Forecast for Hotter Cities

With extreme heat the leading cause of weather-related deaths, rising temperatures are a new public health crisis, affecting especially the most vulnerable groups in society. How can we ensure the long-term comfort and livability of communities — and safeguard against related climate disasters such as wildfires and droughts? In this panel, those working at the forefront of urban heat mitigation, in planning, design and landscape, share learnings from their urban cool-down efforts and what they are planning for next.

Ronald P. Schwenger

Ron Schwenger was educated at the University of Guelph in architecture and fine arts and continued his education in marketing, advertising and communications at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He started his career with a short period as an architectural technologist and draftsman and later pursued a path in creative marketing and communications. Early in 2004, Schwenger combined his experiences along with his original passion for architecture and formed Architek Sustainable Building Products Inc., which was incorporated in 2007, and opened a Seattle office in early 2008. Recently, he has also started a new division specializing in architectural hardware: Rope + Cable Canada. Schwenger has over 10 years of expertise in building envelope technology and living architecture systems namely: green roof systems, green façade, living walls, renewable energy, and integrated site water management.

Owen Gow

Owen Gow is the Deputy Director at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (Arsht-Rock), where he manages the Extreme Heat Initiative. He joined the Arsht-Rock team in early 2020, led the development of its Heat Action Platform, and supported the launch of the Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance (EHRA) and the centre’s heat health early warning system initiative. Gow has held previous positions at several humanitarian organizations and think tanks, including the Migration Policy Institute, Mercy Corps, and the International Rescue Committee. He has co-authored several publications, including Deploying Distributed Renewable Energy to Reduce the Impacts of Extreme Heat on the Urban Poor (2021) and The Impact of Extreme Heat Exposure on Pregnant People and Neonates: A State of the Science Review (2023).

Fadi Masoud

Fadi Masoud is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Centre for Landscape Research. His research and teaching focuses on the relationships between environmental systems, urban design, and public policy. Masoud currently leads projects on urban climate adaptation and the design of equitable and resilient public landscapes. Prior to joining the University of Toronto, he held teaching and research appointments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Kristina Reinders

Kristina Reinders works for the City of Toronto as the Urban Design Program Manager for Programs & Strategies. She is a passionate advocate for high-quality public realm and forward-thinking policies that promote livability and make urban life rewarding and enjoyable for all. Reinders has spearheaded a number of public realm and streetscape initiatives, which have resulted in the creation of meaningful, connected public spaces for residents, workers and visitors, all while actively combating climate change. In her current role, she leads a diverse work program to deliver on Toronto’s Strategic Priorities.

Rasmus Astrup

Rasmus Astrup is Partner and Design Principal at the renowned Danish nature-based studio SLA. He is a leading specialist in city nature, sustainable landscape architecture, and integrated climate adaptation and has led SLA’s most forward-looking and award-winning projects all over the world. His perpetual emphasis on creating the best possible places for life – all life – is continuously manifested through inspiring and green urban spaces with living ecosystems that help create robust cities, better living environments for humans as well as biodiversity, and a higher quality of life. Astrup is the recipient of several major international honors, among them the 2021 World Landscape of the Year Award.

Dorsa Jalalian

With a background in architecture and urban design, Dorsa Jalalian’s career spans across North America, focusing on master plans, city-wide planning studies, urban design guidelines and public realm improvements. At Dialog, her recent contributions to projects include the 1200 King Road Transit Oriented Community Visioning and Design, Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan Study, and the City of Toronto Thermal Comfort Study. Jalalian has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tehran and a Master of Urban Design from the University of Toronto.