GTA Mayors, Urban Thinkers Focus on City Divides

Unique public forum promotes ideas, action for cities

TORONTO, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Three GTA mayors will join leading urban thinkers to develop strategies aimed at bridging the growing divides in our cities, at an event organized by the Ryerson City Building Institute.

The May 13 event Bridging Divides: What Can Cities Do?  is open to the public, and will see six interdisciplinary teams present their ideas to the three GTA Mayors -- Bonnie Crombie (Mississauga), Steve Parish (Ajax) and John Tory (Toronto).

Canada is one of the most urbanized nations in the world, with over 80% of the nation's population living in urban centres. Worldwide, more than 50% of the population now live in cities. As this share grows, inequities within cities are also increasing.

"If we don't get cities right, we won't get the future right," said Anne Golden, the Institute's Director-External and Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Ryerson. "Bridging Divides is a unique event because the Ryerson City Building Institute is bringing together diverse teams of experts to work on what cities themselves can do to make a difference, and present these ideas directly to decision-makers."

The six teams of leading urban thinkers will propose solutions to help bridge growing divides in the areas of transit, income polarization, immigration and identity, housing affordability, access to services and political culture. "This will be the first of many efforts by the Ryerson City Building Institute to bring political leadership, policy ideas, and people together to address the complex urban challenges that face city regions," said Tanzeel Merchant, the Institute's Executive Director. "The event is another example of Ryerson University's demonstrated expertise and commitment to being a leader in city building."

The public is invited to participate. Join us on May 13, and connect to the conversation right now using the hashtag #mycitywill to share your own ideas on what cities can do to build a better future.

WHAT:	Ryerson City Building Institute event Bridging Divides: What Can Cities Do?
WHEN:	Wednesday, May 13, 2015 6pm-8:30pm
WHERE:	The George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, 245 Church Street, Room ENG103, Toronto

For more information on the Institute: www.ryerson.ca/citybuilding

Free registration: http://www.bridgingdivides.eventbrite.ca

About Ryerson City Building Institute:
Ryerson City Building Institute is a multidisciplinary centre focused on understanding and finding solutions to the complex urban challenges facing our city regions nationally and globally. The Institute brings together political leadership, policy ideas and people from diverse backgrounds to address critical urban problems. The Institute works with partners across faculties and outside the university to deliver high-quality teaching, research, and public engagement on urban issues.

SOURCE Ryerson University

MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Cantin, 416-526-1593, [email protected]