Via SFU Public Square:
From October 30th to November 7th, SFU Public Square will host its fourth annual Community Summit. This year, through a series of imaginative and interactive events, we will explore the theme of city-building. We will reflect on the important role of creativity, arts and culture in building and sustaining our cities and our neighbourhoods.
By profiling the increasing pressure facing municipalities by surging urbanization and considering what attracts and holds people to our urban centres, we will remind residents of the power they hold to shape their city. Together, we will deliberate on possible futures where everyone can not only survive, but also thrive. We will invigorate the public conversation on how people can connect with their cities, find their voice, and enjoy increased participation in civic life.
Featured Event
WE THE CITY: AN EVENING AT THE CENTRE
Cities are a reflection of our human needs and values. Join us as we consider how the arts create, reveal, critique and enhance the identity of our urban centres and powerfully foster connection, incite social change and build capacity for healthy communities. Candy Chang, Teju Cole, and Buffy Sainte-Marie will provide compelling talks and Mo Dhaliwal will guide us through the signature event of the 2015 Community Summit, co-presented with Vancity.
Other Events
RESEARCHING THE CITY
Presented in partnership with SFU Vancouver and related faculties, departments, schools, programs and institutes, this storytelling event will showcase how research activities have a positive impact on cities – in public policy, economic development, social justice, health and well-being. We will look at how university research contributes to and learns from the city’s communities.
CAMPUS TO CITY
SFU Public Square, in partnership with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, is hosting a one-day national conversation on the role of colleges and universities in city-building.
HOUSING IN THE CITY: BEYOND THE HEADLINES
Headlines remind us constantly of our housing crisis: prices run amok, renovictions, and near-zero rental vacancy rates. This evening of storytelling will consider the landscape of housing in Vancouver and beyond, with an eye on working households, at or below median income, in urban centers across Canada.
ACTIONS FOR HOUSING NOW: CREATING AFFORDABLE, SUITABLE, AND SECURE HOUSING IN CANADIAN CITIES
In partnership with the Tyee Solutions Society and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, we are hosting Actions for Housing Now. Attendees will collaborate on real-world policy solutions for affordable, suitable, and secure housing for working households in Canadian cities, to be presented to Canada’s new federal government.
TILT CITY: ENGAGING THE STREETS
In partnership with HCMA Architecture and Design and their TILT curiosity labs, we invite you to make your mark! Join other engaged citizens for this one-day interactive event that gives you the chance to temporarily transform spaces in the public realm! Spend the day collaborating in teams to concoct, craft, and communicate your urban interventions!
RETHINK FOOD: SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION CHALLENGE
ReThink Food is a one-day innovation challenge for high school students across Metro Vancouver. Sign up as a team or as an individual (you will be placed in a team) to design a solution to our sustainability challenge question, and compete for seed funding to implement your project. Come together on November 5th, 2015 to generate innovative projects that can have real impact in your school!
CITY CONVERSATIONS: WOULD CITIES BE DIFFERENT IF THEY WERE DESIGNED BY WOMEN?
This special edition of City Conversation focuses on women’s perspectives on city building and bring a gender lens to city building.
OPEN CITY: ONE BOOK, ONE SFU – WITH AUTHOR TEJU COLE
Teju Cole will be in conversation with CBC Radio’s Eleanor Wachtel as they explore the power of cities and the lure of literature in this inaugural event of SFU Library’s One Book, One SFU.
LEADING AND LEARNING: INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY IN SURREY
The City of Surrey is updating the Sustainability Charter, our 50 year vision for becoming a more sustainable city. Join us for an engaging evening with thought leaders who will present their ideas on innovative tools for creating more sustainable cities – with keynote speaker Chris Ragan, Chair of the Eco-Fiscal Commission.
THRIVE! SURREY IN 2030: A RESIDENTS’ LAB ON THE FUTURE OF THEIR CITY
Think like a city planner, take part in a unique city-building simulation, and experience what it feels like to live in the Surrey of 2030. Apply now to be one of 150 selected residents to build a vision for a city where everyone can thrive.
