- Видео 29
- Просмотров 197 509
Devin Silvernail
Добавлен 3 сен 2015
Great cities can't exist without advocacy and participation. They need us. They need you. My videos talk about why and how.
Who am I?
Originally from Seattle, I've lived in SF, Oakland, rural Washington, Paris and currently based in Nantes, France.
I have a decade of policy development and political/community organizing experience. That includes work for elected representatives, municipal governments, and with various communities with the overarching goal to make the cities that I've called home more affordable, accessible, and accommodating for everyone who lives in them.
I'm passionate about social action and creating social/solidarity policy related to social housing, the 15-minute city, equitable mobility, renters rights, aid for people living unhoused, healthy communities, and community development.
Car-free by default due to disability.
Who am I?
Originally from Seattle, I've lived in SF, Oakland, rural Washington, Paris and currently based in Nantes, France.
I have a decade of policy development and political/community organizing experience. That includes work for elected representatives, municipal governments, and with various communities with the overarching goal to make the cities that I've called home more affordable, accessible, and accommodating for everyone who lives in them.
I'm passionate about social action and creating social/solidarity policy related to social housing, the 15-minute city, equitable mobility, renters rights, aid for people living unhoused, healthy communities, and community development.
Car-free by default due to disability.
How Nantes is Rapidly Becoming a Model for Non-Driver Mobility
What if I told you that Paris isn't the only French city going through a mobility revolution? Moreover, what if I told you that Nantes is proof that safer, more accessible, more connected streets are within reach in North America? Join me to talk about how, with your help, your city can be the next model for non-driver mobility.
#urbanism #mobility #accessibility
Resources for this video:
- Nantes Métropole Schéma stratégique piéton métropolitain : Éléments clés
metropole.nantes.fr/files/pdf/logement/NM%202022-01-A5%20-%20ITAL-12%20Pages-FR-WEB%2022%2003.pdf
- Le vélo à Nantes Métropole
data.nantesmetropole.fr/pages/velos/
#urbanism #mobility #accessibility
Resources for this video:
- Nantes Métropole Schéma stratégique piéton métropolitain : Éléments clés
metropole.nantes.fr/files/pdf/logement/NM%202022-01-A5%20-%20ITAL-12%20Pages-FR-WEB%2022%2003.pdf
- Le vélo à Nantes Métropole
data.nantesmetropole.fr/pages/velos/
Просмотров: 450
Видео
Vienna-Style Social Housing Will Happen in the US. Here's Why.
Просмотров 21 тыс.5 месяцев назад
What if I told you that Vienna's once-radical model of social housing is, in fact, achievable in the US? Join me to talk about how Vienna got to where it is now and how, with your help, your city can be the next to spur a social housing revolution. #urbanism #socialhousing #affordability Learn how Seattle can fund it's social housing developer in perpetuity by taxing the rich and how you can ge...
What I've Learned in Two Months Living in Nantes, France
Просмотров 34 тыс.6 месяцев назад
I moved to Nantes 2 months ago. Life in France is definitely different from life in Seattle, but how? What makes it different? Join me to talk about how Nantes got to this point and how, with your help, your hometown will too. #lifeinfrance #citylife #urbanism Affiliate Links (I get commission if used): Wunderflats Furnished Rentals 🏡 wunderflats.com/en?#a_aid=devin Amazon 🛍️ My everyday camera...
Revisiting a Childhood Dream Changed My Ideas of Failure and Success
Просмотров 7959 месяцев назад
18 years ago, I gave up on learning Japanese. At that moment, I let go of a childhood dream. 1 year ago, I decided to rekindle that dream. That decision to restart Japanese language learning changed how I define failure and success. Let me tell you how. #languagelearning #lifelessons #日本語 Amazon Affiliate Links (I get commission if used): My everyday camera: amzn.to/3vnq8NV My everyday lens: am...
I'm Moving to France. Here's Why.
Просмотров 12 тыс.11 месяцев назад
My family and I have chosen to move to Nantes, France - a city focused on equitable mobility, proximity to daily essentials, and solidarity. Let me tell you why we feel like moving to France is the right choice and what it means to leave a place that we know so well. #france #urbanism #cities Amazon Affiliate Links (I get commission if used): My everyday camera: amzn.to/3vnq8NV My everyday lens...
Follow This Formula to Successfully Advocate for Change in Your City
Просмотров 1 тыс.Год назад
It's no secret that North American cities aren't perfect, but they can be even worse without people fighting to make them better. Like me, you've probably visited cities in Europe or Asia and wondered why it feels like we're so far behind on addressing the climate crisis, making streets better for all uses, building housing that is universally affordable, or many other things. Maybe we can't ch...
How Better Bike Infrastructure Unlocks Countless Social Benefits
Просмотров 3 тыс.Год назад
Does your city have a bike network? Does it offer safety, or convenience? Who uses it and how often? Your city's bike culture and to what extent your city has a bike network can generally be linked to two things: municipal investment and who leaders *think* uses bikes. We take a critical look at how those feelings slow progress for equitable mobility, the broader societal consequences resulting...
How Social Equity Shapes 15-Minute Cities
Просмотров 3,3 тыс.Год назад
Alright, imagine this - the "15-Minute City" pops up in conversation. What's the first thing that comes to your mind? Walkability, proximity, or maybe density? Sure, those are the core ideas, but social equity is what's truly at the heart of the 15-Minute City philosophy. We'll explore how this concept benefits everyone and creates a better future for all of us. So, join me on this journey wher...
Embracing a Slow & Simple Life in the World's Largest City
Просмотров 2,5 тыс.Год назад
Have you dreamed of a slower pace of life? One where you can get some peace and quiet, where you're not rushing everywhere, and where you can build a community? Instead of looking toward the countryside or the suburbs, look no further than a city that invests in equitable mobility, like Tokyo. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 My Relationship with Time 02:00 The American Perception of Pace 02:...
American Cities Have An Isolation Problem. Here's How We fix Them.
Просмотров 2,8 тыс.Год назад
American Cities Have An Isolation Problem. Here's How We fix Them.
Building Equitable Cities: Nantes' Blueprint for Solidarity Neighborhoods
Просмотров 3,7 тыс.2 года назад
Building Equitable Cities: Nantes' Blueprint for Solidarity Neighborhoods
What it's Like Living Low Vision & Car-Free in the U.S. (Seattle)
Просмотров 104 тыс.2 года назад
What it's Like Living Low Vision & Car-Free in the U.S. (Seattle)
The Secret to Family Biking Year Round
Просмотров 7302 года назад
The Secret to Family Biking Year Round
Biking in Seattle for mobility: What you can find north of the Ship Canal & south of I-90
Просмотров 8212 года назад
Biking in Seattle for mobility: What you can find north of the Ship Canal & south of I-90
I'm expecting to see a bunch of comments dissing Nantes and the change happening there because it's not yet Amsterdam. No need to dump on France when the French gladly do it themselves: "of course they are living in the worst place that have ever existed!!!", "of course it was much better before", ... J'attends et j'entends déjà la connerie venir! Je répète: les français ne méritent pas la France.
It shouldn't be a partisan issue. I'm not a leftist and yet I don't want to breath fumes and get run over.
I’m sorry, you’re claiming France is accessible. Lmfao.
Compared to United States, freaking Belarus is accessible.
“The speed limit is the minimum speed for American streets” I’m sorry what? Obviously residential streets don’t have minimum speed limits.
Yes, they do. Minimum speeds laws are generally determined based on the maximum speed allowed on a roadway. In WA State, for example, the minimum speed allowed anywhere is 20mph (˜32km/h). For individuals, see this example from the Revised Code of Washington: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.425 For municipalities, see this example: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.415. Sure, if traffic is crawling, no one is getting a ticket, but if traffic is flowing (which normally happens on a residential street), people are going 20mph (or realistically more) and going less than the limit could result in an infraction. Beyond that, as you'll see, the State sets the minimum speed limit to 20mph. Seattle, for example, has chosen to use that limit on all residential streets. The City is not allowed to set a limit lower than 20, even on streets with high pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Any municipal law would be superseded by State law and, thus, unenforceable. Trust me, I tried to craft a law setting 15mph as the maximum speed on certain roads. I hope this provides some clarity.
i'm curious to know where was the pilot project for whatever they did on the 19th century boulevards you show at 5:30, and what feedback they got about it. Sure, that's less parking and more greenery, it looks nice on pictures, but that's the only pro. they wasted 2 long continuous strips of land to add muddy grass along narrow sidewalks on each side of eah of these streets, while cyclists in the tiny cobblestone gutters are getting doored: who tf approved that? it's not "something that works for everyone", this plan literally works for no one and it's a huge city-wide change in street design: extremely disappointing. That's several dozens kilometers of potential safe bike lanes which will not be built because someone prioritized promotional pictures with grass. That shot à 5:30 is 100 meters away from where i was hit on my e-scooter last week btw, halfway between the tram stop and the Weldom store. The pathetic "bike lane" painted in the gutter disappears near pedestrian crossings with median islands, leaving us in the general circulation of cars who were able pass a few meters ago and suddenly can't: they don't care, they pass anyways and hit the handlebar with their mirror. At least we have nice strips of mud.
Hey sorry to hear about your crash. I know how that feels. It really really sucks. In the US, I had 3 different people hit me with their cars from behind in supposed bike lanes. I had another hit me on purpose in a grocery store parking lot when I was a teenager, working to bring in shopping carts at the store. I also was t-boned by a man driving an SUV who didn't stop at a stop sign while I was biking home from work on the only available street - no bike lanes, 70km/h speed limit. Getting hit by cars sucks. I'm sorry that happened. In terms of the overall bike network in Nantes, it's not perfect. I said that. Are there frustrating parts and room for improvement? Definitely. Is it 100% safe? As long as cars exist, no. Is it 100x better than anything in North America? Absolutely. This is coming from the perspective of someone who learned to bike in a place where we had to mix with traffic almost always, where no matter how far to the side of the road or even if we were going the speed limit, someone would purposefully try to hit you to "teach you a lesson." Where a man destroyed my body and fought the $125 ticket (civil penalty, nothing else), and had I not showed up to court when I couldn't walk, he would have won that fight. Where, because of my disability, I was basically just expected to risk my life, spend about 1-3 hours extra per day waiting, walking between, and missing buses, or just waste away at home. The many kilometers of separated, elevated, and protected bike lanes here have taken my tangible daily stress down a lot. The fact that bike lanes exist at all or that there's more than one bus. Hell, that sidewalks exist. That's made my life a lot better and I can, for the first time, wake up every day and not wonder if today is the day where a driver ends my life, either deliberately or by not paying attention. I hope you feel better. No one deserves to be assaulted by a person driving a car. Wishing you well and a good recovery.
@@devinsilvernail i'm aware it can't be perfect, and my accident would have happened with the previous design too, but the failure of this major redesign makes me doubt your video's main point about citizens' feedback: - car users are not happy (they have less parking spots, and have to exit their cars directly into traffic. Mainly bike traffic, but still) - bike and e-scooter users aren't happy (no improvement to the dangerous infrastructure, + new risk of dooring) - pedestrians aren't happy (sidewalks still tiny and cluttered, but now with ruts and mud everywhere. Also i speculate the new parking configuration encourages people to park in front of garage doors, with the front of their cars across the sidewalk) - cars now park in nearby residential streets instead. Where parking laws are less enforced and sidewalks are even narrower and more cluttered... - it was supposed to help with flood risk mitigation as well, but with dead leaves the elevation of the mud is higher than the road and the parking spots, so nothing is flowing in there. They know about "pavés drainants" for parking spots, they simply didn't want to use them here for some reason - it was supposed to help with biodiversity, but as soon as 1 driver parks like a idiot and runs over the mud, it becomes ruts with dead weeds for the next 3 months this is really far from the quality of what Paris is doing! if there was a pilot with feedback, did they even listen to the feedback? The only people benefiting from this redesign is the municipal team who made electoral promises about removing concrete. The expensive new promenade around Commerce was criticized for being "too mineral" (there were indeed more trees before) so they're trying really hard to change their image on this topic, at the expense of cycling and accessibility. Another example of the huge potential they're wasting for the sake of greenery is the park project you mention earlier in the video (Gloriette/Petite Hollande). Nantes applied for studies and national funding regarding the creation of an RER system, and the train tunnel runs in a trench right here near Médiathèque (behind the public toilets): it would the cheapest and easiest spot to build an RER station, at an ideal distance from the main train station, near a perfect interchange with the tram... but no: instead, let's put the new road as close as possible to the trench, and add bushes and trees everywhere, according to a plan with absolutely zero future-proofing whatsoever In my opinion, a lot of what the métropole is doing should be considered "greenwashing": our feedback is marginally taken into account if and only if it doesn't interfere with their communication strategy. The advice in your conclusion should apply to Nantes too
Hey, thanks for your follow up. I hadn't known about the RER possibility. That would absolutely have been a great investment. I appreciate your observations on parking, sidewalks, pedestrian experience as well. As for the need for more, I absolutely agree with you. I think Nantes, and everywhere should do more. I'm glad that there a folks like you out there pushing too. Like I said before, this is all just so much better than what we had back in the US. Sure, Seattle has a ton of trees (I love that with my entire being), but it also has 4000km of roads (roads for cars are largest piece of public land), where 25% are missing sidewalks, 3% is dedicated to (mostly paint) bike lanes, and the City's greenwashing is investing in EV charging stations or forcibly removing unhoused people from parks for some reason. Meanwhile, there's zero constituent dialogue. There's endless meetings, but it's really to wear people down so ultimately the mayor can continue making sure his rich friends get richer. For Nantais(es) and for longtime or lifetime residents, I can understand your frustrations. However, America is so so so far behind that people feel completely beaten down. Nantes *is* inspiring to an American eye and I hope that people do see this video and feel inspired to fight for what they rightfully deserve. Nantes isn't perfect, but it isn't bad either (and I still believe it's great, but we can have different opinions), which is why it is an absolutely perfect example for what American can and should aim for, if that makes sense. My favorite thing about France is that there's always people speaking truth to the power in government to make shit happen and make things better. Solidarity exists here and does make things better. Thanks for pointing out where you see shortcomings in Nantes.
Great video.
I love nante!! It was my first vacation spot after I moved to France in 2021 and I have been back every year since!! Such a beautiful city
Thanks for showing me the evolution of Nantes and inspiring future leaders to do like they do here. I occasionally go there and I'm excited to see all of the new infrastructure that they built ! :-)
Nantes is a nightmare for drivers, indeed. And more and more insecure for non-drivers as well. It used to be a fabulous city.
Indeed, it's a really wonderful city. The safest i ever lived in and we're lucky to be able to live here 😍
I have lived and worked in many places, and Nantes is definitely not a nightmare, even during rush hour. Like any increasingly desirable city, it attracts a growing number of people. If your urban policy is car-centric expansion on the outskirts, then people who live in the suburbs become increasingly reliant on motor vehicles. And they will therefore find it difficult to travel by car to the centre, which is instead working to reclaim space for people. Go into the city on the weekend, and it is heaving. All those people who get there using public transport are surely finding it is attractive.
It still is. About safety, you're just repeating what the right wing opposition try and make people think.
Which city is this dude. Kinda good vibes
Wishing you well 😊
Seattle the woke democrat dump . .
I come back this video once a month. My partner and I just moved to Nantes a week ago. Would love to connect if you're interested. Thanks Devin!
I wasn't expecting a coherent explanation of the political landscape in the US when I clicked on a video on life in Nantes, France. Good video!
where is that restaurant cellar in the end?
Bienvenue à vous en france, j’habite dans un petit village de Normandie J’espère que si kamala harris l’emporte aujourd'hui ou demain qu’elle instaurera la sécurité sociale aux usa
How did you choose Nantes as your place to move in France?
We'd spent a lot of time visiting Nantes over the past few years. We have family all over France, and visited a lot of different cities. None ever felt like home. Nantes just feels different. Similar enough to where I grew up, but people are nicer here. I have a vision impairment and it is also easy for me to get around by bike or walking, which is a bonus. .There's also a lot of big city amenities but with a small-town community feel.
Safer streets, in Nantes? You are kidding... All what you are enumerating, solidarity, safety, it's all a dream. The reality is much different. France is a coutnry that is coming down very fast. It WAS a fabulous country, not anymore. I'll let you discover. A French living in the US.
As a french person who lived abroad and came back to france , this video struck me. I've been living in Nantes for aprox 4 years now and this city doesn't seem all THAT "socialist" on our scale. Accessible public transport, multiple education strucutres, hospitals, social services etc are actually considered as on a downfall : lack of fundings, lack of coherent public policies... I mean you have certainly expierenced the tram being shutdown due to our strickes ! Thanks for sharing your point of view, it's always healthy and productive to see what others think about our city !
I am a British citizen resident in Nantes and I can tell you it is a great city.
Hi, I'm curious to know if you feel confident speaking French. I can offer a free 1-on-1 audit call to analyse your current level and help you identify the barriers holding you back, so you can break through and start speaking French with confidence. Are you interested? 😊
I do feel the same here in Surabaya, Indonesia. People that cannot drive are being left out, to say the least bus station here are only signs with no shelter and no covered walkways. The mayor only cares about the ceremonial project, like the first bus line in Surabaya, rather than the quality and the quantity of the project. They left it on their own as if it was autopilot😢
I really want to move to France as well. Just not sure how to fund it
They are doing this here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA!!! The mayor is building high rise projects to house the low income since they gentrified our city. Yet people don't get it. They think its for the homeless, never considering they are next. They changed our income themselves with their fake inflation and housing crisis.
Hard to hear much of this but in most of this video, you speak the truth. Thought provoking...
Hi there, we are movung to Nantes with our 16mths old. We will be looking for apartment when we arrive in 1week. Which area do you guys live and where would you recommend to live with a kid?
Totally agree with you. I first visited France in my early 30s, loved it, but thought US was still more suitable for me. Then again in my 40s, loved it, thought France was better, but not enough to make me learn French. The latest visit was this summer, thought France is way better. Upon my return this time I began learning French and I’m in my early 50s now. Hope to make the same move in the near future.
Are you living in Nantes Actually ? I'm French and living in this town until I was 4 years old, I'm 65 now.
Because you live in middle and high level income neighborhood areas. Try to live in low income area, where they leave the refugees 😢 and the facilities there,even though do the most difficult job in Nanta and all France. That why i never trust RUclipsr because you guys never tell the complete story or the dark side
I live in a mixed income, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural area near several services for homeless people and with a large amount of social housing. This should be the standard across France, and Nantes, for their part, is trying to do this across the city. I agree. France must do a better job at integrating refugees, including providing a high level of services and well-built housing. It's not fair to stick low-income people far from the city, far from services and public transport, expecting them to commute into the city. I grew up in extremely low income suburbs in America, which led to my own homelessness. This is part of the reason I chose Nantes. They are taking accountability for past harms and mistakes. Not a lot of places worldwide do that. My hometown of Seattle had several refugees arrested for protesting the city after the city lied to them and led them to becoming homeless. Policies and norms like that are why I left the United States. Thanks for your comment.
That’s funny I my co workers last name is silvernail here Yakima Washington
Oh cool! Not a lot of us east of the mountains. 🙂
@@devinsilvernail no he’s originally from new York
Great video. From a someone living a car free life in Nantes as well :)
It was not only housing. Red Vienna also encouraged and empowered workers and their families to get access to books, education, sports and culture. A lot of social housing also included gardens for the tenants to grow their own food, and later, to have their garden retreat, a miniature version of the vast gardens, the wealthy and the nobles kept.
I love this. It seems like Europe is catching on to this concept. Especially here in France. The idea that all people, regardless of wealth or income, deserves nice things shouldn't be novel and I'm hopeful that it will continue to catch on across the world.
I’m legally blind too. I was born with it just like you. I’m in Canada. This is a great country but everything is so prend out where I live. I go months without leaving my small town because the public transit here is almost non-existant. When I was a teenager I had been told all through my school years that I could do anything as long as I put in the hard work. But I suddenly realized that I my profession opportunities were severely limited. I can’t drive a car either. I don’t see colour. So many jobs require a driverr’s license to do (pizza delivery, cab driver, real estate sales person) or I would need a car to get to them. I could also forget being a doctor, pilot, welder, hair stylist. I luckily found a job that I can do but that also interests me; Massage Therapist. I have worked in a kitchen as a line cook and assisting manager and it was very hard. I had to create systems so I could do the job correctly - like reading the ‘chits’ that came in to tell me what to cook - or making symbols for food storage to replace the coloured sticker system they used. I too am considering moving to another country. Mostly because I won’t be able to afford to live in Ontario Canada when I retire but also because I need to live somewhere that I can get around on my own. I am 50 now and I really want some independence. I am considering Estonia, Bulgaria and France (though France is possibly too expensive too). I look forward to finding out more about your afventures in France and I hope you will be wildly successful there.
I lived in Nantes for a year between 1995 and 1996 and it was wonderful. I can't wait to come back there next year (2025), 30 years (!) after living this dream I had to leave to finish my college and I never had the opportunity to come back. Sometimes I remember the smell of places, the university cafeteria, or the sound and sensation of the tramway. Enjoy!!
There's NO WAY to escape that frigggggen melody, not even here 😫
I have read that Nantes is the greenist city in France. .
Make Nantes Great Again
ON EST NANTES PUTAIN
Mon drapeau préféré dans le stade de la Beaujoire. 😉
Wow beautiful and well made
Hey! I just subscribed, great video. Very well done. We may be following in a similar path next year. Do you have a video about how/which visa/etc? I assume Long Stay Tourist and keep the YT content going? Either way, thanks for the vid!
I haven't made a video about the visa process but I believe Baguette Bound has one that could be helpful. To be honest, my visa process was very simple because I am married to a French citizen. When I first came to France 10 years ago, I was on a student visa (which allowed me to study & work part time) and you can do that if you study French here. Jay Swanson or Nathaniel Drew (2 very established American RUclipsrs in France) may also have videos about their process. Wishing you the best of luck in your adventure!
@@devinsilvernail oh yeah. No prob. That is the easy way! Lol. Yeah I've watched all videos from all those people. Thanks though! Keep it up
This is idealistic. If you have a job France needs yes it will be easy, if not, you will need french qualifications or no job and you will always be at the bottom of the list. Also you need to be totally fluent in french or no job ergo no Visa. I would strongly discourage any one moving to France and go to the Netherlands. French resident 12+ years...
Welcome to Nantes ! It is indeed a friendly city, and has been one of the best cities to live in for a good while now :) It seems like we live in the same neighborhood, do ask if you need help with anything :)
Hi Devin, thanks for info on Nantes. I found ur vid as I was looking at a map trying to find a place in France to move to next year. I use to live on Anderson Island near DuPont, WA. I hope to see more vids from you. Look at Wise for banking. Their home office is in UK. Easy to transfer $ in any currency & low cost. Also the have a no fee ATM card.
yes ! i'm from france and i was talking with my american cousin about the amount of bookshop in france. She was very impressed and was talking about french culture. But the reason why there is so many bookshop in france is because there is a lot of politics reasons !! Nothing happens (specially in the field of the commerce) without good politics...
I don't understand why socialism is like a slur for Americans, it kinda worked there... Nantes is very lovely, a walkable beautiful city
Thank you.
Viennese here. I never qualified for Gemeindebau (although my income is way below threshold but there are other requirements too) but I got lucky and get to rent an affordable single room apartment from a housing coop (Genossenschaft). I definitely pay more rent than tenants in municipal housing and I had to pay about 4000€ upfront (most of which I'll get back after moving out) but it's still cheaper than a comparable apartment on the free market. It's a high quality apartment too. Maybe 10 years old and in good shape. I currently pay 408€ per month excl. heating and electricity for 42 m2 + a balcony. A friend of mine who rents from a private landlord pays quite a bit more for a 30 m2 and no balcony.
As a Nantais, I wish you all the best in this magnificent city!
America shouldn't fall for socialist policies and instead keep on spending their taxpayers' money on weapons and war.