New Zealand-based Global Correspondent Boopsie Maran

Open Streets Basketball Court, Photo: Boopise Maran

Introducing Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland-based Correspondent Boopsie Maran!

Here at Pedestrian Space we recently launched a Global Walkability Correspondents Network, as a way to build solidarity among walkability advocates around the world and continue to create media on sustainable mobility and urbanism.

We are grateful to welcome Boopsie as a New Zealand-based Global Correspondent to our growing network of individuals who are passionate walkability advocates.

Photo: Marcel Tromp

WHO

The driving force behind my mahi (work) is a commitment to share my global experience and apply a fresh yet effective approach to the implementation of local projects, particularly around policy in public transport and walkability.

Handrawn map by Aya Yamashita & Juliette Laird: This image was a hand-painted map by two local artists to promote walking

I am a member of the Australasian Placemaking Forum, Placemakingx, Women Urbanism Aotearoa, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui ki Tamaki Makaurau Covid-19 Response and Strategy Ropu (Team). In 2020, I received a “highly commended” distinction from the Auckland Transport Travelwise Choices in the category of Superior Grassroots Action for my education work in helping people learn more about the benefits of public transport.

Photo: Marcel Tromp

I was a finalist for the 3M Traffic Safety Innovation Award for 2021, which recognizes exemplary innovation and effectiveness to save lives and injuries on roads, and was presented at the Engineering NZ Transportation Group Conference. The 3M award considers the specific features in terms of innovation in thinking and technology, problem-solving as well as the real benefits in reducing trauma. They also look at cost-effectiveness and transferability to other areas. This award was a perfect marriage of my desire to collect data in real-time in person and share it back into design and engineering improvements so that improvements can be made quickly and adapted to respond to the actual usage on the ground, rather than spreadsheets behind a desk.

Rose road parklet, Photo: Boopise Maran

Of the over 400 cities I have traveled to, walking has been the primary mode of transport for each visit and I believe that the more we walk the healthier our planet and our families will be.

Boopsie Maran
Photo: Boopise Maran

I also received the PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST AWARD –for my presentation on Parklets: A tool for community engagement. This merged my desire to use parklets as a tool for advocacy and protest. Parklets can be the place where people are recognized as owners of the streets too. I have studied History at UC Berkeley and UCLA. I have recently received a Master’s of Teaching Elementary (Primary School). This was a degree I received in hopes to apply to my education role with transport authorities and bridging the gap between student/child school routes and the policies that affect them.

With Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, Photo: Marcel Tromp

WHERE

I am a Filipino / Czech / American / Kiwi. I have traveled around the world as an enthusiast of cities and the urban environment. I have a particular love of rapid public transport. I have walked the lover’s walk of Cinque Terre in flip flops and hiked the NaPali Coast trail in 48 hours.

Photo: Marcel Tromp

However, my most memorable journeys are of the 5 humans that carried up my 18-month-old Luna from the lowest platform to the top of the Manhattan subway over what may have been thousands of steps. I always remember the empathy and thought obviously put into the Berlin train system, or the genius behind Cathay Pacific’s city center luggage check-in in the city center before you travel on the airport train (luxury unmatched). Of the over 400 cities I have traveled to, walking has been the primary mode of transport for each visit and I believe that the more we walk the healthier our planet and our families will be.

Photo: Marcel Tromp

The driving force behind my mahi (work) is a commitment to share my global experience and apply a fresh yet effective approach to the implementation of local projects, particularly around policy in public transport and walkability.

Boopsie Maran
Photo: Marcel Tromp

WHY WALKABILITY

Walkability is a mindset that is a behavior and habit that is best learned young. And the benefit of this great habit will carry on through generations. We need to help our younger generations or those not yet convinced to become better informed on the benefits of walking. Walkability is a great way to reduce your gas/petrol bill. Walkability helps our young people gain independence earlier in life that is both affordable and active. Walkability is a benefit for many people who have forgotten to be positive and for whatever reason need to be reminded or need to be supported to create environments that reclaim those memorable safe moment of our childhoods.

Kapahaka Britomart, Photo: Boopise Maran

Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland-based Boopsie Maran is the founder and director of urban strategy at Places for Good. Her approach to community activation and tactical urbanism places a significant priority on action-oriented partnerships with schools, urban precincts, and citizen experts. She believes in the power of strategic, localized engagement–it is in the small neighborhood actions and interactions that profound transformation materializes.

Read Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland-based Global Correspondent Boopsie’s content here

Learn more about the Global Walkability Correspondents Network here