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Home / Urban  / Idealog year in review: Women in Urbanism’s Emma McInnes

Idealog year in review: Women in Urbanism’s Emma McInnes

What was the most interesting New Zealand company that caught your eye?

Not a company, but Women in Urbanism Aotearoa is my absolute favourite advocacy organisation. 😉

What about internationally?

Lime Scooters. A lot of controversy, but now they’re really delivering transport choices.

What was the most interesting launch/trend/idea/building/product of the year?

Interesting launch – banning plastic bags. The popularity of banning them has really pushed the government to move quickly. 

Most exciting project you worked on this year?

“Access for Everyone” – a plan to make our city centre (Auckland) car free. Also “Pump Tracks are for Girls Too”  – an event I ran with Women in Urbanism and Sarah Walker to get more girls on Auckland pump tracks. 

What public event that impacted on or affected you the most?

Jacinda having baby Neve while in office. 

What was your favourite book/TV show/podcast/album/website/ magazine/story/performance enhancing drug of 2018?

Bey at Coachella. Podcast: On the Rag. Books: Boys will be Boys by Clementine Ford, and Why I’m no Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo Lodge.

Heroes?

Clementine Ford, Roxane Gay, Chloe Swarbrick, Julie-Anne Genter, Marama Davidson.

Villains?

Mike Hosking and Lisa Prager  – she took a sledge hammer to a kerb in Grey Lynn. But they both hate people who ride bikes. It’s absurd and they need to direct their energy to more important matters, quite frankly.

Your own personal highlight?

Going on a cycle-way pilgrimage to some of the friendliest cycling cities in the world – Sweden, Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Cologne, Frieberg, and everywhere in the Netherlands! 

Biggest learning for you?

I’ve learned to lock my bike with a kryptonite lock. Don’t ever buy a cheap lock! You will regret it! 

Going into 2019, what’s the change you want to see in the world?

The world actually wakes up to climate change, and that they world becomes kinder, more equitable and inclusive. 

What should be invented and/or un-invented in the next year?

Mike Hosking and Newstalk ZB

Is it the robots we should be worried about, or the humans? 

 We should be worried about what humans will do to robots.

How long before we have:  ?DNA modification? 

I thought this was already happening…

Driverless cars? 

I’m not sure. They can come to Aotearoa, but please can they stay out of our CBD. People first. Cars last. Thanks!

Cities that look like Venice?

Venice is a poorly designed city. We should have more Viennas, Copenhagens and Stockholms.

No animals farmed or eaten? 

I hope that happens today (sorry to my parents who are beef farmers!)

Secure bunkers to protect us from the zombie apocalypse? 

This is another good reason to open Albert Park tunnels back up in Auckland – need to add to the business case ASAP. 

One of the talented Idealog Team Content Producers made this post happen.

Review overview