As part of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius, the da Vinci Dialogues invites audiences to explore the rich history, art, and ideas of the Renaissance through engaging talks by leading scholars.
Event Description:
As part of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius, the da Vinci Dialogues invites audiences to explore the rich history, art, and ideas of the Renaissance through engaging talks by leading scholars.
The Public Space Hiding in Plain Sight
Brendan Stewart, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph, explores how ordinary suburban strip malls can become vibrant public gathering places when we rethink the purpose of the spaces around them.
Drawing on the award-winning plazaPOPS initiative, Stewart shares how twelve Toronto strip-mall parking lots were temporarily transformed into welcoming community spaces between 2019 and 2024. Through observation, mapping, and conversations with participants, the project examined how people used these reimagined spaces-revealing the important role public space plays in everyday life and demonstrating how experimentation can inspire more connected, inclusive communities.
The presentation highlights the project’s key findings and reflects on how collaboration across design, research, community organizations, and government can help unlock the potential of overlooked places, offering new approaches to creating public space in suburban neighborhoods.
Speaker Bio
Brendan Stewart is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph, where his teaching and creative practice focus on public space, community design, and cultural landscapes. He previously led the landscape architecture practice at ERA Architects in Toronto and continues to collaborate with the firm.
Stewart is the co-founder of plazaPOPS, an award-winning initiative that transforms suburban strip mall parking lots into vibrant community gathering spaces. Developed in collaboration with the City of Toronto, the project has informed public policy, created twelve temporary installations since 2019, and continues to explore new approaches to building more connected communities.
Admission to this event includes admission to THEMUSEUM.