DURHAM, ON – CityStudio announced the newest member of the growing CityStudio Network today, bringing civic innovation and city-campus collaboration to Durham Region, Ontario.
CityStudio Durham, led by the Region of Durham in collaboration with Durham Regional Police Service, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Trent University Durham GTA, is the 10th CityStudio to launch in Canada and the fourth in Ontario.
CityStudio Durham is part of a growing movement of municipalities worldwide, applying the unique CityStudio framework of municipal-campus collaboration to bring post-secondary students to the table to innovate and experiment with the way their communities are built. It is the first regional CityStudio to launch in the network, meaning eight municipalities will gain access to the valuable resource of students and faculty members from three local schools.
“As the first Regional member to join the CityStudio Network, CityStudio Durham’s launch is a significant milestone for all of us. We look forward to working and learning together in the years to come,” remarks Duane Elverum, Executive Director and Co-Founder of CityStudio Vancouver.
“Durham is leading the way for more regional municipalities to join the CityStudio Network. The partnership provides students experiential-learning opportunities to collaborate on unique urban and rural challenges while gaining valuable employment skills,” says Sandra Austin, the Region’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. “CityStudio Durham will give students a chance to apply their skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to the Region’s key strategic priorities and its unique local challenges.”
“Regional employees see the value of working alongside the students, staff and faculty of our post-secondary institutions to pilot new ideas and create solutions to the challenges facing our community. This initiative will help shape a better future for our region,” states Alison Burgess, acting Manager of Innovation and Research.
“We’re excited to launch CityStudio Durham. We’re thrilled with the interest in the program from across the region, and the calibre of the potential projects being discussed,” remarks CityStudio Durham coordinator, Daniel Sparks.
CityStudio Durham joins twelve other members in the CityStudio Network, which includes Abbotsford, BC; Brantford, ON; Corner Brook, NL; London, ON; Montreal, QC; North Vancouver, BC; Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Waterloo, ON; as well as Logan and Bendigo, Australia, and Oslo, Norway.
CityStudio was first launched in Vancouver in 2011 with the support of founding partners, the City of Vancouver and Simon Fraser University, as well as the University of British Columbia, Langara College, British Columbia Institute of Technology and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
It is a transferable partnership model that has been adopted by 10 cities across Canada, two in Australia, and one in Norway, with more CityStudios in development around the world. Learn more about launching a CityStudio in your city.
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