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  • Toward People-Centered Cities: Civic Engagement and the Legacy of Jane Jacobs

    Former Jane’s Walk Co-Chair Celia Beketa emphasized that the initiative serves as a powerful vehicle for fostering empathy, and understanding urban life through shared, lived experiences. Having discovered the initiative after moving to Toronto, she became deeply involved, later researching its impacts through a master’s thesis on belonging. Her findings showed how Jane’s Walk enables…

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  • Community Innovation in Uncertain Times: Building Resilient Main Streets with Local Solutions

    A common thread among all panellists was that local innovation thrives in times of disruption. From pandemic-era buying programs to procurement shifts triggered by tariffs, these efforts show how communities respond with creativity and determination. Gwen Patrick noted, “It’s not a coincidence that this work was incubated in an environment of scarcity.” Mary Pattison echoed…

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  • Lessons from Main Streets: How Are Local Businesses Navigating Economic Uncertainty?

    Olivier Legault of Rues Principales highlighted that the communities which emerged strongest from past crises—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—were those with a strong local customer base. He cautioned that trends like “buy local” often surge in response to crises but tend to fade without sustained policy support. Legault advocated for long-term strategies centered on densifying…

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  • Addressing Canada’s Housing Supply: Can Regulations Drive Housing Innovation?

    Alkarim Devani stressed the importance of public education in addressing Canada’s housing crisis, particularly around the misunderstood concept of “missing middle” housing. His company, mddl, has engaged with over 700 participants through intensive training to demystify the development process. Devani argued that enabling homeowners—especially older Canadians—to become small-scale developers could catalyze a transformation of underused…

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  • Single Stair Sessions, Day 2 – The 2 Ss: Safety And Sustainability

    Axel Mossberg shared Sweden’s approach to fire safety regulations for buildings with single exit stairs, focusing on performance-based design. Swedish building codes allow deviations from standard recommendations if safety levels are maintained. For buildings up to 16 stories, single exit stairs are permitted with specific requirements, such as smoke vestibules and fire compartmentalization. For buildings…

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  • Single Stair Sessions, Day 1 – The 3 Ps: Pilot Projects and Prototypes

    Janna Levitt highlighted ongoing research and pilot projects to explore innovative solutions to Canada’s housing crisis. Recent zoning reforms in Toronto have facilitated the development of gentle density housing, but outdated building codes remain a barrier. A key issue is the Building Code’s requirement for two exit staircases in buildings over two stories. This restricts…

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