by 
Share On Social!
UPDATE 11/12/18: Penalosa challenges San Antonio to stop sprawling and focusing on cars and start building connected networks of sidewalks and protected bike lanes, particularly if they want to become a world class city. You can watch his presentation on the Rivard Report Facebook page.
San Antonio has an epic lineup of speakers and panelists for “CityFest,” the city’s first-ever urban ideas and equity festival from Nov. 8-10, 2018.
CityFest will serve as a gathering place and platform for city leaders and engaged citizens to connect and discuss issues, challenges, and opportunities to build a more vibrant, equitable, prosperous San Antonio (63.6% Latino).
The event, modeled by the Rivard Report and Southwest School of Art from the Texas Tribune’s annual TribFest, aims to accelerate progressive change and development in the city.
More than 60 speakers and panelists will explore public transit, public health, public education, smart jobs growth, sustainability, affordable housing, arts and culture, and the city’s 300-year history.
Our own Salud America! digital content curator Amanda Merck will serve on CityFest’s Urban Core Mobility and the Path to Public Health panel on Friday, Nov. 8, 2018.
Alongside Merck, the panel also will feature Gil Penalosa, founder of Toronto-based nonprofit 8 80 Cities; Colleen Bridger, director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District; Christopher Lazaro, redevelopment officer, City of San Antonio; and moderators, Juan Cano of Cano Development and the Urban Land Institute and Rivard Report Health Reporter Roseanna Garza.
Penalosa thinks cities should be better designed for healthy aging and meet the mobility needs of those as young as 8 and as old as 80, such as their Wintermission contest.
“This is not just about going from point A to point B, but about the benefit of parks and mobility, and talking about issues like the impact of mobility on health – physical, mental, emotional health – and the very high rate of [Type II] diabetes in San Antonio,” Penalosa said according to Shari Biediger in the Rivard Report.
Penalosa will also be the keynote speaker at the opening luncheon and provide opening remarks on the closing day.
Check out the CityFest program.
Connect with thought-leaders in your community to discuss issues and solutions year-round!
UPDATE 11/12/18: Share Penalosa’s Nov. 8 presentation.
By The Numbers
27
percent
of Latinos rely on public transit (compared to 14% of whites).
