Urbanism By Chance

In this episode of Urbanism By Chance, we sit down with Suzanne Day, a lifelong Phoenix resident, bike advocate, and recently retired from her local transit agency, Valley Metro . Suzanne shares her "Urbanism By Chance" moment, how biking helped her through life changes, and how she became a leading voice for cycling and transit advocacy in Phoenix. Read the blog here!

Meet Jack Ketcham, president of the ⁠Tempe Bicycle Action Group⁠. Learn how attending college in Tempe shifted his views on the built environment, and how additional influences like the car-free community Culdesac, Not Just Bikes, and other urbanism content have helped shape his perspective on urbanism, leading him to advocate for better streets and communities. Follow along on the blog here!

Meet Shawn Thomas, a personal trainer and fitness enthusiast who works as a server in the Phoenix metro area. A few trips around the world led him to realize that we could improve our cities and communities. ⁠Read the blog here!

Meet Matthew Boepple, the creator behind the Instagram page ⁠Car-Free Tucson⁠. He has been helping reimagine his city, one car-free journey at a time through his content. Learn about his experiences with urbanism on this episode of Urbanism by Chance! Read the blog here!

Join us on a journey with Ignacio Delgadillo, better known as Nacho, as we explore his lifestyle transformation. See how the stars of urbanism align as he moves from Goodyear, Arizona, to the car-free community known as Culdesac. While it was a smart financial move for his family, listen to this episode to discover that there are more benefits to going car-free and living in a walkable area than just saving money—things you simply can’t put a price on. Check out Trailnachos Instagram! Follow along with the blog!

In this episode of Urbanism by Chance, we meet the creative force behind Look See Draw, where she captures iconic buildings and places through her art. Born and raised in Phoenix, our guest shares how the city’s transformation and an inspiring teacher sparked her interest in urbanism and documenting the spaces around her. From favorite third spaces like Hance Park and local coffee shops to cherished memories with her 'son,' Kermit, she brings stories of connection and creativity to life. Look See Draw Website Look See Draw Instagram Follow along with the blog!

In this episode of Urbanism by Chance, host Jamie Trufin chats with Whitney Mayfield, an urbanist by chance whose journey into city planning is as inspiring as it is unexpected. Originally a media analysis student, Whitney shifted her focus to sustainability after taking a transformative class on urban resiliency. A pivotal moment in 2018—a comprehensive presentation on the history and development of Downtown Phoenix—sparked her interest in urban planning. Follow along with the blog here! Check out Whitney's Instagram: @whittakesthecity

In this episode of Urbanism by Chance, we dive into the inspiring journey of Ed Hermes, an attorney, dad, husband, School Board member, and community advocate. Ed shares how his early experiences without car ownership shaped his passion for walkable streets, safe bike lanes, and reliable public transit. From his chance encounter with the term "urbanist" to his advocacy for better city planning, Ed talks about the crucial moments that fueled his desire for more people-centric urban designs. Join us as Ed reflects on his background in law and how it has empowered him to tackle systemic issues in city development. We'll also hear his thoughts on the challenges of raising children in a car-centric society, his efforts to create safer routes to school, and his belief in involving kids and teens in shaping our cities. Follow along on the blog here!⁠

Join us on our first episode of Urbanism by Chance with Cristina Port! She shares her personal journey of discovering community through the lens of urbanism and the spaces that bring us together. Follow along on the blog here!