News

As Waterloo Region continues to plan for long-term population growth, one question looms large: are the systems that support daily life ready for what comes next? In January, the Future Cities Institute (FCI), alongside BESTWR, released an updated Vision 1 Million Scorecard, offering a data-driven snapshot of how prepared the region is to grow toward a population of one million residents in the coming decades. By framing the analysis this way, the tool invites decision-makers to think proactively rather than reactively, highlighting where current trajectories may fall short and where strategic intervention could have the greatest impact. 

The Future Cities Institute hosted a panel on BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, bringing together Philip Mills, Michelle Lee, Michael Maxwell, and Mayor Dorothy McCabe for an honest conversation about what it takes to deliver missing middle housing at scale. The discussion covered the role of cross-sector partnership, the real costs of slow approvals processes, and what it means for planners to be genuine problem-solvers. A grounded exchange that connected lived experience on the ground with the people working to understand and shape it.

The City of Kitchener and the University of Waterloo have announced a four-year research partnership to assess the municipality’s natural gas infrastructure and plan for future demand, with FCI cluster lead David C. Del Rey Fernández at the helm. 

This first-of-its-kind partnership will model Kitchener’s natural gas infrastructure using digital twin technology to explore how shifting energy demands could shape the future of municipal utilities.

As part of FCI’s national series of Think Tanks taking place across Canada, November’s event in Toronto brought together leaders focused on unlocking new pathways for private investment in housing and related infrastructure. The conversation was sharp, honest, and filled with insight that directly connects to FCI’s research, training, and partnerships. 

Participants dug into the shared barriers slowing private capital, from permitting challenges to fragmented policy frameworks, and explored the opportunities that could shift the landscape. They were generous in naming what is working, what is not, and what needs to change if Canada is going to compete globally. 

Several themes quickly emerged: the importance of predictable decision-making, clearer alignment across levels of government, and a readiness to test new financing structures that have had success outside Canada. The energy in the room underscored that there is real, urgent momentum behind this work. 

These insights will shape several concrete projects currently underway at FCI. This is exactly the kind of collaborative, solution-oriented dialogue that continues to propel the organization’s mission forward. 

Members of the Future Cities Institute joined a roundtable with the David Johnston Research + Technology Park leadership team to help shape the new strategic plan and district design for the University of Waterloo’s North Campus. Representatives from the Faculties of Environment, Health, Mathematics, and Engineering participated in a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the campus, exploring how North Campus can better connect students with emerging industries, community partners, and opportunities for collaborative innovation. 

For the Future Cities Institute, the session reflects an important part of our mission. While FCI regularly connects students and researchers with industry, government, and nonprofit partners beyond the university, the conversation highlighted the impact the Institute can have on campus itself.  FCI is determined to create time, space, and support for faculty and students to work across disciplines, shaping not only future cities but also the future of Waterloo. 

That’s a wrap on World Cities Week 2025!

This year’s program brought together students, researchers, and practitioners for a dynamic mix of panels, workshops, and hands-on sessions exploring how cities can adapt, connect, and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Each conversation reflected the energy and creativity that define the University of Waterloo and the Future Cities Institute, where ideas move from research to real-world impact through collaboration across disciplines.

The Future Cities Institute gathered at the University of Waterloo for a fast-paced hackathon exploring how AI and agentic technologies can support the cities of tomorrow.

Co-sponsored by the Future Cities Institute and ElevenLabs, the day brought together students, researchers and builders to design tools for housing, mobility, and community services, with a strong focus on voice and co-pilot applications.

A huge thank you to guest judges from Google, NVIDIA, and ElevenLabs.

FCI member Dr. Jeff Casello joined CTV News for a live interview on the use of AI-powered traffic lights, highlighting both the promise and the practical realities of bringing this technology to different urban contexts. 

Reflecting on a Quebec town’s success using AI to ease gridlock, Dr. Casello noted that adaptive systems can meaningfully improve traffic flow when supported by the right infrastructure. Larger cities like Toronto, he explained, face additional layers of complexity that make implementation more challenging. Higher traffic volumes, layered governance, and older infrastructure make it more difficult to replicate Kirkland’s dramatic success. As Casello noted, while Toronto could benefit from adaptive signals, it won’t see the same “really large increases in performance.” 

In a CTV News feature, Future Cities Institute member Dr. Jeff Casello shared his perspective on Metrolinx’s plan to expand GO Train service to Kitchener, emphasizing the need for timely action and clear government commitment. 

“I would hope that would be less than a two-year project. I think that’s really reasonable,” he told CTV News. “The construction companies that know how to do that work, we have that. What it really is about is a government priority to moving this forward and dedicating the resources in a meaningful way.” 

The Future Cities Institute was in attendance on October 15, 2025, at Bold Urban Futures: How to Build Healthier, More Resilient Communities, a packed evening of dialogue, connection and future-focused thinking in downtown Vancouver. 

Hosted at the TELUS Garden and part of the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures series, this special event brought together city-builders, University of Waterloo Alumni and partners working at the edge of change. 

FCI Director, Dr. Leia Minaker, joined an inspiring speaker lineup alongside Lisa Helps (Executive Lead, BC Builds at BC Housing) and Dr. Joyce Kim (Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Cluster Lead on Housing at FCI) to explore how collaboration, innovation and evidence can help reimagine Canadian urban life.