91ÒùĸÊÓƵ

Join Murtaza Haider, Executive Director of the U of A Cities Institute, as he leads an engaging and timely panel discussion on housing affordability in Canada. A panel of experts will explore the factors driving the housing crisis—and the urgent policy, planning, and design changes needed to fix it.

Across Canada, particularly in Toronto, skyrocketing housing costs are making the dream of owning a home or finding affordable rental options increasingly out of reach for the average resident. This surge, driven by rapid population growth, a limited housing supply, and restrictive zoning laws, has caused home prices to soar well beyond what most can afford. As a result, the hope of achieving affordable living in our cities is fading for many hardworking families.

Whether you're a renter or homeowner, or simply concerned about the city’s direction, this conversation is your chance to hear from experts and contribute to one of the most pressing issues facing Canada and Toronto today.

Speakers

Murtaza Haider

Executive Director, 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Cities Institute

Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair in Cities and Communities

As the executive director of the Cities Institute at the U of A, his work helps bridge the gap between data-driven insights and real-world city-building strategies, shaping the future of urban development in Canada and globally.

A professor at the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ School of Business, Murtaza’s research interests include business analytics, data science, real estate markets, housing dynamics, transportation, infrastructure, urban planning and human development in Canada and South Asia.

Before joining the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ, he was the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Director of the Urban Analytics Institute and the Associate Dean of 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ and Graduate Programs at Toronto Metropolitan University. He also founded and directed the Urban Systems Lab, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation at McGill University.

Sandeep Agrawal

Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Sandeep was the inaugural Director of the School of Urban and Regional Planning between 2013 and 2023 at the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ. He has diverse research interests that include sustainable urban and rural planning and energy transition, and has contributed to planning practice and policy legislation with a lens on human rights and equity.

Prior to the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ, he was Associate Director and Founding Graduate Program Director of the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University. Sandeep is a recipient of the Canadian Institute of Planners’ national academic award for his significant contribution to planning education and research in the country.

James Macek

Assistant Professor, 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ School of Business

James studies the economics of housing affordability and regulation. His research includes the economics of housing affordability and regulation, the costs and benefits of minimum lot size restrictions and the taxation of building teardowns. These works share a common theme: how housing regulations affect neighbourhoods’ social composition and value.

James holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Toronto.

Mary Rowe

President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)

Mary is an urban advocate who has worked with communities across Canada and the United States. Prior to joining CUI, she served as Executive Vice President of the Municipal Art Society (MASNYC), one of America’s oldest civic advocacy organizations focused on the built environment.

Mary is a frequent contributor to national and international city-building programs, including UN Habitat, the International Downtowns Association, WRLDCTY, the Urban Land Institute, and the World Urban Forum.

Under her leadership, CUI has expanded its work to include an international network from government, industry, community and city-building professions to advance research and collaborate on solutions to some of our greatest urban challenges. Mary is also the facilitator of BiCEP—an alliance of senior executives leading some of Canada’s most significant urban regions.