Building Better Cities

CitySHAPES is working to make cities better by sparking and implementing the change they need to become healthier, greener, and more vibrant cities where everyone can thrive.

We do this by working with partners in leading groundbreaking policy, advocacy, and community engagement work on key challenges faced by Canadian municipalities.

By working together, we’ll help communities deliver change.

Let us know what you need and we can move forward together!

Read our newsletter on ideas for better cities.

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Priorities

Bold Climate Action: Transitioning to a low-carbon future by planning and mobilizing for net-zero cities

Housing Affordability: Ensuring we have a home for everyone by ending chronic homelessness, preventing new family homelessness, and addressing affordability across the housing market

Sustainable Transportation: Helping people move around their cities by supporting the shift to more transit and active transportation

Governance and Transparency: City budget that everyone can understand by rebuilding trust in city halls across the country with transparent budgets showing how cities spend our tax dollars

BuildingIN

CitySHAPES is a partner in BuildingIN – a semi-finalist in the Housing Supply Challenge of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

BuildingIN is a municipal program for low-rise infill that works at scale, allowing cities to meet their housing targets

Youth

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City Hall has a direct impact on many of the key issues that youth care about. Housing. Transit. Local climate action.

But it’s hard for people to speak up and get involved in civic matters. Especially for young people, who don’t have the time to navigate how City Hall works.

CitySHAPES and Youth Action Now are partnered to get more youth involved in building a better Ottawa.