Jay Pitter
@jaypitter.bsky.social
Award-Winning Placemaker (25+ North American Cities). Author. Speaker. Urban Planning Adjunct Professor. Subdivided Co-Editor. Two Book Deal w/ Penguin Random House Canada. Hip Hop & a lil Punk Rock. Hopeful.
Pinned
Jay Pitter
@jaypitter.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Seventy years ago today, Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and refused to move to the back. Her refusal & arrest ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A powerful reminder that we must advocate for dignified, equitable & joyful public transportation for all people.
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Seventy years ago today, Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and refused to move to the back. Her refusal & arrest ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A powerful reminder that we must advocate for dignified, equitable & joyful public transportation for all people.
Reposted by Jay Pitter
Homelessness in the U.S. is far more pervasive than the official figures suggest: roughly four million people are without housing right now.
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
December 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Homelessness in the U.S. is far more pervasive than the official figures suggest: roughly four million people are without housing right now.
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Finished recording the last chapters of my book this week. Speaking the book aloud taught me a lot: emotional presence over perfection, the sacredness of direct quotes, my Jamaican roots living on the tip of my tongue, and the rare gift of trusting others to hold the process with me. Grateful.
November 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Finished recording the last chapters of my book this week. Speaking the book aloud taught me a lot: emotional presence over perfection, the sacredness of direct quotes, my Jamaican roots living on the tip of my tongue, and the rare gift of trusting others to hold the process with me. Grateful.
Long walks are hands down my favourite public joy practice. They bring me a deep sense of rootedness, allow me to get out of my over-active head, facilitate unexpected connections with folks & connect me to beauty. Incredible & diverse list of long walks:
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
The 13 Most Magical Long Walks In the World
We’re not talking about big thru-hikes, but extended pathways through glorious landscapes in some of the most stunning places in the world
www.outsideonline.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Long walks are hands down my favourite public joy practice. They bring me a deep sense of rootedness, allow me to get out of my over-active head, facilitate unexpected connections with folks & connect me to beauty. Incredible & diverse list of long walks:
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
Elected officials shouldn’t have the power to vote against traffic signals or lower speed limits. I don’t think this because I don’t believe in democracy; I think this because I believe in evidence-based placemaking & city-building. Safer streets shouldn’t be situational or left up to a vote.
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Elected officials shouldn’t have the power to vote against traffic signals or lower speed limits. I don’t think this because I don’t believe in democracy; I think this because I believe in evidence-based placemaking & city-building. Safer streets shouldn’t be situational or left up to a vote.
Reposted by Jay Pitter
Nadine and the Swimming Lesson
November 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Nadine and the Swimming Lesson
I love Toronto but the fact that permitting convenience stores in residential neighbourhoods is an actual debate reminds me of how incredibly conservative the city is. Like, are people okay?
November 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I love Toronto but the fact that permitting convenience stores in residential neighbourhoods is an actual debate reminds me of how incredibly conservative the city is. Like, are people okay?
Agreed. And a third thing:
People and the planet urgently require more than “light-years better” given how low the benchmark is. Lukewarm centrist political agendas, which would have been considered right of centre a decade ago, is simply not imaginative or courageous enough.
People and the planet urgently require more than “light-years better” given how low the benchmark is. Lukewarm centrist political agendas, which would have been considered right of centre a decade ago, is simply not imaginative or courageous enough.
Two things can be true at the same time, Canada.
1. Yes, I’m disappointed with some of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approaches so far, particularly around climate action, and his definations of “nation-building.” We should expect better.
2. Carney is still light-years better than Pierre Poilievre.
1. Yes, I’m disappointed with some of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approaches so far, particularly around climate action, and his definations of “nation-building.” We should expect better.
2. Carney is still light-years better than Pierre Poilievre.
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Agreed. And a third thing:
People and the planet urgently require more than “light-years better” given how low the benchmark is. Lukewarm centrist political agendas, which would have been considered right of centre a decade ago, is simply not imaginative or courageous enough.
People and the planet urgently require more than “light-years better” given how low the benchmark is. Lukewarm centrist political agendas, which would have been considered right of centre a decade ago, is simply not imaginative or courageous enough.
Sidewalks should be spacious enough for greetings to become gatherings.
October 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Sidewalks should be spacious enough for greetings to become gatherings.
The fact that a president can single handedly make decisions that threaten public health, freedom of fact-based information, civil rights, women’s rights, government services, etc. reveals the fragility of democracy. I naively believed that democracy protected us from these & other threats.
October 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The fact that a president can single handedly make decisions that threaten public health, freedom of fact-based information, civil rights, women’s rights, government services, etc. reveals the fragility of democracy. I naively believed that democracy protected us from these & other threats.
Reposted by Jay Pitter
"Paulette Jordan just won the Democratic primary for governor in Idaho. Meaning, she's now positioned to become the first female governor of Idaho--and the first Native American governor in the US."-Powwow Nation
October 21, 2025 at 2:19 AM
"Paulette Jordan just won the Democratic primary for governor in Idaho. Meaning, she's now positioned to become the first female governor of Idaho--and the first Native American governor in the US."-Powwow Nation
When I began Black Public Joy, I thought the story was about collective joy in public life—but writing revealed it was also about reclaiming my own. Creating space for personal joy, beyond achievement and performance, has been the greatest gift of this journey. I can’t wait to share it with you.
October 21, 2025 at 11:37 PM
When I began Black Public Joy, I thought the story was about collective joy in public life—but writing revealed it was also about reclaiming my own. Creating space for personal joy, beyond achievement and performance, has been the greatest gift of this journey. I can’t wait to share it with you.
As I advance my public joy framework, people often picture a destination — a concert, a park, a festival. But the quality of the commute is one of the most powerful metrics of public joy. Parents trading minivans for electric cargo bikes are modelling this metric.
Many parents are now are forgoing minivans for greener alternatives: cargo bikes. They have been around for decades, but the advent of the electric bike motor has made them much more popular. n.pr/3WJyZn9
Why more parents are riding cargo bikes, skipping the minivan
Many parents are now are forgoing minivans for greener alternatives: cargo bikes. They have been around for decades, but the advent of the electric bike motor has made them much more popular.
n.pr
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
As I advance my public joy framework, people often picture a destination — a concert, a park, a festival. But the quality of the commute is one of the most powerful metrics of public joy. Parents trading minivans for electric cargo bikes are modelling this metric.
This is one of the central questions, challenges & gentle invitations in my upcoming Penguin Random House book, Black Public Joy.
“If war can be waged against Black and other exploited bodies, then what prevents those bodies from being reclaimed by individuals as sites for waging joy?
“If war can be waged against Black and other exploited bodies, then what prevents those bodies from being reclaimed by individuals as sites for waging joy?
October 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
This is one of the central questions, challenges & gentle invitations in my upcoming Penguin Random House book, Black Public Joy.
“If war can be waged against Black and other exploited bodies, then what prevents those bodies from being reclaimed by individuals as sites for waging joy?
“If war can be waged against Black and other exploited bodies, then what prevents those bodies from being reclaimed by individuals as sites for waging joy?
Reposted by Jay Pitter
Word on the street is that there are a bunch of new folks joining Bluesky right now, so it seems like a good time to re-share my first & biggest STARTER PACK of urbanists & city-making organizations from across the world. Hope you’ll consider following the excellent accounts here. And please share!
October 16, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Word on the street is that there are a bunch of new folks joining Bluesky right now, so it seems like a good time to re-share my first & biggest STARTER PACK of urbanists & city-making organizations from across the world. Hope you’ll consider following the excellent accounts here. And please share!
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.
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?
October 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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.
A cover that is more than a design.
It’s a declaration.
BLACK PUBLIC JOY
JAY PITTER
JANUARY 2026
Published by Penguin Random House
It’s a declaration.
BLACK PUBLIC JOY
JAY PITTER
JANUARY 2026
Published by Penguin Random House
October 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
A cover that is more than a design.
It’s a declaration.
BLACK PUBLIC JOY
JAY PITTER
JANUARY 2026
Published by Penguin Random House
It’s a declaration.
BLACK PUBLIC JOY
JAY PITTER
JANUARY 2026
Published by Penguin Random House
Reposted by Jay Pitter
Tori Amos says her new album ‘In Times of Dragons’ is “a metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America.”
Tori Amos Prepping New Album 'In Times of Dragons' "About The Fight For Democracy Over Tyranny"
New Tori Amos is on the way. Today, the Little Earthquakes musician announced a new studio album titled In Times of Dragons, which is slated for next spring via Universal’s recently relaunched Fontana...
www.stereogum.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Tori Amos says her new album ‘In Times of Dragons’ is “a metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America.”
In every school album I had as a little girl, there was a line that asked: What do you want to be when you grow up? From wobbly printing in Grade 2 to confident cursive years later, I always wrote the same thing: writer. Although I’ve been previously published, this book is what that kid meant :)
October 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In every school album I had as a little girl, there was a line that asked: What do you want to be when you grow up? From wobbly printing in Grade 2 to confident cursive years later, I always wrote the same thing: writer. Although I’ve been previously published, this book is what that kid meant :)
I’m genuinely glad to see Jimmy Kimmel reinstated. The outpouring of public support for him this past week is a reminder of how democracy works in the contemporary public square. But I can’t celebrate this moment without naming a significant disparity.
September 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I’m genuinely glad to see Jimmy Kimmel reinstated. The outpouring of public support for him this past week is a reminder of how democracy works in the contemporary public square. But I can’t celebrate this moment without naming a significant disparity.
Reposted by Jay Pitter
Here are some nice mushrooms
September 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Here are some nice mushrooms
Reposted by Jay Pitter
This is tiresome: a couple builds a 4100 ft.² second home, but reuses materials and so it is supposedly eco-friendly.
What’s even greener:
- Keeping the existing building
- Not having a second home at all
What’s even greener:
- Keeping the existing building
- Not having a second home at all
Canada sends millions of tonnes of construction waste to landfills each year. Here’s how one B.C. couple turned an aging house into a carbon-neutral test case for salvaged design. https://macleans.ca/economy/realestateeconomy/the-great-unbuild/
The Great Unbuild - Macleans.ca
A Vancouver couple salvaged materials from an ’80s home to build a carbon-neutral barn by the sea
macleans.ca
September 20, 2025 at 12:43 AM
This is tiresome: a couple builds a 4100 ft.² second home, but reuses materials and so it is supposedly eco-friendly.
What’s even greener:
- Keeping the existing building
- Not having a second home at all
What’s even greener:
- Keeping the existing building
- Not having a second home at all
Laurentian University has a course focused on urban ageing course that seems to depart from the typical “let’s make sure these old folks can age at home, have enough time to make it across the cross walk & have benches to sit on while navigating public spaces.” Not suggesting these aren’t important…
September 7, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Laurentian University has a course focused on urban ageing course that seems to depart from the typical “let’s make sure these old folks can age at home, have enough time to make it across the cross walk & have benches to sit on while navigating public spaces.” Not suggesting these aren’t important…
Recently, I refused a high profile contract in an amazing city b/c the potential client didn’t have an implementation budget or resource development plan. I refuse to engage & raise hopes of communities on behalf of clients unwilling to make investments beyond consultants. I’ve learned say “no”…
So yes, my perspectives and approaches have changed a lot, with new experience, and the reality that the challenges and urgencies we now face make our 2012 complexities seem almost easy by comparison.
I’d question any urbanist whose perspectives HAVEN’T meaningfully changed over those years.
end/
I’d question any urbanist whose perspectives HAVEN’T meaningfully changed over those years.
end/
August 28, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Recently, I refused a high profile contract in an amazing city b/c the potential client didn’t have an implementation budget or resource development plan. I refuse to engage & raise hopes of communities on behalf of clients unwilling to make investments beyond consultants. I’ve learned say “no”…