Placemaking Canada - Toronto Gathering (June 11-12, 2023)

Placemaking Canada

Join us for the 4th Placemaking Canada national gathering, June 11-12 at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, Ontario.

Evergreen Brick Works

<h2>CALLING ALL CANADIAN PLACEMAKERS &amp; PUBLIC SPACE ADVOCATES</h2>Join us for the fourth <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1535821856737089" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Placemaking Canada</a> national gathering, taking place June 11-12 at <a href="https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Evergreen Brick Works</a> in and around beautiful Toronto, Ontario. This is an opportunity for placemakers and public space advocates to share stories, successes, tactics and aspirations. Since 2015, Placemaking Canada has held national gatherings in Montreal (2015), Vancouver (2016), and Halifax (2019). This will be the first time we have been able to meet face-to-face in over three years.The two-day Placemaking Canada gathering includes walk, roll and bike tours, workshops and presentations, networking events, and various other activities (you can view a general agenda with approximate times for each component below). All of these activities support three overarching objectives:Connecting <ul><li>Providing an opportunity for face-to-face connections between Canadian placemakers (and friends); elevating voices and dialogue between grassroots placemaking and public space organizations.</li></ul>Learning &amp; Exploring <ul><li>Hitting the streets to explore Toronto’s fantastic public spaces, city-building activities, and inspiring local initiatives.</li></ul>Growing <ul><li>Strengthening the network of local placemakers and building the Placemaking Canada movement.</li></ul>Double the fun! The Placemaking Canada gathering follows the 11th <a href="https://publicmarkets.pps.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">International Public Markets Conference</a> (organized by Project for Public Spaces) taking place on June 8-10. The two events will provide back-to-back opportunities to engage with like-minded folks and to engage on a variety of topics.In addition to a roster of exciting day-time events, you’re also invited to a Special Evening Rooftop Social in downtown Toronto, taking place Sunday, June 11 from 6-8pm.

<h3>FEES</h3>We’re keeping fees low to ensure that the Placemaking Canada event is as accessible as possible. There are a few ticket options to choose from:(1) Registration-only ticket covers entry to the conference and helps to offset venue and event related costs. Registration-only ticket holders are welcome to bring their own lunch and enjoy it on site during the conference. (2) Registration + Lunch ticket includes a meal voucher that can be used at the onsite restaurant. (3) Bursary tickets. A limited number of bursary tickets are available to offset fees for those that might not otherwise be able to participate. Bursary tickets are "pay what you can". Please note, we are unable to offer help with travel, accommodation or other expenses. To inquire about bursary tickets, please email placemaking.canada@gmail.com. The deadline for bursary tickets has been extended to Saturday, June 10, 2023. A﻿ll three types of ticket are available for single-day (Sunday or Monday) or two-day options. This is a non-profit, volunteer-powered event - so 100% of the ticket revenues go towards covering event expenses. A BIG thank you to Evergreen for supporting the work of Placemaking Canada and allowing us the use of their space.

<h3>SIGN UP TO SHARE YOUR STORY OR LEND A HAND</h3>Let’s build the Canadian placemaking agenda together. A big part of our Placemaking Canada events are story-sharing activities. We’ll have open-mic (pecha-kucha style) presentations, walking tours and workshops. If you’d be interested in sharing a story, leading a walk, or showing off some of your placemaking work, let us know! Email our organizing team directly at placemaking.canada@gmail.com.

<h3>VENUE &amp; DETAILS ABOUT EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS</h3>Present day Toronto is located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples.The site of the former Don Valley Brick Works, our Placemaking Canada gathering takes place on a site lovingly restored and revitalized by Evergreen, a national not-for-profit. You’ll have lots of opportunity to check out this global showcase for green design, urban sustainability and an award-winning, vibrant public space. In additional to the restored facilities, a number of trails wind throughout the site, giving you a chance to explore a regenerating urban ecosystem and take in some beautiful views of Toronto. <ul><li><a href="https://www.evergreen.ca/downloads/pdfs/Visitor_Map.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">More information on Evergreen Brick Works (including site map)</a></li></ul>

<h3>TRANSPORTATION</h3>The Brick Works are nestled in Toronto’s Don Valley and are accessible by all modes of transportation:<ul><li><a href="https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/visitor-info/getting-here/shuttle-bus/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Free Evergreen shuttle bus</a>, seven days a week - <a href="https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/visitor-info/getting-here/shuttle-bus/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">View Schedule &amp; Pick-up/Drop-off Details</a> </li><li>TTC #28 Bayview South bus operates 7 days a week. Visit ttc.ca for the most up-to-date schedule. </li><li>Walk/roll or bike through Toronto’s Don Valley with easy trail access from Castle Frank and Rosedale subway stations, or Beechwood Drive. </li><li>Car – Onsite parking on site is limited. Please consider taking alternate transportation to the site. </li></ul><h3>ACCESSIBILITY</h3>Conference and workshop proceedings will be held in English.The shuttle bus to Evergreen Brick Works is wheelchair accessible, as is most of the facility; however some of the trails may not be suitable for mobility devices. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all attendees. If you have any accommodation requests please do not hesitate to reach out to the organizing team by emailing placemaking.canada@gmail.com. We are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and enjoyment at the Placemaking Canada gathering and will do our best to accommodate your needs.

<h3>ABOUT PLACEMAKING CANADA</h3>Placemaking Canada is a network of locally based placemakers, placemaking and public space organizations. Founded in 2015, the organization brings a grassroots, decentralized approach to city-building work – working to link initiatives, amplify local voices, and enrich the Canadian placemaking conversation. A key component of the Toronto gathering will focus on sketching out the next chapter of Placemaking Canada. We hope you’ll join in the discussion and lend your ideas.<a href="http://placemaking-canada.ca" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">placemaking-canada.ca</a>

Sunday, June 11

Your choice of four amazing tours: (1) Exploring the Danforth: Building vibrant main streets through City and business community partnerships; (2) Ontario Place West Island Walk; (3) Toronto Public Realm (Bike Tour); (4) From obstacle to gateway: The Bentway's Waterfront ReConnect projects

Walk / Roll / Bike Tours

Includes optional guided walking tour of the Brick Works led by Joyce Chau, Program Director at Evergreen. Tour starts at 12:15, meet at Watershed Wall in Tiffany Commons.

Lunch and Brick Works Exploration

Welcome, Introduction, Objectives

Over a dozen short presentations on exciting placemaking and public space initiatives from across the country.

'Open Mic' Event & Presentations (followed by Networking Activity)

Facilitated by the Placemaking Canada team.

Building the National Agenda (pt 1) - Workshop Activity 

Introduced by Guillermo Bernal, Global Program Director, Placemaking X

Short Film Screening: "The Place Man"

Rooftop Social in Downtown Toronto

Monday, June 12

Opening remarks and presentation by Matt Hickey (Principal) and Erik Skouris (Project Architect) of Two Row Architecture

Morning Keynote: Indigenous Placemaking 

A conversation on inclusive placemaking with Daniel Rotsztain and Sara Udow (PlazaPOPS), Ryan Lo (Urban Minds), and Lanrick Bennett (Our Greenway Conservancy)

Workshop - A Equity-Centred Approach for Urban & Suburban  Placemaking 

Presentations and dialogue with local government representatives from Vancouver, Hamilton, Toronto and Halifax.

Policymakers Jam: The Role of Local Government 

LUNCH 

Remarks by Ethan Kent, Executive Director, Placemaking X.

International Inspiration - Placemaking Around the Globe (Presentation & Film)

Building the National Movement (pt 2) - Workshop

A discussion about the future of the Brick Works, facilitated by the Evergreen team.

A Place for Placemaking - Workshop

Next Steps and Closing Remarks - Plenary 

After-Event Social 

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