How can mid-sized cities learn from the sustainability challenges of global megacities?

JOHN CRACEWHW Architects

JOYCE F. CARTERHalifax International
Airport Authority

ANDY FILLMOREHalifax Regional Municipality

J. COLIN DODDSSaint Mary's University

GUENTHER SCHOLZSiemens Canada

ALAN RICHARDSONNova Scotia Power Inc.

ROBERT HARDTSiemens Canada

STEPHEN LUNDNova Scotia Business Inc.

ROBERT P. YOUDENJacques Whitford

The year 2007 marked the first time in history that more people worldwide have lived in cities than in the countryside.

Mega-cities, those with populations of more than 10 million, have great challenges facing them and thus have great impetus to implement solutions, preferably sustainable ones. But can mid-sized cities, as most Canadian centres would be classified, make similar changes? There is evidence elsewhere to suggest they can. Leicester, England, is committed to halving municipal building energy use, while the city of Copenhagen has mandated that all new buildings must use district heating. The nine participants at the third Thought Leadership Round Table convened in Halifax on Oct. 7 to search for mechanisms and insights into how Canada’s mid-sized cities can achieve such aims. Their findings were often surprising and provocative.

READ +WATCH + DISCUSS

This Thought Leadership Round Table, hosted by Canadian Business in partnership with Siemens Canada, is a part of a series of round tables to discuss how Canadian corporate leaders see this nation’s role in the evolution of global sustainable development. This series is a platform for leaders from business, government, education and journalism to share strategies, insights and experiences, and is intended to spark debate on how to foster and enhance Canadian competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.