This session explores preliminary findings from a study of planners in England and Canada who experienced public backlash to their work involving conspiracy theory beliefs about the concept of the ’15-Minute City’ as it became implicated in a range of planning work across the two countries in 2022-2024. As cities continue to be a leading policy front for climate action, the recent backlash invites a closer examination of the practices, tools, and techniques planners turn to when their work becomes contentious based on misinformation. We will consider the types of misunderstandings (even fears and paranoias) it drives, and how work on sustainability, transportation mode shift, and emissions reductions has become implicated in fierce debates over values, principles, and public policy. This will include learnings about communicating planning work and concepts to the public amid growing misinformation concerns, and how best to respond when conflicts emerge in planning processes.Exploring Queer Symbolism in Mid-Sized City Placemaking: A Dual Approach to Planning and Economic Development< This talk will explore the experiences of local queer students, as well as planning, social, and economic development professionals, with queer symbols in the streets, businesses, and public spaces of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.
