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Canadian Urbanism Uncovered

Ourtopias at DX

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This week at the Design Exchange:
OURTOPIAS: Ideal cities and the roles of design in remaking urban space
June 14 – 16, 2007

This interdisciplinary conference, the second presented by the Design Exchange, Canada’s National Design Centre, seeks to explore the varied and future states of cities. Interested in the roles cities play in the economic, social and cultural lives of societies, such topics as the architectural, design and material culture of cities, densification, urban renewal, branding, zoning, adaptive re-use, gentrification, social responsibility and historic preservation will be explored. Also, related and relevant topics will be addressed, including: greenspace in cities, infrastructure, technology, environmentalism, and sustainability, Brownfield rehabilitation, exurban growth, public transportation, universal design, street furnishings, climate change and disaster preparedness. It is the purpose of this conference to examine both the historical and contemporary cultures and contours of urban experience and the status and promise of the post-millennial, post-industrial urban fabric. What is our future?

Featuring presentations by Bruce Kuwabara (Founding Partner, KPMB), Adam Giambrone (Toronto City Councillor), David Hughes (President & CEO Habitat for Humanity Canada), Annmarie Adams (William C. Macdonald Professor, School of Architecture, McGill University), and others.

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