1/ I'm a Planner. My profession believes in placemaking. But I also acknowledge that my profession built cities on the basis of segregation, racism, and violence. We did and we still excel at telling racialized and marginalized communities "you don't belong here."

2/ Tools and policies have evolved, but they continue to be used in discriminatory ways, including: zoning, parking, budgeting, infrastructure investment, community amenities, and cycling infrastructure (yes, cycling infrastructure can cause harm to marginalized communities!)

3/ Instead of building cities that are equitable, these tools are used to create exclusivity, exert dominance, and exacerbate power imbalances.

4/ In her book Towards Cosmopolis, Leonie Sandercock discusses how the conflicts that exist between multiple publics is not necessarily rooted a difference of opinion, but in the historical power imbalance that exists between groups.

5/ Multiple publics does not necessarily result in conflict, but when marginalized voices are empowered and listened to, it can promote "collective empowerment" and "a reflective understanding of their collective experience and interests in the context of the wider society."

6/ My final takeaway for today from her book: "...in a democratic forum, all participants must express their needs and interests in terms that are persuasive because they appeal to an overarching principle of justice."

7/7 So my hope for the public discourse on active transportation in St John's: Empowerment of marginalized voices. Privileges are recognized. And that the projects are seen as collective opportunities for justice & equity. I hope you're all ok with getting a little uncomfortable.