Next Stop #2 | On Car-Free Cities

What does “car-free” really mean in practice? Is it a ban, a phased reduction, or a rebalancing of priorities? How can we design cities where caregiving, errands, and school runs aren’t invisible trips but part of inclusive planning? And what would it take to turn the 15-minute city from a buzzword into everyday reality? In this episode of the Next Stop campaign, our Youth Ambassador for Inclusion & Sustainable Transport, Sana’a Khasawneh, sits down with Bronwen Thornton, CEO of Walk21 and one of the world’s leading advocates for walkability, to unpack these questions.

Topics we cover:
– Redefining “car-free” beyond the slogan
– Designing car-light strategies with equity at the core
– The 15-minute city: concept vs. practice
– Commerce and logistics in car-free transitions
– Who builds the political mandate for change
– From pilots to permanent transformation

Join us as we dive into the compromises, creativity, and coalitions that shape truly walkable cities.

Next Stop #1 | Remembering Cecilia 🌻

In this first episode of the Next Stop campaign, our Youth Ambassador for Inclusion & Sustainable Transport, Sana’a Khasawneh, takes over the Talking Transport Transformation Podcast.

She speaks with Jeffrey Jossepy Leandro Díaz, an activist from Lima, Peru, who turned personal tragedy into a movement for safer, more inclusive mobility. After the loss of his partner, Cecilia Melgar — a passionate environmentalist and transport justice advocate — Jeffrey founded Pacto por Ceci (“Pact for Cecilia”), a call to reimagine streets not for speed, but for life.

Together, Sana’a and Jeffrey reflect on Cecilia’s vision of mobility rooted in dignity, safety, and belonging, and how her legacy continues to inspire youth-led transport justice worldwide. 🌻

This heartfelt conversation marks the first stop on a journey through stories of courage, imagination, and the fight for inclusive, sustainable transport.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of mobility of care, an often-overlooked aspect of urban mobility that is crucial for creating inclusive and equitable cities. Mobility of care encompasses an analytical category to highlight trips made for caregiving. These trip purposes are typically hidden in other categories, such as shopping. With her work, Inés counteracts a male bias in mobility data and uncovers the true travel patterns of women around the world.
Our special guest, Inés Sánchez de Madariaga, a leading expert in gender and urban planning, shares her insights on integrating mobility of care into transportation planning and policy.

In today's podcast episode, we delve into the dynamic realm of e-mobility and its potential to unlock new opportunities for greater gender equity and inclusivity. Join us as we explore the transformative impact of electric mobility on the public transport sector and discuss how it plays a crucial role in promoting equal access to transportation.

Urban transport planning can be gender-friendly and inclusive – Lucas Snaije from BYCS, an Amsterdam-based NGO for promoting cycling in cities, will show us different initiatives where people’s needs take center stage. This is an insightful and enriching episode covering different perspectives of transport users, mainly from vulnerable groups, and their challenges in daily mobility.

In this episode, recorded at the Walk21 conference, we sat down with Jorge Cáñez, who is part of the Kounkuey Design Initiative. KDI is a nonprofit that combines community development and design to create equitable urban spaces that meet social, economic, and environmental needs. Currently, KDI is working on the Gender Equity Action Plan for Los Angeles, USA. This transformative initiative was sparked by the "Changing Lanes" report of 2021, which shed light on the transit system's deficiencies in serving women and gender minorities. We explore the intricacies of sustainability, walking conditions, road safety, and gender equity, including challenges like inaccessible bus stops and lighting concerns. Moreover, we discuss innovative strategies aimed at closing these gaps. Join us on this enlightening journey as we work towards a more equitable, sustainable, and pedestrian-friendly cities.