CityTalk Canada

The podcast discusses the revitalization of Ottawa's downtown core through design and collaboration, addressing urban challenges and proposing a bold action plan. Topics include homelessness and housing crises, community-driven initiatives, and the importance of urban development and community engagement post-pandemic.

The podcast features Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the National Capital Commission, and Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, discussing the future of downtown Ottawa. Topics include urban revitalization, historical preservation, building vibrant public spaces, post-pandemic city development, and collaboration between sectors for city growth.

In this final episode of a four-part series, host Mary Rowe presents highlights from conversations around innovative solutions to build community. Topics include the housing crisis and indigenous communities, challenges and innovations in Calgary's arts community, the potential of middle housing and inclusion of the elderly population, opportunities for innovation and solutions in addressing housing crises and equity, acquiring the vacant Hudson Bay Building for reconciliation, and inspiration, empowerment, and collaboration in addressing challenges in Canada's cities.

In this podcast, the afternoon sessions of the State of Canada's Cities Summit are discussed. Topics include the role of the private sector in affordable housing, the contributions of colleges and universities to communities, collaboration during the pandemic, innovative solutions for the housing crisis, infrastructure challenges in Toronto, provincial government intervention in Quebec, and the benefits of setting clear rules for progress.

Experts discuss challenges and opportunities in metropolitan regions, including climate issues and public health. The importance of energy efficiency and collaboration in cities is emphasized. Investment in early child development and community-driven safety strategies are explored. The need for partnerships and coordination in utilizing government funds is highlighted. Strategies for understanding and influencing municipal decisions are discussed.

Highlights from the CityTalk Canada podcast include discussions on challenges faced by Canadian cities, systemic racism and municipal services, economic strategy and the role of the private sector, panelists' experiences and challenges in cities, the economic strategy of the United States and its impact on Canada, and redefining geography for industrial and energy transitions.

For a final preview of the leading voices and topics on the agenda at the upcoming State of Canada's Cities Summit on November 30th,  host Mary Rowe chats with Patti Pon, president and CEO of Calgary Arts Development about how arts & culture are increasingly vital tools for city building. Read more about Patti's work here.     

Noted academic and author Seth Kaplan joins CityTalk Canada to discuss his latest book, Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time. They explore the importance of local institutions in neighborhoods, the impact of the lack of agency on society and individuals, and the need for investing in urban life and restructuring government. They also discuss anchor institutions and the upcoming event in Ottawa where they will be exploring main streets and neighborhoods.

Zita Cobb, co-founder of Shorefast (Fogo Island, Nfld&Lab), discusses the importance of nurturing local economies and the challenges faced by rural communities. The podcast explores the mismatch between institutional constructs and current needs, the consequences of optimization, the significance of Main Streets and local economies, and the importance of attachment to place. It concludes with a focus on fostering local economies and the relevance of the discussions to all communities in Canada.

Romy Bowers, president and CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, discusses the challenges of providing accessible and affordable housing in Canada. They explore the government's responsibility, the need for diverse housing options, and the lack of social housing. They also touch on regulatory review and greater transparency in the housing system.