Keynote Session – Nov 12th

What are Healthy Cities?
12:00pm – 1:00pm

About the Session

This opening session will provide an overarching perspective on the principles that define a healthy city. It will explore how the concept has evolved since its introduction, offering a clear definition of what it means for a city to be “healthy” in today’s context. The discussion will highlight where we currently stand, examining progress, ongoing challenges, and emerging opportunities for municipalities across Canada. This foundation will set the stage for deeper conversations throughout the conference on how cities can continue to advance health, equity, and sustainability.

Keynote Speaker

Gil Penalosa is passionate about cities for all people. He advises decision makers and communities worldwide on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities for all, regardless of age, gender, ability and social, economic, or ethnic background. His focus is on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as the promotion of sustainable mobility: walking, riding bicycles, using public transit, and new use of cars.

Because of Gil’s unique blend of experience, pragmatism, and passion, many cities and organizations worldwide seek his leadership and valuable advice. He has worked in over 350 cities in all continents.

In 2022 Gil ran for mayor of Toronto. In 100 days, he got 100,000 votes, and changed much of the conversation, which was his objective. He came in second of 31 candidates. His focus was on how to create an affordable, equitable, and sustainable city, a Toronto for Everyone.

Gil is the Founder and Chair of the successful Canadian non-profit organization 8 80 Cities. In addition, Gil is founder of Cities for Everyone and leads a private consulting firm, Gil Penalosa & Associates, providing services as an inspirational keynote speaker, instructor of master classes, leading workshops, and advising decision makers and communities.

Currently Gil is an academic chair at the Norman Foster Institute for Sustainable Cities, as well as Expert Advisor to the International Society for Urban Health, and to the Danish based world initiative, Cities for Better Health. He hosts his bi-weekly webinar series with over 30 countries connected. For years he was advisor to the Vision Zero Network, Gehl Architects, and Project for Public Spaces, amongst many organizations.

Throughout his career, Gil has been a strong advocate for improving city parks, making his first mark in Bogotá, Colombia, where he led the design and construction of over 200 parks – including Simon Bolivar, a 113-hectare park in the heart of the city. His team also radically transformed the Ciclovia / Open Streets – from a program of few kilometers to one that sees over a million people walk, run, skate and bike along 121 kilometers of Bogotá’s city roads every Sunday of the year, and today is internationally recognized and emulated.

Gil was elected twice as chair of World Urban Parks and was its first ambassador. He holds an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, where he was selected as one of the “100 Most Inspirational Alumni” in the school’s history. Gil received a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Faculty of Urban Planning at the prominent Swedish university, SLU. He received in Australia the World Urban Parks Annual Distinguished Individual Award. In 2023 Gil was selected by Identity Review in the 15 Thought Leaders in Sustainable City Development and voted to Planetizen’s Top 100 Most Influential Contemporary Urbanists, at #13