Pedestrian Space is an internationally minded NGO currently based in Poland. Pedestrian Space was originally established as an Instagram account @pedestrianspace in 2020 and as the website https://pedestrianspace.org/ in 2021, both with the aim to document and explore best practices and barriers of walkability and to help shape awareness about the foundational role of quality pedestrian space and accessible, affordable and safe public transportation for quality urban living. In 2022, Pedestrian Space was established as an NGO in Poland.
Our global representatives are passionate advocates for healthy, thriving communities, championing the rights of pedestrians and the central role of walkability in sustainable urbanism.
If you would like to collaborate with any representatives, please contact them directly or email info@pedestrianspace.org for an introduction.
NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE: CORI DAHL
Cori is a pedestrian rights and public transportation advocate located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Her advocacy started while living in Detroit, MI, USA where she documented the pedestrian experience and inequality of pedestrian and public transportation infrastructure to car infrastructure.
She currently lives car-free in Chicago where she continues to document the pedestrian experience, advocates for pedestrian rights and public transportation, and is the chapter lead of GWCN Chicago.
TÜRKİYE + EUROPE REPRESENTATIVE: MERVE ÖZHAN
Merve is an architect, educator, and urban researcher based in Istanbul, Türkiye. She serves as the Türkiye and Istanbul representative of the Global Walkability Correspondents Network (GWCN), where she initiates documentation, research, and advocacy for pedestrian-friendly cities.
Her work focuses on mobilities, walkability, and spatial justice. While studying in Denmark, she examined the power dynamics of large-scale infrastructure projects in her thesis on Istanbul’s new airport. She now teaches architectural design at several universities in Istanbul and collaborates with the Center for Spatial Justice on urban heat and pedestrian comfort projects.
Merve lives a car-light lifestyle and also serves on the board of the Gebze Chamber of Architects.
UKRAINE REPRESENTATIVE: MATVII SUMINOV
Matvii is an urban enthusiast based in Ukraine. His advocacy started in Kharkiv, where he redesigned old transit maps, wrote about contemporary issues in the city, such as toponymy, tactical urbanism, and cultural heritage.
Currently, Matvii is looking for his upcoming educational opportunities in Ukraine after receiving a high school diploma in the USA. He is an active member of urbanist communities in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Lviv that work with issues of spatial planning, walkability, infrastructure, and inclusivity.
FOUNDER: ANNIKA LUNDKVIST
Annika is the founder of Pedestrian Space and is currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization (Polish Academy of Sciences) in Poland. She values continuously crafting a transdisciplinary research and advocacy approach. Her work highlights the many dimensions of enhancing walkability in communities, including the importance of quality, accessible, and affordable public transportation, the myriad health benefits, the importance of spatial equity for diverse generations and groups, and the relationship to environmental protection.
Annika has spoken and been featured in diverse contexts, helping to shape awareness on the vital role of walkability for urban resilience.