitionsBuild a coalition of supporters and momentum for public space improvement projects._db5e110a-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c1.3Ideas & ActionHarness new ideas and take action_db5e11e6-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c2Idea Labs --
Changing cities starts by harnessing exceptional new ideas and taking action. That's what 8 80 Idea Labs are all about.
We offer half-day and full day interactive sessions that involve knowledge-sharing with you and your team (the more diverse, the better!) and guides you through a process to generate new ideas and doable projects for your community.
Our global experience lets us bring fresh perspectives and the latest international practices that will enable renewed thinking about your city. Our city-building approach -- which is to create resilient communities where all people are actively engaged and fairly represented in the public realm -- helps to shift conventional viewpoints and open minds to innovative concepts.
WE WILL HELP YOU:Possibility ThinkingThink outside the box when it comes to the possibilities for public space transformation in your community._db5e12d6-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c2.1Project IdentificationIdentify short-term doable projects that produce quick wins and help build public support for public space transformations._db5e13b2-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c2.2Capacity BuildingBuild capacity to see projects through to successful implementation._db5e1628-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c2.3Open StreetsTemporarily open selected streets to people, by closing them to cars._db5e1740-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c3Open Streets Planning --
We are international experts in Open Streets design and implementation. 'Open Streets' are community-based programs that temporarily open selected streets to people, by closing them to cars. Streets become places where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can come out and improve their health.
We can help you start or improve an Open Streets program in your city. Our team brings a unique skill set—we are Open Streets practitioners (we help run the Open Streets program in Toronto) with international know-how. This helps us understand your practical needs and challenges, while also allowing us to step-back and provide guidance based on international best practice. We have helped more than 16 cities start their Open Streets programs across North America.
WE WILL HELP YOU:Partners & CoalitionsIdentify key partners and build the coalition needed to implement an Open Streets program in your community._db5e1826-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c3.1Routes & ProgrammingDesign the optimal route and develop a specialized programming plan based on best practice._db5e1916-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c3.2TrainingTrain staff and volunteers and build a sustainable model for implementation in the long term._db5e1a10-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c3.3Special ProjectsIncubate new strategies and ideas to elevate people-centred urbanism_db5e1b00-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c4We love to break the mold. That's why we take on Special Projects - these are projects that go beyond our other services. Our Special Projects incubate new strategies and ideas to elevate people-centred urbanism. We develop these projects in collaboration with our partners and clients.
We have developed public awareness campaigns, delivered capacity building Study Tours, developed youth-centered mentorship programs, and produced and published innovative printed and digital resources.
We collaborate for impact. We have built meaningful partnerships with diverse organizations looking to improve the quality of life in their community. Yours could be next!
WE WILL HELP YOU:Challenges & PartnershipsCatalyze new partnerships and trigger renewed thinking about existing challenges._db5e1be6-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c4.1Inspiration & ToolsProvide inspiration and tools to support the creative process for new city-building ideas._db5e1cf4-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c4.2Implementation & TroubleshootingMove from talking to doing, creating implementation strategies and troubleshooting challenges._db5e1de4-91dd-11e9-ae5c-d5dea37b1d2c4.32019-06-18OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net