Eco-Superman Gil Penalosa Wants Us to Stop Talking

Whether you're a LEED Green Associate just starting out or a LEED AP with decades of green building experience under your belt, when it comes to professional role models, Gil Peñalosa might be at the top of your list. As the Executive Director of Canadian non-profit 8-80 Cities, Gil lives and breathes sustainable urban design – and has an incredible knack for getting others to “yes” in regard to the topic. Perhaps most importantly, in an industry so often accused of being overly cerebral... one where a PhDs and theory are often valued more highly than real world experience, Gil is focused on moving from talking to doing. What a concept!

Industry professionals recognize Gil as a leader. Indeed, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, Janette Sadik-Khan, recently called him the “pied piper for sustainable transportation.” Gil's resume indicates his experience in sustainability runs as deeply as his passion.

A Colombian native, Peñalosa is the former Commissioner of Parks, Sport and Recreation for the city of Bogota, where he was responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of more than 200 parks. Among his lengthy and dynamic achievements include his oversight and direction of the “new Ciclovia” program in Bogota, and his work as Urban Expert on Mobility and Citizen Engagement for Danish firm Gehl Architects. The New Ciclovia program facilitates walking, running, skating and biking for more than 1 million city residents every Sunday. Over the past 8 years, Gil has consulted and presented on sustainability in more than 150 different countries.

But what is it, specifically, that makes Mr. Peñalosa someone so worth emulating in your own green building career? There’s certainly more than one aspect – but , for the sake of efficiency, I’ll keep it to just three key elements.

Efficiency: Peñalosa is known for being on the go and making the most of every minute. He doesn’t waste time and this track record often gets him the time he needs with others (like politicians) to get them on board with his mission.

Passion: His charisma and belief in sustainability are absolutely radiant. It translates through everything he touches and lends itself well for rallying an audience anywhere in the world around the cause.

Straightforwardness: Peñalosa isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. He says what he believes and believes what he says – but in a way that is easily understood. In short, he keeps an industry that is often filled with technical jargon completely honest and relatable.

Now, is this an exact template for success in the sustainability sector? No, not at all. But these personal assets, in combination with his thorough understanding of urban development, have absolutely helped catapult Peñalosa to the level of international recognition he has. So, if you’re interested in replicating his success even on a small scale, consider how you can best implement these characteristics into your activities as a green building professional.