Across the planet, cities are turning toward sensors and algorithmic technologies to mitigate and curtail social and environmental risk, to produce efficiencies, security, and economic potential in everyday life. In 2018, the City of Vancouver will join the Canada Smart Cities Challenge, a competition for $50 million to use "data and connected technology" to produce "meaningful outcomes for residents." In this Larry Bell Urban Forum on March 1, Vancouverites will have an opportunity to discuss this competition and general calls for urban innovation. The forum will be composed of a panel of distinguished guests, including those with direct experience in implementing urban technology solutions as well as urban scholars and commentators.
Matthew W. Wilson, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Kentucky; Visiting Scholar, Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University; Distinguished Larry Bell Visiting Scholar, University of British Columbia. Author, New Lines: Critical GIS and the Trouble of the Map.
Jessie Adcock, Chief Technology Officer, City of Vancouver; formerly Global Digital Program Manager, Senior Manager for Global Portfolio Management, Digital Channel Systems, and Senior Manager for Marketing and Digital Integration and Commercialization, HSBC Group.
Sean Simpson, Information Technology Director, City of Surrey; formerly GIS Instructor for the British Columbia Institute of Technology and GIS Manager, City of Surrey.
Jessie Adcock, Chief Technology Officer, City of Vancouver; formerly Global Digital Program Manager, Senior Manager for Global Portfolio Management, Digital Channel Systems, and Senior Manager for Marketing and Digital Integration and Commercialization, HSBC Group.
Colleen Hardwick, Film Producer, CEO of PlaceSpeak (www.placespeak.com), the first location-based community consultation platform; Doctoral Candidate in Geography, University of British Columbia.
Gillian Rose, Professor of Human Geography, University of Oxford; Fellow of the British Academy. Author, "Posthuman Agency in the Digitally Mediated City: Exteriorization, Individuation, Reinvention," Principal Investigator, "Smart Cities in the Making: Learning from Milton Keynes."
Sean Simpson, Information Technology Director, City of Surrey; formerly GIS Instructor for the British Columbia Institute of Technology and GIS Manager, City of Surrey.
Elvin Wyly, Professor of Geography and Chair of Urban Studies Coordinating Committee, University of British Columbia.
Andy Yan, Director, City Program, Simon Fraser University; recipient of 2017 Planning Institute of British Columbia Award, Leadership in Advocacy and Innovation. Program chair, SFU Professional Certificate in Community Data Science.
Vancouver, BC, March 2018