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Keynote: Acknowledging Community Leaders Within City-Building
This keynote is a call to action for expanding traditional notions of city-building to include the lived experiences and insights of community leaders.
Jay Pitter, MES, is an award-nominated author and placemaker whose work has consistently resulted in co-creating more inclusive and vibrant cities. She has spearheaded large-scale, institutional, city-building processes—rooted in neighbourhood knowledge—that address growing divides in urban centres. Most recently, she collaborated with Westbank to increase community engagement in the Honest Ed’s redevelopment process; consulted on Edmonton’s new heritage plan; and led a professional development process for the City of Toronto’s Shelter, Support and Housing staff team.
While Jay has worked on a diverse portfolio of initiatives, housing has evolved as a key focus. Advocating for dignified, safe, and affordable housing is not just a professional mission for Jay; it is personal. Her city-building values are informed by her childhood experience of growing up in social housing. She has also been influenced by the long-term mentorship of her second grade Irish Canadian teacher who modelled the power of reaching across racial, class, and gender differences.
In addition to housing, Jay also focuses on democratizing urban design, social urbanism, and story-based public engagement. She regularly sparks important conversations on these topics through media platforms such as the Agenda with Steve Paikin, CBC Radio, Maclean’s, and Canadian Architect; and through educational institutions like Ryerson University where she has taught an urban planning course. Moreover, Jay co-edited Subdivided, a Coach House anthology exploring inclusive city-building. She is now leading several U.S. based placemaking projects and working on her second book Where We Live, which will be published by McClelland & Stewart at Penguin Random House Canada.
Join us as we welcome Jay and as we recognize 26 dynamic Community Ambassadors and the change initiatives they have developed!
This event is free, open to the public and accessible. Secure your spot by registering today! Registration is required. There will be vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free food options available.
For more information, please contact Amrita Kumar-Ratta.
Learn more about the Diversity & Inclusion Charter of Peel!
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April 2018
5:30pm-9:00pm
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16
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