The #CitiesFirst Podcast

EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) invites you to a special LinkedIn Live webinar in collaboration with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll hear from city leaders and innovators shaping the next wave of urban transport.

🎙️ Julie White — Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, NCDOT

🎙️ Venkatesh Gopal — CEO, movmi

🎙️ Darius Mason — Shared Mobility Specialist, City of Detroit

🔍 Discussion Topics:

✅ The evolving role of shared micromobility in urban systems

✅ Policy, equity, and public-private collaboration

✅ Real-world insights from Detroit, North Carolina & beyond

✅ What’s next in micromobility innovation and integration

🎧 Warm up for the session by tuning into The CitiesFirst Podcast:

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dYv5GyGn

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dnWCxvkh

RSS.com : https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx

🎓 Want to go deeper? Enroll in the free UMX course “Micromobility & Cities” to explore how cities can effectively integrate small vehicles into their transportation mix:

https://lnkd.in/dnf5hxi2

#Micromobility #SharedMobility #UrbanMobility #SmartCities #SustainableTransport #MobilityInnovation #PublicTransport #CitiesFirst #EITUrbanMobility #UMX

How will autonomous vehicles shape the cities of tomorrow?

EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) is proud to sponsor an exclusive LinkedIn Live webinar in partnership with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll explore the evolving landscape of hashtag#AVs, shared mobility, electrification, and public policy with three visionary leaders driving change:

🎙️ Henriette Cornet, CEO at Urban Innovate

🎙️ Sascha Meyer, CEO at MOIA

🎙️ Javier Guimerá Tena, Head of AV at Padam Mobility

🔍 Agenda:

✅ What role will AVs play in the future of sustainable urban transport?

✅ Lessons learned from pilot programs and operational deployments

✅ Intermodality and integrating AVs into existing mobility ecosystems

✅ The role of public-private partnerships in shaping AV adoption

✅ Equity, accessibility, and citizen engagement

✅ What’s next: Policy, innovation, and the road to scale

Peter Schenkman, COO of Fernhay Solutions is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the transportation industry. As a former senior transportation commissioner in City of New York, he has been at the forefront of sustainable mobility conversations worldwide. His achievements include championing electric vehicles (EVs), zero-emission buses (ZEBs), and micro-mobility solutions. Peter has played pivotal roles in EV startups, launching light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and micro-mobility fleets. He excels in fleet optimization, last-mile delivery, and connected vehicles, and advocates for ADA compliance and inclusive transportation solutions. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is all about micro-deliveries, light electric vehicles (LEVs) and last mile logistics: 👇👇👇

✅How has your experience as a New York City transportation commissioner informed your view of logistics and micro-deliveries

✅Describe how LEVs and cargo bike deliveries are a necessary part of last mile policy

✅What are some of the winning form factors in LEV and cargo bike design

✅How can cities work with LEV OEMs and operators to better coordinate last mile delivery

✅Tell us about your favorite micro-delivery hub in New York City, and what makes it special

Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Logistics Course: 💻 👇https://lnkd.in/dXRRa3Ny

David Smith, is currently the Complete Streets Director at the Chicago Department of Transportation overseeing the planning and design of infrastructure projects and policy development. David is responsible for the implementation of our citywide bicycle network, pedestrian safety improvements, and developing policies to improve mobility for all Chicagoans. Vision Zero Chicago team leader working with City agencies, advocacy organizations, and community groups to reduce crashes and eliminate traffic fatalities. David brings experience from previous roles at TYLin and City of Highland Park. David holds a Master's in Urban Planning and Public Policy in Economic Development / Transportation from the University of Illinois at Chicago - Graduate College. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about complete streets in Chicago: 👇👇👇

✅How has Chicago successfully expanded its bike lane network since the pandemic?

✅Describe how tactical urbanism programs are helping to strengthen Chicago´s communities

✅What are some of the key elements of complete streets being implemented in Chicago

✅How can complete streets better integrate and promote use of public transit?

✅Tell us about your favorite complete streets project in Chicago, and what makes it special?

Be sure to also register in the UMX Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept Course: 💻 👇

https://urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/designing-a-livable-neighbourhood-the-woonerf-concept/?utm_source=cities_first&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=citiest1st_livingstreets_woon

Dr Kristina Gaučė has over 17 years’ experience in mobility/transport analysis and urban transport policy making, starting with the European Commission project STEP by STEP in 2003, following with transport development feasibility studies, participation in European projects (MAX, EPOMM-PLUS, ENDURANCE, EVIDENCE, numerous Interreg and UNDP projects and initiatives), representing these projects in Lithuania and EU conferences, presenting good practise and advising on transport policy to the local authorities, was involved in Guidelines on Developing and Implementing a Sustainable Urban Mobility plan and etc. Currently Dr Kristina Gaučė acts as the social partner/adviser on urban transport policy to Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Vilnius City Municipality and local public transport operators. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about SUMPs in Europe: 👇👇👇

✅Why is sustainable urban mobility planning important and what are the differences from traditional approaches?

✅Describe the main ingredients for developing and implementing SUMPs

✅Tell us about your leadership in implementing SUMPs in Lithuania and across Europe

✅What is needed to engage stakeholders and citizens?

✅What are some lessons learned from SUMP implementation?

Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) Course: 💻 👇

https://lnkd.in/dWQQ3crZ

Jamey Tesler is currently the executive director of the just launched Mass Mobility Hub, a public benefit corporation with a mission to support the mobility sector and is looking to build community, support companies in their growth and accelerate change in this sector. Jamey is also a Visiting Fellow at the Taubman Center for State & Local Government at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Previously, Jamey served as Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of MassDOT, where he was responsible for a fully multimodal state transportation department, oversaw the leadership of the MBTA and served on the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority. Jamey had previously served as Registrar of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in June of 2020, after serving in the role on an interim basis since June of 2019. Jamey has previously worked for more than 20 years in senior management roles in the public sector with experience in infrastructure, transit, sustainability, mobility, public finance, and public policy. Jamey has also served as General Counsel to the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General, Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Acting Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Transportation, and as Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT.

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about mobility in Boston: 👇👇👇

✅What are the latest mobility innovations to emerge in Boston?

✅How can cities pilot new mobility tech, at scale?

✅Tell us about Mass Mobility Hub and the emerging ecosystem

✅How can startups sell to the public sector, and what are some best practices?

✅Tell us about your professional journey from attorney to mobility expert

Ross Douglas is a South African entrepreneur who started his career as a nature documentarian and filmmaker. He collaborated with William Kentridge to produce 9 Films for Projection, which was performed in New York’s Central Park, London’s Barbican Centre and Berlin’s Guggenheim New York. After starting an art event company he created the FNB Joburg Art Fair (2008), the world’s first African contemporary art fair and a key gathering for the African art community.Concerned about global warming, Ross turned his attentions to sustainability. As road transport is one of the largest carbon emissions contributors, he decided to create an event to gather emerging new mobility solutions dedicated to lowering emissions and congestion. Autonomy, launched in Paris in 2015, was the result. Ross chose Paris for its central location, strong transport sector and anti-emissions policies. Autonomy, now the largest urban mobility event in the world, hosts 200 exhibitors, 10,000 visitors and 100 cities – all dedicated to change the way we move in cities. Ross also advises major companies such as Nike, AXA and Toyota Motor Corporation on mobility disruption.

Here's a sneak peek into the upcoming episode, which will is all about transport decarbonization and sustainable mode shift: 👇👇👇

✅What are the latest trends in decarbonization of the transport sector

✅How has Paris emerged as a leader in shared and active mobility

✅Tell us about the 2025 Global Decarbonization Expo and program

✅How can cities across the globe implement the 15 Minute City at scale

✅Tell us about your professional journey from filmmaker to decarbonization influencer

Nico Larco is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Urbanism Next Center at the University of Oregon and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Initiative, a nationally and internationally awarded, multidisciplinary organization that focuses on sustainability issues as they relate to the built environment. Professor Larco’s research focus includes sustainable urban design and the impacts of emerging technology on cities. The Urbanism Next Center, which he leads, is focused on how technological advances such as autonomous vehicles, new mobility, e-commerce and the sharing economy are changing city form and development. Professor Larco has received numerous national and international awards for his work, has been a Distinguished Fulbright Association Scholar in Chile and in Spain, and was a visiting researcher at Delft University of Technology and TNO in the Netherlands. He is a licensed architect and has worked professionally in the fields of Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, and Development. Larco is the principal of Larco/Knudson, an urban design consulting practice in Portland which focuses on sustainable urban design and assisting with the resilience of projects in the face of rapidly changing technology.

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urban mobility innovation: 👇👇👇

✅How has the urban mobility landscape evolved over the past five years

✅What are the latest mobility innovations transforming our built environments

✅How will autonomous vehicles be deployed at scale, and under which use cases

✅What are the key future-proofing techniques cities can leverage for new mobility

✅Tell us about your latest book, "Sustainable Urban Design Handbook"

The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast is excited to launch our quarterly webinar series, with an all star lineup of guests and speakers. This webinar episode, "Women in Shared and Active Mobility" features mobility experts Sandra Witzel and Alex Carroll.

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about women in shared and active mobility: 👇👇👇

✅Please share recent shared mobility business models & success stories

✅What are the policy implications of active and shared mobility

✅Tell us about how to improve walkability in urban environments

✅What is most important for safety of women in public transport & shared mobility

✅Please share the latest active mobility infrastructure innovations

Dr. Laura Narvaez Zertuche is an architect, urban designer, and a spatial scientist. She is a Partner in the Urban Design Group at Foster + Partners, where she leads people movement and data analytics within the firm since 2015. Her work incorporates evidence-based and research-led design that combines informed decision-making with simulation-powered design tools and strategic development of methodologies with their application to architecture and urban design. She has +17 years of experience working in urban design and master planning internationally, primarily in Mexico, UK, the Middle East and Asia. She is a specialist in assessing how issues such as pedestrian footfall, economic activity and social interactions will impact the viability, growth, and long-term evolution of projects, ranging from new cities to complex buildings. Laura works pro-bono as a contributor and advisor, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Urban AI -an international multi-disciplinary think-tank that investigates the ethical modes of governance and sustainable uses of artificial intelligence in cities. Laura is also a Lecturer at the Chair of Cognitive Sciences in ETH Zurich. She gained a MSc and PhD in Architecture and the Built Environment from the Space Syntax Laboratory at The Bartlett, UCL.

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urbanism and AI: 👇👇👇

✅Tell us about your journey from academia to practice

✅What can AI tell us about the built environment and urban design

✅How do you approach technology when applied to the urban scale

✅What are some of the best examples of AI & machine learning in design

✅Tell us about Urban AI and latest contributions to the think tank