The Urbanist Agenda How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
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Dec 12, 2025 
Brent Toderian, the former chief planner of Vancouver, shares his extensive experience shaping urban environments globally. He discusses the importance of merging data with storytelling to advocate for better city planning. Brent highlights the need for planners to engage confidently with skeptics and emphasizes tailored communication for different urban contexts. He warns against half-measures in urban interventions and outlines five key steps to improve cities. Ultimately, Brent believes transforming public discourse is essential for enacting real change.
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Practitioner Perspective Beats Online Popularity
- Brent Toderian emphasizes that practitioner experience changes what actually works versus what merely gets social media likes.
- He warns that popular online messages can alienate decision-makers who control implementation.
From Local Planner To Global Advisor
- Brent Toderian describes his career from southwestern Ontario to chief planner roles in Calgary and Vancouver.
- He used that experience to advise many international cities including Reykjavik and Medellín.
Pair Data With Storytelling
- Combine rigorous data with compelling storytelling to persuade technical audiences and the public.
- Learn the data deeply, then present it in emotionally resonant, memorable ways.