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In 2007 the UN announced in a habitat report that for the first time in human history, more than 50% of people in the world live in urban areas, and that number is still increasing. In Canada the urbanization of the population is closer to 78%, and the majority of the population of Canada lives in the three largest cities, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Today cities all over the world are the driving force behind science, technology, and the economy, and are the heart of politics, society, and culture. Despite the unavoidable importance of cities, they are still on the back burner of political will and attention. As a result Canadian cities have suffered massive inadequacies in funding, self-determination and infrastructure whereas in the rest of the world countries have focused on and nutured their cities. Hopefully this will change and this Monday a free public panel that will be presented in Convocation Hall may help to raise public awareness of the importance of cities by discussing the future of cities worldwide and their integral role to progressive politics. This panel is a rare chance to see an important topic being discussed by imminent guests who are at the forefront of the cause, including Ken Livingston, the former mayor of London, England; the current mayor of Cambridge, MA, Denise Simmons; and Toronto’s David Miller,  in a free-ranging discussion moderated by former Toronto mayor David Crombie. This is a can’t miss event for all interested in urban issues and the future of not only cities but of democracy and progressive change that is often rooted and championed from the urban cores. No registration is needed and attendance is first come first serve and open to everyone.

What: The Future Of Cities
Who: open to everyone
Panelists: Panel discussion with Kenneth Livingstone (former mayor of London, England), mayor Denise Simmons (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and Toronto’s David Miller.
Where: Convocation Hall, St. George Campus, U of T,  31 King’s College Circle.
When: 7:30pm- 9:30 pm, Mon. Jan. 26, 2009
Cost: Free!!!
More Info & Contact: 416-978-4725.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at 12:54 pm and is filed under Event Picks, Events, On Campus, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.