In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with urban land use planner and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Donovan Toews. Together, they explore what makes cities human-centered, the myth of suburban "sprawl," controversial truths about public engagement, how urban design shapes belonging, and how cities tell stories through infrastructure, public art, and language.
Key Takeaways:
- What urban planners actually observe when walking city streets vs. common public misconceptions.
- The nuance of "sprawl" vs. contiguous suburban development and the power of tree canopies.
- A hot take on public engagement: Why asking the wrong questions can stall progress on critical infrastructure.
- How urban systems, cleanliness, and design shape the human psyche and sense of safety.
- Planning for belonging: Shifting from a mindset of scarcity to abundance in diverse communities.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & The Rapid-Fire "Planners Game"
03:25 - Deconstructing "Sprawl" & The Importance of Urban Tree Canopies
08:20 - Hot Take on Public Engagement: Portage & Main & When NOT to Consult
15:15 - How Many Maps Are Too Many Maps?
16:20 - The Art of Apologizing & Process in Canadian Culture
21:00 - The First Things a Planner Notices in a New City
24:35 - How Cities Tell Their Stories: Architecture, Signage & Sound
29:45 - Organized Chaos vs. Western Systems: Finding Order in Different Places
33:45 - Curiosity, Big Books of "Why," & Finding City Planning
37:00 - Planning for Belonging: Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset
40:45 - Managing Change, Fear, & Infrastructure Development
44:55 - College of Fellows Induction & What Lies Ahead
About Our Guest:
Donovan Toews brings over 25 years of experience in land use planning, development, and public engagement across Canada. As a partner at Landmark Planning & Design and a newly inducted Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners (FCIP), Donovan is a skilled negotiator and facilitator recognized for guiding complex, multi-stakeholder urban projects.
Follow Donovan Toews and Landmark Planning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donoisbono | https://www.instagram.com/landmarkwpg
Landmark Planning website: https://landmarkplanning.ca/
Connect With Us:
- Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeace
- Narratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesinc
Show Credits:
- Host: Somia Sadiq
- Guest: Donovan Toews
- Produced by: Kahanee & Narratives
- Curator: Courtney Friesen
- Music: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)
About Between the Threads:
Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island.
We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today.
#Winnipeg #CityPlanning #BetweenTheThreads #DonovanToews #UrbanDesign #Placemaking #LandUse
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