Gil’s Keynote Talks 8-80 cities Parks Streets Public Places for all

Talks

What is an 8-80 City?

Creating Healthy & Vibrant Communities. Now!

Over the last 150 years we have doubled the life expectancy; it is clear that people in cities have learned how to survive. Now we have to learn how to live. How can we create vibrant and healthy cities for all? What are the benefits for any community to make walking and cycling a normal activity of everyday life? What is the role of the streets- the largest public space of any city? How can parks contribute to improve the quality of life that attracts and retains people to their communities?

Gil answers these questions while also explaining a simple and effective principle for inclusive city building: ensuring the safety and joy of children and older adults (from 8 year olds to 80 year olds) are at the forefront of every decision we make in our cities.

This presentation describes the benefits of transforming cities into places where people can walk, bike, access transit and visit vibrant parks and public places, no matter their age, ability, or social status. It provides concrete examples of the benefits of putting people first when planning our cities from the point of view of public health, environment, recreation, mobility, and economic development. The most innovative case studies from cities around the world are presented along with the five key elements to achieving positive change.

Specialized keynotes and workshops

In addition to the keynote presentation Gil also offers extended sessions for clients looking for more specialized presentations or workshops on parks, sustainable mobility, cycling, walking and/or ciclovias. Specialized presentations can be 60-120 minutes with Q&A. Workshops can be organized on a half or full day schedule, and require an additional facilitator from 8-80 Cities.

The following list describes the content of the specialized sessions:

Creating Great Parks in 8-80 Cities

Miracle Medicine for the Economy & Happiness

Parks and open spaces are a key component to creating healthier communities for all. Drawing on his experience as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in Bogota, Gil presents some of the innovative approaches to the design and management of parks and open spaces under his leadership in Bogota. He also defines the elements of a great park system and draws upon international examples of the most successful parks and park systems in the world.

Mobility is a Human Right

Walking, Cycling and Transit in 8-80 Cities

Every trip begins and ends with either a walk or bike ride and the best transit systems in the world provide seamless integration with walking and cycling. This presentation provides examples of best practices in achieving more sustainable forms of transportation and how these investments .

Why Cycling needs the 8 and the 80

If you want to promote cycling...don’t talk about bicycles.

Cycling isn’t just something fun to do – it can also be a mode of transportation. Even more than that, it is a means to creating vibrant cities and healthy communities. This presentation highlights the most innovative solutions from cities around the world that are moving beyond the young spandex crowd and making cycling safe, convenient and appealing for the eight to the eighty year old. Specific examples of policy, programming, and infrastructure are illustrated.

We are ALL pedestrians

Why walkable communities create 8-80 Cities

Walking is such a basic way of getting around that it is easy to forget its importance. The most inclusive, people-oriented cities put pedestrians first. This presentation highlights the benefits of creating walkable communities and specific case studies of best practices. It shows how creating a great walkable city results in a vibrant city with healthy communities where people will live happier.

Getting more from our Streets

Ciclovia/Open Streets in 8-80 Cities

Open Street programs/ Ciclovias are programs where the streets are open to people and closed to cars. Bogota’s Ciclovia was the first of its kind and now cities everywhere are initiating similar programs. Gil talks about the Bogota experience, where under his leadership the Ciclovia was reborn as not just a place for cyclists to come and ride their bikes but as an exercise in social integration. Case studies from leading cities such as Portland, San Francisco, Kentucky, Guadalajara, Ottawa, Paris, Winnipeg and Chicago are also presented. The key benefits and steps to initiating a program are described.

8-80 CITIES
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	Creating Great Parks in 8-80 Cities Miracle Medicine for the Economy & Happiness Parks and open spaces are a key component to creating healthier communities for all. Drawing on his experience as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in Bogota, Gil presents some of the innovative approaches to the design and management of parks and open spaces under his leadership in Bogota. He also defines the elements of a great park system and draws upon international examples of the most successful parks and park systems in the world.
	Mobility is a Human Right Walking, Cycling and Transit in 8-80 Cities Every trip begins and ends with either a walk or bike ride and the best transit systems in the world provide seamless integration with walking and cycling. This presentation provides examples of best practices in achieving more sustainable forms of transportation and how these investments .
	Why Cycling needs the 8 and the 80 If you want to promote cycling...don’t talk about bicycles. Cycling isn’t just something fun to do – it can also be a mode of transportation. Even more than that, it is a means to creating vibrant cities and healthy communities. This presentation highlights the most innovative solutions from cities around the world that are moving beyond the young spandex crowd and making cycling safe, convenient and appealing for the eight to the eighty year old. Specific examples of policy, programming, and infrastructure are illustrated.
	We are ALL pedestrians Why walkable communities create 8-80 Cities Walking is such a basic way of getting around that it is easy to forget its importance. The most inclusive, people-oriented cities put pedestrians first. This presentation highlights the benefits of creating walkable communities and specific case studies of best practices. It shows how creating a great walkable city results in a vibrant city with healthy communities where people will live happier.
	Getting more from our Streets Ciclovia/Open Streets in 8-80 Cities Open Street programs/ Ciclovias are programs where the streets are open to people and closed to cars. Bogota’s Ciclovia was the first of its kind and now cities everywhere are initiating similar programs. Gil talks about the Bogota experience, where under his leadership the Ciclovia was reborn as not just a place for cyclists to come and ride their bikes but as an exercise in social integration. Case studies from leading cities such as Portland, San Francisco, Kentucky, Guadalajara, Ottawa, Paris, Winnipeg and Chicago are also presented. The key benefits and steps to initiating a program are described.