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.

Who We Are?

CitySHAPES is the next chapter in Catherine McKenney’s work to shape the cities we deserve, taken from their experience as senior staff and two-term City Councillor for the City of Ottawa.

Catherine is joined by Neil Saravanamuttoo, former chief economist of the G20’s Global Infrastructure Hub and Finance Canada executive.

Reach us at info@cityshapes.ca

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