Catalyzing Progress: Strategies for Economic Revitalization - Placemaking Summit 2023

Keynote Panel: Catalyzing Progress: Strategies for Economic Revitalization | Placemaking Summit, October 3, 2023 | Vancouver BC

Mike Klassen (Councillor, City of Vancouver)
Peter Meiszner (Councillor, City of Vancouver)
Sarah Kirby-Yung Councillor, City of Vancouver)
Bridgitte Anderson (President and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade)
Larry Beasley (Founding Principal, Beasley and Associates, Planning Inc. Author of Vancouverism)
Moderator - Jennifer Podmore Russell (Senior Leader, Rennie)
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The Placemaking Summit was more than just a meeting of minds - it was a decisive step towards shaping placemaking policies together that set the stage for hubs of innovation in the region. It was a space for dialogue and discovery with the BC community. And it was a special gathering of local & global thought-leaders and pioneers in real estate development, city planning, government, economic development, and our innovation ecosystem.

At the Summit, we hosted engaging and dynamic panels, round-tables, and community discussions on the emerging innovation economy of our city and region and the role placemaking takes in this.

We set the stage to examine if third spaces are essential for today's cities, how innovation hubs could revolutionize urban landscapes, and if we need them in our own backyard. The Placemaking Summit delved deep into the opportunities for innovation districts and industrial agglomeration spaces and how to make that happen through collaboration, policy, and investment into long-term planning. Attendees learned from the best practices gathered from the world-renowned tech hubs like Newlab in New York and Detroit, Station F in Paris, and ION in Houston, as well as Canadian leaders from Dan Breznitz to Larry Beasley.

Together, we positioned Vancouver as a global contender in innovation with the goals to accelerate the responsible development and adoption of frontier technologies, creating high-paying quality jobs, an equitable and prosperous economy, and a sustainable community for British Columbians.

Thank you for joining us as we converted aspirations into reality.