0:14 Introduction by Richard Sommer
18:15 Vishaan Chakrabarti presentation
48:25 Robert Bruegmann presentation
1:10:45 Moderated discussion
On October 17, 2013, featured speakers Vishaan Chakrabarti and Robert Bruegmann presented alternate perspectives on where the sustainable future may lie for North American cities. Part of the Daniels Faculty’s Fora series, “Sustainability and its Discontents” examined the deep-seated conflicts and assumptions that underlie the discourses and policies surrounding sustainable urbanism.
Richard Sommer, Dean, and Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design moderated the discussion, which proved to be both provocative, and timely.
Vishaan Chakrabarti is the author of the book A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for Urban America, which argues that dense, urban environments are key to overcoming challenges of environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption, economic stagnation, and decreased social mobility.
Chakrabarti is the Marc Holliday Associate Professor of Real Estate Development and the Director of CURE, the Center for Urban Real Estate, at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. An experienced architect, planner, and developer, Chakrabarti has transformed the Masters of Science in Real Estate Development into a curriculum dedicated to smart growth policies locally, nationally, and globally. Professor Chakrabarti is also a Partner at SHoP Architects where he advances large-scale projects worldwide. From 2002 to 2005, he served as the Director of the Manhattan Office for the New York Department of City Planning and was Executive Vice President at Related Companies.
Robert Bruegmann is the author of the best-selling book Sprawl: A Compact History, which challenges the prevailing negative conceptions surrounding suburban growth. He argues that in planning the future of our cities, we must embrace the broad spectrum of suburban geographies that continue to be the mainstay of development today.
Bruegmann is a historian, critic and oft-cited commentator of the built environment. He received his PhD in art history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and since 1979 has been at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he is currently Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art History, Architecture and Urban Planning. His main areas of research are in the history of architecture, urban planning, landscape and historic preservation. Other books by Bruegmann include The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago 1880-1918, and The Architecture of Harry Weese.
ABOUT THE DANIELS FORA
The Daniels Fora present vigorous, engaging, and accessible discussions of interest not only to students, alumni, and professionals, but also the broader public. The goal of these public events is to bring together different perspectives in order to raise the level of debate, build relationships, and stimulate discussion among academics, institutions, and the general public.
Stage furnishings provided by Herman Miller.
For more information about the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, visit us at http://www.daniels.utoronto.ca
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