Brock University is hosting a one-day conference, entitled “Public Space/Urban Crisis,” that will bring together architects, artists, urban specialists, city managers and others to address issues of revitalization in post-industrial cities.

* What: “Public Space/Urban Crisis” one-day public conference
* When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Where: Rodman Hall Art Centre, 109 St Paul Crescent, St Catharines, Ont.

This public event is open to everyone and will feature panel presentations under three main themes: urban space and architecture; food deserts, urban gardening movement and farmers’ markets; and the management of cities.

Conference highlights include:

* Jan Campbell Luxton, owner of De La Terre organic bakery in Vineland will reflect on the discrepancies between food policy at a local, provincial and national level, and the aspirations of many small businesses and food security advocates. (10:45 a.m., Panel: “Food Deserts, Urban Gardening Movement and Farmers’ Markets”)

* Michael Fenn, Former Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Ontario) and CAO for Burlington and Hamilton-Wentworth and founding CEO of Metrolinx, will present a talk that looks at Smart Growth initiatives in Ontario and asks the question, “Have our solutions achieved Smart Growth’s objectives?” (1:30 p.m., Panel: “Management of Cities”)

* Jane Marchessault, Canada Research Chair in Art, Digital Media and Globalization, York University, will deliver one of the conferences’ two afternoon keynote addresses. Her talk will focus on the role of public art in creating new kinds of critical learning and social activism. (3:15 p.m., Panel: “Afternoon Keynotes”)

This conference is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Brock University’s Council for Research in the Social Sciences (CRISS).

To view the conference poster, click here.

For more info: Leah Bradshaw, professor, Political Science, Brock University, 905-688-5550 x4282; lbradshaw@brocku.ca