Challenger Cities

In this enlightening episode of Challenger City TO, host Iain Montgomery sits down with Aileen Nandy, an expert in digital marketing, community building, and former journalist. Recorded amid the tranquil sounds of a camping trip, the conversation delves deep into what makes a city truly family-friendly and how Toronto can rise to the challenge. Aileen shares her unique perspective on urban development, the importance of affordable housing, and the concept of "extroverted spaces" that foster community interaction. Tune in to explore the complexities and possibilities of designing a city that supports families, and gain valuable insights on urban planning and community building.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Aileen Nandy's journey from journalism to community building
• Defining a Challenger City and its relevance to Toronto
• Balancing the core of the city with its suburbs
• The housing dilemma: affordability and availability for families
• Creating extroverted spaces that encourage community interaction
• Criticisms of Toronto's Vision Zero initiative and street safety
• The critical role of community programming and services
• A call for inclusive urban planning and redesigning housing
• Addressing Toronto's car-centric culture and its impact on walkability

Notable Quotes:

• "A Challenger City is one that thinks about what kind of communities or society they want to build and is not shackled by just building block upon block."
• "We end up with a profoundly family-unfriendly city that a lot of people can't afford to live in."
• "Cities should be designed to be extroverted. They should be designed to be easy to read and easy to understand and easy for lots of different people to engage with."
• "You need enough affordable housing that you have teachers who can work in the schools and not have totally ridiculous commutes because they can't afford to live in the city."
• "Only in the face of abject tragedy does it seem like we get any meaningful progress on Toronto's Vision Zero."

In this episode of Challenger City TO, Iain welcomes Jordan Ostapchuk, a pioneering capital designer, to explore the transformative role of capital design in urban investment. Jordan, who often finds himself as the "token capitalist in a room full of designers" and the "token designer in a room full of capitalists," shares his unique perspective on integrating creative thinking with traditional finance to address the complexities of modern urban challenges.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introduction to Capital Design:
  • Jordan explains the concept of capital design, blending the rigor of investment with the creative logic of design.
  • The importance of framing problems correctly to develop effective solutions.
• Role of Institutional Capital:
  • How institutional capital, encompassing over a hundred trillion dollars globally, influences urban development.
  • The need for design to help risk-averse and conservative investors adapt to new challenges with modern tools.
• Challenges and Innovations:
  • The mismatch between traditional asset classes and the modern world.
  • Jordan's experiences in driving innovation at a major real estate developer in Toronto during the rise of WeWork.
  • The example of APG changing their definition of infrastructure to include equality and quality of life.
• Toronto as a Challenger City:
  • The potential for Toronto to become a Challenger City by articulating clear aspirations and leveraging its strengths.
  • The role of institutional capital in contributing to the city's long-term viability and vibrancy.
  • Jordan's vision of a future where Toronto's decision-making processes are inclusive and future-oriented, with an Office for the Future dedicated to strategic planning.
• Designing Better Decision-Making Systems:
  • The need to improve the consultation process in urban planning.
  • The potential of innovative decision-making processes like quadratic voting.
  • Balancing top-down and bottom-up approaches in urban planning, drawing inspiration from natural systems.
• Toronto's Unique Position:
  • Toronto as a leading hub for pension investors, known for the Maple model.
  • The opportunity for Toronto to leverage its strengths and innovate, despite a tendency towards complacency.
• Future Outlook:
  • Jordan's speculation on where we might be in 10 years, potentially discussing urban investment in the headquarters of the Toronto Civic Strategic Sensing Centre.
  • His hope for a city that looks more like a thriving forest than a rigid Lego set.

Quotes:

• "If we can frame the problem correctly, I think we're 80% of the way there to solving it."
• "Institutional capital will be the most transformative force of the 21st century."
• "A Challenger City has a distinct aspiration for what it wants to be and a strategy to achieve it."
• "We're sitting in the headquarters of the Toronto Civic Strategic Sensing Centre, where we have a robust process for thinking about the future and incorporating multiple voices and perspectives and constantly adapting."
• "I hope that we can say the city looks a lot more like a forest than it does a Lego."

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Challenger City TO, we sit down with Hans Bathija, a seasoned consultant with a rich history in Toronto. Hans shares his insights on the city's evolving identity, the impact of amalgamation, the importance of public safety, and the need for a renewed focus on arts and culture. Join us as we explore what it means for Toronto to be a Challenger City and how it can reclaim its status as a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive urban center.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Hans' Journey to Toronto:
   • Moving from London to Toronto in 1975
   • Early experiences in Scarborough and working in the photo finishing industry
   • Transition to banking and consulting
2. Toronto's Evolution:
   • The city's innovative past in banking and technology
   • Impact of bank mergers and the end of antitrust acts
   • Shifts in local leadership and corporate focus
3. Amalgamation and Its Consequences:
   • Hans' run for mayor during the amalgamation period
   • Dilution of local leadership and competition
   • The need for accessible and responsive local governance
4. Public Safety and Infrastructure:
   • Issues in Liberty Village: traffic and emergency access
   • Bureaucratic indifference to local problems
   • Importance of public safety as a cornerstone of urban life
5. The Role of Arts and Culture:
   • Loss of Toronto's vibrant arts scene due to condo-ization
   • Need for protected artistic spaces
   • Toronto's rich musical heritage and cultural identity
6. Grassroots Initiatives:
   • Hans' involvement in the Toronto Dollar project
   • Challenges of sustaining grassroots initiatives
   • Importance of community engagement and local projects
7. Leadership and Vision:
   • The need for a blueprint for Toronto's future
   • Involving private sector leaders, academia, and the community
   • Defining what it means to be Canadian and ensuring a thriving urban environment

Memorable Quotes:

• "Up to maybe 20 years ago, Toronto was a very innovative place... The problem with that is you have organisations that are no longer Toronto-centric or Toronto-focused in terms of where they live and work and play."
• "Policies were designed to look after local taxpayers... We need accessible and responsive local governance."
• "Liberty Village is a 'disaster zone' with severe traffic and emergency access issues... I get told, 'Oh, studies have been done, there is no issue.' Well, 10 years later, it's gotten worse."
• "The culture that defined Toronto before is disappearing very rapidly... Maybe we need a place in Toronto that's protected and arts can go there."
• "We need to have a blueprint for the city... We need to demand more of the elders. Your grandchildren need your help. You can't just flitter off somewhere and have a good time and have your pina coladas while everything's burning around you."

Conclusion:

Hans Bathija's insights offer a compelling vision for Toronto's future as a Challenger City. His call for grassroots involvement, a renewed focus on public safety, and a commitment to preserving the city's cultural heritage resonates with the challenges and opportunities facing Toronto today. As the city navigates its evolving identity, Hans' perspective serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership, community, and a shared vision for a better future.

In this episode, futurist Nik Badminton shares his insights on the future of cities, emphasizing the need for human-centric, community-focused urban planning. Drawing from his global experiences, Nik discusses the challenges of balancing legacy systems with innovative solutions and highlights the importance of creating resilient, vibrant cities like Toronto.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Nik Badminton:
   • Background and experience in futurism and strategic planning.
   • Nik's travels and comparisons between cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
2. Challenger Cities Concept:
   • Definition and importance of Challenger Cities.
   • The need for cities to be more human-centric and community-focused.
3. Accretive Legacy Systems:
   • Explanation of how cities are built on historical infrastructures.
   • The constant challenge of updating and transforming old systems.
4. Rethinking Urban Planning:
   • Critique of using outdated templates for future cities.
   • Examples of successful urban planning from cities like Barcelona.
5. Facing Dystopian Futures:
   • Importance of considering both positive and dystopian futures.
   • Specific examples of dystopian elements in current cities.
6. Challenges and Opportunities for Toronto:
   • Issues with unchecked construction and the loss of community value.
   • The need for green spaces and community meeting areas.
7. Balancing Economic Growth with Community Cohesion:
   • The dangers of focusing solely on economic growth.
   • The importance of creating spaces that enhance quality of life.
8. Learning from Other Cities:
   • The benefits and pitfalls of copying urban designs from other cities.
   • The unique culture and hidden gems of Toronto.
9. Vision for Toronto’s Future:
   • Nik’s proposals for improving Toronto’s urban planning.
   • Emphasis on human-centric development and community cohesion.

Quotes from Nik Badminton:

• "Every time I traveled to Toronto, there was a real humanity to it, a real old-school feel."
• "Challenges cities need to buck the trend of being built around cars and trucks."
• "We need to rethink food, energy, water, and community systems."
• "Barcelona's superblocks are a great example of urban innovation."
• "We kind of live in a dystopian world that's rather strange."
• "Unchecked development leads to empty high-rises and lost community value."
• "We're like the algorithmic city... need to come back to human focus."
• "Most cities lack a comprehensive strategy beyond building more infrastructure."
• "Toronto is a tapestry of diverse neighborhoods and hidden gems."
• "Economic growth should be balanced with relentless community cohesion."

In this episode of Challenger City TO, we sit down with Chris Burchett, a telecommunications expert turned transit visionary, to explore the transformative potential of train stations. Chris shares his journey from Wi-Fi to transit hubs, highlighting the often-overlooked importance of stations in shaping the overall passenger experience. He discusses the challenges of the engineering-centric approach in transit agencies and the untapped economic potential of integrating retail and real estate into station designs. Discover how rethinking land use and adding unique amenities can turn stations into vibrant, multi-functional urban hubs.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Importance of Stations: Chris explains why stations are critical components of the transit experience, forming the first and last impressions of any trip.
• Engineering-Centric Challenges: The tendency of transit agencies to focus on engineering solutions at the expense of passenger experience.
• Swallowing the 'Orange Pill': Chris’s epiphany about the potential of reimagined transit, inspired by the Netherlands’ advanced transit systems.
• Economic Opportunities: How integrating retail and real estate into stations can generate significant non-fare revenue and ease political challenges around transit funding.
• Better Use of Space: Ideas for repurposing ticket halls and other underutilized spaces in stations to enhance functionality and revenue.
• Urban Planning Insights: The impact of better transit planning on overall urban livability, including benefits for drivers and reducing dependency on cars.
• Innovative Thinking: The need for creative approaches, like those championed by Rory Sutherland, to make transit more appealing and boost urban vibrancy.
• Enhancing Station Amenities: Practical suggestions for adding amenities like soundproof booths for video calls to make stations more useful and enjoyable.

Quotes Highlighted:

• "Stations are the bookends of every trip. They form your first and last impressions."
• "We discovered that nobody’s really talking about stations. They’re a critical part of the journey."
• "Amsterdam Central has transformed into a hub with reasons to visit beyond transit—it's a model for what stations can achieve."
• "It’s about rethinking land use to make stations integral parts of their communities."

In this episode of "Challenger Cities," host Iain Montgomery sits down with two influential figures in Toronto's creative landscape: Tabassum Siddiqui, a freelance journalist and communications specialist, and Faisal Siddiqui, founder of the Creative Business Company. Together, they delve into the strengths, challenges, and future prospects of Toronto's vibrant arts and culture scene.

Key Topics:

• Toronto's Vibrant Arts Scene: Tabassum highlights how Toronto excels in hosting a plethora of cultural events at all cost levels, driven by its diversity. "This is what people flock to cities for," she notes.
• Threats to Creativity: The discussion touches on the closure of venues across the city, which act as vital incubators for the arts. "Venues have closed right across the city in a really, really major way in the last sort of 10 to 15 years," Tabassum points out.
• Digital vs. In-Person Experiences: Despite the rise of digital platforms, the pandemic underscored our craving for the energy of live events. "We crave coming together and there's nothing like live music in the sense of having all those people in a room," says Tabassum.
• Scaling Up Creativity: Faisal discusses the challenge of scaling up creative ventures in Toronto and expresses excitement about micro-retail spaces. "I think the Gerard Street example where you have developers working in conjunction with...a public and private model...gives the best chance for a lot of these companies to grow," he says.
• The High Cost of Living: A 2019 Toronto Arts Council report revealed that 70% of artists are considering leaving the city due to high living costs. "How do you sustain a creative city when your artists can't afford to live here?" Tabassum questions.
• Toronto’s Unique Story: Both guests suggest creating a Chief Creative or Culture Officer to craft and tell Toronto's unique story. Faisal provocatively suggests, "Don't give a fuck about Tim Hortons and hockey... be more than a Bennetton commercial mixed with a Tim Hortons one."
• A Call to Action: As the episode concludes, Faisal and Tabassum urge Torontonians to recognize that their story is far from finished. "Come up here and finish the story," Faisal invites.
• "Venues have closed right across the city in a really, really major way in the last sort of 10 to 15 years." - Tabassum Siddiqui
• "We crave coming together and there's nothing like live music in the sense of having all those people in a room." - Tabassum Siddiqui
• "I think the Gerard Street example where you have developers working in conjunction with... a public and private model... gives the best chance for a lot of these companies to grow." - Faisal Siddiqui
• "Toronto Arts Council and Foundation in 2019 put out a research report... 70% of the several thousand artists that they surveyed said they were considering leaving Toronto in the coming years. And why was that? Simply cost of living." - Tabassum Siddiqui
• "This is the place where who you were has no bearing on who you can be. That's ambitious, future-facing, and exciting." - Faisal Siddiqui
• "Why do people come to live in Toronto? For food and culture, not to live in a glass condo." - Faisal Siddiqui
• "We've come so far from 'Toronto the Good'... we're absolutely not that anymore." - Tabassum Siddiqui
• "Don't give a fuck about Tim Hortons and hockey... be more than a Bennetton commercial mixed with a Tim Hortons one." - Faisal Siddiqui
• "Come up here and finish the story." - Faisal Siddiqui
• "Toronto has to act now or the chance will be gone." - Faisal Siddiqui

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Ramy Nassar, a leading expert in foresight and urban innovation, to discuss his vision for Toronto as a Challenger City. Drawing inspiration from his favourite movie Back to the Future, Ramy shares his thoughts on why foresight is essential for shaping the future we want rather than having it imposed on us. From tackling AI fatigue to addressing the city’s affordability and transit issues, Ramy offers a comprehensive blueprint for making Toronto a more liveable and innovative city.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Ramy Nassar:
   • Ramy’s inspiration from Back to the Future.
   • The importance of foresight in shaping the future.
2. AI Fatigue and Emerging Technologies:
   • Ramy’s decade-long experience with AI.
   • His current focus on quantum computing and other emerging technologies.
3. The Essence of Challenger Cities:
   • What it means to be a Challenger City.
   • The need for Toronto to think and act differently.
4. Affordability Issues in Toronto:
   • Comparison of housing costs in Toronto versus international cities.
   • The broader problem of affordability in Canadian cities.
5. Challenges with Toronto’s Transit System:
   • Ramy’s critique of the TTC and GO train.
   • Lessons from Copenhagen’s cycling culture.
6. The Problem with Emulating Other Cities:
   • Why Toronto shouldn’t try to be “Silicon Valley North.”
   • The pitfalls of copying concepts like “Toronto vs. Everybody.”
7. Limitations of AI in Solving Urban Problems:
   • AI’s role in optimization but not in addressing fundamental issues.
   • The need to focus on solving the right problems.
8. Economic Trade-offs and Decision Making:
   • The importance of understanding and making trade-offs.
   • The role of foresight in preparing for future challenges.
9. Ramy’s Magic Wand Wish for Toronto:
   • Revisiting the Sidewalk Labs project with a citizen-first approach.
   • The potential for bold and transformative urban development.

Quotes:

• "I’ve always wished I could go to the future, and that’s what inspires my work in foresight."
• "The essence of a Challenger City is to do things differently, not just follow the trend."
• "Affordability is a massive problem here in Toronto, and it’s not going in the right direction compared to international cities."
• "The highest compliment I can pay our transit system is that it mostly works. It’s not pleasant, fast, or reliable."
• "AI can optimize certain challenges, but it won’t solve the fundamental problems. We need to focus on solving the right problems."
• "We all have to make trade-offs. Understanding these trade-offs is crucial for making better decisions."
• "Foresight is about identifying weak signals and trends that point to a different future and preparing for that world."
• "If I had a magic wand, I’d go back in time and get the Sidewalk Labs project right by focusing on citizen needs first."

In this episode of Challenger City TO, host Iain Montgomery sits down with Alex Tribe to discuss Toronto's transformation from a vibrant entertainment hub to a growing global city. They explore the city's evolving challenges, including housing affordability, risk aversion, and cultural mediocrity. Alex shares his unique insights from his journey as a DJ turned entrepreneur and small business consultant, highlighting the need for clear vision and ambitious leadership to navigate Toronto's growing pains and unlock its full potential.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Alex's Background:
  • Transition from DJ to entrepreneur.
  • The value of experimentation and taking risks in career and business.
• Evolution of Toronto’s Entertainment District:
  • Changes from a nightlife hotspot to a more residential area.
  • Impact of these changes on the city's cultural landscape.
• Toronto’s Growing Pains:
  • The city’s transition into a global city and the associated discomfort.
  • Challenges of applying old solutions to new problems.
• Cultural Mindset:
  • Tendency to choose mediocrity and avoid bold decisions.
  • Impact on the city's development and problem-solving.
• Affordability and Risk-Taking:
  • Economic realities forcing creative and entrepreneurial talent out of the city.
  • The alarming trend of people leaving Toronto for more affordable areas.
• Perception and Real Change:
  • The overwhelming focus on housing affordability overshadowing other critical issues.
  • Importance of perception and culture in driving real change.
• Clear Vision and Leadership:
  • The need for ambitious leadership with a clear vision for the city's future.
  • How solving housing and transit issues could unlock Toronto's potential.

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm a firm believer that just doing stuff for the sake of it and seeing where that takes you is one of the biggest launching pads for the best opportunities."
• "Toronto is kind of becoming a grown-up city... with a bunch of people who I think are reluctant to the idea or fail to recognize that we're becoming a global city."
• "We seem to just choose the middle of the road... it creates a culture of kind of, I guess, good enough or tolerate mediocrity."
• "Places that are less expensive are where experiments can be made because the risk of failure is lower."
• "Nine and a half out of ten conversations I have with people my age somehow get brought back to housing. I'm sick of talking about housing. I want to talk about way more interesting things than housing."
• "If we solve housing affordability and transit, it allows us to change the conversation to something higher leverage."

Episode Description

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Manes, a strategic change agent with over 20 years of experience in retail and consumer brand innovation. Laura shares her insights on how Toronto can reclaim its status as a Challenger City. We discuss the importance of human-centric design, the need to focus on often overlooked stakeholders, and how vibrant local neighborhoods can foster community engagement. Laura also highlights successful urban planning examples from other cities and offers her vision for a more dynamic and inclusive Toronto.

Key Topics:

• Toronto’s Transition: How the city lost its way with the overdevelopment of sterile condo towers.
• Human-Centric Design: The importance of focusing on children, families, and lower-income residents to create vibrant urban spaces.
• School Streetscapes: Benefits for the whole neighborhood and the challenge of convincing parents.
• Vibrant Neighborhoods: The contrast between Toronto’s older neighborhoods and new developments.
• Retail and Condo Development Disconnect: How retail becomes a no man’s land in condo developments.
• Success Stories: Assembly Square on the Mystic River as a model for urban planning.
• Pedestrian Streets: The benefits of pedestrianizing streets like King Street.
• Reviving Yonge Street: Reopening store entrances to create a more inviting streetscape.
• Improving Suburban Connectivity: The need for efficient park-and-ride systems.

Quotes:

• “Toronto used to be a great Challenger City, but we've lost our way through the overdevelopment of sterile condo towers.”
• “A good human-centric city focuses on the least loud stakeholders—children, families, and lower-income people. If you build for them, the rest takes care of itself.”
• “Our skyline is becoming monotonous. We need to push beyond condo-centric development and foster a more diverse, engaging urban fabric.”
• “Imagine if King Street was pedestrianized. In Europe, trams and pedestrians coexist. Designing like this enables great retail, patios, and cafes.”

Actionable Takeaways:

• Design retail spaces that invite curiosity and community engagement.
• Enhance downtown transit options to reduce car dependency.
• Allow commercial units on residential corners to foster local engagement.

Summary

In this conversation, Iain interviews Jasmine about the concept of Challenger City and how cities can embrace this mindset to drive innovation and growth. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities for cities in Canada, particularly smaller and mid-sized cities. They also explore the current state of Toronto and the need for the city to redefine itself and create a more vibrant and accessible downtown. Jasmine suggests the idea of a Challenger City accelerator to bring together stakeholders and drive action towards a shared vision. They also discuss the importance of creating diverse and inclusive spaces in cities to foster innovation and a sense of belonging.

Takeaways

• Challenger City is a mindset that involves embracing innovation and taking bold actions to redefine a city's identity and drive growth.
• Smaller and mid-sized cities in Canada are experiencing growing pains and are ripe for transformation and reimagining.
• Cities need to focus on creating vibrant and accessible downtown areas that offer unique experiences and cater to diverse demographics.
• A Challenger City accelerator could bring together stakeholders from various sectors to build capacity, define a shared vision, and drive action towards city-defining projects.
• Creating diverse and inclusive spaces in cities is crucial for fostering innovation, a sense of belonging, and a vibrant urban environment.

Sound Bites

• "A challenger city is a city that knows itself, that doubles down, that thinks about its critical stats in a new way, that's going to be bold around its story."
• "A challenger city is one that says, this is what we stand for. These are our strengths. These are the things we are not. And we're going to be really bold and ambitious around city-defining projects."
• "You can't manage a city by a spreadsheet because a city is a living thing."