What’s your name?!
Hey paisanos!!
My name is Gianluca Cross-Bussoli (pronounced similar to Johnluca) – but most here call me Gianni : P
[they/he]
What’s your background?
In terms of industry and academia, not much just yet.
I graduated high school in 2023, and as of writing this one year later, I’m one year deep into the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation program at UCalgary’s SAPL.
Through this, I landed a job as an undergraduate researcher at the Center for Civilization, working on a project this summer on vacant lots and urban agriculture.
When it comes to my role in Unsprawling, I’m certainly a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. In my free time, I’ve edited videos, created graphic designs, researched and written, and even exercised my public speaking muscle by speaking to City Council.
I also care. DEEPLY.
What perspectives do you bring to Unsprawling?
From an intersectional standpoint, I am white, queer, neurodivergent, and comfortably middle class.
I’m fairly left-leaning. I can go on for a while about systems of privilege and power, but just know for now that I’m interested in novel and forgotten ways that the systems around us can be changed that center community and social connection.
All the power, to all the people.
If you couldn’t tell already, I like it when things are messy and chaotic and human. That is one thing that urbanism and Unsprawling can bring!
enough philosophy 
commie librul
What do you love about Calgary, and how would you like to see it improve?
Apologies to one of my instructors in particular for saying this, but Calgary has a vibe.
It’s dry. A little rugged.
Certainly kitsch, and a little faux-working-class.
You can tell apart the different eras in the architecture and design of its communities.
As you go out from the center, lot sizes get smaller, the grid turns into cul-de-sacs, there are less alleyways, less public trees, and things get noticeably more isolating.
I’m so entranced by Calgary’s history, and I want to know what is next.
Did you know that once upon a time, the C-Train was built out one to two stations at a time? How awesome would it be to have a new station every year or so??
The suburbs can be isolating, but that is by design! The wide roads, tall fences, massive front driveways and lack of anything to do in several kilometers is encouraged by regulations and the market! With some activism and conversation, you too could have some comfy streets with w i d e sidewalks and a shady canopy and a small local corner store (or five) and a nice bike lane and reliable transit in your suburban backyard!
Apologies for the yapping, but Calgary has so much potential, and we can make it happen. I don’t necessarily care if it’s profitable or makes sense, it’s cool. One way or another, we can make it happen, even if it takes a billion incremental steps to do so.
What inspired you to join our movement?/ What are you hoping to achieve with us?
I am here ultimately because I want to do what I can to change Calgary for the better - Connecting with people, chatting, educating, spreading optimism.
When I heard of this project from Alex and Biz, I thought it was pretty sick.
And dear reader, I think you are also pretty sick. Peace and Love .
