Gil Penalosa sees the potential of parks and streets as great public spaces - and his work in urban design has harnessed that potential into reality in city after city around the world.
In Bogotá, Colombia, he led the design and construction of more than 200 parks - also transforming the Ciclovia / Open Streets program into a global model for cities.
In recent years, he ran for Mayor of Toronto, Canada.
While he did not win, his campaign changed the conversation about what kind of future that city should have.
These days, Gil is the founder and chair of 8 80 Cities, a Canadian nonprofit.
He will talk about “8 80 Cities for Everyone” as the next speaker at CIVIQ, presented by Chattanooga Design Studio on Thursday, February 22nd, starting at 5:30 PM, at the downtown Chattanooga Public Library.
I spoke with Gil; Eric Myers, the Studio’s executive director - and Scott Martin, administrator of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, which is partnering with the Studio on Gil’s visit.
In the first half of our conversation, I asked Gil about his story.
For more on Gil Penalosa at CIVIQ, visit chattanoogastudio.com.
Stay tuned for the rest of our conversation here on "Scenic Roots."
