How can we shape the future of urban life in Canada and beyond?
Join fellow University of Waterloo alumni and friends for an evening of reflection, reconnection, and future-focused dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping Canadian cities.
Hosted in partnership with TELUS at the iconic TELUS Garden in downtown Vancouver — a symbol of urban sustainability and innovation—this special event will feature inspiring insights from the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN. Hear about real-world examples of urban change and learn about a bold national initiative to build healthier, more resilient communities.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. PT
Where: TELUS Garden | 5th Floor, 510 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0M3
Cost: $15 CAD, includes light refreshments
This event is part of the Global Futures Event Series, exploring Waterloo’s bold vision to address the most pressing challenges facing humanity and our planet. Attendees will discover how our community of researchers, alumni, students and partners are working across disciplines to drive meaningful change worldwide.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Leia Minaker (BSc '04)
Director, Future Cities Institute; Associate Professor, School of Planning
Dr. Leia Minaker is the Director of the Future Cities Institute and an Associate Professor in the School of Planning. She is dedicated to shaping healthier, more equitable urban environments. Her research explores the intersections of health equity, food systems, nutrition, and the role of urban design in supporting youth mental health. With a passion for collaboration, Leia works with diverse partners to tackle pressing urban challenges and is always eager to mentor emerging scholars through Master’s and PhD programs. Under Leia’s leadership, the Future Cities Institute is driving transformative change by advancing interdisciplinary research and fostering partnerships that reimagine the possibilities for prosperous and resilient cities.
Lisa Helps
Executive Lead, BC Builds, Project Origination, BC Housing
Lisa is currently working as Executive Lead, BC Builds, Project Origination, BC Housing. BC Builds is a housing acceleration program that uses public land, low-cost financing, and other innovative tools to get more housing built more quickly for working people in B.C. Previously she was the Housing Solutions Advisor to Premier Eby. Prior to that she was a two-term Mayor of Victoria, British Columbia. As Mayor, Lisa worked hard to create deep collaboration across the community to get Victoria ready for the future and built connection across the Province as Co-Chair of the BC Urban Mayors Caucus to advance shared priorities for cities. Areas of focus included economic development and prosperity, housing, climate action, resilient infrastructure, and reconciliation.
Dr. Joyce Kim (BASc '06)
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo and Cluster Lead on Housing, Future Cities Institute
Dr. Joyce Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo and the Cluster Lead on Housing for the Future Cities Institute. Her research focuses on the digital transformation of the built environment to advance low-carbon housing design, construction, and operation. She uses IoT and machine learning to improve building energy efficiency and personalize resident experiences. Her work also explores offsite construction and life cycle analysis to reduce construction waste and facilitate circular economy strategies. Dr. Kim's leadership roles include serving as a committee member of ASHRAE 55 and G45, and as a subtask leader of IEA EBC Annex 87, international standards and research collaborations on building performance and environmental control. She holds a BASc in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.
Venue Host
TELUS is a world-leading communications technology company, operating in more than 45 countries and connecting over 20 million customers through our advanced broadband services. We are committed to leveraging technology to create remarkable human outcomes, putting our customers and communities first, and leading globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Guided by our enduring “give where we live” philosophy, TELUS team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion and 2.4 million volunteer days since 2000, earning us recognition as the world’s most giving company. We are proud to partner with the University of Waterloo and host the Global Futures in Vancouver event at TELUS Garden. Situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this LEED Platinum-certified architectural icon reflects our deep commitment to innovation and sustainability, while helping to shape the city’s skyline.
