Planning for the Future: Reflections from Maéva Ramboni, Student Volunteer at FUSION 2026

CIP and OUQ hosted FUSION 2026, Canada’s premier national planning conference, in Montreal from July 7-9, 2026. The conference would not have been a success without the support of our student volunteers and our student volunteer partner, the City of Calgary.

In this Q&A, we catch up with Maéva Ramboni, an urban planning student from Université de Montréal, who shares highlights from the conference, lessons learned, and advice for fellow planning students.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to study planning?

I am currently a graduate student in Urban Planning at Université de Montréal, where I get to build upon my experience in sustainability to explore a growing interest in the relationship between urban environments and well-being, particularly among youth and women. My path to planning can be traced to 2019 when I studied communications, media and studio arts, which is a pre-university program in CEGEP (general and vocational college providing post-secondary education between high school and university in Québec). Back then, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that would combine my appreciation for art with making a positive yet practical impact on the world. I was introduced to urban planning through a design class, where my professor talked about how the development of cities can be viewed as a form of art and design. This was a lightbulb moment that guided me to do more research about the discipline and ultimately inspired me to study planning for my bachelor’s the same year, followed by a master’s degree a couple of years later.

What motivated you to volunteer at FUSION 2026?

I heard about the volunteer position through an email sent by my student association. The fact that FUSION 2026 was happening in Montreal felt like a sign for me to dip my foot into planning without much pressure. Before this year, I had never participated in a conference in the field because I always had a certain image of what they were like and who attended them. I pictured highly skilled experts who were well established in their careers, which made conferences feel daunting to me for the longest time. As someone who is still figuring things out, I wanted to challenge myself by volunteering this year, and, most importantly, to take this moment to learn, chat, and get some advice from my peers.

Was there a memorable interaction with a delegate, speaker, or fellow volunteer that stood out to you?

I participated in the Meet and Mentor workshop, during which several interactions changed my perception about my career development. A key takeaway from the mentors that made an impression on me was that I should not let my level of experience intimidate me or limit what I can pursue. Despite not checking all the boxes, there are plenty of skills that I didn’t realize are valuable for different roles. At the same time, it was an opportunity reminder to stay open as learning is itself a useful asset.

Was there a topic discussed at the conference that changed the way you think about planning?

One session that changed the way I thought about planning was the Bring Your Sofa project and Pop-Up projects conceived by the Montmagny RCM. They used campaigns and citizen participation to support revitalization efforts in the territory and reinvent vacant spaces into community and cultural hubs. This presentation opened my eyes to the use of creativity and communication tools as an avenue to integrate participatory strategic planning. I found it meaningful to have residents be actively involved in the RCM’s growth, demonstrating the importance of promoting development in rural areas, which is often neglected. This reinforced my desire to be part of creative and collective projects such as those in the future!

How has volunteering at the conference influenced your career goals?

My volunteer experience reaffirmed my decision to continue pursuing urban planning, especially since I could build my networking skills and gain insight to advance my career. The conference has set me up to become more confident in reaching out to professionals and students alike. As a result, it made me more open-minded about how I should approach opportunities. This new mindset motivates me to continue developing my newfound abilities even after the event’s conclusion.

Do you have any advice for other planning students considering volunteering at future conferences?

If you are having doubts about going to conferences or want to have a head start in the planning field, I would recommend volunteering! It is the best approach to boost your confidence as well as become familiar with trending issues. By the end of the week, you will have a much better grasp on how to grow your career and academic pursuits. Attending FUSION 2026 encouraged me to take part in more planning-related conferences and events from now on.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with CIP members?

I would like to thank Wendy, Delphine, the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the Ordre des Urbanistes du Québec for organizing this conference and giving me an opportunity to volunteer this year! I also want to give a shout out to my fellow student volunteers; I am glad we met and became friends! This experience made a significant difference in my career goals, as I got to broaden my knowledge and connect with peers from all over Canada, and above all else, I learned more about myself. I look forward to attending MOMENTUM 2027 in Victoria!

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