The #CitiesFirst Podcast

Peter Schenkman, COO of Fernhay Solutions is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the transportation industry. As a former senior transportation commissioner in City of New York, he has been at the forefront of sustainable mobility conversations worldwide. His achievements include championing electric vehicles (EVs), zero-emission buses (ZEBs), and micro-mobility solutions. Peter has played pivotal roles in EV startups, launching light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and micro-mobility fleets. He excels in fleet optimization, last-mile delivery, and connected vehicles, and advocates for ADA compliance and inclusive transportation solutions. 🚶♀️🛴🚘Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is all about micro-deliveries, light electric vehicles (LEVs) and last mile logistics: 👇👇👇✅How has your experience as a New York City transportation commissioner informed your view of logistics and micro-deliveries✅Describe how LEVs and cargo bike deliveries are a necessary part of last mile policy✅What are some of the winning form factors in LEV and cargo bike design✅How can cities work with LEV OEMs and operators to better coordinate last mile delivery✅Tell us about your favorite micro-delivery hub in New York City, and what makes it specialBe sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Logistics Course: 💻 👇https://lnkd.in/dXRRa3Ny

David Smith, is currently the Complete Streets Director at the Chicago Department of Transportation overseeing the planning and design of infrastructure projects and policy development. David is responsible for the implementation of our citywide bicycle network, pedestrian safety improvements, and developing policies to improve mobility for all Chicagoans. Vision Zero Chicago team leader working with City agencies, advocacy organizations, and community groups to reduce crashes and eliminate traffic fatalities. David brings experience from previous roles at TYLin and City of Highland Park. David holds a Master's in Urban Planning and Public Policy in Economic Development / Transportation from the University of Illinois at Chicago - Graduate College. 🚶♀️🛴🚘Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about complete streets in Chicago: 👇👇👇✅How has Chicago successfully expanded its bike lane network since the pandemic?✅Describe how tactical urbanism programs are helping to strengthen Chicago´s communities✅What are some of the key elements of complete streets being implemented in Chicago✅How can complete streets better integrate and promote use of public transit?✅Tell us about your favorite complete streets project in Chicago, and what makes it special?Be sure to also register in the UMX Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept Course: 💻 👇https://urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/designing-a-livable-neighbourhood-the-woonerf-concept/?utm_source=cities_first&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=citiest1st_livingstreets_woon

Dr Kristina Gaučė has over 17 years’ experience in mobility/transport analysis and urban transport policy making, starting with the European Commission project STEP by STEP in 2003, following with transport development feasibility studies, participation in European projects (MAX, EPOMM-PLUS, ENDURANCE, EVIDENCE, numerous Interreg and UNDP projects and initiatives), representing these projects in Lithuania and EU conferences, presenting good practise and advising on transport policy to the local authorities, was involved in Guidelines on Developing and Implementing a Sustainable Urban Mobility plan and etc. Currently Dr Kristina Gaučė acts as the social partner/adviser on urban transport policy to Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Vilnius City Municipality and local public transport operators. 🚶♀️🛴🚘Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about SUMPs in Europe: 👇👇👇✅Why is sustainable urban mobility planning important and what are the differences from traditional approaches?✅Describe the main ingredients for developing and implementing SUMPs✅Tell us about your leadership in implementing SUMPs in Lithuania and across Europe✅What is needed to engage stakeholders and citizens?✅What are some lessons learned from SUMP implementation?Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) Course: 💻 👇https://lnkd.in/dWQQ3crZ

Jamey Tesler is currently the executive director of the just launched Mass Mobility Hub, a public benefit corporation with a mission to support the mobility sector and is looking to build community, support companies in their growth and accelerate change in this sector. Jamey is also a Visiting Fellow at the Taubman Center for State & Local Government at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Previously, Jamey served as Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of MassDOT, where he was responsible for a fully multimodal state transportation department, oversaw the leadership of the MBTA and served on the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority. Jamey had previously served as Registrar of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in June of 2020, after serving in the role on an interim basis since June of 2019. Jamey has previously worked for more than 20 years in senior management roles in the public sector with experience in infrastructure, transit, sustainability, mobility, public finance, and public policy. Jamey has also served as General Counsel to the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General, Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Acting Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Transportation, and as Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about mobility in Boston: 👇👇👇✅What are the latest mobility innovations to emerge in Boston?✅How can cities pilot new mobility tech, at scale?✅Tell us about Mass Mobility Hub and the emerging ecosystem✅How can startups sell to the public sector, and what are some best practices?✅Tell us about your professional journey from attorney to mobility expert

Ross Douglas is a South African entrepreneur who started his career as a nature documentarian and filmmaker. He collaborated with William Kentridge to produce 9 Films for Projection, which was performed in New York’s Central Park, London’s Barbican Centre and Berlin’s Guggenheim New York. After starting an art event company he created the FNB Joburg Art Fair (2008), the world’s first African contemporary art fair and a key gathering for the African art community.Concerned about global warming, Ross turned his attentions to sustainability. As road transport is one of the largest carbon emissions contributors, he decided to create an event to gather emerging new mobility solutions dedicated to lowering emissions and congestion. Autonomy, launched in Paris in 2015, was the result. Ross chose Paris for its central location, strong transport sector and anti-emissions policies. Autonomy, now the largest urban mobility event in the world, hosts 200 exhibitors, 10,000 visitors and 100 cities – all dedicated to change the way we move in cities. Ross also advises major companies such as Nike, AXA and Toyota Motor Corporation on mobility disruption.Here's a sneak peek into the upcoming episode, which will is all about transport decarbonization and sustainable mode shift: 👇👇👇✅What are the latest trends in decarbonization of the transport sector✅How has Paris emerged as a leader in shared and active mobility✅Tell us about the 2025 Global Decarbonization Expo and program✅How can cities across the globe implement the 15 Minute City at scale✅Tell us about your professional journey from filmmaker to decarbonization influencer

Nico Larco is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Urbanism Next Center at the University of Oregon and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Initiative, a nationally and internationally awarded, multidisciplinary organization that focuses on sustainability issues as they relate to the built environment. Professor Larco’s research focus includes sustainable urban design and the impacts of emerging technology on cities. The Urbanism Next Center, which he leads, is focused on how technological advances such as autonomous vehicles, new mobility, e-commerce and the sharing economy are changing city form and development. Professor Larco has received numerous national and international awards for his work, has been a Distinguished Fulbright Association Scholar in Chile and in Spain, and was a visiting researcher at Delft University of Technology and TNO in the Netherlands. He is a licensed architect and has worked professionally in the fields of Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, and Development. Larco is the principal of Larco/Knudson, an urban design consulting practice in Portland which focuses on sustainable urban design and assisting with the resilience of projects in the face of rapidly changing technology.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urban mobility innovation: 👇👇👇✅How has the urban mobility landscape evolved over the past five years ✅What are the latest mobility innovations transforming our built environments ✅How will autonomous vehicles be deployed at scale, and under which use cases ✅What are the key future-proofing techniques cities can leverage for new mobility ✅Tell us about your latest book, "Sustainable Urban Design Handbook"

The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast is excited to launch our quarterly webinar series, with an all star lineup of guests and speakers. This webinar episode, "Women in Shared and Active Mobility" features mobility experts Sandra Witzel and Alex Carroll. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about women in shared and active mobility: 👇👇👇✅Please share recent shared mobility business models & success stories✅What are the policy implications of active and shared mobility✅Tell us about how to improve walkability in urban environments✅What is most important for safety of women in public transport & shared mobility✅Please share the latest active mobility infrastructure innovations

Dr. Laura Narvaez Zertuche is an architect, urban designer, and a spatial scientist. She is a Partner in the Urban Design Group at Foster + Partners, where she leads people movement and data analytics within the firm since 2015. Her work incorporates evidence-based and research-led design that combines informed decision-making with simulation-powered design tools and strategic development of methodologies with their application to architecture and urban design. She has +17 years of experience working in urban design and master planning internationally, primarily in Mexico, UK, the Middle East and Asia. She is a specialist in assessing how issues such as pedestrian footfall, economic activity and social interactions will impact the viability, growth, and long-term evolution of projects, ranging from new cities to complex buildings. Laura works pro-bono as a contributor and advisor, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Urban AI -an international multi-disciplinary think-tank that investigates the ethical modes of governance and sustainable uses of artificial intelligence in cities. Laura is also a Lecturer at the Chair of Cognitive Sciences in ETH Zurich. She gained a MSc and PhD in Architecture and the Built Environment from the Space Syntax Laboratory at The Bartlett, UCL.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urbanism and AI: 👇👇👇✅Tell us about your journey from academia to practice✅What can AI tell us about the built environment and urban design✅How do you approach technology when applied to the urban scale✅What are some of the best examples of AI & machine learning in design✅Tell us about Urban AI and latest contributions to the think tank

Where some see forgotten places, Rik Adamski sees extraordinary opportunities and is dedicated to supporting extraordinary places where people thrive. As the President of ASH+LIME, Rik has consulted on over 50 projects across 35 towns and cities, focusing on downtown and neighborhood planning, local economic development, support for small developers, and deep stakeholder engagement. His approach is bottom-up and incremental, providing communities with tools and resources to achieve immediate, productive steps towards tangible results using their current resources. Rik earned his Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Planning & Urban Affairs and a BA in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati. Rik has consulted for several of the most prominent planning organizations in the US before moving to Texas and embracing a more nimble, actionable and participatory approach to developing communities.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about Third Places, tactical urbanism and incremental placemaking: 👇👇👇✅Tell us about how you approach public engagement and equity✅How can tactical urbanism re-activate neighborhoods & communities✅What are the building blocks for thriving public spaces & Third Places✅How have urbanism & mobility evolved since the pandemic✅Tell us about your professional journey to leading ASH + LIME

Accomplished public official, economist, and administrator, Enrique Peñalosa completed his second term as Mayor of Bogota, Colombia in December 2019. While mayor, Peñalosa was responsible for numerous and radical improvements to the city and its citizens. He promoted a city model giving priority to children and public spaces and restricting private car use, building hundreds of kilometers of sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian streets, greenways, and parks. After organizing a Car-Free Day in 2000, he was awarded the Stockholm Challenge Award and rewarded by a referendum vote endorsing an annual car-free day and the elimination of all cars from streets during rush hours from 2015 onwards, Peñalosa also led efforts to improve Bogotá's marginal neighborhoods through citizen participation which involved planting more than 100,000 trees, creating a new and highly successful bus-based transit system, and turning a deteriorated downtown avenue into a dynamic pedestrian public space. He helped transform the city's attitude from one of hopelessness to one of pride, developing a model for urban improvement based on the equal access of all people to transportation, education, and public spaces.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is about Bogota and Enrique's new book, "Equality and the City: Urban Innovations for All Citizens": 👇👇👇✅Tell us about how Bogota built environment has evolved during your two separate terms as mayor✅How has Bogota's bike lane network become a global model for active transportation✅What can North American and Europe learn from Latin American urbanism✅How is the Transmilenio BRT network integrated with shared and active modes✅Tell us about your new book "Equality and the City: Urban Innovations for All Citizens"An advanced city is not one where the poor own a car, but one where the rich use public transport.” - Enrique Penalosa

Veronica Vanterpool is the Federal Transit Administration’s Acting Administrator, assuming that role on February 24, 2024. Before that, she had served as Deputy Administrator since May 2022. She first joined FTA as Senior Advisor in August 2021.As Acting Administrator, Ms. Vanterpool helps advance the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration related to equity, climate, innovation, safety and workforce development. She oversees policy priorities and objectives along with day-to-day operations of the 700-person agency.She created FTA’s first Data Office, a new business line in the agency dedicated to data analysis, governance and communication. She also represents FTA on the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and serves as a member of The White House Inter Policy Council on Puerto Rico.Ms. Vanterpool came to FTA from Delaware Transit Corporation, where she served as the agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer. Her previous roles include being the Deputy Director of the national Vision Zero Network, executive director of the New York City based Tri-State Transportation Campaign and board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityHaving served on a number of boards, commissions, task forces and working groups, Ms. Vanterpool has 17 years of experience in advocacy, policy, media communications, public outreach, coalition building and issue campaigns. She is co-founder and former president of WTS Delaware; a member of Latinos In Transit, and a 2023 Awardee of COMTO Headquarters’ Women Who Moves the Nation. She was also selected to join the first cohort of the Biden Administration’s Presidential Leadership Workshop.She is a native New Yorker born and raised in The Bronx.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about federal public transit leadership: 👇👇👇✅Tell us about how FTA delivers equity in public transit✅How can we make public transit more accessible to all users✅What are the latest innovations that can bring riders back to public transit✅How has FTA leveraged the Infrastructure Bill to build back better

On the founding team at Lime, the world's largest electric micromobility company operating in over 250 markets globally, Andrew Savage helped lead the company from its inception through expansion across more than 30 countries while raising over $750 million in investment. Serving on the company’s executive team, Andrew built an organization which led Lime’s market development, government relations, and policy strategy before creating and leading the sustainability function at the company. Prior to Lime, he served on the executive team of an Inc. 500 solar manufacturer and renewable project developer where he spearheaded market-transforming policies, led new business development, and supported the company's national expansion. He was a twice-elected member to the Solar Energy Industries Association board of directors representing 1,000+ member businesses. While working in US Congress, Andrew helped author and lead the U.S. House of Representatives-passage of a $6 billion home energy retrofit program endorsed by President Barack Obama and included in the 2022 IRA. Andrew serves as an advisor to several impact start-ups, mentors at Harvard University’s iLab and Techstars, and is a past board member to several community non-profits.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about sustainability in micromobility: 👇👇👇✅What was micromobility and Lime like early on with cities and how has it changed/evolved?✅How has Lime built the sustainability arm of the business?✅What are the most important form factors in scooter and bike share design that encourage mode shift?✅How can operators and cities strengthen partnerships to achieve better public policy?✅Tell us about your mentoring work at Harvard’s iLab and Techstars, and how it strengthens the startup ecosystem

Thijn is based in Amsterdam and is a Venture Capital Investor at No Such Ventures and is responsible for portfolio management, fundraising, LP relations, internal operations, deal making, and deal flow management. Thijn is also the Founder of Check and led efforts across the organization such as operations (local, central, markets, analytics, hardware, launch), corporate development and legal. Thijn also currently advises and invests in Dockler B.V. and other startups. He was previously VC at Ponooc and Associate M&A and Junior Associate Equity & Debt Capital Markets at Linklaters. Trained as an attorney, Thijn graduated with both a Master of Laws (LL.M.) cum laude in Corporate and Commercial Law and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the European Law School at Maastricht University.Here's a sneak peek into the upcoming episode, which will be all about the “Dutch Way” of investing in mobility: 🇳🇱🚲💰👇👇👇✅Why is the Netherlands (and Amsterdam in particular) such a dynamic ecosystem for mobility startups and investors?✅Tell us about the “Dutch Way” of investing, and how the Triple Helix model of public/private/academic collaboration factors in?✅What can founders learn from the post-COVID city, and refine their pitches to align with impactful mobility use cases?✅How can cities more effectively align sustainable mobility plans (SUMPs) with private sector innovation and investment?✅Tell us about No Such Ventures and your “No BS”, democratic approach to investing in EU startups?

Andrea Learned is the Founder of LEARNED ON, LLC. She is a sustainability-focused writer and communications strategist specializing in digital thought leadership. Her early career success in marketing to women, culminating with the publishing of her book, Don’t Think Pink, gives her current sustainability and leadership work an underlying gender lens as well. After a year serving as a We Mean Business Coalition social engagement strategist around COP21, Andrea has returned to her independent consultancy, and is back to leveraging her networks and guiding clients to leadership platforms for a carbon footprint-countering, positive collective impact.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about sustainability: 👇👇✅What are key strategies that cities can put in place to encourage active transportation?✅How has Seattle positioned itself as a leader in shared mobility and tactical urbanism?✅What are the main factors that reinforce the role of mobility as an urban change agent?✅How can communities create safe and empowering public spaces for women?✅Tell us about Learned On and your book Don't Think Pink

Daniel is Founder & Owner of Urban Dynamics - design | planning | research | reflection (Porto and Amsterdam) and Director of the Future Design of Street - association, a platform for street design - improving streets as a social, natural and mobility space. Daniel works as an urban designer, planner and researcher at several spatial and urban assignments, projects studies, this from the level of a street to regional planning. Daniel has a PhD in Architecture – Dynamics and Urban Forms (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto) and a Master in Urbanism (Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten), and since 2002 has been a guest professor at several universities in Portugal and the Netherlands, among other European universities.Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urbanism: 👇👇👇✅How can superblocks help cities reclaim public space for people?✅What are the best recent examples of tactical urbanism in Portugal?✅Can the 15 minute city become a viable alternative to auto-centricity?✅How has urbanism shifted post-COVID, and what are the impacts on cities?✅Tell us about your work with the Future Design of Streets association and bookUrban Dynamics:www.urbandynamics.infoThe Future Design of Streets:https://lnkd.in/dssfBVEi