Episode 6: Ryan Russo

The #CitiesFirst Podcast

Ryan Russo is Principal at Together Projects, LLC. Widely recognized as an urban innovator, Ryan most recently served as the first Director of the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT), where he led the new agency through its inaugural five years of operation.

Under Ryan's leadership, OakDOT quickly became a national model for incorporating equity into transportation planning, policy, programs and operations. A start-up in government, OakDOT was formed to pursue a vision of a more equitable, safer Oakland with improved access to housing, jobs, schools and services. From paving plans to emerging mobility, OakDOT worked to center racial equity in every organizational aspect and long-neglected communities are now being more authentically engaged and collaborating with government. Ryan also led OakDOT to launch quickly implemented programs to repurpose streets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, OakDOT’s “Slow Streets” initiative spurred cities around the country to designate neighborhood streets as shared spaces to serve critical community needs of the moment.

Previously, Ryan spent nearly 14 ground-breaking years at the New York City Department of Transportation, ultimately rising to the position of Deputy Commissioner and serving as an instrumental leader in the transformation of NYCDOT from a focus on moving cars and trucks to meeting the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. 🛴🚝🚌🧑‍💻📈

Here's a sneak peek into the episode: 👇👇👇

✅What mobility lessons learned from Oakland and New York City can be applied on an International scale?

✅How has COVID changed the power dynamics in urban and transportation planning?

✅Can slow streets be scaled as a permanent fixture of the built environment

✅What are your predictions for active and shared transportation in the post COVID city?