James Macdonald-Nelson is a landscape architect turned Cities Programme Lead at DemocracyNext, an international nonprofit nonpartisan research and action institute, and a global platform for democratic innovation. In this conversation, James provides examples from around the world to demonstrate how Citizens' Assemblies can strengthen democratic infrastructure. We walk through James' educational and career pathway that led to his current focus on increasing citizen participation in the decision making around transforming and managing the built environment.

Show Links

Democracy Next, https://www.demnext.org/

Six ways to democratise city planning - Enabling thriving and healthy cities https://www.demnext.org/projects/cities

James Macdonald-Nelson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-macdonald-nelson-745a1b6a

So I Decided can be found online at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/soidecidedpodcast/

So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.

Mouna Andraos is a co-founder of Daily Tous Les Jours, a Tiohtia:ke/Montréal-based art and design studio. In this episode, Mouna talks about her own professional journey, the coincidental story of founding DTLJ with Melissa Mongiat, and their work together for over thirteen years - focusing on public participation, connection, and staying true to their goal of using technology as a vehicle of social change.

Show Links

Daily Tous Les Jours Website

DTLJ's Loop Loop Dans

DTLJ Musical Swings & Daydreamer at the North Carolina Museum of Art

DTLJ's Musical Swings at the Buchheim Museum

Musical Swings on SuperSoul Sunday by the Oprah Winfrey Network

DTLJ on Instagram

DTLJ on Linkedin

So I Decided can be found online at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/soidecidedpodcast/

So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.

Desirée Theriault is a Partner and Senior Landscape Designer with Narratives Inc. In this episode, Elspeth talks to Desirée about her journey into landscape design, as well as her views on design as a tool to bring dignity and voice to both land and people.

Show Links

Narratives Inc.

Desiree's thesis work: Red river women: A memorial for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S) alongside Winnipeg's Red River

CBC feature on Desiree's work, "Winnipeg's Alexander Docks reimagined as living MMIWG2S memorial by Métis landscape designer" by Ozten Shebahkeget

Narratives Inc on Instagram

Desiree on Linkedin

So I Decided can be found at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.

Jay Wall is a Principal Creative Director at Briteweb. In this episode, Elspeth talks to Jay about his pathway into the intersection of design and social change, including how he uses graphic design to help create more inclusive cities and public spaces.

Show Links:

Briteweb

Spacing Magazine http://spacing.ca/

Raconteurs - Jay Wall: How the Police Turned Me Into an Activist (video of Jay’s G20 story)

Urban Repair Squad http://urbanrepairs.blogspot.com/

RallyRally

East Scarborough Storefront Courts

Monumental

Jay Pitter http://www.jaypitter.com/

Next City Vanguard Conference

Agency Landscape + Planning

Our Plan Toronto

Dazzling Notice Awards http://www.dazzleawards.ca/

TEDx - Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy

IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards

Next City - Jay Wall: How Graphic Design Can Help Advance Social Equity in Cities

Instagram: Briteweb

Linkedin: Jay Wall, RGD

So I Decided can be found at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram @soidecidedpodcast

So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.

Elspeth speaks with landscape architect René Fan on the intentional and unintentional decisions that led her through historic preservation, landscape design, and now working at an environmental and social enterprise.

Show Links:

"Depave Paradise" article by Emily Amon and René Fan in the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA): https://www.oala.ca/ground-60-depave-paradise

City of Toronto GreenForce TO Pilot Project: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/green-streets/green-streets-maintenance/

Toronto Green Community, which includes information and links to RainscapeTO and Lost Rivers: https://www.torontogreen.ca/

So I Decided can be found at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram @soidecidedpodcast

So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.

In this first episode of So I Decided: Elspeth introduces the show, herself, and what's to come.

So I Decided can be found at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram @soidecidedpodcast

So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.