York University is redefining urban studies education with a new course that immerses students in the intricacies of city governance. Developed by Joe Mihevc, a former Toronto city councillor and current visiting professor at the City Institute at York University, the course – GEOG 3620: City Challenges, City Opportunities – is a collaborative effort with the City of Toronto and eight other local universities and colleges. It aims to blend academic insights with practical urban policymaking.
Part of the CivicLabTO initiative – a city-building knowledge exchange platform designed to establish a structured relationship between educational institutions and city hall, leveraging academic expertise to address urban challenges – the course offers students a unique educational experience by combining sessions at Toronto City Hall with traditional classroom learning at York University. This structure allows students to engage directly with senior city officials, gaining first-hand insights into the complexities of municipal governance.
Mihevc describes the course as an opportunity to “bring the academic study of urban issues and the practical development of public policy at city hall in conversation with each other.” This interaction enriches the academic experience and fosters collaboration among Toronto’s educational institutions and city officials.
Students spend half of their time in the council chambers at city hall, where they learn about policy-making processes and interact with senior city staff. The remaining sessions, at York University, provide a platform for reflection and discussion, enabling students to contextualize their experiences within broader urban issues. This dual setting cultivates a comprehensive understanding of urban planning challenges and opportunities.
The significance of this course extends beyond academic learning. It offers students a chance to learn from those actively shaping Toronto’s urban landscape, encouraging them to become informed and engaged citizens. It also opens pathways to potential careers in municipal governance, as students build networks and gain insights into the workings of city hall. Mihevc emphasizes the mutual benefits of this interaction, noting that “professors come into contact with senior city staff and develop working relations that help in future research.”
CivicLabTO also hosts a biannual conference and facilitates urban research projects. Mihevc envisions a future where this collaboration leads to innovative research projects, increased student employment at city hall and a more engaged citizenry. He hopes the course will foster “a much grander and structured relationship between post-secondary educational institutions and city hall, tapping the brightest and best minds to contribute to a better city.”
With his extensive experience as a city councillor and academic background in theology and social ethics, Mihevc provides a rich foundation for this course. His work at York University continues to build bridges between academia and the municipal sector, aiming to create a more inclusive and sustainable Toronto. Mihevc believes that by integrating students, faculty from various institutions and city hall staff, the course facilitates the emergence of new ideas, working relationships and interesting pedagogies. This program, he asserts, is not just about learning; it’s about shaping the future of urban governance through collaboration and innovation.