Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility

spacing.caMessy Transit? - Spacing TorontoIn the book I recently co-edited, Messy Cities: Why We Can’t Plan Everything, we didn’t get any contributions about public transit. The book explores the role of improvisation, randomness, and variety...

19 Dec 2025

Mpact is looking ahead to 2026! We're so excited to be in Toronto, ON, next September for the Mpact Transit + Community conference. Mark your calendars with these key dates! First up - please start thinking about proposals to speak in Toronto!

Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility reposted

Dylan Reid

@dylanreid.bsky.social

I was pleased to attend the final day of the recent @mpactmobility.bsky.social conference in Toronto. I was intrigued by the final plenary with my co-editor @zahraeb.bsky.social - how would transit fit with the concept of messy urbanism? I wrote up the interesting answers: spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

Thanks to Dylan Reid at @spacing.bsky.social for this piece about messiness and transit - is it ever a good idea? The piece draws on the closing plenary at #MpactTO26 and one of the sessions at the conference, Beyond Average: Designing Transit for All. spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

What would Florida do? That's the question that kicks off Natalie Yesbeck Pustizzi's laugh-out-loud #MpactTO26 PK. She looks at what happens when best practices meet fragmented governance, reactive planning, short political cycles, rapid growth, and unstable funding. Watch at youtu.be/fOtX085UR1A

cbc.ca'Record-setting' boom in development driven by new zoning rules and new LRT | CBC NewsResidential and commercial spaces are on the rise in Edmonton and while much of the growth is being attributed to the city’s new relaxed zoning rules, some say LRT projects are driving the long-term t...

Development boom in Edmonton, AB 🏘️🏢📈 – "Construction of new residential and commercial spaces is booming in Edmonton, influenced by new relaxed zoning rules as well as a longer-term trend of neighbourhoods being reshaped by the city's expanding LRT." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... 1/3

"Edmonton's new zoning bylaw went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, allowing more diverse and dense types of housing in all parts of the city. In residential zones, the new bylaw allows eight or more housing units to be built on a single lot." 2/3

"Almost 16,000 net new dwelling units were approved in 2024, of which more than 6,000 were classed as row houses, backyard housing or secondary suites." 3/3

learning.aptagateway.comAPTAU Learning: Transit-Oriented Development and New State & Local Policies

APTA TOD webinar on Oct 22 – register here: learning.aptagateway.com/products/tra... Learn about the state and local policy landscape for TOD. Speakers will discuss recent legislative and policy developments and initiatives and their potential impact on transit agencies. 1/2

Hear about case studies from several TOD programs, highlighting practical approaches agencies can use to implement policy, encourage housing development, and support broader community objectives. Shoutout to Mpact NSC members Sasha Page and Dennis Wood who are moderating the webinar. 2/2

We laughed, we learned, and we had a dang good time at the PK Slam at #MpactTO26 in Toronto last month! In this and a few other posts, we're taking a look back at some of the best moments from the conference, including the fan-favorite PK Slam. 1/2

In her PechaKucha™-style presentation, Alanna McKeeman made the case for taking inspiration from the kids in our lives. In a time where project timelines are long and costs are high, creativity, curiosity, and imagination might be some of our best paths forward. Watch at youtu.be/gkedvx2gI-c 2/2

youtu.beyoutu.be

Heads up to friends in San Diego, especially those interested in mobility options for older adults. AARP San Diego is hosting an Age-Friendly Transportation Resource Fair on Wednesday, November 18. Lunch provided. RSVP today – space is limited! events.aarp.org/event/TranspoFairNov18/summary 1/3

At this in-person event explore local transportation resources, get hands-on help with transportation apps and safe technology use in the Tech Support Lounge, and take a driverless demo ride. Discover new ways to stay confident, independent and connected to the places and people you love. 2/3

Mpact will be there! AARP San Diego is partnering with Mpact and Senior Tech Connect to host the Transportation Fair, building on a series of transportation roundtables from this summer. 3/3

Thanks again to the Spacing Store @spacingstore.bsky.social for providing a pop-up shop at the Mpact Transit + Community conference in Toronto. Here are the top 5 books, among a long list of books with new homes. The top book, Messy Cities, was the focus of the closing keynote. 1/3

📚 Messy Cities: Why We Can't Plan Everything edited by Dylan Reid, Zahra Ebrahim, Leslie Woo, & John Lorinc 📚 Women, Walking edited by Jane Farrow & Zahra Ebrahim 📚 The Subway Mouse by Barbara Reid 📚 Feminist City: A Field Guide by Leslie Kern 📚 My Subway Runs by James Gladstone & Pierre Pratt 2/3

Super cool to partner with Nick and everyone at this organization, which operates a store (Spacing - Toronto's City Store), an online site (Spacing - Canadian Urbanism Uncovered) and a print magazine. Find out about it all at spacing.ca 3/3

kqed.orgRegional Ballot Measure is a $14 Billion Bet on Bay Area Transit | KQEDWe’ll talk about how we got here and the future of public transit with – or without – these funds.

A September discussion with local voices about the transit funding ballot initiatives in the Bay Area, what's in them & implications. www.kqed.org/forum/201010...

Welcome to Praxis Advisors Group, a new Mpact Partner. Praxis advises transit leaders and institutions through two disciplines: Executive Intelligence and TOD + Development Strategy. 1/3

Frank White III, the Founder and Managing Partner, has led regional transit operations, strategic planning, public investment, institutional transformation, and development strategy at the intersection of transportation, land use, and economic growth. 2/3

We're looking forward to working with Frank as a member of the Mpact National Steering Committee. Thank you to all of our Mpact Partners for the knowledge and passion they bring to our mission to inspire and equip communities and regions to make better transit and land use decisions. 3/3

Kulig Studio joined as an Mpact Partner earlier this year. Kulig Studio is an architecture and urban design practice that supports key decision-makers in developing complete communities, resilient infrastructure and beautiful places. 1/3

Huge thanks to Paul Kulig (@paulkuligto.bsky.social), Founding Principal, for all of his work for the 2026 Mpact Transit + Community conference in Toronto, especially connecting us in the region. 2/3

Thank you to all of our Mpact Partners for the knowledge and passion they bring to our organization and the National Steering Committee. 3/3

weekwithoutdriving.orgWeek Without Driving: October 1-8, 2026Sep 29th – Oct 5th, 2025 - An experience created for everyone to learn firsthand about barriers and challenges for nondrivers. Join, support, or become a host.

It's #WeekWithoutDriving, a national campaign to highlight the experiences of the 1/3 of Americans who are non-drivers. Organized by America Walks and Nondrivers Alliance, the campaign asks "What would change in your life if driving wasn’t an option?" weekwithoutdriving.org

The campaign encourages people, especially transportation decision makers, to replace as many of their car trips with other modes—bicycling, walking, taking transit—to understand the barriers that non-drivers face.

Are you participating in Week Without Driving? What has your experience been like? What has been surprising and not-so-surprising for you?

gothamist.comNYC officials want to put rain gardens on top of bus stopsThe city is testing out a green roof on a bus shelter in Brownsville, with the hope that the design can be expanded across the five boroughs.

NYC pilot program is adding green roofs to bus stops—“Officials say the plants can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater to reduce flooding during heavy rainstorms. Officials say the elevated garden could also cool down the shelter for riders waiting for buses on hot days.” gothamist.com/news/nyc-off...

Join us for the next Coffee Chat with the Mpact Innovators! In October, we're diving into takeaways from Toronto and the Mpact Transit + Community conference. Register (free!) at bit.ly/CoffeeChatOct2026

Specifically, we'll be chatting about lessons and learnings from the #MpactTO26 closing plenary, Unpredictable by Design: How Messy Cities Inspire Better Urban Futures. Whether you attended the conference or not, join for a lively conversation about the sometimes chaotic nature of city-building.

youtu.beWe're going to Kansas City for Mpact Transit + Community 2027!YouTube video by Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Mpact Transit + Community conference in Kansas City, October 18-21! Catch a glimpse of what Kansas City, the City of Fountains, has to offer and the ways transit connects you to it all – youtu.be/ruK7ecMfXCs

mpactmobility.orgMpact Transit + Community ConferenceThe Mpact Transit + Community conference (founded as Rail~Volution) focuses on building transit-oriented communities. We convene a powerful network dedicated to leveraging transit, connected mobility options, supportive land use and development to create better lives and brighter futures for everyone. Learn more at mpactmobility.org/conference

We’re looking forward to working with the KC Streetcar Authority, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the City of Kansas City, Missouri to bring you the 2027 Mpact Transit + Community Conference. We’re going to Kansas City. Stay up to date at mpactmobility.org/conference.

Toronto, thank you for having us! 🇨🇦 We're celebrating this great city and surrounding region as we close the #MpactTO26. Such a full and lively week of connection, learning, and exploring. Thank you so much to our local hosts: the City of Toronto, Metrolinx, TTC, and Infrastructure Ontario.

Thanks to all our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, Mpact Champions and Partners, National Steering Committee, Mpact Innovators, Mpact Board, and attendees for joining us and making #MpactTO26 happen. See you next year!

We rolled out the red carpet last night at the 2026 Mpact PK Slam! Thank you to Diamond Sponsor and Mpact Partner, HDR, for their support of the conference. #MpactTO26

16 Sept

We are loving the #MpactTO26 bag! Thanks to Platinum sponsor, Stacy Witbeck, for their support of the conference and the bag over the years. The conference artwork featured on the bag was created by Toronto-based artist, Wenting Li.

15 Sept

We're staying connected at #MpactTO26 with thanks to Gold sponsor, WW+P! Thanks to WW+P for sponsoring wi-fi at the conference.

15 Sept

#MpactTO26 attendees are getting to know Toronto and the region in Mobile Workshops with thanks to Platinum sponsor, Jacobs!

We've kicked off the 2026 Mpact Transit + Community conference at the Welcome Reception sponsored by WSP! 🎉🚝 #MpactTO26

Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility reposted

Paul Kulig

@paulkuligto.bsky.social

Welcome to Toronto @mpactmobility.bsky.social #MpactTO26

Atendees are rolling in to the Mpact Transit + Community conference! Thanks to #MpactTO26 Gold Sponsor, McCarthy Tétrault, for sponsoring registration.

@lanrickbennett.bsky.social

It's been great to see everyone gathering at #MpactTO26! Platinum Sponsor, Arcadis, is helping connect attendees with their support of the name badge lanyards. Thanks to everyone at Arcadis for their involvement with Mpact and the conference.

Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility reposted

Lanrick Bennett

#IdeasAtWork Excited to take part in my first @mpactmobility.bsky.social with @uoftcities.bsky.social MW08 - Port Lands to Ravines: Climate-Ready, People-First Infrastructure in Toronto h/t @evergreencanada.bsky.social @waterfrontoronto.bsky.social #BikeTO www.mpactmobility.org/conference/c...

13 Sept

We've got all the #MpactTO26 information at our fingertips with the conference Mobile App, thanks to Gold Sponsor, GFT! 📱 If you're at the conference, be sure to download the Mobile App to see the schedule, list of sponsors & exhibitors, speaker & attendee directories, activity feed and more.

13 Sept

We're checking in for #MpactTO26! Thank you to Gold Sponsor, AECOM, for their support of the 2026 Mpact Transit + Community conference and these cool hotel room key sleeves.

Thank you to #MpactTO26 Gold Sponsor, Destination Toronto! Get excited to be in Toronto and see all the city has to offer with recommendations from Destination Toronto – www.destinationtoronto.com/mpact-6ixsta... Register today at mpactmobility.org/registernow

Thank you to HDR, an Mpact Partner and Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 Mpact Transit + Community conference in Toronto! HDR is the Presenting Sponsor of Wednesday night's Mpact PK Slam, one of the highlights of the conference! 1/4

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"Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges." 3/4

mpactmobility.orgMpact Transit + Community conference (formerly Rail~Volution)The Mpact Transit + Community conference (founded as Rail~Volution) is North America's top conference focused on building transit-oriented communities. See the details and make plans to be there!

Attend #MpactTO26 to learn and share innovative approaches to the challenges that face cities and regions of every size. Join us! Register at mpactmobility.org/registernow 4/4