Kudos

What people are saying about Jane’s Walk Phoenix:

“I already know of your amazing Jane’s Walk work and hope some day to visit Phoenix. Keep it up. You are one of our stars.” November 6, 2010

—Roberta Brandes Gratz, Author,
The Battle For Gotham: New York in the Shadow of Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs

“Yuri has the ability to organize communities in productive, creative ways, and to inspire people in the process. Organized, efficient, passionate and a great collaborator. Working with Yuri and seeing the results of his dedicated work is a joy.” January 2, 2011

—Stephen Goldsmith, Editor, What We See: Advancing the Observations of Jane Jacobs

“Yuri has been an instrumental member of the Jane’s Walk USA team. His dedication, promotion and passion for urban planning issues continuously helps our organization to grow and reach out to potential allied organizations. Yuri is constantly harvesting knowledge on communities across the United States and how they are adapting and reinventing themselves to solve the challenges presented to urban areas in the 21st century. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Yuri. He truly exemplifies the archetype of citizen-activist, following in the proud tradition of Jane Jacobs herself.”January 31, 2011

—Nathaniel Currey, National Director, Jane’s Walk – USA

“Yuri is hard-working and enthusiastic about urbanism and policy. His work in Phoenix in urbanism, community building, and social networking is inspiring and is sure to be long-lasting. His leaving Phoenix has left Arizona weaker for passionate, thoughtful and inspiring people. Working with him at ASU on CanalScape allowed me to see his mind at work — his passion, self-discipline and drive are evident in his writing and work, both at ASU and later in his own work in the greater Phoenix community. At his suggestion, I started Jane’s Walk Mesa which has been a formative experience for myself and has started a whole new conversation (with new people) in Mesa about how we live in cities. Without his help, Jane’s Walk Mesa would not exist.” July 27, 2011

—David Crummey, Coordinator, Jane’s Walk Mesa (colleague)

“Yuri grew Jane’s Walk Phoenix from a handful of people in 2009 to approximately 100 in 2010. He uses social media artfully to engage community members and educated them on urban issues.” May 10, 2010

—Carol Johnson, Planning Manager at City of Phoenix

“Yuri’s commitment to exploring and reporting on the urban environment and policy is absolutely remarkable. I live vicariously through his reported adventures and experiences, helping my own experience of my hometown to be rich with understanding. The links he shares on urban policy and planning are well curated and always worth a read. His effort in putting together the Jane’s Walk Phoenix 2010 event was impressive with informed speakers and three times as many people attending in its second year of operation. I value Yuri as an active member in the Modern Phoenix movement as well, being a vocal supporter of the Uptown urban lifestyle and promoting walkable cities. Yuri doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk for real. Phoenix is lucky to have such a passionate transplant take root on our rocky and absurdly hostile soil.” June 28, 2010

—Alison King, Founding Editor, ModernPhoenix.net

“Yuri is awesome. He would make a valuable asset to any company, community, or entire city for that matter. His event coordinating and activism efforts promote awareness, inspiration, and engagement amongst individuals and bring them together to make things happen for the greater good of our society and urban neighborhoods. His opinions and theories, however strong they may be, deserve to be heard. I am writing this recommendation in hopes of keeping him here in my own city that needs more people like him.” May 9, 2010

—Rachel Luptak

I had the opportunity to work with Yuri on a number of occasions as he is a thought leader and heavily involved in community building. He has helped organize several events including, Jane’s Walk, No Parking Day and several other hugely popular events that have greatly benefited our Phoenix community. He has been integral in the growth of CO+HOOTS, Phoenix’s little coworking space. He is inspiring to be around and incredibly driven. He lives and breathes his community. May 5, 2011

—Jenny Poon, Founder, CO+HOOTS

“Yuri captures his passion for strengthening vibrant communities to get neighborhood members engaged. Yuri guides them into digging deeper into the stories that are encased in our urban environment. Yuri constantly seeks out information and disseminates it to various members throughout our central city neighborhoods. Yuri brought Jane’s Walk to Phoenix in 2009, where he coordinated a meet-up of a dozen or so residents. Through his sustained efforts throughout the year, he was able to bring the number of participants up exponentially in 2010. He has been a great asset and ambassador in Central Phoenix, and the city is very lucky to have residents who are as passionately engaged in civic life as Yuri is.” May 13, 2010

“Yuri is a great organizer. He put together a fantastic Jane’s Walk which was well attended and very educational for all involved.” | Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity  May 9, 2010