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Exploring sustainable development

- February 11, 2009

When one normally hears the term ā€œstudent conference,ā€ it gives the impression of an insular eventā€”something for university eyes and ears only. Which is why the School of Planningā€™s yearly conference is something special.

Itā€™s the product of a graduate-level course, where a dozen or so students plan every detail from the theme and speakers to fundraising and promotion. Each year it attracts planners from both the private and public sector from around the Maritimes along with many local community groups.

ā€œIt gives students the opportunity to explore a subject of interest while in school, but also engage with the larger world of ideas, from community leaders and speakers to experts in the field,ā€ explains Heather Ternoway, community planner with Dalhousieā€™s Cities and Environment Unit and supervisor of the course.

The yearā€™s conference takes place from Wednesday through to Friday at Pier 21, with the theme of ā€œSustainable Action: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities.ā€ All sessions are free and open to the public.

Among the highlights will be the eighth annual Carmichael Lecture on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., presented in partnership with the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. It features ā€˜urban thinkerā€™ Dr. Marc Weiss, chairman and CEO of Global Urban Development, who will speak about developing climate prosperity strategies to assist smart growth in cities like Halifax. He will also be taking part in conference sessions on Thursday and will be meeting with local business and political leaders.

The conference closes on Friday afternoon with the presentation of the Mayorā€™s Award for Excellence and Innovation in Planning, sponsored by the Halifax Regional Municipality. A new initiative this year, the Ideas Competition invited post-secondary students in the region to submit ideas about implementing sustainability locally. It will be selected based on a vote by conference attendees and presented by Mayor Peter Kelly.

For the students involved, itā€™s been an invaluable experience. ā€œI wanted to do something hands-on in my program, something that would use a lot of different skills that I could take to the workplace,ā€ says Kate MacKay, a masterā€™s student in the course. ā€œItā€™s been rewarding to see people sign up so interested in learning about sustainability and how they can put it into practice.ā€

For more information on the conference, including session details, visit