Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brent Toderian

@brenttoderian.bsky.social

61K followers 1.1K following 3.7K posts

Global advisor on better cities, city planning, transportation & urban change. City planner + urbanist leading @ToderianUW.bsky.social. Past Chief Planner for Vancouver BC. Past/founding President of @CanUrbanism.bsky.social. International speaker & media.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · Jun 25

NEW: “Canadian urbanist @brenttoderian.bsky.social teamed up with the city of Paris and, in particular, its mayor, @annehidalgo.bsky.social on a new exhibition that shines a light on cities and global climate action.”

Thanks very much @momentummag.bsky.social for the great questions! #Paris

9 78 340

Reposted by Brent Toderian

nullifie @nullifie.bsky.social · 27m

Hundreds of people who were once detained at "Alligator Alcatraz" have disappeared.

Lawyers and family members have been unable to reach them.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀.

It’s as if they never existed.

What did the government do to them?

youtu.be/NwPbnsZ_XqU?...

Where Are The Detainees? Hundreds of "Alligator Alcatraz" Prisoners Disappear from ICE Database

YouTube video by Democracy Now!

youtu.be

3 12 13

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Dana R. Fisher (aka the Apocalyptic Optimist) @fisherdanar.bsky.social · 1d

When a collaborator is targeted because her scientific findings that attribute extreme weather to human-caused climate change is being used (effectively) in climate lawsuits against oil companies, you know times are dark indeed.

ICYMI @davidho.bsky.social

www.eenews.net/articles/cli...

Climate critics try to discredit IPCC author for linking disasters to global warming

Roger Pielke Jr. and oil industry supporters are attacking climate scientist Friederike Otto, whose work has been used in lawsuits against polluters.

www.eenews.net

9 160 350

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Jennifer C @thejenniwren.teamlh.social · 10h

🧵
ICE abducted a 15-year-old autistic boy during a bathroom break and kept him hidden for nearly a week.
His mother thought he was missing. Even local police couldn’t find him because ICE never told anyone they had him.

He was selling fruit with his mom when he asked to use the restroom.

36 300 400

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 26m

“Hidalgo spearheaded legislation that constrains her eventual successor from reversing her policies & long-term goals, such as the creation of 55 acres of new green areas by 2040, and requiring at least 65% of any site bigger than 150sq.m remains soil or plants, with no building or paving allowed.”

Seine swimming pool opening gives Paris mayor another jewel in her green crown

Making the famed river swimmable is one of the final big projects Anne Hidalgo will inaugurate before she leaves office next year.

www.politico.eu

1 8 23

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 5h

If you're going to write headlines like this, why even have newspapers?

Popehat Agitates And Irritates @kenwhite.bsky.social · 8h

Should the New York Times be sold to Pennysaver and its editors sent to work in Amazon warehouses? It depends on who you ask.

15 81 510

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 35m

ICYMI: blunt messaging around what’s really necessary for better cities anywhere in the world — including the need to call out the misinformation and conspiracy theories used to attack new/old ideas. I also discuss our current Exhibition at Paris City Hall inspiring real climate action from cities.

Calgary Climate Hub @calgaryclimatehub.ca · Aug 20

This month's guest is one of the world's TOP urbanists, Canadian @brenttoderian.bsky.social! We talk suburbs, #sprawl, #BikeLanes, why smart #CityBuilding is the common sense climate solution & the awesome responsibility of the city councils we elect. #yyc #yyccc www.podcastics.com/episode/3796...

Brent Toderian & the Common Sense of Climate Smart Cities

Why urban design is a force multiplier in the fight against climate change

www.podcastics.com

4 5

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 4h

Or just people riding bikes.

1 1 50

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 9h

Did people actually believe Trump during his campaign, or did they just love the permission he gave them to be racist?

Trump on loop: “They’re stealing your jobs.”

If that were true, why aren’t Americans lining up to take those so-called “stolen” jobs?

Every Trump voter needs to see this.

170 1.2K 2.5K

Reposted by Brent Toderian

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 1h

ICYMI — Trump lied that Chicago had “4000” murders, when it’s projected to have 380 this year (way down from last year)

If it’s so bad there why does he have to keep lying about it?

59 300 920

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Jay Pitter @jaypitter.bsky.social · 2h

This is wild and kinda amazing. As a Jamaican-Canadian, I’m confident that the fact that you were very blunt was well received. Our culture is very direct and warm. Also, I am confident my peeps will make strides, that’s also a part of our culture :) Congrats on a successful engagement.

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 8h

The ENERGY in our big public event in downtown Kingston, Jamaica Thursday (700-800 registered plus walk-ins) was seriously off the charts. Remarkable constructive energy. An urgent call to action(I was VERY blunt!) Will it, along with media and 3 days working with local leaders, be a turning point?

Part of the big crowd. Huge room, full balcony too

4 26

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 1h

After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him

Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.

www.miamiherald.com

98 1.2K 2.2K

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Renee de St. Croix @reneedsc.bsky.social · Sep 1

“The change shows how ambitious policymaking can directly improve health in large cities. Air pollution is often described by health experts as a silent killer. Both PM 2.5 and nitrogen dioxide have been linked to major health problems, including heart attacks, lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma.”

Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.

Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.

www.washingtonpost.com

3 57 190

Reposted by Brent Toderian

TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW) @toderianuw.bsky.social · 6h

“But to me, the heart of the exhibition is about more persuasively connecting the dots for people between better city-building & a better climate future. You can’t have one without the other. So the main theme was about cities taking bolder climate action, going further & faster with fewer excuses.”

Canadian Cities Guru Teams Up with Paris Mayor for Groundbreaking New Exhibition

Canadian urbanist Brent Toderian teamed up with Paris and, in particular, Mayor Anne Hidalgo on a new exhibition, From Paris to Belém.

momentummag.com

7 14

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Isabel Santos @isabelsantos.bsky.social · 6h

An anonymous crypto trader reportedly made $88 million by betting Bitcoin would crash—just before President Trump’s tariff announcement triggered that drop—sparking online speculation about possible insider trading within the administration.
www.rawstory.com/trump-267417...

‘That’s the MAGA playbook’: Crypto trade made moments before Trump post raises eyebrows

An anonymous online cryptocurrency trader reportedly scored an $88 million profit after making a lofty bet that the value of Bitcoin would plummet, a bet that was made just before a major tariff annou...

www.rawstory.com

8 54 90

Reposted by Brent Toderian

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 1h

"Making the rigged election claim to the military now, retroactively, is a half-step. By stating it as fact and forcing the general staff to accept it, he is laying the predicate to make such a claim directly to the military in the future."

“Legal Orders” and Trump’s Military

Authoritarians don’t take power by openly flouting the law. They look for pretexts and legal theories.

www.thebulwark.com

12 75 260

Reposted by Brent Toderian

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 23h

‘We’re fighting for you!’ Podcaster Ben Meiselas on taking on the Maga media – and winning the ratings battle

His channel, MeidasTouch, puts out 15 videos a day exposing Republican failings – and it is getting bigger audiences than Joe Rogan’s. Is this the champion the American left has been waiting for?

www.theguardian.com

51 580 2.4K

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Saint Vice @savic.bsky.social · 1d

BBC decided to cancel a podcast on heat pumps deeming the topic "controversial" because it presented that the technology could contribute to net zero reducing carbon emmissions.

In 2025 an anti-science posture is not only valid, but required in any debate to be considered "balanced" 😬

6 62 210

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 3h

Many urbanist speakers, including many friends, have packaged speeches they give around the world. Many such speeches are great & inspiring, and help cities. But my approach is very different, probably because my real job is advising cities. I agonize over very specific presentations for each city.

Picture of me presenting in Kingston, Jamaica this week.

1 2 37

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Bjorn Radstrom @bjornradstrom.bsky.social · 5h

“If Jimmy Allred says it’s raining, and W. Lee O’Daniel says it isn’t raining.” Mewhinney wrote. “Texas newspapermen quote them both, and don’t look out the window to see which is lying, and to tell the readers what the truth is at the moment.”

3 20

Reposted by Brent Toderian

J. Elvis Weinstein @jelvisweinstein.bsky.social · 19d

I know antifa isn't a real organization because I don't get 40 texts a week from them asking for donations.

390 6.5K 32K

Reposted by Brent Toderian

TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW) @toderianuw.bsky.social · 5h

Switzerland is “rich in something vanishingly rare in the rest of the world: common sense. This is most apparent in the way the Swiss get around…a model of sensible, sustainable — and yes, even enjoyable — transit. It’s simply the best transportation system in the world.” Via @taras-grescoe.com

Anatomy of the Swiss Revolution

How Switzerland Engineered Itself into Becoming the World's Greatest Transit Nation

www.highspeed.blog

9 50

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Joey Politano🏳️‍🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 7h

also rapidly urbanizing (1.8k->2.4k->3k over the last 40 years) in a way the US is not (1.8k->2k->2.2k)

4 10 110

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Oh The Urbanity! @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social · 7h

Fun fact: despite the enormous land mass, the population-weighted density of Canada — basically the density experienced by the average person — is the same as Denmark and close to the Netherlands.

Canada and Denmark are 3,000 people per km², while the Netherlands is 3,400/km².

Mapping Population Density Across the Globe

Explore the detailed geography of population across the globe with interactive mapping and statistics. Identify global megacity regions and the growth and diversity of urban forms. Data is from the Gl...

luminocity3d.org

5 40 220

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Get Out The Mid Term Vote @gotmtv.bsky.social · 14h

2 160 380

Reposted by Brent Toderian

Scott Behson @scottbehson.bsky.social · 2h

There’s online safety training that you could take every three years and get a discount on your car insurance. I do it every cycle to get the discount, and I always come away learning a thing or two.

1 9