Provocations on the Future of Downtowns: What’s Possible?

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Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software. Manual editing was undertaken in an effort to improve readability and clarity. Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.

Full Audience
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From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://canurb.org/citytalk

13:31:01 From Canadian Urban Institute : Welcome! Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
13:31:21 From Canadian Urban Institute :
John Brown, Dean at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-brown-11758a2/
John Brown is a registered architect and a founding principal of both Housebrand Construction and FABhome. He is a recognized authority on residential practice, new models of architectural practice, and age-in-community design. In 2003, he received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Award of Excellence for Innovation for his development of Housebrand, a vertically integrated practice that combines residential architecture, construction, interior design and real estate services into a one-stop shop for homebuyers. In 2009, he received a Leadership Award from Residential Architect Magazine in recognition of his work to increase public awareness about the value of design.
13:31:44 From David Low : Greetings from the Victoria Park BIA in YYC – David Low
13:31:48 From Canadian Urban Institute : You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our sessions at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk Keep the conversation going #restorethecore #bringbackmainstreet #citytalk @canurb To support CityTalk and the Canadian Urban Institute’s other city building initiatives, please donate at www.canurb.org/donate.
13:32:15 From Canadian Urban Institute : Attendees: where are you tuning in from today?
13:32:16 From Annie MacInnis : Hello. Annie, Kensington BIA Calgary
13:32:23 From Augusto Mathias : Greetings from Sao Paulo Brazil
13:32:26 From Kate Fenske : A sunshiny hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba! Can’t wait to hear from Johanna, a fellow ‘pegger! 🙂
13:32:31 From John Nguyen : Hello from Surrey BC – John N
13:32:33 From jeff bray : Jeff Bray from Downtown Victoria, BC
13:32:35 From Linda Weichel to All panelists : Hello Linda Weichel from Toronto
13:32:41 From Justin Shin to All panelists : hello from toronto
13:32:48 From Kimberley Nelson : Hi David! Has your neighbourhood calmed down from yesterday yet? Kimberley Bridgeland Calgary here!
13:32:49 From Lynn Allin to All panelists : Hello from Lynn Allin Penticton BC BIA
13:32:49 From Peter Vaisbord to All panelists : Hi. Peter Vaisbord, City of Vancouver
13:32:52 From Mark Garner : Hello from downtown Toronto
13:33:13 From Frances Bula to All panelists : Frances Bula, Vancouver
13:33:14 From Chelsea Whitty : Sunny Edmonton, AB
13:33:23 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Johanna Hurme, Co-Founder, 5468796 Architecture https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-hurme-07aa87b8/
Johanna co-founded the Winnipeg-based practice 5468796 Architecture in 2007. The firm has achieved national and international recognition and its work has been published in over 200 books and publications, including the 2020 DOMUS top 50 guide.
13:33:40 From Patricia Barnes : Hi All, Tricia Barnes from Vancouver, BC I acknowledge that I work and live on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) Nations.
13:34:08 From Ronald Richards to All panelists : Ron Richards from Ottawa, Canada
13:34:09 From Yurij Pelech to All panelists : Greetings from Bessant Pelech Associates Inc (Mississauga ON) Development Planning + Project Management Consultants and Gerontology & LTC Consultants
13:34:22 From Ralph Cipolla : hello from Ralph Cipolla in Orillia Ontario Canada
13:34:35 From Mary W. Rowe to Peter Vaisbord and all panelists : Hi Peter!
13:34:54 From Canadian Urban Institute : Reminding attendees to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
13:35:27 From Mary W. Rowe to Kate Fenske and all panelists : Hi Kate!
13:35:36 From David Low : Vic Park is always calm, yesterdays fun was Beltline 🙂
13:36:00 From Jay Boyce to All panelists : Hello. Jay Boyce from Calgary located in the Treaty 7 Region of S. Alberta.
13:36:11 From James Lima to All panelists : Greetings from NY NY!
13:36:21 From Mary W. Rowe to James Lima and all panelists : 🙂
13:36:36 From Jay Boyce : Hello. Jay Boyce from Calgary located in the Treaty 7 Region of S. Alberta.
13:36:46 From Karen Dar Woon : Third generation settler whose family arrived at Turtle Island from China circa 1910. Born, raised and grateful to remain on UNCEDED lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
13:36:49 From Brad Krizan : Hello, Brad from Calgary!
13:37:17 From Karen Dar Woon : (also known as Vancouver downtown)
13:37:23 From Donna Franz to All panelists : Hello from Kelowna , in the Okanagan BC
13:37:27 From Reg Nalezyty : hi Reg from Thunder Bay
13:39:14 From Kate Fenske : Winnipeg sure looks good! 😉
13:41:02 From Mary W. Rowe : great shots from Winnipeg!
13:41:22 From Diane Dyson : Social media hashtags are #RestoreTheCore #BringBackMainStreet #CityTalk!
13:41:40 From Mary W. Rowe to Frances Bula and all panelists : Hi Frances – how are you? I LOVED the laneway house saga 🙂
13:43:10 From Ian Scott : Can we hear some thoughts regarding Community Benefit Agreements for new construction to maximize positive social, economic and environmental impacts?
13:43:38 From Linda Weichel to All panelists : How does the point about 1-person households relate to the previous point about CBDs not being family friendly?
13:43:56 From Linda Weichel : How does the point about 1-person households relate to the previous point about CBDs not being family friendly?
13:44:43 From Gay Stephenson : Building along the transit core with mixed uses and heights is very appealing! Would love to see this in more cities.
13:45:00 From Ralph Cipolla : what is going to be the effect of climate change to communities
13:47:05 From Canadian Urban Institute : You can find transcripts, presentations, and recordings of today’s sessions at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
13:47:15 From Kate Thompson : Thank you, Johanna. Excellent points and I’m glad to have your strong voice at the table.
13:48:05 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Timothy Papandreou, Founder and CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothypapandreou/
Timothy is the founder and CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors providing strategic guidance to companies, investors, startups and governments on the active, shared, electric, connected and automated transport transition. As the former strategic partnerships manager at Google X and Waymo, he collaborated with teams to prepare the commercialization of the company and set up first-in-kind partnerships to launch the world’s first fully self-driving ride hail service in Phoenix, while being fully immersed in automation technology and its implications for the broader society. He co-founded City Innovate, a smart city platform matching governments, companies, and startups to accelerate innovation through the STIR (startup in residence) program.
13:48:10 From Donna Franz to All panelists : Excellent Johanna – appreciate your comments re: removing barriers to create inclusion – it will lead to diversity
13:48:39 From Donna Franz : Excellent Johanna – appreciate your comments re: removing barriers to create inclusion – it will lead to diversity
13:48:49 From Donna Franz to All panelists : sorry panelists
13:54:53 From Johanna Hurme : Linda to your question: How does the point about 1-person households relate to the previous point about CBDs not being family friendly? – Point was really just entice developers to provide more ‘right-sized’ development here, where 62.5% of all housing stock consists of single family homes that keep sprawling out. The mid scale multi family housing should absolutely include a mix of unit sizes, tenancy types, and price ranges suited to families as well.
13:55:56 From Linda Weichel : Thanks Johanna.
13:56:13 From CS : How long do you think it will take for the rent prices to climb back up to the pre-pandemic prices?
13:56:33 From Brad Krizan : Isn’t car free another form of NIMBYISM?
13:57:34 From Karen Dar Woon : I’m so grateful for the activists in 1970s Vancouver who stopped the development of expressways through the city.
14:02:46 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Alexander Josephson, Co-founder, Partisans
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-josephson-946b4425/
Architect Alex Josephson is the co-founder of PARTISANS. He studied sculpture and architecture at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture and at the University of Rome, where he graduated as a President’s scholar. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and exhibitions including a New York Prize Fellowship awarded by the Van Alen Institute for Architecture. While studying and living in Italy he worked in the studios of Massimilliano Fuksas and Doriana Mandrelli. His thesis work on Islamic architecture has been the subject of numerous awards and reviews. In 2010 he was admitted to post graduate studies at the Architecture Association school (AA) in London England, but left to found PARTISANS in Toronto. Alex was most recently recipient of the Globe and Mail Catalyst Award for architecture.
14:02:49 From Gay Stephenson : I’m grateful for the panelists drawing attention to building inclusive cities, together in the future where all groups and people can thrive together!
14:04:47 From Jay Boyce : Alex we are seeing your powepoint program and not your slide show presentation.
14:05:31 From Timothy Papandreou San Francisco to CS and all panelists : CS I hope the rent prices won’t don’t come back at these levels, but without affordability controls it will only be a matter of time.
14:06:39 From Brad Krizan : This is collaboration !!!
14:07:25 From CS : Just leave it there and click on the slides one at a time
14:07:42 From Diane Dyson : Always gotta have a Zoom moment!
14:08:31 From Robert Plitt : Its okay.. just go for it
14:08:40 From Diane Dyson : Bravo!!
14:08:59 From Linda Weichel : We’re all in this together!
14:10:02 From CS : Love the house at the bottom!
14:10:14 From paul mackinnon to All panelists : who’s house is that on the bottom? LOL
14:10:31 From paul mackinnon : who’s house was that on the bottom? LOL
14:11:45 From Kayly Robbins : Hello from Barrie, ON. Very excited to see Innisfil and the Orbit!!
14:13:28 From Cherise Burda to All panelists : We need more solutions like these to disrupt “tall and sprawl” formula of developing municipalities
14:14:02 From Cherise Burda : We need more solutions like these to disrupt “tall and sprawl” formula of developing municipalities
14:16:12 From Cherise Burda : burning man informing planning.love it
14:16:54 From CS : What’s the population count?
14:18:16 From Louroz Mercader to All panelists : Love it!
14:18:30 From Timothy Papandreou San Francisco : this is looking like a real smart city! Make sure it has affordability controls for both residents and businesses
14:18:33 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Jacquelyn West, Co-Creative Director, So Good City https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacq-west/
Jacquelyn West is a professional who passionately builds physical places and enablement programs to contribute to the success and global reputation of the cultural industries in Canadian cities. She works to build and strengthen the authentic cultural ecosystems with solutions and sustainable contexts for creative economy stimulus, beautification of public space, and community connection. Her programs and pilots positively impact place identity and develop generative cultural destinations in Toronto, Montréal and in 2021, Vancouver. Her approach to placemaking enables local entrepreneurs and artists foremost and catalyzes places of inspiration in public art, creative entrepreneurialism, local cultural engagement, and community relevance. Her portfolio has directly impacted policy decisions and generated 7 figure investment into the creative community of Toronto through private art commissions, job creation, cultural program design, and philanthropy. She is the Co-Creative Director at So Good City, and spends her time between Montréal, Toronto, and Nosara Costa Rica.
14:19:03 From Alison Theodore to All panelists : @CS Do you mean population of Innisfil? It’s about 37,000
14:19:04 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Lee Clarke, So Good City, and Co-Founder & CEO Galileo Collective https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-clarke-80181046/
Lee is a British registered Architect from London, England. He has amassed 15 years of post-qualification working experience in the field of Architecture, Design and Construction, and worked in London, Bermuda, Vancouver and most recently Toronto. After four years based in Vancouver working on a team of Architects specializing in Vancouver to Toronto business expansion, he started his own design studio in Toronto toward interior architecture and commercial podium tenant improvements. Motivated by requests of assistance from struggling clients entering into the legal cannabis landscape, in 2020 Lee co-founded Galileo Collective, a cannabis retail consultant and build team. Lee is a passionate member and has been fundamental in the momentum of Ferrotype, a group of black professionals, rooted in mentorship of new talent into the industries of construction, design and finance. The group’s mandate is to act as a beacon to younger generations that includes but are not limited to financiers, architects and land developers of colour, offering guidance and advice where possible.
14:19:31 From Donna Franz : Alex thank you for mentioning accessibility when speaking of your future design, it looks wonderful !
14:19:35 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Ravi Jain, Founder, Why Not Theatre
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravi-jain-650ab92b/
Toronto-based stage director Ravi Jain is a multi-award-winning artist known for making politically bold and accessible theatrical experiences in both small indie productions and large theatres. As the founding artistic director of Why Not Theatre, Ravi has established himself as an artistic leader for his inventive productions, international producing/collaborations and innovative producing models which are aimed to better support emerging artists to make money from their art.  Ravi was twice shortlisted for the 2016 and 2019 Siminovitch Prize and won the 2012 Pauline McGibbon Award for Emerging Director and the 2016 Canada Council John Hirsch Prize for direction. He is a graduate of the two-year program at École Jacques Lecoq. He was also selected to be on the roster of clowns for Cirque du Soliel. Currently his adaptation of The Indian epic Mahabarata will premiere at the Shaw Festival in 2022 and What You Won’t Do For Love, starring David Suzuki will premier in Vancouver in 2022.
14:19:45 From Alan McNair : A dream come true for the developer, but lacking any serious opportunity for public participation, input and NO option for appeal , due to a Ministers Zoning Order! Provincial plans and growth targets ignored by Town and Province!
14:20:57 From Jay Boyce : I appreciate the research and exploration of the Innisfail project Alex and the willingness to break away from the norm.
14:20:59 From John Brown to Canadian Urban Institute(Privately) : We are ahead of time. What do you want me to do when this presentation is finished? Take questions from the chat? Ask Mary to make comments? Pass the time saving along to the next set of presenters?
14:28:55 From Jessica Lynch : Culture must live on! Moments of inspiration and connectiveness are key. Thank you for highlighting the importance of creative placemaking.
14:28:56 From Jacquelyn West : Merci à tous, Thank you everyone. Be in touch, Jacquelyn West, Co Creative Director, So Good City | jw@jacqwest.com | @sogood.city

Lee Clarke, Co Founder, Galileo Collective | hello@galileocollective.com | @galileo.collective
14:30:11 From Robert Plitt : Best production of Hamlet Ravi!
14:31:35 From Brad Krizan : Quite an innovative approach…you are wise to stay flexible vs get a building. Would love to see you take a spin through Calgary in the future!
14:33:55 From Karen Dar Woon : I am very interested in more info about Meanwhile leases
14:34:45 From Jacquelyn West : yes! Meanwhile leases will be an important tool in alleviating temporarily the challenges of vacancy at the commercial grade
14:35:02 From Robert Plitt : Similar cool transitory space work happening in Montreal. https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PROJ_URBAINS_FR/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/rapport_mtltransitoire_vf_2017.pdf
14:35:57 From Robert Plitt : Entremise as well . https://entremise.ca/
14:36:02 From Mariya Postelnyak to All panelists : May have missed it, but what is the name/title of this initiative Ravi?
14:36:05 From Jacquelyn West to Robert Plitt and all panelists : thank you Robert! are you based also in Montreal?
14:36:06 From Robert Plitt : Brad we should chat about this idea
14:36:38 From Brad Krizan : Good idea Robert, DM me!
14:36:58 From Shahinaz Eshesh : I am also interested in learning more about this initiative and Meanwhile leases. City of Brampton owns a number of heritage buildings in the Downtown that we are looking to activate. Great initiative Ravi!
14:38:37 From Jessica Lynch : So many vacant buildings right now in our cities
14:39:34 From Louroz Mercader to All panelists : Love it! Thanks Ravi!
14:39:40 From paul mackinnon : Ravi, who spearheaded moving theatre into the buildings? Did you need to convince the landlords, or were there other influencers (ie, BIAs, etc.)
14:40:00 From Brad Krizan : Great energy folks….loved the ideas and presentation
14:40:19 From Brad Krizan : We have LOTS of space for meanwhile leasing in Calgary!
14:40:26 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Cherise Burda, Executive Director, City Building Ryerson at Ryerson University https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherise-burda-12493817/
Cherise Burda is Executive Director of City Building Ryerson, university-wide collaboratory for research, learning and engagement to advance sustainable urban solutions. Cherise’s previous positions include Ontario Director of the Pembina Institute, Program Director for the David Suzuki Foundation in Vancouver and senior researcher with University of Victoria’s Eco-Research Chair of Environmental Law and Policy. Cherise holds an M.A. in environmental policy from University of Victoria, a B.Sc. in environmental science and a Bachelor of Education, both from University of Toronto. She has authored over forty research and policy reports, academic articles, book chapters and other publication, she serves on a number of government advisory groups and is a regular panelist and presenter. @CheriseBurda
14:40:29 From Suzy Godefroy : Great discussion and amazing ideas!!! We need to prioritize activating our spaces in our downtowns!
14:40:33 From Ravi Jain to All panelists : Paul- we focused primarily on rehearsal and not performance, so no audiences
14:40:37 From Robert Plitt : Thanks John!
14:40:40 From Ravi Jain to All panelists : Lour! so nice to see you!
14:42:18 From Ravi Jain to All panelists : https://whynot.theatre/work/space-project/ (for more info)
14:42:40 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Alkarim Devani, Co-Founder, Chroma Property Technologies https://www.linkedin.com/in/alkarim-devani-45964a24/
Alkarim’s vision is to make thriving communities through elevated design and innovation. He wants to connect more people to the simple pleasure of living in a walkable neighbourhood full of vibrant, local businesses and modern spaces. Seeded in his hometown of Calgary, he is committed to improving the urban life and connection of people everywhere. As Co-Founder of RNDSQR and as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of CHROMA, his ideas are reflected in each build. Emphasis is placed on living, connecting and creating sustainable homes where people can make it all fit. In addition, Alkarim is a board member of D.Talks, a partner at NHBR Coffee and No Island Co-Work, places to connect with his community and maintain a pulse on the needs of Calgarians.
14:42:45 From Diane Dyson : https://pop-upshops.ca/ provides some good guidance and case studies on one version of Meanwhile leases.
14:48:48 From James Lima : exactly, focus on what stresses and motivations tenants and landlords have and what barriers they face in order to find new ways to use street-level spaces. #theeconomicsofplacemaking
14:51:50 From Gay Stephenson : Meanwhile uses are a great way to use empty spaces…. https://pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca/popup/
14:52:45 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Tł’akwasik̕a̱n Khelsilem, Council Member of Squamish Nation https://www.linkedin.com/in/khelsilem/
Khelsilem hails from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-speaking communities of Xwmel̓ts’stn and Eslhá7an and the Kwak̕wala-speaking tribes of the Na̱mg̱is’ and Ḵwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w. He grew up and lives in the city of Vancouver. He is currently the Programming Director for Kwi Awt Stelmexw – a Coast Salish arts & education non-profit. He is also a Lecturer at Simon Fraser University in an Indigenous language program that focuses on adult immersion. He is a second-language speaker of the Squamish Language. Prior to becoming an Educator, Khelsilem worked for many years as a graphic designer and communications consultant. He has with different First Nations and organizations on community engagement projects that engage members to provide policy feedback to leadership.
14:53:47 From paul mackinnon : If talent really drives location, what things can BIAs do to make downtown a MORE appealing place than working from home, so that a downtown location is preferred by employees?
14:54:15 From Mike Kasij : sutera-inground.com… our work in city and town centres is largely focused on rethinking urban waste management… we can categorically say that DOG WASTE needs to be moved up to the top of the list of what needs to be done at the greenspace/street level to better address impacts of population growth and infill. Through the creation and execution of our own specialized dog waste landfill diversion program, used now by dozens of municipalities; and now in multiple countries – we have learned some shocking realities of what is one of the largest sources of contamination from urban waste runoff… Planners and politicians need to do a better job to account for this subsection of our population (one that can be seen as outpacing human population growth in many instances) – beyond placing a few cans or bins on a stick for people to use and empty by hand… from the most recent Ontario Parks Association magazine as a frame of reference: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/904052/23/ ….
14:57:12 From Gay Stephenson : Bike parking is very much appreciated in Vancouver! Wow. Stunning designs.
14:58:31 From Kathleen Dale to All panelists : The design looks very green which is great. Love that the focus is bike parking vs car parking.
14:59:03 From Kathleen Dale : The design looks very green which is great. Love that the focus is bike parking vs car parking
14:59:03 From Canadian Urban Institute : We love your comments and questions in the chat! Share them with everyone by changing your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees”. Thanks!
15:01:44 From Patricia Barnes : This is a great development proposal. Would be fantastic if the City of Vancouver could look at this process and speed up their approval process and make it more flexible
15:01:49 From Timothy Papandreou San Francisco : Need to jump. Thanks for having me- look forward to connect timothy@emergingtransport.com Thanks!
15:02:02 From Jay Boyce : Khelsilem this is such an inspiring project! This shows how our current municipal processes are limiting innovation and opportunity to build better!
15:03:34 From Alkarim Devani : This is truly amazing. Great work Khelsilem!
15:05:47 From Shahinaz Eshesh : This is incredible and an exciting inspiring project. Very important messaging here and appreciate that you were given the platform to speak to us today
15:06:26 From Jill Tipping : Such a fantastic project!
15:06:32 From Gay Stephenson : I’m very inspired to see this type of development coming!
15:06:48 From Donna Franz : Absolutely fabulous Khelsilem will look forward to seeing it in the future.
15:07:33 From James Lima to All panelists : incredible. we need to take inspiration from this for similar approaches in the US
15:07:35 From Karen Dar Woon : Thank you Khelsilem, for taking the time to share this important education for settlers.
15:07:39 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Ray Walia, CEO, Launch Ventures
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raywalia/
Ray Walia is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in both the entertainment and technology sectors. Ray founded Launch Ventures which owns and operates a network of private incubators, innovation labs, and investment funds. Ray has contributed towards the development of the technology ecosystem in North America and has assisted countless entrepreneurs in building sustainable and financeable businesses, including over international companies from over 100+ countries through various Launch Academy programs. Ray has hosted and run events that have been attended by international dignitaries and ambassadors, the Canadian Prime Minister, CEOs and Founders of Fortune 100 companies with the most recent being the TractionConf.io event in both Vancouver and San Francisco.

Jill Tipping, CEO, BC Tech
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-tipping-fcpa-fca-497b1a8/
Jill Tipping is a passionate advocate for BC and BC’s tech-enabled future. As BC Tech’s CEO she is determined to make BC a place where tech companies are supported not only to startup but to grow, export and scaleup; and where BC technology is deployed to build resiliency and growth in every industry sector.
15:08:19 From Karen Dar Woon : I’m excited to see the project develop in coming years.
15:15:32 From Brad Krizan to All panelists : I like that you called in from an unconventional workspace today Ray !!
15:17:08 From Karen Dar Woon : The reality for a lot of younger/entry level workers is that they lack appropriate work from home space.
15:20:13 From Jocelyn Phu : Echoing the comments above regarding the changing demographics of the workforce with Zoomers desires and needs. Their ability to own/rent large enough homes that can accommodate home offices is a real challenge but the other side of this are alarming trends around mental health in isolation
15:20:34 From Sophia Seng : Agree with the demand for flexible spaces for co-creation and open dialogue. What’s the name of the CH room?
15:22:25 From Kay Matthews : Sorry just jumping back in, is the downtown discussion still going on?
15:23:52 From Tamarisk Saunders-Davies : Looks like that CH room is called VANCOUVER BASED CREATIVES
15:23:55 From Mary W. Rowe to Kay Matthews and all panelists : you you’re hearing the presentation from the tech perspective
15:25:01 From Donna Franz : Jill – appreciate your comment – “more responsive world” – I would like to add responsive to accessibility, that creates inclusion which achieves diversity – the spice of life!
15:27:33 From Sophia Seng : Thanks Jill and Ray
15:27:48 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Michel Lauzon, President and CEO of LAAB https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellauzon/
Michel Lauzon is a creative mind at the crossroads of design, real estate and business strategy as well as an acclaimed out-of-the-box thinker. An accomplished architect and urban designer, Michel is proficient in design-driven problem-solving for complex projects in a variety of typologies and markets: mixed-use, hospitality, commercial & offices, retail, multi-unit residential, high-rises, cultural, entertainment & sports, transport, tourist destinations & themeparks, new city design and emerging niches such as creativity hubs and co-working. Michel has a proven track record of design success featuring over 50 awards, landmark buildings and 12 winning competition proposals. Thought leader and reputed key note speaker on the topics of creativity, design thinking, innovation by design and brandscaping. His work and design approach have been featured in acclaimed media such as the New York Times, Architectural Record, Canadian Architect, Domus, Azure, Frame, Dwell and Wallpaper.
15:41:44 From Robert Plitt : Check out Aspen Institutes City as Platform. https://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/documents/CityAsPlatform.pdf
15:41:44 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Kevin Katigbak, Senior Strategist, Gensler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kckatigbak/
As a sought-after strategist and consultant, Kevin Katigbak brings the aggregate of his 15+ years of experience to the forefront, often with a fresh, new perspective which helps clients and colleagues approach design from a different angle. Kevin has demonstrated success in strategy for financial, commercial, public and institutional, government, healthcare, and higher education projects. He is experienced in building and site program development, strategic real estate portfolio development, and optimization studies.
15:45:51 From Brad Krizan : They hybrid model addresses many issues, from work life balance to loss of productivity via commute times, to even safety with less ‘windshield’ time.
15:55:43 From Karen Dar Woon : I appreciate that our building of ~250 units includes multiple common access spaces which could be used as WFH spaces. If only there was wifi 😉
15:56:46 From Brad Krizan : Proforma’s are a challenge with those conversions. I wish the civic leaders in Calgary were more willing to look at Detroit as the analogous case for what’s happening in our city….not Denver or Pittsburgh
15:56:52 From Jenna Dutton : It’s actually now at 30% in Calgary (https://www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Office-Vacancy-Graham-Dutton.pdf) 🙂
15:57:23 From Gay Stephenson : Fabulous to see all that research, Kevin.
15:57:44 From Canadian Urban Institute : You can find transcripts, presentations and recordings of today’s and all our sessions at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk Keep the conversation going #restorethecore #bringbackmainstreet #citytalk @canurb To support CityTalk and the Canadian Urban Institute’s other city building initiatives, please donate at www.canurb.org/donate.
15:58:32 From Patrick Murphy to All panelists : Thank you
15:58:57 From Robin McPherson : Incredible day!
15:59:00 From James Lima : Detroit’s older offices had much smaller floor plates than Calgary’s 60’s-80’s stock that work nicely for residential. what to do with not so old and BIG 1960’s-80’s office floor plates?
15:59:01 From Michel Lauzon : thanks to everyone for a great sharing of ideas.
15:59:02 From Donna Franz : Thank you, have to run, really appreciated all the the information and innovative thinking, thanks again!
15:59:07 From Canadian Urban Institute :
Bruce Katz, Founder, New Localism Advisors & Director at Drexel University https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucekatz1/
Bruce J. Katz is the Director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University. The Lab seeks to find multi-sectoral ways to finance the inclusive city through new instruments, intermediaries and institutions. Katz is also the Co-Founder (with Jeremy Nowak) of New Localism Advisors. The mission of the firm is to help cities design, finance and deliver transformative initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable growth. Katz regularly advises cross-sector urban, metropolitan, national and global leaders on public reforms and private innovations that advance the well-being of metropolitan areas and their countries. Katz is co-author of two books, The New Localism and The Metropolitan Revolution, which focus on the rise of city networks as the world’s leading problem solvers.

Theodora Lamb, Executive Director, Strathcona BIA https://www.linkedin.com/in/theolamb/?originalSubdomain=ca
Theo is Executive Director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association where she is responsible for place management across 44 city square blocks in Vancouver, British Columbia. She advocates on behalf of 850 business members operating in one of the most diverse and challenging commercial districts in Canada. Theo served six years as an elected Board Director with Canada’s 10th largest financial institution and BC’s largest Credit Union, Vancity, as Chair of both Governance and the Digital Transformation committees. Prior to her work with the Strathcona BIA, she ran Cicada Community Consulting where she worked to support Provincial and National non-profits in conveying their memberships through digital advocacy. She identifies as a passionate business advocate, settler, mother, and feminist.

Damien Silès, Director, Quartier de l’Innovation de Montreal https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-sil%C3%A8s-b9095b10/

Damien Silès has a solid educational background in international trade and has been serving as Executive Director of the Quartier de l’Innovation de Montréal since 2014. Previously, he served for six years as Executive Director of the Société de développement social de Ville-Marie, North America’s first social solidarity agent, which he founded in 2008. His accomplishments at the helm of this organization were lauded by the media and he was twice named person of the week by La Presse-Radio-Canada (February 2011 and June 2013).

16:02:20 From Voncelle Volté : ⚡ Although I’m on my 3rd conference on multiple screens from 3 different countries at hour 9, this is so good and worth the last lap!!!!! Thank God, for 2 ears. #TeamMary 🙏🏃‍♀️
16:02:29 From Linda Weichel : Key themes: people want to socialize; flexibility; agility; ‘meanwhile lease’; opportunity.
16:02:35 From Christina Sisson : Fascinating day with lots of inspiration – thank you for your dedication!!!!
16:03:02 From Mary W. Rowe to Voncelle Volté and all panelists : lol always great to have you! stamina!
16:04:40 From Jenna Dutton : Wasn’t able to attend all the session but points that stuck out: We need to translate policy to social experience/ Informal housing needs to become affordable housing/ 15 min cities are technocratic and top down – needs to be more community focused/ There is a magic of human interaction and spread of ideas/ We need to rethink zoning and policy and build up trust and social capital
16:07:18 From CS : Reoccurring themes of the day – change is continuous and happening at a faster more frequent rate, adapt or die; regulations roadblock creative change; experiential is at the core of the core; human connection is key; we are all people who seek social interaction. I will end with this…why did it take 5 people, in three different departments, 3 “nos” and 2.5 months to get a city to approve the hanging of a sign?
16:08:23 From Alan McNair : Can Bruce comment on the need for local reinvestment in its own community?
16:09:31 From Voncelle Volté : ⚡ Canada is the most advanced North American country on so many levels

To chime in on the day of panels, there have been so many golden nuggets from the day …

However, the presentation from the politician of 1st Nations in Vancouver was the most enlightening. He expanded my view of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Commercial Real Estate and in general.
16:09:32 From paul mackinnon to All panelists : How can we make our downtown projects more attractive for all of this private capital? What a great opportunity!
16:10:00 From paul mackinnon : How can we make our downtown projects more attractive for all of this private capital? What a great opportunity!
16:10:08 From Canadian Urban Institute to paul mackinnon and all panelists : Hi, Paul! Can you change your chat settings and re-post? Your comment only went to panelists. Thanks!
16:11:48 From CS : $212B is what we saved
16:14:11 From Cheryl Cohen : I am fortunate to live near Danforth, in Toronto, and will never stop shopping locally at the independent stores.
16:15:26 From Bruce Katz to All panelists : For Paul’s question, I think the Buy Local, Invest Local movement is going to realize its full potential post pandemic. Supplier diversity is one of the most critical challenges, given the avalanche of federal spend. We need new mechanisms — lease-to-purchase, community equity trusts — to move more people and small enterprises into ownership positions.
16:16:01 From paul mackinnon : BIAs are well positioned to actually deliver programs that can really transform downtowns, in both USA and Canada. Are we prepared for that potential infusion of cash?
16:16:12 From Robert Plitt : The what meets the how.
16:17:27 From Kay Matthews : We are all in the same storm, but some do not even have a raft and some are in a yacht – so we are not in the same boat.
16:17:48 From Gay Stephenson : Thank you for articulating that so clearly Theo! Absolutely agree.
16:18:18 From Kay Matthews : Yes, Paul
16:19:38 From paul mackinnon : Montreal seems to have the best combo of supports from city and province. What drives that?
16:20:55 From Robert Plitt : Question for Bruce – how local can these command centres get to devolve decision making to the community?
16:22:23 From Kimberley Nelson : What can a national advocacy group do to help push these measures – what is the “big ask” that we should focus on?
16:23:10 From Theodora Lamb She/Hers : Book recommendation for better understanding how to work with millenials to Damien’s point: “Can’t Even” By Anne Helen Peterson
16:25:43 From Bruce Katz : For Paul’s question, the Buy Invest, Local Invest movement is going to realize its full potential post pandemic. We need new mechanisms — new supplier diversity intermediaries, lease to purchase products, community equity trusts — to give residents and enterprises ownership positions
16:26:01 From Michel Lauzon : merci Damien. we will figure out the magic wand together. Innovation is all about process.
16:26:10 From Mike Kasij : Innovation in not born in the public sector. We can only hope that our public sectors adopt innovation sooner rather than later.
16:28:39 From Michel Lauzon : Someone said the challenge is more about the how? since we will have funds and equity as well as the opportunities. how can we coalesce our common momentum to stimulate and frame action at ground zero.
16:31:29 From Jay Boyce : To address the issues Theodora noted that affect areas like Strathcona and East Van is to build on what Damien noted about those of us working in the city building industry to embrace academia as partners. The innovation & research academia is exploring can bring fresh respective to professionals in finding solutions to solve the challenges we have and will need to address moving forward. Collaboration and knowledge sharing is key (IMHO).
16:31:52 From Jay Boyce : *perspective
16:33:29 From Jay Boyce : Additionally, we need to engage community to truly understand the context of the places we will be bringing those solutions too. Today’s panels have been truly inspirational! Thank you.
16:34:22 From Marcy Burchfield : Example of muni/innovationhub/start-up collaboration to solve muni challenges and engage them in procurement process. https://dmz.ryerson.ca/press-releases/town-of-innisfil-partners-with-dmz-to-scale-startups-and-increase-government-procurement/
16:35:13 From Michel Lauzon : Damien is right. it is about posture and disposition of decision makers to be inclusive to grass roots, private sectors and non-public actors to contribute to agile and relevant solutions. this has been a challenge since the start of the pandemic. Incredible intellectual capital and creative capital has been squandered by authorities who want to do well but all alone and in silos.
16:36:16 From Mike Kasij : here here.
16:37:55 From Amy Robinson : Here! Hi and thanks.
16:38:28 From Marcy Burchfield : These innovators(DMZ)/start-ups engaged smaller municipalities b/c penetrating procurement in larger municipalities and cities were very difficult. We need to fix that to engage the local innovators.
16:38:35 From Amy Robinson : This is a great article on how the CoV is influencing local purchasing and employment in new developments. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/city-of-vancouver-community-benefit-agreements-2018
16:39:29 From Mike Kasij : Does that kind of marketing only appeal to people who are already set in buying local? How does that reach people who might otherwise not see any skin in the game?
16:39:56 From Robert Plitt : Need to stop the tinkering.
16:41:14 From Robert Plitt : amen to that Bruce.
16:41:16 From Lisa Cavicchia : This morning we heard about Asian cities offering financial incentives to go downtown and spend money
16:41:34 From CS : Why can’t we integrate shared ideas across the country. Do you find that often we’re working in silos. E.g. Does Halifax talk to Vancouver, Calgary to Toronto?
16:42:22 From Lisa Cavicchia : https://www.lepanierbleu.ca/
16:42:49 From Lisa Cavicchia : Also, check out citysharecanada.ca for lots of examples and stories from across the country.
16:43:01 From Anne Basque : Bravo Damien!
16:43:10 From Canadian Urban Institute : You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our sessions at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk Keep the conversation going #restorethecore #bringbackmainstreet #citytalk @canurb To support CityTalk and the Canadian Urban Institute’s other city building initiatives, please donate at www.canurb.org/donate.
16:43:39 From Jay Boyce : An interesting model that charities have been looking at due to the decline in donations is to merge their efforts. What ever they collect they would share among each other. Is this an approach cities could look at for addressing key issues and ensuring equality across the board for funding?
16:45:02 From Michel Lauzon : my take-away would be : now is the time to act, no more wait and see. things take time and we need to start doing. we can think while we are doing. and adjust going forward.
16:45:54 From Brad Krizan to All panelists : Great closing session! Thanks for your perspectives.
16:46:01 From Mike Kasij : As a cross border CAN/US business — we Canadians need take some cues from our neighbors and just do it
16:46:06 From Diane Dyson to All panelists : Fabulous panel!
16:46:18 From Voncelle Volté to All panelists : ⚡ Thank you, for an amazing day. 🌻🌻🌻
16:46:22 From Michel Lauzon : thanks CUI for the day! best wishes from Montreal.
16:46:26 From paul mackinnon : great day! Thanks.
16:46:28 From Robert Plitt : Fantastic day1
16:46:30 From Dave Waldron : Thank you, to CUI and all, for a wonderful series of creative provocations!
16:46:31 From Marcy Burchfield : Great day!!
16:46:32 From Ed Landry : Thanks for the great day CUI and all the panelists.
16:46:33 From Anne Basque : Great sessions! Great Day!
16:46:33 From Amy Robinson : Thank you all and too CUI. Inspiring day!
16:46:34 From Julie Bourgoin : Thanks CUI!
16:46:34 From CS : thank you for a wonderful day everyone
16:46:35 From Mike Kasij : Great discussion. Thank you all
16:46:35 From Marcy Burchfield : COngrats