Canada’s global reputation for welcoming and integrating newcomers is unparalleled. But the world is changing and Canada’s immigration system will have to adapt accordingly. Meeting these challenges will require agility, risk-taking, and a new relationship with cities.

The uneven geographic and social impacts of near-catastrophic floods along British Columbia’s Fraser River in May 2018, is further evidence that disaster-like conditions develop from the complex interaction of extreme environmental occurrences and human vulnerability. This necessitates a holistic understanding of both ecological and social dynamics along this “working” river.

Rapid technological growth is forcing a profound rethink of our economic, social, political, and physical infrastructures. These structural changes will soon require the adoption of new cognitive and behavioral capabilities, many of which are still unknown.

Vancouver faces a historic opportunity to become a global knowledge and innovation hub sustained through place-based research partnerships, knowledge brokering, work-integrated-learning programs, as well as hybrid venture creations in the arts and cultural sectors.

To accelerate local productivity and their competitive advantage internationally, cities around the world are banking on the promise of “smart” technology and infrastructure development. What are the risks and opportunities of becoming a “smart” city?