GWCN Newsletter: September 2024

Welcome to the 2nd GWCN newsletter!

Enjoy our 1st newsletter from June 2024 on LinkedIn here and via the Pedestrian Space newsletter here.

As you enjoy this 2nd newsletter of our network, please keep in mind we always welcome new members as well as collaborations with our diverse chapters and regional hub leaders

Please feel free to get in touch at [email protected] with questions and ideas for collaboration. ?Below you will also find direct contact to many of our network leaders!

GWCN Phoenix Chapter Lead Jamie Trufin has set up a Discord for our global network of practitioners, students, researchers, advocates and others passionate about helping to create walkable communities. Join here.

Update from GWCN Chicago Chapter Lead Cori Dahl on their July and August activities:

“GWCN Chicago took a walk on the 606 Bloomingdale Trail for our July event. This is a converted railway to a greenway. The trail offers green space connectivity to neighborhoods for pedestrians, cyclists, and even roller skaters! We looked at the various landscapes along the trail, connectivity, and enjoyed the sunshine.”

“For our August event, GWCN Chicago explored two Chicago neighborhoods Logan Square/Avondale. Our route explored residential sections to look at the different types of housing stock (single-family homes, 2 and 3 flat buildings, and traditional?apartment buildings), down the main commercial?corridor which is receiving infrastructure?updates to include larger sidewalks, bus islands, and bike lanes, and finally ended at two local businesses: Kone Ranger for shopping and Deep Red Wine Merchants for a social hour.”

If you are an organization or individual interested in collaborating with GWCN Chicago on events (walks, talks, workshops etc) please email [email protected]?

Insight from GWCN Türkiye

Update from GWCN Istanbul chapter lead Merve ?zhan

“Due to hot weather we have not done any walkshops during the summer. Many people have left the city for cooler towns and we are looking forward to meet by October to start discussing walkability again.

Please contact chapter Lead Merve at [email protected] if you are interested in collaborating with GWCN Istanbul for activities such as workshops, walkshops or local talks

Update from GWCN Mersin chaper

Discussion between Merve ?zhan and Ayse Umay Gezer, BArch on walkability in Mersin.

“Our neighborhood is walkable but lacks a human-oriented design. The lively streets lead to noisy and densely populated areas that are not pedestrian-friendly. It's difficult to find a pleasant route to walk. There are many vehicles that exceed the speed limit, even on the side streets. Children play on the narrow and numerous streets, similar to 30 years ago, and have to yield to cars. There's parking available at the school, making access easier. During school hours, children can walk to school in groups with a guide.”

GWCN is activating world regional hubs!

Founded in January 2022, the purpose of the Global Walkability Correspondents Network (GWCN) is to provide space and opportunities for advocates of walkability and sustainable mobility to connect, cultivate solidarity, share ideas and support. The network also contributes to the media ecosystem on issues of walkability and its central role in sustainable urban development.

A year ago we began to focus on using our global connectivity to support local activity in the form of local, regional and national chapters. ?As we continue to support chapter development, we are excited to also devote energy to regional hub development to support more regional leadership in the network as well as outreach in areas around the world.

Our Asia hub currently has 3 network members in leadership: sustainability consultant Divantha Ekanayake (Chapter Lead for GWCN Sri Lanka), sustainable mobility advocate Arghyadip Hatua ?and Hyderabad Bicycle Mayor Santhana Selvan (Chapter Leads for GWCN Asia).

Our Europe hub currently has urban designer and architect Merve ?zhan ?in leadership. Merve is also the chapter leader for the GWCN Istanbul Chapter?& the GWCN national Türkiye chapter.

Announcement for South America Hub

EN

We are very excited to be activating World Regional Hubs at Global Walkability Network! ?Vitoria-based architect and urban planner Rodrigo de Carvalho and Osório-based architect and urban planner Alencar Massulo are our first and pioneering regional hub leaders. Are you interested in helping to advocate for walkable communities? Please join us!

PT

Estamos muito entusiasmados com a ativa??o dos Hubs Regionais Mundiais na Global Walkability Network! Os arquitetos e urbanistas Rodrigo, de Vitória, e Alencar, de Osório, s?o nossos primeiros e pioneiros líderes de hubs regionais. Você tem interesse em ajudar a defender e promover comunidades e cidades caminháveis? Junte-se a nós!

ES

Estamos muy contentos de activar los Hubs Regionales Mundiales en la Global Walkability Network. Rodrigo, arquitecto y urbanista de Vitória, y Alencar, arquitecto y urbanista de Osório, son nuestros primeros y pioneros líderes regionales. ?Estás interesado en ayudar a promover comunidades caminables? únete a nosotros.

South America Regional Leads Rodrigo de Carvalho and Alencar Massulo and GWCN founder Annika Lundkvist, FSI

Our North America hub is currently led by our two pioneering local chapter leaders- Cori Dahl who leads the GWCN Chicago Chapter and Jamie Trufin , leading GWCN Phoenix Chapter. ?We also have Cincinnati-based Vanny Mwamba of Urban Hikers Inc ?who supports the network in the capacity of Global Chapters Advisor.

Are you committed to issues of walkability and interested in collaborating in volunteer leadership roles to build momentum and awareness on the importance of prioritizing safe, accessible pedestrian mobility as a foundational element in our communities? We are on the lookout for committed advocates for more collaborative leadership for our existing hubs above and to also activate regions of Oceania, Africa and Central America as network hubs

Please feel free to get in touch!

Congratulations to GWCN India for launching their social media!

Visit them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gwcnindia

Chapter leads Santhana Selvan and Arghyadip Hatua write in their launching post:

“Big news! We're stoked to launch the GWCN India???? Chapter! As passionate advocates for walkable cities, we're joining forces with?@pedestrianspace?,?@globalwalkabilitynetwork?to make our streets safer, more accessible, and downright enjoyable. We believe that walkability is the key to unlocking vibrant, livable cities - and we're on a mission to make that a reality across India. With India's cities evolving at lightning speed, we think it's high time we put pedestrians first. Through collaboration, education, and community engagement, we're working towards streets that are safe, green, and inclusive for all. If you're as pumped as we are about sustainable mobility, urban design, or just love exploring your city on foot, join our movement! Let's shape the future of walkability in India together. Stay tuned for updates, insights, and ways to get involved!”

Please contact Chapter Leads directly at [email protected]

Welcome GWCN Sri Lanka Chapter!!

Congratulations to Divantha Ekanayake for his recent transformation of his GWCN: Global Walkability Correspondents Network chapter from a city to national chapter.?

Repost by GWCN Sri Lanka Chapter Lead Divantha:

?I’m excited to announce the launch of the Sri Lankan chapter of the GWCN: Global Walkability Correspondents Network! Our mission is to ignite and foster urbanism discourse in Sri Lanka

As part of this transition, we have made the decision to close the GWCN Kandy chapter for the following reasons:

1.) While the urbanism movement has gained traction globally, it is still new in Sri Lanka. This makes it crucial to broaden the conversation nationwide, beyond a single city.

2.) With the recent launch of my startup, Kandy Planning Lab , any Kandy-specific activities and initiatives will now be spearheaded through this platform. You are all welcome to join it.”

Congratulations Divantha and what an incredible mission you are on to foster meaningful urbanism discourse among Sri Lankans of all walks of life!

Divantha also shares that as an initial chapter project, they are planning to do a YouTube video, titled 'X (a number) Foreigners ask Sri Lankans a Single Question'. ?

People featured in the video will answer the question "Why good walkability and good public transportation is crucial for the livability of a city'?

And then they will ask the question from the viewers, 'How is walkability and public transportation in Sri Lankan cities?'

The aim is to feature people from around the world, as much as possible so we would highly appreciate volunteers. Please contact Divantha Ekanayake at [email protected] to participate!

A note of thanks to network member Raluca Hurmuz for her ongoing support with graphics developments for chapters and to network member Merve ?zhan for development of graphic for regional hubs!

For more info on the Network, Chapter leads and to stay in touch, collaborate and get involved, please visit us at the main GWCN page: https://pedestrianspace.org/global-walkability-correspondents/