Gil Peñalosa, speaking in Baltimore (TONIGHT) and Columbia (TOMORROW)

I have never heard Jan Gehl speak (other than from videos). I have heard Gil Peñalosa speak, and I have heard his brother, Enrique Peñalosa, the former Mayor of Bogota, speak (in fact, I went up to New York City on a special trip, just to do so). Before I heard Gil speak at last year's Pro Bike/Pro Walk conference in Chattanooga, I thought Enrique was amazing. Gil blows him out of the water...

Putting up Jan Gehl vs. Gil Peñalosa on April 7th really sucks...

Dynamic presentations by Gil Peñalosa.
April 6 (Baltimore, MD)
April 7 (Columbia, MD).

Mr. Peñalosa is an internationally renowned livable city adviser who is passionate about vibrant and healthy communities. He has delivered presentations at events across North America, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

As Executive Director of the non-profit organization 8-80 Cities and former Commissioner of Parks, Sports and Recreation in Bogota, Colombia, Gil’s tireless commitment to fostering healthy communities remains front and center.

He also works as Senior Consultant for the renowned Danish firm Gehl Architects. Furthermore, he serves on the Boards of Directors of American Trails, Ciclovias of the Americas, and City Parks Alliance. Gil holds an MBA from UCLA and advises municipal, corporate and community leaders around the world. Centered on the promotion of creating interconnected networks of pedestrian, cycling and public transportation infrastructure and building vibrant parks and public spaces, Gil’s presentations are an inspirational method to build capacity in government, business and community settings. These free events are sponsored by the Columbia Association and Bike Maryland.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011, 7-9PM at the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3807 N. Charles Street, Baltimore.

Presentation - Moving from Talking to Doing!This presentation will inspire and instruct the audience on the creation of vibrant cities and healthy communities. 880 Cities promotes walking and bicycling as activities and urban parks, trails and other public spaces as great places for all. These activities and public spaces improve our environment, advance economic development, boost and complement our transportation systems, make better recreation for all, and enhance our personal and public health. We invite you to join us in experiencing a presentation by Gil Peñalosa! RSVPs Preferred: carol@bikemd.org

Thursday, April 7th 2011, 7-9 PM at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia, MD 21044.
Presentation - Walking, Cycling, & Public Places for All!

As part of Columbia Association’s on-going Community Building Speaker’s Series, the Columbia Association is excited to co-host this keynote presentation by Gil Peñalosa, Executive Director 8-80 Cities. As the Commissioner of Parks, Sport and Recreation for the City of Bogotá, Colombia, Gil’s team initiated the “new Ciclovia” - car-free Sundays - today an internationally recognized program that sees over 1.3 million people walk, run skate and bike along 75 miles of Bogotá’s city roads. RSVPs Preferred: Event.Rsvp@ColumbiaAssociation.com

What’s an 8-80 City?
Step 1. Think of a Child
Step 2. Think of an Older Adult
Step 3. Ask yourself, would you send a child to bike to the store? Would you have her grandmother cross that intersection? What if, everything we did in our cities was great for the 8 year olds and 80 year olds? We’d end up with cities that are good for all — 8-80 Cities.