This webinar examines the recently released report by the University of Toronto’s Infrastructure Institute and the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation on the critical need for Black social infrastructure in communities across Canada.

This webinar will present HealthyPlan.City, a new and innovative Canada-wide tool that facilitates visualization and analysis of environmental and socioeconomic data in support of planning. 

Recent social movements have brought diversity and inclusion to the forefront of our thoughts. Planners are learning and adapting practices to meet the needs of excluded and under-represented groups. In this session, we will explore one aspect of inclusion: 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. This is an introductory session that will highlight how planners can alter their day-to-day tasks in simple, cost-effective, easily implementable ways to take steps towards fostering 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity. It will cover pronoun use, considerations for public engagement events, writing policy and communications, and will also share examples of projects and tools already in place. As planning evolves, planners must reduce barriers and provide equal access and opportunity for 2SLGBTQ+ people in planning.

On December 10, the webinar "Transportation Planning" explored how transportation planners from across Canada are beginning to drive fundamental change in the direction of safe, accessible, and sustainable urban spaces through the implementation of equity, resilience, and sustainability policies. 

This presentation critically explores, through a planning perspective, current approaches to policy intended to address the need for adaptation to climate change. By exploring and ultimately facilitating critical thinking about the many multifaceted aspects of climate change vulnerability, the barriers in planning practice that prevent adaptation policy from being truly effective and equitable are discussed. Ultimately, the presentation argues that the urgency and complexity of climate change requires overcoming socio-political barriers within the existing adaptation paradigm, balancing technocratic methods with a collaborative approach focusing on the social, economic, and ethical components of vulnerability to climate change. 

This presentation is a comprehensive overview of the current policies and actions plans at all levels of governance (Federal to Municipal) to mitigate the affordable housing crisis in British Columbia, specific to the affordable rental and subsidized housing sector. The work uses the 'Housing for All' framework to propose a shift in the value paradigm of the housing sector, apply system thinking for an integrated approach in the existing system, and propose economic sustainability across the lifecycle of the affordable housing projects. 

Rural communities are more vulnerable to climate change shocks and stresses due to community-based vulnerabilities associated with low and ageing populations, out-migration of youth, less funding distribution, and less access to skill based human resources. As a result of these vulnerabilities, the ability for the local governments to adequately prepare rural communities for the impacts of climate change is limited, contributing to reduced resilience. To address these vulnerabilities nature-based solutions and trade-offs have been examined to understand the scope in which they can be used to increase resilience in the context of rural communities. 

While there is a great deal of research on certain aspects of aggregate extraction, such as its environmental and economic impact, its social status, and the need and nature of rehabilitation, its impact on active farming has seen little, if any, focused study. This project, in its third year, is designed to address this gap and to provide best management practices to both agricultural and aggregate operators, as well as local and provincial governments, about how these industries can better work together. This presentation will provide an overview of ongoing research activities and findings, as well as preliminary recommendations and best practices. 

The British Properties neighbourhood located in the Distric of West Vancouver, British Columbia , historically placed restrictive covenants on residential parcels which forbid sales of lands to persons of certain races.  For generations, it was illegal for anyone of "African or Asiatic descent" to own a home in this area. To determine the specfic impacts, Julia Tippet, Laura Clark, Annie Girdler, and Skye Bell conducted a literature review, which revealed that racial restrictive covenants are among the multiple ways legalized power perpetuates white supremacy. The student researchers recommend, through this presentation, to respond with acknowledgement of racism and complicity, genuine apologies, and ally-ship. Addressing racism and its remnants in community policies and planning is essential for developing holistic equtiy-building strategies. 

At a time when planning practices clash with urbanization and grassroots movements, winter city designs seemingly skim the surface of the already contested public realm. A move towards cold weather-friendly cities is trending in the urban planning profession, encouraging people to get outside and embrace colder weather; but wherein these designs do they plan for spaces that welcome and embrace vulnerable populations? Nicole Cronkhite's research analyzes these emerging trends from a social equity lens to help urban planners gain new insights on what impacts of winter city design guidelines have on vulnerable and low-income populations. Upon completion , the findings will help guide planners in creating public space plans that truly create warm, welcoming, and dignified spaces for all.