Jessica de Heij
@jdeheij.bsky.social
15-minute cities advocacy | Urbanism | Sustainability | 🇳🇱🇳🇿
Views are my own
📍Ōtepoti Dunedin, NZ
Views are my own
📍Ōtepoti Dunedin, NZ
Great to see some blue sky again. 😎🤙
January 29, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Great to see some blue sky again. 😎🤙
And not just applies to Auckland. Assume most cities have the same issue.
The solution is simple; make it harder to drive and make it easier to use PT, to cycle or to walk.
The solution is simple; make it harder to drive and make it easier to use PT, to cycle or to walk.
January 29, 2026 at 8:38 PM
And not just applies to Auckland. Assume most cities have the same issue.
The solution is simple; make it harder to drive and make it easier to use PT, to cycle or to walk.
The solution is simple; make it harder to drive and make it easier to use PT, to cycle or to walk.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
This piece on road pricing is not super helpful. Yes, PT needs to improve but most of the drivers heading to the city centre clogging up the network are from close-in where PT is very good. www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026...
New traffic charges could backfire, expert warns – University of Auckland
Traffic congestion charges won't work unless alternatives to driving to work are available, says University of Auckland’s Dr Hyesop Shin.
www.auckland.ac.nz
January 29, 2026 at 8:30 PM
This piece on road pricing is not super helpful. Yes, PT needs to improve but most of the drivers heading to the city centre clogging up the network are from close-in where PT is very good. www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026...
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
I wish we could have cycle paths like this between villages here in the UK. Often only a few miles away but only dangerous roads with no pavements between them. Villages have become islands of social isolation where teenagers can’t be independent and those that don’t drive are trapped.
The best cycle lanes are wide, beautiful and completely separate from other roads. This type of infrastructure is common here in the Netherlands. They often connect cities and offer a great alternative for driving.
January 29, 2026 at 7:48 AM
I wish we could have cycle paths like this between villages here in the UK. Often only a few miles away but only dangerous roads with no pavements between them. Villages have become islands of social isolation where teenagers can’t be independent and those that don’t drive are trapped.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
NZ has fallen into a 'crisis and response' pattern on climate disaster, experts say. Billions have been spent on storm recovery since 2023, while key climate adaptation funding and planning tools have been cut.
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
January 29, 2026 at 6:10 PM
NZ has fallen into a 'crisis and response' pattern on climate disaster, experts say. Billions have been spent on storm recovery since 2023, while key climate adaptation funding and planning tools have been cut.
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
So good too see reporters increasingly naming the climate change directly in relation to disasters, insead of the early 'unseasonal weather'. It makes a difference. #climatechange
NZ has fallen into a 'crisis and response' pattern on climate disaster, experts say. Billions have been spent on storm recovery since 2023, while key climate adaptation funding and planning tools have been cut.
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
January 29, 2026 at 6:15 PM
So good too see reporters increasingly naming the climate change directly in relation to disasters, insead of the early 'unseasonal weather'. It makes a difference. #climatechange
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
Leaders should absolutely show up, but disaster response isn’t a photo op or should be trivialised. Watching our Prime Minister hand out boxes of KFC to impacted communities was peak cringe IMO. We need serious, systems-level action and that 6b resilience fund like yesterday.
January 29, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Leaders should absolutely show up, but disaster response isn’t a photo op or should be trivialised. Watching our Prime Minister hand out boxes of KFC to impacted communities was peak cringe IMO. We need serious, systems-level action and that 6b resilience fund like yesterday.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
Smart-looking block of flats in Pt Chevalier Road.
And a small castle just off Mt Albert Road.
#Auckland #Architecture #BikeRide
And a small castle just off Mt Albert Road.
#Auckland #Architecture #BikeRide
January 29, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Smart-looking block of flats in Pt Chevalier Road.
And a small castle just off Mt Albert Road.
#Auckland #Architecture #BikeRide
And a small castle just off Mt Albert Road.
#Auckland #Architecture #BikeRide
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
New renders of this development by Precinct Properties, now called DOVA
121 apartments
106 car parks
6 retail spaces
960 sqm of shared landscaped green space
121 apartments
106 car parks
6 retail spaces
960 sqm of shared landscaped green space
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 PM
New renders of this development by Precinct Properties, now called DOVA
121 apartments
106 car parks
6 retail spaces
960 sqm of shared landscaped green space
121 apartments
106 car parks
6 retail spaces
960 sqm of shared landscaped green space
“An FMG spokesperson told RNZ nearly 5000 claims had been lodged with about half of those now closed.
The only event resulting in more claims for the insurer was the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.”
The only event resulting in more claims for the insurer was the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.”
January 28, 2026 at 11:54 PM
“An FMG spokesperson told RNZ nearly 5000 claims had been lodged with about half of those now closed.
The only event resulting in more claims for the insurer was the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.”
The only event resulting in more claims for the insurer was the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.”
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
Beautiful and thoughtful writing @nzdodo.bsky.social making sense of the climate disaster, the personal tragedies and the real story behind the headlines.
Today's post: @nzdodo.bsky.social on getting beyond splashy headlines, so we can channel our attention and ingenuity towards the real story – and meaningful action: www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/01/28/s...
"Splashing out" on climate resilience? - Greater Auckland
On Saturday, an online
www.greaterauckland.org.nz
January 28, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Beautiful and thoughtful writing @nzdodo.bsky.social making sense of the climate disaster, the personal tragedies and the real story behind the headlines.
Most kids in the Netherlands will head to school, without parents, from 7-8 years old.
Because it’s safe to do so.
Because it’s safe to do so.
January 28, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Most kids in the Netherlands will head to school, without parents, from 7-8 years old.
Because it’s safe to do so.
Because it’s safe to do so.
That only took like 3 months. That’s super quick for Dutch standards.
The leaders of three Dutch political parties have said they agreed in principle to form a minority coalition government after months of negotiations.
Dutch parties agree on minority government with Rob Jetten as prime minister
Centrist D66 to team up with center-right and liberal parties, leaders say.
www.politico.eu
January 28, 2026 at 8:57 AM
That only took like 3 months. That’s super quick for Dutch standards.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
For those of you who watch Shrinking, season 3 is up. No spoilers, but there's a very interesting guest star in episode 1.
January 28, 2026 at 3:36 AM
For those of you who watch Shrinking, season 3 is up. No spoilers, but there's a very interesting guest star in episode 1.
Love walkable cities. Ran into a colleague from our media agency during lunch, and she suggested to have a “meeting” at a bar the end of the day. Hard to say no to that obviously. 😋
Still greyish, but the sun is trying to poke through. ⛅️😎
Still greyish, but the sun is trying to poke through. ⛅️😎
January 28, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Love walkable cities. Ran into a colleague from our media agency during lunch, and she suggested to have a “meeting” at a bar the end of the day. Hard to say no to that obviously. 😋
Still greyish, but the sun is trying to poke through. ⛅️😎
Still greyish, but the sun is trying to poke through. ⛅️😎
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
Drove from Ōtepoti Dunedin to Tokatā Nugget Point Lighthouse to escape the clouds...
45mins before dark & Tahu-nui-a-rangi #Aurora Australis already glowing strong behind the clouds.
Te Tai-o-Ārai-te-uru, Caitlins, New Zealand
Nikon Z7ii 20mmS F/1.8 6sec ISO800 X5 frame pano
20/1/26 9:50pm
45mins before dark & Tahu-nui-a-rangi #Aurora Australis already glowing strong behind the clouds.
Te Tai-o-Ārai-te-uru, Caitlins, New Zealand
Nikon Z7ii 20mmS F/1.8 6sec ISO800 X5 frame pano
20/1/26 9:50pm
January 27, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Drove from Ōtepoti Dunedin to Tokatā Nugget Point Lighthouse to escape the clouds...
45mins before dark & Tahu-nui-a-rangi #Aurora Australis already glowing strong behind the clouds.
Te Tai-o-Ārai-te-uru, Caitlins, New Zealand
Nikon Z7ii 20mmS F/1.8 6sec ISO800 X5 frame pano
20/1/26 9:50pm
45mins before dark & Tahu-nui-a-rangi #Aurora Australis already glowing strong behind the clouds.
Te Tai-o-Ārai-te-uru, Caitlins, New Zealand
Nikon Z7ii 20mmS F/1.8 6sec ISO800 X5 frame pano
20/1/26 9:50pm
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
On the day a motorist pulled across my path sending me flying over the bonnet (whilst travelling in a segregated cycle lane), I was wearing a neon yellow jersey.
On that day I was wearing kit that anti-cyclist policymakers insist on.
To the motorist it was irrelevant because he didn’t look.
On that day I was wearing kit that anti-cyclist policymakers insist on.
To the motorist it was irrelevant because he didn’t look.
“Where the built environment separates human skin and bone from lorries, cars, and buses, there is no need for our frantic striving to make fragile bodies hyper-visible”
“Anyone who thinks cyclists ‘come out of nowhere’ should not be in control of a vehicle”: Author slams ‘be safe, be seen’ hi-vis cycling campaigns, calls for ‘Look, don’t kill’ slogan; TT tinkering; V...
January is never going to end, is it? And on that cheery note, Ryan Mallon’s back for another cold, wet, and very windy shift rounding up all the latest cycling news on the Tuesday live blog
road.cc
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 PM
On the day a motorist pulled across my path sending me flying over the bonnet (whilst travelling in a segregated cycle lane), I was wearing a neon yellow jersey.
On that day I was wearing kit that anti-cyclist policymakers insist on.
To the motorist it was irrelevant because he didn’t look.
On that day I was wearing kit that anti-cyclist policymakers insist on.
To the motorist it was irrelevant because he didn’t look.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
I feel the clearer air already with the reduction in cars in Tāmaka=i Makaurau city centre; though over Hopetown bridge, alas, all hope is lost. So, #auckland, more of this pls, further, sooner.
Get cars out of your city and stop seeing the air you breathe
January 27, 2026 at 8:14 AM
I feel the clearer air already with the reduction in cars in Tāmaka=i Makaurau city centre; though over Hopetown bridge, alas, all hope is lost. So, #auckland, more of this pls, further, sooner.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
Actually lots of extra help in this guidance with more nuance around different conditions and much of this should be standard practice anyway.
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
January 27, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Actually lots of extra help in this guidance with more nuance around different conditions and much of this should be standard practice anyway.
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
New guidance from the UK on floating bus stops. As cycling becomes more mainstream, safe separation between buses, bus passengers, people on foot and people on bikes becomes ever more important.
Actually lots of extra help in this guidance with more nuance around different conditions and much of this should be standard practice anyway.
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
It won't change the minds of the folks who are against floating bus stops and it still leaves us with the edge cases of shared use bus boarders plus
January 27, 2026 at 8:15 AM
New guidance from the UK on floating bus stops. As cycling becomes more mainstream, safe separation between buses, bus passengers, people on foot and people on bikes becomes ever more important.
Reposted by Jessica de Heij
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
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
January 27, 2026 at 5:16 AM
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Great to see this is going ahead. Closed to cars, but open to people. 👏🎉
FYI the town belt is a section between the city and the hilly suburbs with curvy roads.
FYI the town belt is a section between the city and the hilly suburbs with curvy roads.
January 27, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Great to see this is going ahead. Closed to cars, but open to people. 👏🎉
FYI the town belt is a section between the city and the hilly suburbs with curvy roads.
FYI the town belt is a section between the city and the hilly suburbs with curvy roads.