302: Nature Based Solutions & the Resilient City

September 21, 2022

2:45PM - 3:45PM

How can we ensure the growth of Toronto, Canada's largest and fastest-growing city, is climate resilient? What role do landscape architects play in implementing resilience? Climate action requires a collaborative approach for all of us involved in city building, including designers and regulators. The work of landscape architects can inspire other professionals, and requirements for nature-based solutions can stimulate creative design that results in a more resilient city that is more prepared to address a changing climate.

This session will provide an overview of Toronto’s path to becoming a resilient city, including the use of nature-based solutions and the role of innovative, thoughtful landscape architecture. Participants will also gain better understanding of the tools Toronto has used to encourage nature-based solutions, including the Biodiversity, Ravine, and Resilience Strategies, Toronto Green Standard, and Green Roof Bylaw. The session engages with the audience about their views of resilience. The question is: how successful are nature-based design solutions in addressing resilience in an urban environment? Do Toronto’s policies, implementation tools, and actions adequately address resilience in the light of future shocks and stresses, and how do these impact our most vulnerable populations? What should we be doing and what are the gaps and opportunities?
 

Speakers