Imagining a Shared Future: Reflections from an Ecovillage Retreat

August 20, 2026

Photo source: Andre Vashist. Retreat in Summer 2026. Last weekend we came together for a retreat to explore the practical, cultural, and ecological foundations of building a local ecovillage in the London, Ontario region. Hosted in a place that has been stewarded for decades in harmony with nature, the retreat brought together people at different … More Imagining a Shared Future: Reflections from an Ecovillage Retreat

Why Brazil is the best country in football (and why public spaces matter)

May 4, 2026

Five world championships. Seven appearances in the finals. The only country to play in every edition of the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. A long list of legendary players: PelĂ©, Ronaldo GaĂºcho, Neymar, Cafu, Ronaldinho, Garrincha, Zico, RomĂ¡rio. How did Brazil do it? Wealthier countries often have far more infrastructure and larger … More Why Brazil is the best country in football (and why public spaces matter)

electric scooter ona bike lane beside a long line of cars

If electric kick-scooters are a road hazard, what does that make cars?

November 28, 2025

On November 25, 2025, London City Council came within a single vote of banning electric kick-scooters (e-scooters). By a narrow 8–7 margin, councillors agreed to extend the pilot—but only for six months, despite city staff recommending a full year based on strong evidence. City staff were clear: they observed very low levels of concern, with … More If electric kick-scooters are a road hazard, what does that make cars?

World Car Free Day: Reimagining Cities Beyond Cars

September 8, 2025

Every year on September 22, cities around the globe mark World Car Free Day. It’s a moment to pause and imagine what urban life could look like if streets belonged more to people than to cars. It’s not just about leaving the car at home for one day; it’s about sparking conversations, testing new ideas, … More World Car Free Day: Reimagining Cities Beyond Cars

What are belt exams for?

February 15, 2025

Understanding Our Motivation Why do we take belt exams? The answer shapes how we train, how we perform, and how long we persevere. Here’s my perspective on their purpose. Celebration First and foremost, a belt exam is a time for group celebration. A practitioner is invited to test only after proving—through consistent training—that they have … More What are belt exams for?

Understanding Mobility Justice – Public Lecture

October 28, 2024

Public talk on October 28, 2024 at the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities – SASAH (Western University), hosted by ARTHUM 2291F: “Cultures of Advocacy”. During the talk, I shared a diverse sample of initiatives related to the topic and identified a few themes emerging from that sample. After that brief exploration, … More Understanding Mobility Justice – Public Lecture

Towards a Just Transport System

July 8, 2024

Dr. Karel Martens is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa, Israel) and at the Institute for Management Research, Radboud University (Nijmegen, the Netherlands). Dr. Martens’ recent book: Transport Justice: Designing Fair Transportation Systems, has been recognized as revolutionary and seminal by many in … More Towards a Just Transport System