University of Calgary
Brown Bag
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Just do it
Celia Lee (left) speaks with Chima Nkemedirim, the first guest in the EVDS BrownBag Discussion Series.As Calgary grows, so do issues such as urban sprawl, poverty, and homelessness. Although most people have lots to say about how our municipal government handles these issues, U of C alumnus, Chima Nkemdirim, wants to see Calgarians, and specially students, actually walk their talk.Nkemdirim, chair of the Better Calgary Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to better municipal government in Calgary, was the first guest speaker in this years’ EVDS BrownBag Discussion Series held Sept. 16. In his presentation chaired by EVDS student Celia Lee, Nkemdirim stressed the importance of citizen engagement in improving a city’s quality of life. “One of our goals is to get citizens engaged and to encourage them to make themselves heard,” said Nkemdirim. “It is actually really easy to be a public advocate, you just have to do it.” According to Nkemdirim, the level of student involvement is very low in today’s society and non-existent within the Better Calgary Campaign. “Students who treat university as ‘going to class and handing in papers only’ are really missing out on the post-secondary experience,” says Nkemdirim. “Positive change is driven by involved citizens.” We can have a say in the way Calgary evolves and help to develop a city that is sustainable and beautiful; and there is no right way to do it. You just have to get out there and give it a try.” Hosted by the EVDS Students’ Association, The BrownBag Discussion Series breaks the mould of traditional lecture-based lunch discussions and is a great way for students to get involved in current issues. In each session, a guest speaker is matched with an EVDS student who chairs the discussion in an interview-style format. “The BrownBag Series was designed to encourage a constructive dialogue in which both parties—student and professional—are thoroughly engaged,” says one of the series’ coordinators Daan Murray, EVDS Architecture student. “The format of the series allows students with particular research and design trajectories to engage with professionals who share these same interests.” The discussions are held between noon and 1p.m. in PF 2160 within the Faculty of Environmental Design. All are welcome to attend; BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). The Fall BrownBag Discussion Series is scheduled as follows: OCTOBER 21. 2009 m.arch + urban design candidate MATT KNAPIK talks to GIAN CARLO of T-SIX URBANISTS about THE LOCAL POLITICS OF URBAN DESIGN NOVEMBER 18. 2009 m.arch candidate RYAN AMIES talks to TOM SUTHERLAND of COHOS-EVAMY about INTEGRATED DESIGN DECEMBER 09. 2009 m.arch candidate MARC HABERLI talks to JOE PETTIPAS of HOK about TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
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September 18, 2009