Happy, healthy, livable cities

Walkability – Housing – Cycling – Transit – Complete streets – Urban sustainability

Join these great groups making cities better for people & planet:

1. 8 80 Cities

Their central idea is simple: if a city is good for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, it will be good for everyone.

They work on:

• Walkable neighbourhoods
• Safe cycling
• Public spaces and parks
• Active transportation
• Age-friendly cities
• Community engagement

Website: www.880cities.org

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2. Evergreen

Evergreen is one of Canada's leading organizations working to create more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities. While it began with a focus on greening school grounds, its work has expanded to encompass many aspects of urban livability.

Key areas of work include:

• Public spaces and community hubs
• Climate-resilient neighbourhoods
• Urban nature and biodiversity
• Active transportation and complete communities
• Community engagement and civic participation
• Research and demonstration projects for sustainable cities

Evergreen is perhaps best known for the Evergreen Brick Works, a former industrial site transformed into a vibrant centre for environmental innovation, local food, culture, and urban sustainability.

Rather than focusing primarily on advocacy, Evergreen often works by bringing together municipalities, planners, community organizations, businesses, and residents to test and demonstrate practical solutions that can be replicated across Canada.

For people interested in the connection between healthy cities, green infrastructure, community life, and environmental sustainability, Evergreen is one of the country's most influential organizations.

Website: evergreen.ca

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3. Canadian Urban Institute

An influential national think tank focused on:

• Downtown revitalization
• Housing
• Main streets
• Public spaces
• Urban resilience
• Sustainable development

They produce substantial research and convene municipal leaders from across Canada.

Website: canurb.org

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4. Green Communities Canada

Known particularly for:

• Walkable communities
• Active school travel
• Safe Routes to School
• Community climate action

They often work at the local, grassroots level.

Website: greencommunitiescanada.org

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5. Walk Toronto

Although based in Toronto, it is one of Canada's strongest pedestrian advocacy organizations and often influences discussions nationally.

Key issues:

• Pedestrian safety
• Lower traffic speeds
• Better sidewalks
• Vision Zero
• Accessible public spaces

Many Canadian cities have similar local groups inspired by this model.

Website: walktoronto.ca.  Related: America Walks | International Federation of Pedestrians

 

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6. Cycle Toronto

Another city-based organization with national visibility.

Works on:

• Protected bike lanes
• Complete streets
• Road safety
• Active transportation policy

Its campaigns are often watched by advocates across the country.

Website: cycleto.ca. | Related: Bike Ottawa | Go by Bike BC | Velo Quebec | Dutch Cycling Embassy

 

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7. Transport Action Canada

A long-standing transportation advocacy organization promoting:

• Better passenger rail
• Public transit
• Sustainable transportation
• Reduced car dependency

Their perspective is broader than simply urban walking and cycling.

Website: transportaction.ca

 

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8. Clean Air Partnership

Focuses on the intersection of:

• Climate action
• Municipal planning
• Low-carbon transportation
• Healthy communities

Many of their projects encourage more compact, walkable urban form.

Website: climateactionpartnership.ca

 

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9. Local advocacy networks

In practice, much of the real change happens through local organizations, for example:

• Walkable Ottawa
• Vélo Québec
• HUB Cycling (Vancouver)
• Bike Calgary
• Bike Winnipeg
• Halifax Cycling Coalition

These groups often succeed in getting specific bike lanes, traffic calming projects, and safer intersections built.

 

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