News
November 12, 2020
Launch of the Regent Park World Urban Pavilion in Partnership with CMHC, City of Toronto, Urban Economy Forum, & Daniels Corporation
Today marks a historic international partnership between, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The City of Toronto, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Urban Economy Forum, and the Daniels Corporation to establish the
World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park.
The launch was moderated by newly elected Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre Marci Len, and speakers included Ibrahim Afrah community representative from Regent Park, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister for Families, Children and Social Development, Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto, and Director of UN-Habitat office in Mexico and Cuba Region and head of knowledge and Innovation, Dr. Eduardo Moreno.
The World Urban Pavilion project seeks to create a physical and virtual global hub to advance the knowledge of urban development, implementation and promotion of SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
“With the help of the #NationalHousingStrategy, the world will be coming to Regent Park through this partnership with UN-Habitat & the Urban Economy Forum. The World Urban Pavilion will showcase our own practices for affordable housing while learning from others around the globe” said Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister Families, Children and Social Development.
"I am proud that Toronto will be the new home of the World Urban Pavilion so that we can lead on a global stage when it comes to urban development. I am pleased that the site will be in the heart of Regent Park which has been a development that has demonstrated Toronto's excellence when it comes to city and urban planning. " – John Tory, Mayor, City of Toronto
This project will have a focus on youth and housing and will work to build capacities by providing resources and guidance for cities across the globe to realize inclusive sustainable development using innovative technology.
Dr. Eduardo Morueno, Director of UN-Habitat Office in Mexico and Cuba Region and Head of Knowledge and Innovation remarked – “We recognize Canada as a national and global hub for SDG Cities – The Pavilion will be a place to dream and act, a place to transform knowledge into action and a place to realize the acceleration of SDG’s in Cities.”
The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute $1 million for the construction of the Regent Park World Urban Pavilion by UN-Habitat and $1.25 million for five years of programming ($250K per year) through the National Housing Strategy Demonstrations Initiative.
The pavilion will create a springboard for collaboration and collective action to advance crucial conversations covering a wide range of topics, explore urban economy and finance through different lenses to discuss and open up dialogues globally about urbanism.
"Together, with CMHC and UN-Habitat, we have, for the past year, nurtured the idea to establish the World Urban Pavilion in Toronto's Regent Park based on the resolution of UEFs annual forum. With today's announcement, we are taking a great leap forward in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11. The Pavilion will engage with cities, civil society, UN agencies and international organizations to drive transformation toward sustainable urban paradigms and lifestyles.” - Reza Pourvaziry Chair, Urban Economy Forum.
The Pavilion will also introduce pilot projects and encourage civil society to share their revitalization best-practice projects globally and will operate under the SDG Cities Flagship Programme. The project aims to provide opportunities for youth in Toronto as a core target group through urban youth programmes.