The INS creates a forum for dialogue on suburban planning, design, and development at local, regional, and global levels.
We invite speakers representing a range of interests and disciplines, and host conversations through speaker sessions, workshops, conferences.
Feel free to browse our webpage and view the links below for our latest updates!
UPCOMING EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
The INS is pleased to share the presentation, An Informed Scarborough Residents Response to the Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force. This Presentation was prepared for the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization (SCRO). The presentation was developed by Open Policy's John Stapleton and Yvonne Yuan.
Open Policy’s can be found here.
On April 5th, 2022, the INS welcomed Joaan Nassauer, Professor at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability. Joan to discussed her thoughts on how suburban communities can provide more environmental benefits.
A recording of Joan’s presentation can be found here.
On March 22nd, 2022, the INS welcomed Ross Elliott, Director of Suburban Futures and the Chairman for the Better Suburbs Initiative in Brisbane. Ross shared lessons that Canada can learn from the Australian suburban experience.
A recording of Ross’ presentation can be found here.
On February 24th, 2022, the INS welcomed Alan Berger, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Alan's discussion was enlightening to everyone in attendance.
A recording of Alan's presentation can be found here.
On September 29th, 2021, the INS hosted a webinar — Suburbs, Exurbs, and the Making of the Human City. America’s Uber-Geographer, Joel Kotkin served as the keynote speaker and delivered an eye-opening presentation that changed the way many view communities of varying densities.
A recording of Joel’s presentation can be viewed here.
On August 24th, 2021, the INS hosted a webinar, Demystifying the Suburbs: Suburbs as Places of Complexity and Diversity. Speakers included: Uzma Jalaluddin (teacher, columnist, and author), André Sorensen (Professor of Urban Geography, at UTSC), and Robert Walter-Joseph (Gladki Planning Associates).
The presentation can viewed here.
On July 13th, 2021, the INS hosted Pandemics and the Periphery: The State of Suburban Planning. Our panel discussed the effects of infectious disease on urban peripheries and the future of suburban-centric planning. Speakers included: Catherine Hernandez (author), Roger Keil (Professor), and Rob Fiedler (NPG Solutions)
The presentation can be viewed here.
On April 30th, 2018, the INS welcomed Brett Chang, Senior Policy Advisor at Uber Canada. Brett spoke in depth about the Uber/Innisfil transit partnership, as well as Uber's growing role in vehicle and non-vehicle transportation. Brett also discussed Uber's use of AI to better improve service.
Brett's presentation can be downloaded here:
On April 30th, 2018, the INS welcomed back Arvin Prasad, the former Director of Integrated Planning at the Region of Peel and the current Commissioner of Development Services the City of Markham.
Arvin presented on how transportation planning can be used to connect the suburbs to denser areas of regions.
Arvin's Presentation can be downloaded here.
On April 30th, 2018, the INS welcomed Jonathan Chai, P.Eng (Project Manager) and Elli Papaioannou (Transportation Planner) from HDR.
Elli and Jonathan presented on how we can rethink transit solutions through a sustainable mobility future. They also discussed the changing planning and transportation needs for millenials.
HDR's presentation can be downloaded here.
On April 30th, 2018, the INS welcomed Sabbir Saiyed, Manager of Transportation Planning at the Region of Peel.
Sabbir presented on the Region's Sustainable Transportation Strategy (RSTS), the Goods Movement Strategic Plan (GMSP), and the Transportation Safety Strategy & Operational Plan (TSSOP).
Sabbir's presentation can be download here.
On January 5th and January 6th, 2018, The Executive Director of the INS, Dave Hardy, was interviewed by Val Cole on ONTV on the CHCH network.
Dave spoke about what New Suburbanism is and how it can be used to look at planning through another lens.
If you missed the interview, click the here below to check it out on YouTube!
On December 1st, 2017, Dave Hardy - the Executive Director of the INS - gave presentation on New Suburbanism at the Region of Peel offices in Brampton, Ontario.
The event was attended by planning and economic development staff from the Region of Peel, the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga, and the Town of Caledon.
Several politicians were also in attendance.
On November 1st, 2017, The INS welcomed John Stapleton — writer, instructor and Innovations Fellow with the Metcalf Foundation. John discussed the disproportional amount of “working poor” in the suburbs that surround Toronto when compared to the downtown core.
John's PowerPoint and the audio file from his presentation can be downloaded here.
On November 1st, 2017, The INS welcomed Paul Hunter, Head of Research at the UK's Smith Institute.
Paul discussed what he has learned from studying suburbs in the UK and poverty in suburban areas, as well as how this relates to Canada.
Paul's PowerPoint and the audio file from his presentation can be downloaded here.
On July 12th, 2017, the INS welcomed international housing expert and professor Wendell Cox.
Wendell spoke about his research and his views on what can be done to reduce housing prices in the GTHA and around the world.
Wendell's PowerPoint and the audio file from his presentation can be downloaded here.
On May, 27th, 2017, Executive DIrector Dave Hardy addressed the Scarborough Caucus Federal Liberals and gave a presentation titled Rethinking Housing and Urban Planning in the Suburbs.
Dave's annotated remarks can be downloaded here.
On October 12th, 2016, the INS welcomed Judith De Jong, Associate Dean and Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Judith's PowerPoint and the audio file from her presentation can be downloaded here.
On October 12th, 2016, the INS welcomed Arvin Prasad, Director of Integrated Planning at the Region of Peel. Arvin prsented on how Peel's suburbs could look in the future.
Arvin's PowerPoint and the audio file from his presentation can be downloaded here.
On July 12th, 2017 Dave Hardy - the Executive Director of the INS - gave a presentation on New Suburbanism really.
Dave's PowerPoint can be downloaded here.
On September 15th, 2016, the INS welcomed Dr. Andre Sorensen, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Dr. Sorensen's PowerPoint can be downloaded here.
On September 15th, 2016, the INS was launched. We were lucky enough to welcome planners, academics, and residents from the GTHA, including MP Salma Zahid. For information on the INS, please click here.
