In an effort to move ideas in sustainable development from academia into the real world, the Department of Geography and Planning is hosting a series of professional development programs this year entitled “Leading Change in Cities: Skills for Planners.”

The series, which will be held at Sid Smith, is offered in conjunction with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and is designed for professionals working in the urban planning field to develop new skills or perfect existing ones. The series aims to help professional planners to develop “the skills in leadership and management necessary to make change happen.”

In the real world, how many great ideas are killed simply through institutional inertia or resistance due to lack of imagination? The car-centred way cities have been organized has had an enormous impact on the choices citizens and sustainability (or lack thereof) in modern lifestyles. If urban planning has been part of the problem, it also must be part of the solution.

The first of these programs, “Urban Design and Planning for Green Development,” will be held February 8 and 9. U of T professor Paul Hess will team with three working urban planners, Chris Hardwicke, Matt Humphries, and Regan Smith to present “a broad overview of sustainability issues as they relate to planning and development.” This includes discussion of certifications and training available to urban planners and practical tools to help address climate change, waste management, health and food issues, preservation of habitat.

On April 22 and 23, the second program focuses specifically on climate change. Hosted by Eva Ligeti, Clean Air Partnership Executive Director, it “is intended to help planners who are developing and managing programs with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Highlights include presentations on real-life experiences in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Clean Air Partnership was established as a charitable foundation to green cities through programs aimed at cleaning the air.

The final events include “Winning in International Markets: Successful Strategies for Planning and Engineering Consultants” in June and “Modeling Impacts of Climate Change on Cities” with William Gough of the Department of Physical and Environmental Studies.