Urban HQ on LinkedIn: Celebrating her 3-year workiversary at Urban HQ, Gerri is our Community… (2024)

This is a great blog that lays out what to keep in mind when considering a Theme Park with inclusivity in mind and a few parks do it well!

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Moving to a new city is an adventure, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for families. 🌆For those considering Kelowna, BC, one big question looms large: "What are the best schools for my kids?"Having helped many families relocate, I know that schools are a top priority. Here's a quick guide to ease your transition:1️⃣ **Rutland Senior Secondary:** Known for its strong academic programs and extracurricular activities. Perfect for students looking to excel both in and out of the classroom.2️⃣ **École Glenmore:** A top choice for French immersion. Great if you want your children to be bilingual and culturally enriched.3️⃣ **Okanagan Mission Secondary:** Famous for its focus on arts and technology. If your child is a budding artist or tech enthusiast, this is the place to be.But schools are just one piece of the puzzle. The lifestyle in Kelowna offers a lot too:🏞️ **Outdoor Activities:** With its beautiful lakes and hiking trails, the whole family can enjoy nature year-round.🛍️ **Amenities:** From shopping centers to hospitals, Kelowna has all the necessities covered.🎉 **Community Events:** A vibrant calendar of events means there's always something to do. Relocating is more than finding a house; it's about finding a home. Let me help you make Kelowna that home for your family. What are your top priorities when moving to a new city?#KelownaLiving #FamilyFirst #RealEstateExpert

City centres are the areas where usually most of nightlife activites are concentrated, but also where innovative functions can be tested at night.Next Monday 13 May I will be running a webinar with the partners of the URBACT network Cities@Heart to explore night-time policies and strategies to revive city centres, and make them more attractive and inclusive for all.The experiences of Genoa, Malaga and Sligo will offer useful elements to discuss how night-time policies can improve business and cultural vibrancy but also social cohesion and safety.Métropole du Grand Paris Ayuntamiento de Málaga Comune di Genova Sligo County Council Léonie Yang Ronan MAHEO Suzanne Pergal Mar Santamaria Varas Cities After Dark Nuno Almeida Elena Giovannini

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𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 – 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐢𝐬 …This weekend, I read an interesting study from the European Commission (EC) about the quality of life in 83 cities across the EU, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, the United Kingdom, the western Balkans and Türkiye.The underlying data are from a 2023 survey that asked about the respondents’ satisfaction with a number of features of city life, such as inclusiveness, loneliness, employment, safety, housing, environment, transport, culture, city services and corruption. A sample of at least 839 residents was interviewed in each city, for a total of 71.153 completed interviews.𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲, 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐙ü𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 (1) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 (7). 𝐎𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧 (2), 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧 (3), 𝐆𝐝𝐚ń𝐬𝐤 (4) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐦 (6) 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐣-𝐍𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐚 (9) 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 (10) 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝. 𝐀 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐩𝐳𝐢𝐠 (5) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 (8) 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥.The conclusion of Elisa Ferreira from the EC is that the 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫than the big ones due to safety, cleanliness, and less noise.Do you agree with those conclusions? Is this ranking in line with your thoughts?#qualityoflife #switzerland

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I think many of us have a special relationship with Lonely Planet.🎒 Almost a decade ago, I embarked on a journey through South America. With this great guidebook in hand, I backpacked through seven of the continent's diverse countries, gaining several unforgettable memories.Guidebooks offer tourists a summary of the most important things to see in a country while there for a short period. But for expats and new residents, a deeper understanding of other aspects of society is crucial.How does the labor market work? What regulations are there for sick leave? How do the kindergartens operate? How should I behave if I'm invited to someone's home for the first time?🇸🇪 That's where Swedish for Professionals' Swedish Culture Accelerator comes into play. It's more than just a program; it's an immersive experience designed for those seeking a profound connection with Swedish culture, going beyond the surface to foster genuine understanding and engagement.🌏 In this journey of cultural discovery, we connect the dots from being a tourist to becoming a part of the community. Dive into the heart of Swedish culture and see the world through a new lens.🔗 Discover more about our Swedish Culture Accelerator https://lnkd.in/eh3FFgrV.#LonelyPlanet #CulturalDiscovery #SwedishCulture #GlobalUnderstanding #SwedishForProfessionals

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Open Call for Cities: Cities in Placemaking Americas, Second EditionWant to be part of the Placemaking Cities network? This is your opportunity. The "Cities in Placemaking Americas" program is a peer-learning experience designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Placemaking, its application in urban governance, and its implications for long-term systemic change.Applications close on September 15, 2024Starting Milestone: Mexico City Program Start Date: October 28, 29, and 30, 2024To apply, please send a letter of intent including:1. Main urban challenges of your city.2. Proposals for Placemaking initiatives.3. Financial and logistical support.4. City departments that will be involved.Send your letter to luciana@placemaking.mx and ramon.marrades@placemaking-europe.eu.#PlacemakingLatinoamerica #PlacemakingMexico #PlacemakingUS #PlacemakingCanada #PlacemakingBrazilFundación Placemaking México, Placemaking Europe,PlacemakingX, PlacemakingUS, Placemaking Canada, Placemaking Brasil,Ramon Marrades, Luciana Renner, Guillermo Bernal, Ethan Kent, Ryan Smolar, Madeleine Spencer, Andrew Pask, Thomas (TJ) Maguire, Andrea Terán Orlich, Gil Penalosa, Mary W. Rowe, Daniela Chacon Arias, Juan Carlos Bohórquez, Glennys Gonzalez, Carolina Huffmann, Ricardo Birmann, Gabriella Gomez-Mont.

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Relocating in the summer is a fantastic idea, and Belfast is the perfect city to make your new home! Here are a few reasons why summer is the ideal time to make your move:📌Optimal Weather: Enjoy the pleasant summer weather while moving and settling into your new home. The warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours make the moving process smoother and more enjoyable.📌School Holidays: If you have children, relocating during the summer holidays allows them to start the new school year fresh and ready. It also gives them time to adjust to their new surroundings and make new friends before the school term begins.📌Vibrant City Life: Belfast truly comes alive in the summer with numerous festivals, outdoor events, and cultural activities. From the Belfast Mela and Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival to relaxing strolls in the Botanic Gardens, there’s always something exciting happening.📌Outdoor Exploration: Take advantage of the summer season to explore Belfast’s beautiful parks, scenic coastal paths, and historic landmarks. The city’s outdoor spaces are perfect for family picnics, cycling, and weekend adventures.📌Smooth Transition: Moving in the summer means less disruption to your daily routine. Many businesses have quieter periods during the summer months, allowing for a smoother transition into your new home and community.Ready to make the move? Let’s get started on your summer relocation journey in Belfast! #SummerRelocation #BelfastLiving #PropertyIsPersonal #MovingHouse #RelocateToBelfast #BelvoirBelfast #Belvoir #PropertyExperts #PropertyUK #UKInsights

As I approach the year and a half mark of living in Madrid, I wanted to reflect on one of the reasons I am drawn to and vitalized by Spanish culture, which is the existence of the third space. I have found that in the United States, people spend such a high percentage of their time at home or at work without enough appreciation or acknowledgment that urban spaces can offer so much more. In Spain, the government has put an emphasis on creating, subsidizing, and maintaining third spaces -- places where people can spend time at before or after work with family, friends, or strangers (usually outside). Third places foster social interaction, public relaxation, and new connections. Not only do these spaces offer comfortability to meet with friends, but they provide indirect social interaction as people can build off the energy that comes with being surrounded by groups of strangers. Cities should prioritize people's needs outside of work by investing in parks, plazas, community centers, pedestrian-only streets lined with restaurants, and other third places.

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Thanks for sharing this great article Roland!

I know! Obviously, each case is different and it is not possible to literally copy an urban mobility project from one city to another without respecting local characteristics and problems.Having pacified these premises, the article below presents the interesting case of the city of Tallinn, capital of Estonia. A work based above all on facts and data.Good reading.https://lnkd.in/dJSZ6Sgy

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