Past Events
From urbanist happy hours and walks to author talks and panel discussions, we’re all about sparking great conversation to advance urbanism in Phoenix.
Life After Cars • February 2026
We welcomed Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon of The War on Cars, who came to Phoenix as part of their book tour for Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile. State Senator Analise Ortiz and local urban activist Ed Hermes also joined for this lively discussion unpacking the scale of damage that cars cause and how we can create a better future.
Park(ing) Day • September 2025
UPP joined ASU, advocates, and architects along Taylor Street in Downtown Phoenix to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into vibrant public spaces. Park(ing) Day is an event that sparks conversations about how urban space is allocated and invites communities to consider alternatives to car-dominated environments. UPP created an epic long hopscotch that had students, law enforcement, and kids all participating!
Bike to Work Day • May 2025
We launched the community coalition to host the 2025 Phoenix Bike to Work Day, a fun and energizing three-mile group ride celebrating active commuting and community! The route showcased the protected bike lanes on 3rd Street, heading south from Steele Indian School Park into the heart of Downtown Phoenix.
Virtual Book Club with Yoni Appelbaum • April 2025
UPP hosted a virtual book club with historian, author, and deputy executive editor of The Atlantic, Yoni Appelbaum. We discussed his new book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity, with State Representative Sarah Liguori as the moderator.
Unpacking Arizona’s Housing Crisis • March 2025
We hosted an in-depth webinar to explore the roots of Arizona’s housing crisis—from historical trends to current market dynamics—and discuss the policy proposals designed to address these challenges. Our distinguished guest speakers included Kirin Goff, Executive Director of the Arizona Neighborhood Project, and State Representative Sarah Liguori.
An Evening with Angie Schmitt • November 2024
We hosted a very special conversation at The Newton with Angie Schmitt, the author of Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America. Our own Nicole Rodriguez and Emily Yetman of Living Streets Alliance in Tucson joined for a conversation about street design and transportation policy, moderated by David Longoria of LISC Phoenix.
Street Cleanups • Quarterly
Four times a year, we get together to beautify a little corner of Phoenix as part of the city’s Adopt-A-Street program. Join us to help clean up the stretch of 3rd Avenue between Thomas and Indian School. Trash bags, brooms, rakes — we have everything you need to become a clean-up champion!
An Evening with CityNerd • June 2024
Ray Delahanty (a.k.a. CityNerd) made a very special trip to Phoenix to talk all things urbanism! Our event at The Royale also featured Councilmember Jenn Duff of Mesa and our own Nicole Rodriguez. Local urbanist Jamie Trufin led a post-event walk in the Melrose neighborhood. Despite the heat, this was one of our best-ever attended events.
Urbanist Walk • May 2024
Local urbanist Jamie Trufin hosted a special event focused on walking. After a conversation at Valley Coffee Co. centered around tips and tricks for walking in the desert heat, we enjoyed a leisurely walk around Hance Park and the streets of Downtown Phoenix.
Urbanist Nights
Friends, followers and the urbanist curious have gathered for casual conversation at Greenwood Brewing, The Churchill, El Zaguan Bistro and more. We typically host Urbanist Nights and happy hour events a couple of times per year. Come hang out with us!
Parking Reform • September 2023
We hosted this panel discussion on the impacts of parking requirements on Phoenix’s housing costs, urban heat, transportation, health and more. Panelists included politician and activist Analise Ortiz, Dan Klocke with Gorman & Company, Vision Zero Committee Vice Chair Ed Hermes, and Kirin Goff of the Applied Health Policy Institute at the University of Arizona and Urban Phoenix Project. With an introduction by Parking Reform Network President Tony Jordan and moderated by Nicole Rodriguez. Watch the Video
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