Hosted by the University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, the keynote lecture and panel discussion Preservation? Modernist Heritage and Modern Toronto will answer the question: Is preserving architectural heritage a hindrance to urban development? Or is the conservation of our built past an essential component of successful cities’ economic and environmental futures? Delivering the keynote address on Friday the 22nd will be urban designer and author Ken Greenberg, one of the founders of Ontario Place for All, a grassroots community group seeking to keep the iconic Toronto waterfront complex “a vibrant, publicly accessible space,” followed by remarks from Professor Brigitte Shim of the Daniels Faculty. Greenberg then joins other industry professionals and leaders for the panel discussion, moderated by the Faculty’s Acting Dean Robert Levit.

The keynote lecture and panel will launch a symposium focused on the challenges of preserving modern architectural heritage in rapidly growing cities like Toronto, where accelerated development, gentrification, high demand for housing and urban expansion pose significant threats. The symposium will be co-sponsored by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) and includes a full-day schedule of case-study presentations and moderated roundtables on Saturday the 23rd.