Nine Questions With Reblue Ventures: Why Equitable Urban Design Is Key To Building Truly Sustainable Cities
I had the pleasure of being featured in Reblue Ventures’ Nine Questions With interview series, where I shared insights on my journey, my work at the intersection of social and environmental justice, and the work the CP Planning team is doing to drive systemic change in the built environment. Read the full interview here.
This conversation gave me the opportunity to reflect on my passion for reshaping urban development through a lens of equity and sustainability. We explored the importance of centering historically excluded voices in decision-making, rethinking outdated urban models, and using communication as a tool for advocacy and impact.
My nomadic childhood instilled empathy for the unique challenges different communities face and shaped my belief in ‘glocal’ solutions—combining global insights with local action to address complex challenges like climate change and social inequalities. Harnessing global best practices is a must, but it’s crucial to understand that they can’t be applied uniformly; they must adapt to and be rooted in local cultures, communities, and contexts.
In the interview, I covered several topics:
Archtivism and ‘Glocal’ Perspectives
In the interview, I spoke about how my nomadic childhood across cities like Paris, Port-of-Spain, Brussels, and Washington, DC shaped my approach to urban planning and sparked my passion for Archtivism—a fusion of architecture and activism. These experiences gave me a deep empathy for the challenges different communities face, leading to my belief in ‘glocal’ solutions—combining global insights with local action. I emphasized that while global best practices are important, they need to be tailored to fit local cultures and contexts to ensure they are effective, relevant, and empowering for the communities they serve.
Breaking the “Reference Man” Mold: Redefining Urban Planning for Equity
I spoke about the need to challenge the “Reference Man” concept in urban planning, which has long centred around an outdated, narrow archetype—leaving out women, children, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. I highlighted that designing with this perspective perpetuates inequality. I shared how inclusive urban planning should focus on life-centred design, considering the full spectrum of human diversity. As part of the 8-80 Cities Board of Directors, I believe the organization’s concept captures this beautifully: if a city works well for both an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, it works well for everyone. I also emphasized that policies like mixed-income developments and affordable housing must align with sustainability to prevent displacement and ensure equity in urban spaces.
Inclusive urban planning begins with life-centred design, addressing the full spectrum of human diversity—from parents and older adults to people with disabilities, racial minorities and lower-income residents. As part of the 8-80 Cities Board of Directors, I believe the organization’s concept captures this beautifully: if a city works well for both an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, it works well for everyone.
Leading for Equity and Sustainability
I shared that bold, inclusive leadership starts with recognizing both present voices and those missing from the conversation. Sustainability is more than emissions or green tech; it’s about creating systems that reflect diverse realities. I emphasized that diversity in leadership sparks innovation, while acknowledging privilege allows leaders to elevate marginalized voices and drive equity.
I also discussed embracing the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE), which prioritizes social objectives over profit and ensures equity in every decision. True sustainability requires solidarity, especially in sectors like housing. Leaders must foster cross-sector collaboration, prioritize marginalized communities, and adopt an “Archtivist” mindset—where advocacy and action converge. Sustainability is about leading change and creating an equitable future for all.
Envisioning Regenerative, Equitable Cities
I spoke about my vision for cities in 20 years, where urban spaces are regenerative ecosystems that support both people and nature. I envision cities that reflect inclusivity, sustainability, and regeneration, where architecture drives systemic change and supports social equity. I discussed how architects, urban planners, and green tech leaders must evolve into activists, pushing for cities that prioritize people’s diverse needs while healing the planet.
I hope my legacy will inspire others to push boundaries in urban planning and create cities that truly serve both communities and the environment.
Sustainability demands a paradigm shift, like embracing the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE), which prioritizes social objectives over profit, fostering equity in every decision—from products to practices…As John Mackey said, “A business cannot live without profits, but it mustn’t live just to make profits.”
About ‘Nine Questions With’ interview series by Reblue Ventures
Reblue Ventures’ Nine Questions With series spotlights changemakers who are pushing boundaries in sustainability, urban innovation, and social impact. Each interview features exactly nine questions, offering a structured yet dynamic exploration of the journeys, insights, and strategies of leaders shaping a more equitable and regenerative future. The series aims to foster dialogue and solutions that drive meaningful and sustainable change.