Laura Taylor

A two-day event on civic engagement in urban revitalization will be held at York University March 1st and 2nd 2011. The aging of post-World War II suburbs requires reinvestment on a large scale, especially in neighbourhoods where low-income and social housing is in desperate need of retrofitting for energy efficiency and livability, not just at the scale of the building, but of the design of the neighbourhood itself. Engaging residents in plans for change in their community is a challenge, as those most affected also tend to have the least resources to participate. New ideas of collaborative planning with diverse populations have been discussed in the academic literature. New ways of reaching out and involving residents are on trial in practice as planners and community organizers work to ensure that plans reflect the aspirations of the people whose lives will be shaped by the landscapes produced through
revitalization.
Planners, activists, residents, academics and students will meet to share ideas and experience with case
studies from Toronto, Berlin and Birmingham, England. A walking tour, a youth art installation, a
photograph exhibit, and a film will round out the workshop.
Please RSVP by February 18th to tower.renewal@hotmail.com