Brent Toderian

Planned obsolescence goes all the back to the end of the Great Depression, was coined in a 1940s(?) paper as a way to stimulate the American economy

This post is absolutely essential reading.
What was present in many national governments – lies, denial of science, and hatred for humanists – is now coming to our cities. We must say no!
Let's read it and share it widely.
Now more than ever, our cities must uphold the values of humanist urbanism.

The whole "war on cars" whining is really the perfect example of, "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression."

Absolutely fascinating information about better city development.

Vancouver's Granville Street to be pedestrian-only during FIFA Men's World Cup | CBC News Five blocks of Granville Street will be closed between West Georgia and Davie streets from June 11 to July 20, but cross streets will remain open to traffic.

5 blocks of Granville Street in downtown Vancouver will be closed to almost all traffic for the duration of the FIFA Men's World Cup June 11 to July 12th.

“…live music, expanded patios, art installations and family-friendly activities…”

Remember, it’s not just what you remove. It’s what you add.

Problem is, if you like that kind of logic, a lot of countries could say the same thing about the United States.

Before and after in #Paris, surface gas station in front of a residential building, converted into green space.

Imagine if your city did urban transformations like this. The 18th arrondissement of Paris, before and after, 2020 to 2024. Think about how that neighbourhood would feel after this change. How YOUR neighbourhood would feel.

It can happen. Just takes vision & leadership.

HT @emmanuelspv.bsky.social

Watch this.

If you hear a politician claim there really IS a “war on cars” in your city hall (and we don’t mean in an ironic way, like @thewaroncars.bsky.social does it), you have full and enthusiastic permission to steal @brenttoderian.bsky.social’s reply below. #UrbanTruth

Gas prices are skyrocketing thanks to Trump’s illegal war. And that’s just the financial cost.

Gorgeous. #OhCanada

So far the war in Iran has cost an estimated $5.5 billion.

That's roughly $1 billion per day.

$41,666,667 per hour.

$11,574 per second.

People do not want this.

They want a living wage. They want healthcare. They want to be able to afford a home. They want their basic needs met.

It’s almost like he’s hoping for it so that he can have an excuse to use “emergency powers”

Lucifer has a point

CBS obtained video of the DHS killing of an unarmed man in Texas that DHS concealed for nearly a year, which clearly contradicts claims that he violently rammed anyone. He is shot with his brake lights on, car not moving or barely moving. Another DHS crime.

Do YOU have an idea for a compelling message that could change people’s minds about some element of better, smarter city-making for people?

If you’d like to share it with us, and we use it, we’ll credit you in the post (not on our graphic, but in the post…like we did below).

Thanks!

#UtbanTruth

Oh, I laughed too hard. This is too real.

Urban Truth Collective: Straight Talk About The Joy Of Cities In An Age Of Disinformation — Streetsblog USA The Three Tenors of Urbanism explain their latest effort: The Urban Truth Collective.

NEW: “We’ve let the lies be far too successful, and that’s significantly hurt our cities. No more.”

The brand-new @urbantruth.bsky.social has a blunt op-ed in @usa.streetsblog.org written by Canadians @brenttoderian.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social, & American in Paris @grantennis.bsky.social.

Fact check: Joe Hockey's 'poor people' don't have cars, don't drive far claim misleading YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)

Australia’s 21st Ambassador to the U.S. had this covered.

#auspol

youtu.be/U4RUNl8niYo

Brilliant!

Culdesac Is the First Car-Free Neighborhood and Conspiracy Theorists Hate It | The Daily Show YouTube video by The Daily Show

WATCH: Think 15-Minute City conspiracy theorists are just unhinged tin-foil hat nut jobs ranting about global overlords? Well, drop everything and watch this hard-hitting story by the @thedailyshow.com to be proven… um… #UrbanTruth

Congrats @culdesac.bsky.social

(ps, walkable cities can have cars)

Absolutely the best thing doing the rounds just now. And the best critique of late capitalism you will ever see.

This is one of the biggest peeves I have with urban sprawl. If developers and homeowners in the neighbourhoods outside the Henday were forced to pay (either in home price or taxes) fair value for what costs the city absorbs downtown living would be much more attractive financially.

Note this IMPORTANT paragraph.

“Some urbanists claim [the 15-Minute City] manufactured controversy has ‘died down,’ but the truth is that in many ways, the disinformation achieved its goal.”

That’s NOT ok. With or without the brand, the concept of proximity is critical & common sense. Discuss it.

Graphic of busy car-filled road and text stressing that car dependency is the opposite of freedom. Mobility freedom comes from mobility choices. Graphic by the Urban Truth Collective.

Gas price hikes & shortages “fuel” controversy, especially when they’re “driven” by an illegal war. But let’s not forget one of the most important discussions that should flow from such hikes — how they spotlight the difference between places with mobility choices, and places that are car-dependent.

AXIOS: RUBIO TOLD ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS THAT WASHINGTON'S GOAL IS NOT REGIME CHANGE AND THAT IT WANTS DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO RUN THE COUNTRY

Graphic of busy car-filled road and text stressing that car dependency is the opposite of freedom. Mobility freedom comes from mobility choices. Graphic by the Urban Truth Collective.

Gas price hikes & shortages “fuel” controversy, especially when they’re “driven” by an illegal war. But let’s not forget one of the most important discussions that should flow from such hikes — how they spotlight the difference between places with mobility choices, and places that are car-dependent.

Cartoon with Trump saying “right now you see a very deep hole, but have you seen my plans for my big, beautiful ballroom? It’s going to have golden drapes! I’ve always liked gold.” The reporter replies “I asked about your plan for the war you started.”

This may seem predictable coming from a city planner, but having an actual plan should be a requirement for starting a war, especially an illegal one.

HT @davewhamond.bsky.social

People Are Calling Meta Ray-Bans "Pervert Glasses" On Bluesky, users quickly embraced the term "pervert glasses" to refer to Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses, following a shocking investigation.

Make it stick.