Future Cities Canada hosts an annual summit to engage city-builders from Canada and around the world on the topic of open smart cities and placemaking. This year’s virtual event looks a little different (what doesn’t?), with the keynotes and workshops spread over 6 weeks rather than 2 days.
Sessions are broken into seven streams: Smart Cities, Housing, Infrastructure & Development, Arts & Cultural Heritage, Placekeeping & Placemaking, Our New Economy, Climate Adaptability and Foresight. Registration is free on the event website.
Here are a few of the sessions we’re looking forward to.
Healthy Homes for Healthy Cities
October 21 | 1:00pm
A conversation between Dr. Kwame McKenzie (CEO, Wellesley Institute) and
Julia Deans (President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada) about the deficit in safe, affordable housing and the impact that has on the health of Canadians - especially in marginalized communities.
Public health has been top-of-mind throughout the pandemic, and we’re interested to hear more about the role housing policy and urban planning can play in improving health outcomes.
Hot Docs Presents: PUSH and The Human Scale
October 29 | 6:00pm, November 12 | 6:00pm
Two screenings of Hot Docs selections:
Push, Fredrik Gertten’s documentary about housing affordability, followed by a Q&A with the director and Leilani Farha, Global Director of THE SHIFT housing initiative.
The Human Scale, Andreas Dalsgaard’s documentary about a more human approach to designing cities, followed by a Q&A with the director.
Universal Design for the Accessible City
November 5 | 1:30pm
A discussion on design thinking, citizen engagement and urban planning through the lens of accessibility. How can we make our cities and the design processes that shape them accessible to those with disabilities? How does a more equitable process benefit all residents? Panelists include Orit Sarfaty, Chief Program Officer, Evergreen; David Lepofksy, Lawyer; Lezlie Lowe, Author; and Lanrick Bennett Jr. – Managing Director at 8 80 Cities.
Global City Futures
November 17 | 1:00pm
A look at how cities around the world are tackling big issues like de-carbonization, inequality, discrimination and post-pandemic recovery - and what Canadian cities can take from this experience. Panel includes Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, UK; Huhua Cao, Professor of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa; Nicholas Li, Senior Architect, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore and Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies.
In Our Hands: Community-Centered Food System Responses to the Global Pandemic and Beyond
November 19 | 1:00pm
A panel discussion on the importance of community agency in building sustainable food systems, and the impact of those systems on building more resilient cities. Panelists include: Paul Taylor, Executive Director, Foodshare Toronto; Melana Roberts, Chair, Food Secure Canada; Arzeena Hamir, Organic Farmer, Amara Farm & Farmers for Climate Solutions. Moderated by Jane Rabinowicz, Executive Director, SeedChange.