The Third Annual Healthy Cities Conference

Monday June 24th, 2024

Session Three

Redefining Home: Exploring Affordable and Sustainable Housing in the Circular Economy
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Is the concept of affordable and sustainable housing merely an oxymoron, or does it present opportunities for innovative approaches? In this session we’ll delve into this question, examining how circular economy principles can revolutionize the way we design, construct, and maintain housing. Join us as we confront the pressing challenge of providing affordable and sustainable housing for all, while uncovering the potential for innovation and trade opportunities within the domestic and global circular economy. In an age where housing affordability and environmental sustainability are increasingly intertwined, this session aims to spark dialogue and action towards transformative solutions.

Redefining Home: Exploring Affordable and Sustainable Housing in the Circular Economy

2:00pm – 3:00pm

Is the concept of affordable and sustainable housing merely an oxymoron, or does it present opportunities for innovative approaches? In this session we’ll delve into this question, examining how circular economy principles can revolutionize the way we design, construct, and maintain housing. Join us as we confront the pressing challenge of providing affordable and sustainable housing for all, while uncovering the potential for innovation and trade opportunities within the domestic and global circular economy. In an age where housing affordability and environmental sustainability are increasingly intertwined, this session aims to spark dialogue and action towards transformative solutions.

Speaker

Coming Soon!

Panellists

David Messer

Director, Climate Smart Buildings Alliance

David Messer is the Director of the Climate Smart Buildings Alliance, a joint initiative of EllisDon, RBC, Mattamy Homes and Atkins Réalis aimed at leading and accelerating the transition to a net zero buildings sector. Through CSBA (pronounced Caz-Bah) David is leading projects aimed at increasing and removing barriers for the use of lower carbon building materials, as well as projects to increase building standards and the pace of building retrofits. David was previously the Executive Director of the Guelph-Wellington Smart Cities Office where he led two initiatives aimed at accelerating the circular economy, Our Food Future, an Infrastructure Canada funded smart cities project, and COIL (Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad), a circular business accelerator that worked with over 160 organizations to scale circular solutions in the food, environment and construction/demolition sectors. David has a long history of working on technology, policy and systems change as part of the Governments of Ontario and Alberta, within industry associations and as a consultant in the private sector.