teachingcityprogressreport

CANADIAN

URBAN INSTITUTE

GREATER TORONTO AREA

2017-2018 Progress Report 1

Table of Contents TeachingCity | 1 Message from the Mayor | 2 Message from the City Manager | 3 Diversity and Inclusion Plan | 4 TeachingCity Hackathon | 5 TeachingCity Hub/Smart Cities Challenge | 6 Additional student engagement opportunities | 7 Upcoming projects | 8

TeachingCity Steering Committee (from left): Scott M. Aquanno, University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Hailey Wright, Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area (Trent University Durham GTA); Amanda Smith, Canadian Urban Institute (CUI); Kyle Benham, City of Oshawa (the City); Julie MacIsaac, the City; Brian Sleep, University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering; Janse Tolmie, Durham College (DC); Ryan Sisson, Trent University Durham GTA; Lindsay Coolidge, University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Alison Burgess, University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Absent from photo: Tracy Adams, the City; Peter Halsall, CUI; and Marianne Marando, DC. I N N O VAT I O N • A P P L I E D R E S E A R C H • CO L L A B O R AT I O N • E X P E R I E N T I A L L E A R N I N G • K N O W L E D G E T R A N S F E R

TeachingCity Launched in June 2017, TeachingCity brings together the City of Oshawa and its education and research partners – the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), Durham College (DC), Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area (Trent University Durham GTA), the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

The partners address Oshawa’s urban issues through innovation, collaboration, applied research and shared experiential learning opportunities with the aim to position Oshawa as a local, national and global community of urban research and learning.

As a TeachingCity, the City and its partners focus on: • developing practical, scalable and sustainable solutions to urban issues; • building research partnerships; • coordinating experiential learning opportunities, applied research and innovative educational activities; • developing new technologies; and, • sharing access to facilities, resources and equipment.

On June 5, 2017, City of Oshawa Mayor John Henry and representatives from the City’s education and research partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally establish Oshawa as a TeachingCity.

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Message from the Mayor On behalf of City Council, as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of TeachingCity, a collaborative initiative designed to develop the City of Oshawa as a ‘living laboratory’ in which to study and address complex urban issues, I am incredibly proud of the projects that are underway and upcoming through our unique partnership.

With a shared goal to position Oshawa as a local, national and global community of urban research and learning by engaging our collective expertise, significant progress has been made on TeachingCity since its inception in June 2017. This includes a focus on the City’s evolving demographics via our first Diversity and Inclusion Plan, developed in conjunction with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and approved by City Council in late 2017; improving the City’s water quality through a two-year research study focused on Oshawa’s stormwater ponds; and natural asset identification through a partnership with the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative that will help to identify, value and account for natural assets in the City’s financial planning and asset management programs.

In addition, the first-ever TeachingCity Hackathon was held in March with students from Durham College, Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology preparing and presenting solutions for improving residential rental housing in Oshawa.

This is only the beginning of an incredible journey that demonstrates what can happen when municipal, academic and research organizations come together to pool their talents and knowledge as we work together to pursue new and exciting ways to position Oshawa at the forefront of urban innovation.

Sincerely,

John Henry Mayor, City of Oshawa Mayor of Oshawa

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Message from the City Manager On behalf of the City of Oshawa, I am pleased to present the first-ever TeachingCity Progress Report, highlighting the many accomplishments achieved since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize TeachingCity – a unique initiative designed to address complex urban issues and benefit the local community – was signed in June 2017. Framed by TeachingCity’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, applied research and shared learning opportunities, the following report provides details about the many TeachingCity projects currently underway in Oshawa as well as an overview of new initiatives being launched over the coming months.

This includes the opening of the TeachingCity Hub in May 2018, an openconcept space in Oshawa’s downtown core dedicated to facilitating projects via partnership meetings, collaborative learning opportunities and co-design.

As part of a commitment to exchange knowledge and expertise among each of the TeachingCity partners, the hub provides the physical space needed to pursue new and creative ways to develop and implement solutions to current urban problems. In addition, the City’s Smart Cities Challenge bid, submitted in April 2018, seamlessly aligns with TeachingCity. Focused on empowering residents in low-income neighbourhoods by improving access to digital technology, the submission focused on the co-design of a digital Prosperity and Wellbeing Partnership.

As the City continues to engage our partners and the robust and comprehensive talent pool offered through TeachingCity, I am confident we are well positioned to meet the changing needs of our community and prepare Oshawa for long-term success in the 21st-century.

Sincerely,

Jag Sharma City Manager

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Diversity and Inclusion Plan The Diversity and Inclusion Plan, an applied research collaboration between the City and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, was the inaugural TeachingCity project with the final research from the project adopted in principle as the City’s first plan focused on diversity and inclusion.

Approved by City Council in November 2017, the Diversity and Inclusion Plan provides

100 student research hours 400 faculty research hours 263 community members consulted

a strategic framework to guide the City as it continues to work toward an inclusive and welcoming city for all.

The Plan’s action items address the goals of fairness, justice and non-discrimination to ensure community members have equal access to employment opportunities, programs and services, and feel welcome and involved in the community.

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TeachingCity Hackathon On March 3, 2018, the City partnered with Durham College (DC), Trent University Durham GTA, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology to hold the first-ever TeachingCity Hackathon.

Providing students an opportunity to propose a solution to a public policy challenge around the theme of improving residential rental housing in Oshawa, the event saw 10 teams of students from all three organizations – supported and mentored by faculty, City

648 student research hours 48 students 10 groups 3 post-secondary institutions

staff, and community and business leaders – compete for a chance to win $1,500.

The winning team, ironically named “Team Name” and representing the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, took home the grand prize following the presentation of a web-based portal/app, with different views for different audiences, that enables renters to find and rate potential dwellings.

Second place and $750 went to “Team P.A.M.” from DC for a website focused on the inclusivity of Oshawa’s most marginalized populations and third place, and $500, was awarded to “Team Trailblazers” comprised of students from Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology for its concept of a website and mandatory training for landlords.

Faculty, City staff and community/business leaders supported and mentored the student teams during the one-day Hackathon.

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2630 ft2 collaborative shared space

TeachingCity Hub On May 14, 2018, the City and its TeachingCity partners celebrated a successful first year with the opening of the TeachingCity Hub in downtown Oshawa.

$25,000 contribution from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

40+ student classroom space plus open lab space

Located at 1 Mary Street, the hub is an open-concept space designed to facilitate TeachingCity projects with the City’s education and research partners, including students, faculty and staff. Providing opportunities for TeachingCity partners to share access to facilities, resources and equipment, and offering office, classroom and open lab space, the hub is used for TeachingCity partnership meetings, collaborative learning opportunities and co-design.

Trent University Durham GTA officially joined TeachingCity through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on May 14, 2018.

Celebrating the opening of the TeachingCity Hub with cake provided by the Centre for Food.

Smart Cities Challenge In 2018, the City, in partnership with key stakeholders including TeachingCity partners Durham College, Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, embarked on a community-driven initiative to compete to

450 community members shared feedback 50 stakeholders involved 10 roundtable discussions

win up to $10 million via the Infrastructure Canada Smart Cities Challenge.

An extensive public consultation process identified community needs, project ideas and challenge areas and helped determine Oshawa’s priority issue for the Challenge.

Submitted in April 2018, the City’s submission focused on empowering residents in low-income neighbourhoods by improving access to digital technology and the ability to access the services required to fully participate in the economy.

The submission aimed to enhance economic and social equality across Oshawa.

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Additional student engagement opportunities Annual student artwork exhibitions As part of the City’s Art and Culture in the Hall program, artwork created by students in Durham College’s (DC) Fine Arts – Advanced (FAD) program is being exhibited at City Hall on an ongoing and rotating basis. Each exhibit is designed and installed by student artists, with guidance from faculty and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (The RMG).

In addition, these students had the opportunity to participate in the sixth annual thesis exhibition held at The RMG, enabling them to gain real-world, practical experience regarding the logistics, installation and administration of a professional exhibition.

Artwork in the vitrine displays the talent and inventiveness of DC students participating in the City’s Art and Culture in the Hall program.

To commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, artwork designed by DC students was displayed on the windows of the City’s Arts Resource Centre.

Community integration via Community Collaborations course Students from DC’s School of Media, Art & Design (MAD) brought their own unique brand of creativity to the college’s Community Collaborations course, designing vinyl artwork in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017 for display on the windows of the City’s Arts Resource Centre.

Co-op/placement students

2000+ placement hours 15 students 3 institutions accessed placements 16 students in DC Community Collaborations Course

The City provided a number of co-operative education placements and other learning experiences to post-secondary students at DC, Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology from Spring 2017 to Spring 2018.

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Upcoming projects Stormwater Pond Water Quality research study In May 2018, the City began a two-year Stormwater Pond Water Quality Research Study with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. The project will offer an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Trent University to learn about the importance of stormwater management in urbanizing regions. Students will acquire a range of field, laboratory, and analytical skills while the City gains important, evidence-based information to guide its stormwater policies.

Municipal Natural Assets Initiative As one of five municipalities selected to team up with the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) to become a MNAI community, the City will have access to expertise, support and guidance from MNAI in identifying, valuing and accounting for natural assets in Oshawa’s financial planning and asset management programs. The project, scheduled to begin in summer 2018, will study the Oshawa Creek and involve students and faculty from Trent University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Alex Johnston, a recent University of Ontario Institute of Technology graduate student, conducts field research in one of the City’s stormwater management ponds as part of a two-year TeachingCity Stormwater Pond Water Quality research study.

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Active Transportation for an Age-Friendly Community research study In 2018, the City will collaborate with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres on a research study to understand both barriers and promoters of the active transportation of older adults residing in Oshawa. The study will include recommendations on how to address identified barriers with a goal of increasing active transportation in the community, advancing the City’s Active Transportation Plan, and helping to inform the City’s planning policies. The results will also support Durham Region’s Age-Friendly Plan and Health Neighbourhoods Report.

Downtown Oshawa Air Quality and Traffic Monitoring project The City is joining the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research at the University of Toronto, AUG Signals, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and North Line Canada in a research study to monitor air quality and traffic movements in Oshawa’s downtown core. A seven- to eight-month assessment that will begin in 2018, the project will use compact sensors to monitor air quality and traffic movements with an aim to increase the City’s understanding of environmental issues in downtown Oshawa and to identify options and opportunities for improving the quality of the pedestrian experience.

TeachingCity Hub mural A recent Durham College graduate from the college’s School of Media, Art & Design will collaborate with TeachingCity partners to create and install a mural at the TeachingCity Hub. The artwork will reflect the partnership’s key principles: collaboration, innovation, applied research, experiential learning and knowledge transfer.

City Idea Lab The City Idea Lab is a collaborative, course-based pilot project between the City and its academic partners that will offer experiential learning opportunities to post-secondary students via a credit course at the TeachingCity Hub. Students will work in a lab environment where they will learn about identified urban issues in Oshawa and collaborate with City staff to co-design possible solutions. Students from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College will begin in the City Idea Lab in the 2018/2019 school year.

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www.oshawa.ca/teachingcity teachingcity@oshawa.ca 905-436-3311 #OshTeachingCity

June 2018