Availability :
Available for Ad-hoc expertise missions
Validated Expert info
Expert can perform Ad hoc expertise missions at network and programme level in relation to:
1. The design and delivery of (transnational) exchange and learning activities
2. Thematic expertise:
[Communication; Equality, diversity and inclusion; Mobility]
3. Methods and tools for integrated and participatory approaches:
> Integrated and participatory design of strategies
> Sustaining stakeholder engagement and translating strategies into actions
Summary
Melissa is the director of Modacity Creative and a leader in advocacy and strategic advice for better walking, cycling, and public spaces, using the power of storytelling to shift to more sustainable and healthy communities. As a Dutch-Canadian living in the Netherlands and working globally, Melissa excels at translating international best practices to local contexts. Melissa believes that sharing success stories, lessons learned, and how to adapt and evolve these ideas leads to more people enjoying spaces that improve mental, physical, social, and financial well-being.
Melissa is also co-author of the books Building the Cycling City, Curbing Traffic, and her newest release, Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation. As an international speaker, content creator, advisor, and communicator, she emphasizes the human stories that underpin innovation and change. Melissa focuses on fostering understanding of how a just mobility transition starts with empathy, recognising people’s diverse transport needs. Behaviour change is only possible when we first understand what influences people’s mobility choices, and the better decision-makers, designers, and policy-makers can recognise this, the more equitable the solutions we create will be.