Do you believe that community-based planning is vital for the design of a neighbourhood? Are you someone who is interested in city building, and understands that great neighbourhoods are the result of people who care about the places they live, pairing community aspirations with effective planning and design practices?

If so, then we want you to join us as we explore how communities are taking charge of city building in their neighbourhoods. We will discuss the role that both communities as well as urban planning and design professionals are taking to create collaborative relationships that strengthen the physical aspects of the city.

This event is open to the public, and anyone interested in discussing community-led planning is welcome to join!

This is a free event but attendees must pre-register.

What to expect at Toronto City Builders Camp

Lessons Learned

• Zahra Ebrahim (Architext) – How to get everyone to the table
• Michael McClelland (E.R.A. Architects) – The experience of the professional designer
• Anne Gloger (East Scarborough Storefront) – The experience of the community organization
• John Danahy (University of Toronto) – The experience of the Lakeview Legacy Project
• Frank Cunningham (Annex Residents Association) – The experience of the Bloor Street Corridor Visioning Study

Community Pitches + Review Panel

Three communities will present their local planning challenges:

• Mount Dennis – Light rail transit, library renovations, new industry, and much more! How to advocate for a neighbourhood plan with so much going on?
• St. Jamestown – How can we encourage smart development in the highest-density neighbourhood in Toronto?
• Church/Wellesley – Condo towers on historic Yonge Street? How can the new Toronto honour Old Toronto?

Each community will receive feedback and advice from a panel of 6 experts, including urban planners, architects, community leaders, engineers, and other city builders.

World Café Lunch

Lunch will be served during the event for all registered attendees.

Lunch will be organized as a world café session, where community groups and design professionals can sit down to have an honest conversation about what it really takes to seek change in the design of their neighbourhoods.

Wrap-up

What have we learned? What are our next steps? Each community and panel will speak about what they’ve learned at Toronto City Builder Camp, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions of each group!

Read the event recap here.