(Re)envisioning Mackay

For over 30 years, the stretch of Mackay Street between Sherbrooke and de Maisonneuve O has been a place of debate towards creating a public space. A lot has transpired since then, and the challenges and opportunities facing Mackay Street evolved. Join us to listen, discuss, and design the future of Mackay Street. This event invites participants from inside and outside the university community to engage in a community planning exercise.

The first half of programming includes presentations from students, the University, business and community leaders, and input from local officials highlighting the push and pull factors behind building public spaces and pedestrianized streets. The latter half of programming comprises an urban design workshop event that will allow groups to engage directly with the space, collaborating towards envisioning what an ideal Mackay Street looks like to them.

Through discussions and design, the findings from this event will enable the community to construct a consensus around public space on campus!

How can you participate? Join us in person by filling out the form or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca

Panelists:

Aude Badetz

Aude Badetz is the urban planning coordinator at the Table de quartier Peter-McGill. Badetz contributes to creating dynamic public spaces and facilitating cohabitation initiatives in the downtown area. The Table de quartier Peter-McGill aims to encourage active participation in community life. It also enables stakeholders to express their concerns and collectively identify priorities for action, giving themselves the means to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Stephania Aves

Stephania Aves is a moblization agent at the Table de quartier Peter-McGill. Aves is primarily involved with the Integrateur Collectif which pushes for more green spaces in downtown, as well as advocating for the rights and safety of young people in the planning process.

Corinne Lachance

Corinne Lachance is a Production Director at MU, a charitable organization that creates indoor and outdoor murals in Montreal to beautify the city, bring citizens together, and contribute to youth development. A graduate of Concordia's Fine Arts program, she has directed the production of dozens of large-scale murals, including one by Gabor Szilasi.

Rocio Carvajo Lucena

Rocio Carvajo Lucena is an Architect and Strategic Planner at Facilities Management, she has led the development of Concordia’s Campus Master Plan released this year. Apart from her role as architect, her expertise also lies in internal and external stakeholder coordination and sustainable development.

Moderators:

Niraj Dayanandan

Niraj Dayanandan is the President of the Sustainability and Diversity Student Assocation and Vice-President Academic at the Urban Planning Association. He holds a BA (Hons) in Urban Planning with a minor in Sustainability Studies and is passionate about urban sustainability initiatives and improving ecological health on and off the campus.

Ryan Assaker

Ryan Assaker is the Arts & Science Federation of Association's (ASFA) Finance Coordinator and the co-founder of Students for the Centre for Creative Reuse (SFCUCCR). An involved student leader, he has also participated in the 2023 and 2024 Pedestrianize Mackay campaigns and is passionate about public spaces, especially in his home borough of Outremont.

Organized by Niraj Dayanandan, Mowat Tokonitz, Raya Atkin, Urban Planning Association, Sustainability and Diversity Student Association, and the Concordia Student Union!