If you’ve ever wondered why finding an affordable place to live feels like searching for a needle in a haystack, and wondered what we can do about it, then this episode is for you!

We’re thrilled to have Mark Richardson the Senior Technical Leader of Housing Now Toronto and Chief Technology Officer at Rich Analytics. We spoke with him back in June 2024 to get insights on how data and technology are helping to address Toronto’s housing crisis. From innovative solutions to tracking progress, Mark will shed light on how Housing Now is paving the way for a more affordable future and how Toronto can hit its ambitious targets.

Learn More:

To find out more about the guests, this series, and access show notes visit: www.untitledplanning.com

Credits:
Production: Untitled Planning

Recording Date: June 2024

In this episode, we sit down with Mehedi Khan, a planner and one of the visionaries behind Muslims in Public Space (MiPS). We dive into the role of identity in urban design, the importance of community involvement in placemaking, and how MiPS is using art and public spaces to challenge Islamophobia. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on creating more inclusive cities.

Time Stamps:

0:00 Video Summary

1:00 What Is MIPS

3:00 Partnerships & Challenges

12:00 Challenges

16:00 Islamophobia and Space

35:00 Advice for Aspiring Civic Leaders

47:00 Final Remarks

48:00 Outro

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This episode is brought to you by Untitled Planning

To find out more about the guests, this series, and access show notes visit: www.untitledplanning.com

With a diverse background spanning architecture, neuroscience, and psychology, Dela shares insights into her unique journey and the inspirations behind her work, and valuable insights and advice to urban planners, architects, and urbanists on creating mentally and emotionally supportive spaces for diverse communities within cities. Key themes of this episode include: - The rise of urban isolation and the epidemic of loneliness - The importance of considering immigrants' experiences in urban environments - The neurocognitive aspects of creativity and mental wellness and their impact on the design of our cities Guest Bio: Delaram Farzanfar, a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology at the University of Toronto, brings a multifaceted background to her research. Focused on the neurocognitive elements of human creativity and its relation to well-being, she also serves as a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, dedicated to improving mental health accessibility. With expertise spanning architecture and neuroscience, Delaram contributes a distinctive viewpoint as a junior fellow at Massey College and a graduate fellow at the School of Cities, University of Toronto. Untitled Planning Information: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/untitledplanning Instagram: / untitledplanning Youtube: / @untitledplanning Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro to Untitled Planning 2:00 Dela Introduces Herself 6:50 Neurocognitive Impact on Creativity 9:00 Cognitive Impact examples 12:00 Literature on Urban Counter and the Impact on the Brain 23:00 Impact of the Daily Commute 33:00 Place Attachment and Immigrants 36:00 Universal Urban Canvas 42:00 The New Function of Architecture 46:30 Rise of Urban Isolation 52:00 Heritage Buildings Overrated 55:00 Immigrants Experience in the Suburbs 56:00 Takeaway for Urbanists 58:30 Wrap Up