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Resilient Renewable Cities

2015, Summit We the City, Cities, Climate + Environment

How do you reduce energy use and shift to renewables while ensuring resiliency in a city?

A number of global cities, including the City of Vancouver, have adopted a 100% renewable energy target in one or more of their electricity, heating & cooling, and transportation sectors. While reaching these goals will require a shift towards renewables, the foundation lies in changing the way we plan and build cities and consume energy. Canadian cities are also on the forefront of coping with the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather, and any urban planning and renewable energy strategy will need to keep the realities of a changing environment in mind. Moreover, any plan for achieving ambitious renewable energy and livability goals lies in a massive increase in energy efficiency.

The purpose of this event was to discuss how to best reconcile increasing renewable energy supply while reducing energy use and ensuring resiliency.

Mon, 02 Nov 2015

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (PT)

515 West Hastings St.
Room 2270

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About We the City

From October 30 to November 7 of 2015, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Public Square hosted its fourth annual Community Summit. Through a series of imaginative and interactive events, we explored the theme of city-building. We reflected on the important role of creativity, arts and culture in building and sustaining our cities and our neighbourhoods. By profiling the increasing pressure facing municipalities by surging urbanization and considering what attracts and holds people to our urban centres, we reminded residents of the power they hold to shape their city. Together, we deliberated on possible futures where everyone can not only survive, but also thrive. We invigorated the public conversation on how people can connect with their cities, find their voice, and enjoy increased participation in civic life.

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Speakers

Larry Beasley

'Distinguished Practice' Professor of Planning, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning and Founding Principal, Beasley and Associates

Larry Beasley, along with Ann McAfee, was the long-serving co-director of planning in Vancouver during the transformative years for the core city. He now teaches and advises cities around the world through his consultant firm, Beasley and Associates. He has been recognized with an outstanding alumni award and an honorary doctorate degree from ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. He is also a member of the Order of Canada.

Stephen Sheppard

Director, UBC Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP)

Stephen directs an applied research group which develops and tests powerful visualisation tools and engagement processes, to help communities move towards low carbon, resilient, and attractive futures. He also teaches in sustainable landscape planning, aesthetics, and visualization in the Faculty of Forestry and Landscape Architecture program at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He received a BA/MA in Agricultural and Forest Sciences at Oxford, a MSc in Forestry at UBC, and a PhD in Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley.

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