Frances Foster is a Montreal-based visual artist. Together with local residents, she led a fight for a park in the Marconi-Alexandra neighbourhood in 2013. She was almost evicted in 2022. This interview is dedicated to those who help make those special places in cities. This post is part of my Wild Things newsletter. Subscribe here.ContinueContinue reading “Who makes a city?”
Tag Archives: Planning
What does planning have to do with the FIFA World Cup? / Quelle est la connexion entre la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA et l’urbanisme?
Bilingual post / Publication bilingue What’s the connection between planning and the World Cup? Here are three arguments: 1. Facilitating the role of permits for small business. In Montreal, the city reduced fees and permitting times for terrasses (patios). The measure is in place until 2030. Certainly, this change helped for the public to enjoyContinueContinue reading “What does planning have to do with the FIFA World Cup? / Quelle est la connexion entre la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA et l’urbanisme?”
Why should cities have fruit trees? An interview with Dr. Salim Kattar
Dr. Salim Kattar is a multilingual environmental and agricultural professional with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering and a strong commitment to sustainable development, restoration, and community-based education. His career bridges academia, NGOs, municipalities, and field projects. With more than 18 years as a professor and department head, he has led research as well as contributedContinueContinue reading “Why should cities have fruit trees? An interview with Dr. Salim Kattar”
“Life After Cars” Book Tour Event
I attended a talk with Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear, hosts of the War on Cars podcast about their recently published book Life After Cars. Their book describes examples of cities that have created more space for bikes and people. The event resonated since I advocated for more cycling infrastructure in Toronto in the earlyContinueContinue reading ““Life After Cars” Book Tour Event”
Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl and urban planning
What did Bad Bunny’s performance have to do with urban planning?The street food stand is a ubiquitous sight across Latin America. Do you want warm quinoa on your way to work in Lima? A street vendor has you covered. An empanada outside of a metro station in Medellín? No problem. It’s a part of theContinueContinue reading “Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl and urban planning”
Mentorship for a Toronto Metropolitan University planning studio
A new year, a new opportunity. During the Winter 2026 term, I am a mentor for the “Parks Plus” Advanced Graduate Planning Studio led by Professor Nina-Marie Lister and Jeremy Guth at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning. We are exploring community ownership models for parks. Ombrello Solutions’ Civic Infrastructure Bond (CIB)ContinueContinue reading “Mentorship for a Toronto Metropolitan University planning studio”
A review of 2025, a look forward to 2026
This year has been marked by advancements in my work. I wish you all seasons greetings and that you enjoy holidays with those you love most. Watch out for the launch of my newsletter in 2026. The Civic Infrastructure Bond: Ombrello Solutions $250 million (CDN) issuance of a bond whose proceeds would be used toContinueContinue reading “A review of 2025, a look forward to 2026”
