The Planning Program at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce the next series of workshops in its new professional development program, 'Leading Change in Cities: Skills for Planners'. The program is geared to practicing planners seeking to upgrade or develop skills in specialized fields of planning, while also developing the skills in leadership and management necessary to make change happen.

In this inaugural year, the University of Toronto Planning Program in partnership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute is offering courses around the theme of 'healthy community, sustainable community', in keeping with OPPI's current policy initiative.

The next series of workshops are as follows:

Friday, March 20, 2009 - Cross-Cultural Planning (Norma Jean McLaren & Nathan Edelson)

Monday, April 27 & Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - Urban Design and Planning for Green Development (Chris Hardwicke, Paul Hess, Matt Humphries and Regan Smith

May, 2009 - Modeling Impacts of Climate Change on Cities (Neil Comer, Adam Fenech and William Gough)

We are now accepting registrations. Please click here for more information about the workshops. Also note the early bird registration dates and rates for additional savings.

Cross Cultural Planning

Friday, March 20, 2009

(Register by March 13, 2009. Note: Standard daily rate is $350. Student rate and rate for non-profit and community organizations is $175.00)

In the context of globalization, four socio-cultural forces are re-shaping cities: international migration, an unresolved post-colonial condition, the resurgence of indigenous peoples, and new ideas about civil society as a locus for planning action. Together these forces produce cities of difference. We may not consciously set out to be cross-cultural planners, community leaders, developers, but we all find ourselves inevitably working in cross-cultural situations.

This kind of work requires an understanding not only of the visible landscapes of the multicultural city but also of our own less visible inner landscapes.

This one day workshop will provide a re-think/re-frame for individuals already involved in community building - from the public, private and community sectors.

The intention is to expand our understanding of our successes and failures in creating inclusive communities, and in involving communities of difference in

our plans and processes.

Urban Design and Planning for Green Development

Tuesday, April 28 & Wednesday, April 29, 2009

(Register by April 17, 2009. Note: Standard daily rate is $350 and Early Bird Rate of $300 is effective until March 27, 2009.)

The workshop will provide participants with a broad overview of sustainability issues as they related to planning and development. It will then focus on the current state of the industry in terms of existing certifications and programs developed to help create and celebrate sustainable urban planning. The second day will focus on practical information to consider in developing a sustainability plan, first with a discussion of lessons learned from the various

presenters and then with an overview of necessary (next) steps for successful implementation.

Modeling Impacts of Climate change on Cities

May, 2009

(Information will be available soon.)

For more information on the Professional Development Program and courses, please email or phone 416-946-0269 or visit the website.