Our mission is to ignite action and challenge the status quo to create healthier, more equitable, and sustainable cities for all people.
We work with municipalities, planning and urban design firms to create equitable engagement strategies that build excitement, and unlock the power of community voices, assets, and capacities.
We co-create public space activations with community partners to reimagine underused spaces and streets as spaces for people.
We work with our clients to develop customized in-person or virtual training and capacity-building workshops on creating equitable and age-friendly cities and public spaces.
We work with community partners to put neighbourhoods back at the centre of city development.
From inspiring civic leaders to foster change in their communities to hosting immersive workshops in global cities on best practices in mobility, participation, and public spaces, we develop unique, custom-made programs that break the mould in collaboration with funders and partners.
We work with partners and clients to create attractive and comprehensive resources and toolkits to create better cities for all ages and abilities.
8 80 Cities is seeking applications for our 2026–2027 Ontario Community Changemakers, a multi-generational leadership and micro-grant program for people with bold ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement, and foster social inclusion in their communities.
Anyone residing in Ontario, aged 19 and above, with creative ideas to improve their community, is encouraged to apply to participate in this innovative, Ontario-based program funded by the Balsam Foundation.
Thirty successful applicants will receive $5,000 to implement their project idea, leadership development training from 8 80 Cities, and peer-to-peer networking with other grassroots community champions. Project
In this conversation, part of the series 8 80 Cities – 20 Years of Creating Cities for All, Gil Peñalosa reflects on a lifetime dedicated to reimagining cities as places where everyone can thrive. From his early experiences in Bogotá to his global advocacy for people-centred urban design, Gil shares why he founded 8 80 Cities, what progress has been made over the past two decades, what challenges remain, and his hopeful vision for the future of urban life.
The 8 80 concept is universal. From communities of 5,000 to 5 million, our projects always start at the same place: how do we meaningfully engage people in urban transformation?
Transforming Underused Spaces to Support Health Equity in Tower Neighbourhoods is a 3-year multi-disciplinary project led by 8 ...
Mississauga, ON (Canada), Toronto, ON (Canada), CanadaSchool Streets are programs that create a car-free environment in front of schools at the start and end of the school day to pr...
Global– Gil Penalosa, Founder and Chair
Like cities, we’re constantly evolving! Keep up to date with the latest stories and thoughts from 8 80.
By Jiya Benni, 8 80 Cities Director of Programs & Development The 2025-2026 school year saw 11 School Streets implemented across Canada, from Vancouver and Burnaby in BC, Edmonton in Alberta, Mississauga, Markham, and Kingston in Ontario, to Montreal and Gatineau in Quebec, as part......
July 29, 2026
In this conversation, part of the series 8 80 Cities – 20 Years of Creating Cities for All, Gil Peñalosa reflects on a lifetime dedicated to reimagining cities as places where everyone can thrive. From his early experiences in Bogotá to his global advocacy for......
June 15, 2026
Press Release Applications Are Open For The 2026 Ontario Community Changemakers Program Funding is available to Ontarians aged 19 and over! TORONTO — June 1, 2026 — Non-profit organization 8 80 Cities is seeking applications for their 2026–2027 Ontario Community Changemakers, a multi-generational leadership and micro-grant program for people with bold ideas to activate public......
June 01, 2026We have a growing library of videos featuring the work we do. Get familiar with scenes of our 8 80 adventures.
Our City, Our Health: Building Healthier Places for Future Generations. Ep.2: Mississauga
8 80 Streets Danforth
8 80 Streets Mountview
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8 80 Cities acknowledges that the land on which we are situated is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, the Huron-Wendat, and Petun First Nations. These lands are the site of Treaty 13 and the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant — an agreement forged between the Anishinaabe Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to peaceably share resources around the Great Lakes.
We are mindful of broken covenants, violations of human and treaty rights, and affirm the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is our responsibility to actively interrogate and challenge settler-colonial systems of oppression through our work. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Lands.
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