On Saturday, September 29th, 2018 DECA partnered with The Toronto Public Library Danforth Coxwell Branch to host an event in the series “On Civil Society” about community building! The event included TED-like talks, discussions and a walking tour along Danforth Avenue, as well as a rare, peek inside the Danforth TTC Garage! We’ve published some photos of the tour below, along with presentations made by our guest speakers.
“TED” Talk Participants:
Gill is incredibly passionate about transforming cities into places for all people. He has inspired and advised decision makers and communities in more than 300 different cities around the world on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status. His focus is on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as sustainable mobility. His call to action is to move ‘from talking to doing’.
Michelle Senayah, The Laneway Project: View presentation Yes In My Community – TLP_M. Senayah
Michelle is an urban designer who is passionate about the public realm and what happens in it. She works collaboratively with designers and planners, community members, municipal staff, students and politicians to plan, design and implement projects and policies that redefine how we think about and use our public space.
Matthew Browning, ARUP: View presentation On Civil Society_Matthew Browning
Matthew is a senior transportation consultant with a civil engineering background and leads Arup’s Transportation Master Planning work in Canada. He most often seeks out projects where he can promote sustainable modes of transportation such as transit, walking and cycling and has led the development of numerous master plans and street reconfigurations across Canada, the US, the UK and the Middle East. Working alongside architects, designers, stakeholders, municipalities and members of the community, Matthew finds ways to overcome ingrained thinking about traffic engineering and build cities for people, not cars.
Billy Dertilis, Red Rocket Coffee & Danforth Mosaic BIA Chairperson: View presentation Let’s Get to Yes!_Billy Dertilis
Billy is a business strategist looking to share his skills and knowledge and contribute to the neighbourhood he grew up in. The son of a Danforth shopkeeper, some of his earliest memories are of his father’s shop and the sense of connection that grew out of a strong and vibrant retail strip. As BIA chair, Billy is a tireless advocate for deeper ties between the business community and neighbouring residents.
Talks were moderated by Mary Vallis, Professor of Journalism at Centennial College, former DECA Board Member & Founder of the DECA Arts Fair
We are grateful to Doug Campbell for these terrific photos!
