Scientific Program

The distinctive conference program will build on work of past Ecocity World Summits while adding new conference themes, participatory methods, and projects that will last beyond the life of the conference. Detailed conference content and design will be developed in collaboration with local and international partners, making sure that the particular urban ecological expertise of Montréal is highlighted.

Interconnecting Themes and Subjects:

Climate Change and Urban Planning

The challenges of urban sprawl, mass transit, waste reduction and treatment, as well as building standards, materials and design will be prominent on the agenda. This theme will be of particular interest to those who provide technologies which reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cities. 70% of GHG’s are generated in cities, home to more than 50% of the world’s population.

Urban Ecomobility, and the Design and Installation of Public Spaces, Streets, and Green Neighborhoods

This theme could be described by the statement, “Build cities for the people who live in them, in harmony with nature.” The term “ecomobility” is progressively replacing that of “transportation,” which is too closely associated with motor traffic. In addition to its environmental effects, urban development has a major impact on the health and life quality of city-dwellers. Should we re-think long-term urban planning while proposing significant short-term actions? What positive initiatives do we have to draw upon?

Governance and Democracy in the Ecocity

Transforming our cities into ecocities implies a new vision of not only these entities but the way they are governed. On the one hand, it will be necessary to re-think municipal government responsibilities to bring them into line with an integrated vision of sustainable development. On the other hand, citizens must be oriented to new and more significant forms of participation in urban planning and management. What are the political and administrative conditions required to effect these changes? What experiences do we have for guidance?

The Economics of the Ecocity

Here we tackle the fundamental question of compatibility between economic development and sustainable development. Is it possible to achieve ongoing economic growth while building and maintaining an eco-friendly city? What changes will be required to modes of production and consumption in the ecocity? What are the strategies needed in order to keep the economy, the population and the ecosystem healthy all at once? What is the role of business in this type of ecological evolution?

 

Health and the Built Environment

Documentation on the urban built environment’s impact on people’s health continues to grow. This new field of public health study touches on several subjects: air quality, urban heat islands, pedestrian and cyclist safety, water quality, obesity, heart and lung disease, etc. This subject will give focussed interest to ways and means of urban development which are health-positive (buildings, streets and sidewalks, public spaces, green spaces, etc.).

Program Activities:

  • Large conferences featuring internationally renowned guest speakers;
  • Partnership with CIVICUS, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, which will bring the unregistered participation of numerous governmental and non-governmental players.
  • Workshops which will promote the exchange of best practices, allowing the transfer of expertise from those who have participated in successful projects.
  • The presentation of research projects, which will advance knowledge bases on the definition and conditions of ecocities.
  • Technical Visits (mobile workshops), which will permit tours of selected innovative projects in the Montréal area.
  • An Ecocity Project…from the Grassroots: it is proposed that we should take advantage of the presence of our many international experts by organizing design charrettes on projects with good potential for fruition. The program also includes the possibility of realizing an actual greening project during the Ecocity World Summit 2011.
  • Evening sessions will be open to the public in order to allow host city residents to benefit from the expertise of international guest speakers.