In the first episode of Crosswalks & Crosswalks, host Gabriela sits down with urban designer, illustrator, communicator, mother, and local board member Emma McInnes.

Emma grew up on a rural farm milking cows, endlessly jealous of her city cousins who lived next to a shared playground. That early contrast - between isolation and shared space - sparked a lifelong fascination with how the design of our cities shapes our lives.

The conversation explores why Emma co-founded Women in Urbanism Aotearoa, how the organisation has evolved to include diverse voices across gender identities and sectors, and why some of its strongest supporters are men.

Together, Gabriela and Emma unpack questions at the heart of urbanism: How do we design cities where people can live with dignity? Why are women’s experiences of cities so differ ...