An Evening with CityNerd

Enjoy an evening of urbanist conversation, with very special guest Ray Delahanty, also known as CityNerd! Joining him on a panel will be Nicole Rodriguez — a board member of Urban Phoenix Project and Trees Matter, and Jenn Duff — a Mesa City Councilmember and safe-streets advocate, with Vision Zero Committee Chair Ed Hermes as our moderator. What are some of the short-term and long-term solutions we should be seeking to advance urbanism in Phoenix? What is the future of the rush-hour reverse lanes? We’ll be chatting all this and more. Enjoy casual conversation and drinks before and after the panel, which will start at 7 p.m.

$10 Suggested Donation • Click Here

proceeds go to Urban Phoenix Project & Strong Towns Phoenix
bike valet provided by Phoenix Spokes People
food & drinks available for purchase
please note, event will be outdoors
all ages

Ray Delahanty
Ray is the creator behind CityNerd, a YouTube channel where he explores urbanism, transportation, and all the things that make cities unique (with a signature dry sense of humor). The channel’s point of view is strongly influenced by his professional background in transportation planning and traffic analysis. Prior to starting his YouTube channel in 2021, Ray had a 15-year career as a planner and project manager for consulting firms and public agencies in Portland, Oregon.

Nicole Rodriguez
Nicole, a board member of Urban Phoenix Project, has a varied background in urban planning, urban forestry, and sustainability. She came to the Valley about 20 years ago without a vehicle, experiencing the bus system in the summer heat. She struggled with the economic hardships of vehicle ownership, and for some years now she and her family have biked, bused, and walked just about everywhere. Nicole has received multiple awards for her community advocacy and also serves as a board member for non-profits Trellis and Trees Matter and as the vice chair for the City of Phoenix Encanto Village Planning Committee.

Jenn Duff
Mesa City Councilmember Jenn Duff has achieved an influence extending beyond the city’s limits. As a graduate of the Smart Growth America Complete Streets Champions Institute program, she is a major advocate for safe streets in the Valley. Jenn has also served on the City of Mesa Planning and Zoning Board, cofounded the Retail, Arts, Innovation and Livability (R.A.I.L) Community Development Corporation, and has won multiple awards for her community advocacy work and leadership.

Ed Hermes
Moderator Ed Hermes is a community leader, urbanism advocate and chair of the Vision Zero Committee, a City of Phoenix advisory committee that is dedicated to stopping the epidemic of car violence in Phoenix. He has worked on issues of safe routes to school, building sidewalks, increasing the housing supply, supporting affordable housing, increasing bike lanes, and many other urbanist issues. He has been car-free since 2013 and can often be seen on his bike, on the Light Rail, and on the bus. Outside of his urbanism work, Ed is a partner at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, president of Osborn School District's governing board, and president of the Carnation Association of Neighbors.