Holden, Meg

A Douglas College forum hosted in partnership with SFU and the City of New Westminster. The goal of these forum is to provide an occasion for frank discussion on important issues facing urban and suburban communities, to both inform and learn from academics, practitioners, and citizens. Sustainable urban planning is meant to create livable, self-sustaining communities. But as New West's population grows and changes, how do we accommodate everyone's needs? Is the notion of fair and just development realistic? Welcome: John Fleming, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). Moderator: Michael McPhee, Humanities and Social Science (Douglas College). A Geography teacher at Douglas College, he teaches courses related to environmental issues and urban sustainability. He’s a former partner and principal of Quadra Planning Consultants Ltd, a land use and environmental planning consultant firm. He also previously held positions with the Fraser River Estuary Management Program, Environment Canada, and the West Water Research Centre at UBC. Panelists: Dr. Meg Holden, Arts and Social Sciences (SFU). Dr. Holden is a professor of Urban Studies and Geography at SFU and the program director for Urban Studies. She is the 2018-2019 winner of SFU’s President’s Award for Leadership in Sustainability. Her research examines urban policy, planning, and social aspects of sustainable development, intentions, and transitions in cities and communities. Her 2017 book is Pragmatic Suggestions for Sustainable Cities: Acting in the Commonplace. She also works in an advisory capacity with cities. (4:12) Patrick Johnstone, City Councillor (City of New Westminster). Patrick was recently re-elected to his second term on City Council. For many years he has been a volunteer, blogger, and a leader of conversations in New West. As a professional geoscientist, he works in environmental protection and on contaminated sites. As a vocal advocate for more sustainable transportation systems and more sustainable communities, he’s passionate about public engagement. Through his website and social media, he aims to make local government more accessible to the public. (18:14) Q&A with panelists (35:37)

COVID-19 has created both challenges and opportunities for the way we plan cities. The 2020 Declaration for Resilience in Canadian Cities states that the “COVID-19 pandemic provides a once-in-a-lifetime responsibility to accelerate the change we require in Canadian cities.” What can cities do to build resilience moving forward? Why is now, a time of uncertainty, the perfect time to plan for the future? Welcome: Sarah Paynter (Faculty, Department of Geography and Environment (Douglas College). Moderator: Andréanne Doyon. Dr. Andréanne Doyon is an Assistant Professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University. She holds a Ph.D. in Planning (2016) from the University of Melbourne in Australia; her dissertation investigated how planning for urban resilience is informed by niche interventions. After completing her Ph.D., she contributed to research on governance processes supporting the transition of Melbourne’s west to a low-carbon economy, as well as research on the role and effectiveness of building and planning regulatory systems in delivering sustainable cities. Her current research focuses on urban governance and planning for low carbon and climate just cities, sustainable housing, and questions of justice in sustainability transitions. She is particularly interested in understanding processes of change related to sustainability outcomes. Panelists: Meg Holden. Dr. Meg Holden is a professor and director of Urban Studies and a professor in the Department of Geography at SFU. She researches and teaches in the domains of urban and regional planning and policy, sustainable development and well-being, and pragmatic philosophy. An environmental pragmatist by personal conviction, Meg seeks paths toward new directions for cities where more and more of us can experience sustainability and justice. Her engaged research program examines the work and the missteps of creating more sustainable and resilient cities. Her books include Pragmatic Justifications for the Sustainable City: Acting in the common place and (in French) Rethinking the city of the 21st Century: 20 years of eco-neighbourhoods around the world. (2:04) Jonathan X. Coté. Mayor, City of New Westminster and Chair, TransLink Mayors’ Council. First elected in 2005, Jonathan X. Coté served three terms on New Westminster City Council before being elected as Mayor in 2014. In 2018, he was elected for a second term as Mayor. Jonathan resides in the city with his wife Alix and their three daughters Renee, Leah and Violet. As the Mayor of New Westminster, Jonathan has earned a reputation as a strong leader around issues such as transportation, affordable housing and urban planning. Jonathan is a chair of the TransLink Mayors’ Council and a member of the TransLink Board. He represents New Westminster on several Metro Vancouver committees, and currently serves as chair of the Regional Planning Committee. Locally, Jonathan leads a number of task forces which tackle some of the most challenging issues facing our community. Prior to being elected, Jonathan completed his Master’s Degree in Urban Studies/Planning at Simon Fraser University and worked as a litigation adjuster in the insurance industry. (14:07) Q&A with panelists (39:16)