Internationally renowned city planner will discuss managing urban growth in Guelph

Ontario Construction News staff

The City of Guelph is hosting “Planning for Guelph: In conversation with Brent Toderian” to discuss “how to grow in more innovative and sustainable ways.”

“A future-ready Guelph means exploring how and where and when the city can grow over the next 30 years,” said Krista Walkey, general manager of planning and building services. “This conversation will get people thinking about what sustainable growth really means, and how the choices we make today can support or stall our efforts.” The event takes place virtually tomorrow (June 23) at 6:30 p.m. Join the conversation at bit.ly/GuelphPlanningConversation

Drawing from his wealth of knowledge and experience in smart, sustainable planning and design, Brent will touch on several of the City’s long-term plans for managing growth, including the Urban Forest Policy, the Transportation Master Plan and the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. Brent will spend the week leading up to the event working with City staff, and his presentation will include candid observations and insights on what he heard and learned. Everything will be up for discussion—parking, driveways, active transportation, the race to zero—a holistic review from a well-respected peer in the field of urban planning.

gelph image“Thirty years ago, I started my city planning career in the Guelph-Kitchener-Waterloo area. I lived in all three cities and I’m happy to now be able to provide a fresh perspective around Guelph’s big opportunities,” notes Brent. “I’m known for my constructive bluntness, so you can expect direct and practical advice, but also a lot of big ideas and inspiration from creative cities of every size around the world.”

Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.

“What role do we as citizens have to play when it comes to creating a livable city?” Mayor Cam Guthrie asked. “What does sustainable growth mean for our budgets and taxpayer dollars? If we’re going to meet provincial growth forecasts of a population of 208,000 and 116,000 jobs by 2051, we need to ask these and many more questions.”

Guelph is currently updating its strategy for growth, including its zoning bylaw, to comply with the Ontario government’s plan for managing growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Toderian is a global leader on advanced urbanism and a renowned urban planning advisor to cities around the world. His work champions more sustainable, healthy, livable and equitable city-building. The former chief city planner for Vancouver BC, Toderian has advised officials in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Latin America. He was the founding president of the Council for Canadian Urbanism and is a leading voice in many city-building organizations and platforms around the world.

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