In this talk, IMFG Post-Doctoral Fellow Abigail Friendly compares the use of LVC in two cities – São Paulo and Toronto – with a focus on acquiring local benefits and services such as park improvements, childcare and recreational facilities, and social housing.

Karel Martens discusses the consequences of “the accessibility turn” - arguing, first, that the assessment of accessibility is not merely an option, but a moral obligation for transportation authorities, and second, that the focus on accessibility inevitably requires these authorities to explicitly address questions of fairness.

Participatory budgeting, a model derived from the Brazilian experience, gives the public the right to propose, deliberate, and vote on a part of the city budget. Does participatory budgeting actually improve democracy, transparency, and accountability, or is it simply another consultation tool in disguise?

In several U.S states, bond approvals are put to a public referendum. This presentation looks at one such case in San Antonio, Texas. What can we learn about the politics of debt and municipal finance tools in North American cities today?

Former Toronto City Manager Joe Pennachetti is joined in conversation with Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio 99.1 FM’s Metro Morning. Mr. Pennachetti reflects on his career in the public service and shares his thoughts on the challenges of policymaking for cities.

This presentation looks at how demographic and industrial shifts in recent decades have impacted equity in municipal service delivery across the Metro Detroit region. Could fiscal equalization narrow the gap between Detroit and its outer suburbs? More broadly, can regional governance help restart the Motown engine?

Cost overruns and schedule delays have plagued major infrastructure projects for decades. Every year, unexpected overruns cost governments tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. This event, convened by IMFG and today’s leading infrastructure thinkers and practitioners, explores how to overcome cost overruns on public infrastructure projects.

Cities around the world are increasingly being recognized as engines of national growth, productivity, and resilience. In Australia and the UK, national policies for cities have been at the heart of federal debate and decision-making in recent years. Are there lessons for Canada?

In Toronto, tax increment financing has been proposed as a tool for funding the city’s Smart Track initiative. But would it actually work in practice? Dr. Murtaza Haider reviews land value capture projects in the United States and Canada, and shares original findings from an upcoming study on Toronto’s Sheppard East subway extension and its impact on surrounding property values.

While Brazilian cities are popularly characterized by their inequality, Brazil is also known for its progressive national urban policies. This talk explores the contrast between these progressive ideals and how they play out in practice. On the ground, how do power relations and the organization of civil society influence participatory and socially-just planning?