The Urbanism Lab

Waterfront planning: How to bring the water to everyone

The Capital Planning Branch continues to plan for the evolution of the Capital’s riverfront parks. This Urbanism Lab event engages experts in a discussion of planning for waterfront parks and parkways, cultural and heritage planning, and the history of the NCC’s own parkway planning.

Environmental justice from a planning perspective

What role can planning play in promoting social equity from an environmental perspective? From climate change to pollution, the socio-economic distribution of canopy cover, and access to green spaces, this Urbanism Lab event looks at ways that cities have integrated an environmental justice lens to urban planning.

Planning and the pandemic: The responses of cities to the COVID-19 pandemic

This Urbanism Lab event will explore responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from two different perspectives:

• How have cities pivoted in response to COVID-19, and what role can tactical urbanism play in responding to sudden events like the pandemic?
• How can cities plan with public health in mind, and what are some of the likely effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on planning in big cities?

The importance of story and memory in placemaking and building an inclusive city

Every other year, the NCC’s Heritage Program invites speakers from across the country to present ideas and successful projects in the field of heritage conservation. This year’s edition proposes to examine the role of story and memory in inclusive urbanism, with a spotlight on the following:

• Toronto Ward Museum’s Block by Block initiative
• Montréal’s Cité Mémoire project
• Edmonton Indigenous Place-Naming Initiative

The thinking behind the location, dimensions and vocation of green spaces 

Green spaces come in all shapes and sizes, and make a critical contribution to the livability of big cities. But even their most assiduous users often know little about the decision making behind their creation and design. This edition of the Urbanism Lab takes a closer look at the creation and maintenance of green spaces and, more specifically, at the considerations that inform where they are located, what their shape and dimensions are, and what use they should be geared toward.

Reconciliation and the city: Working toward reconciliation from an urban perspective

How can cities embrace reconciliation? From placemaking to commemorations, employment opportunities and conservation, this edition of the Urbanism Lab explores opportunities to make reconciliation a part of how cities grow and evolve. This event was originally scheduled for June 2020, but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.