How would Edmonton look if we designed it through the eyes of children and youth?

Join Stantec and a diverse panel of community leaders, designers, educators, and youth advocates for an engaging conversation about belonging, play, safety, wellbeing, and the future of our city.

This Edmonton Design Week event combines a thought-provoking panel discussion with an interactive community Design Jam, where participants will collaborate on ideas to create more inclusive, family-friendly, and connected communities.

Whether you're a parent, student, designer, educator, community leader, or simply passionate about Edmonton, this event offers an opportunity to explore how young voices can inspire better cities for everyone.

About the Event

Hosted by Stantec as part of Edmonton Design Week, Unscripted Design explores youth perspectives as a powerful design tool.

Children and youth experience cities differently than adults. Their perspectives can uncover unique insights about community, mobility, play, safety, belonging, and wellbeing that are often overlooked in traditional planning and design processes.

Through discussion, collaboration, and creative exploration, participants will discover how youth-informed thinking can help shape more inclusive, resilient, and people-centered communities.

Panel Discussion (60–90 Minutes)

The evening will begin with a panel discussion featuring leaders from Stantec, the City of Edmonton, community organizations, and youth-serving agencies. Together, they will explore how children and youth experience our cities differently and what those perspectives can teach us about creating more inclusive, resilient, and people-centered communities. The discussion will focus on themes such as belonging, play, wellbeing, safety, and community, and how youth engagement can become a meaningful design tool rather than simply a consultation exercise.

Community Design Jam (60–90 Minutes)

Following the panel discussion, participants will take part in an interactive Design Jam focused on Edmonton. The session will begin with a large map of the city where participants can identify their favourite places, places with potential, and areas they feel could better support children, youth, and families.

Participants will then break into small groups, each focusing on a specific area of Edmonton, such as Downtown or a neighborhood, to explore ideas for creating a more family-friendly, inclusive, and connected city through mapping, discussion, and collaborative visioning exercises.

Moderator

• Marwa Alshara: Associate, Architect, AAA ,AIBC | Stantec

Featured Speakers

• David Holdsworth: Urban Design & Public Realm Leader, City of Edmonton

• Beryl Bacchus: Executive Director, iHuman Youth Society

• Jonathan Robb: Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Autism Services Alberta

• Danielle Soneff: Planner, Urban Designer & Researcher

• Heather Bretz: Principal, Architecture & Alberta K-12 Education Leader, Stantec

Schedule

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Registration, Networking & Interactive Activities

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM Welcome & Event Introduction

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Panel Discussion

5:30 PM - 6:40 PM Community Design Jam

6:40 PM - 6:55 PM Group Report back & Reflections

6:55 PM - 7:00 PM Closing Remarks

Who Should Attend?

• Youth and families

• Students

• Educators

• Architects and designers

• Urban planners

• Community organizations

• Municipal leaders

• Anyone interested in the future of Edmonton

• No design experience is required.

Age Information

• Recommended for ages 7+.

• Children and youth are encouraged to attend. Participants under 16 should attend with a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. Youth and children who attend will be entered into a draw at the front door for a chance to win a special prize.

Special Note

Bring your curiosity, creativity, and ideas for the future of Edmonton.

Come experience the new Velodrome, meet people who care about Edmonton's future, and help shape ideas for a more family-friendly, inclusive, and vibrant city.

This is a highly interactive event. Participants will share experiences, contribute ideas, andcollaborate with others through engaging discussions and hands-on activities.

Light refreshments will be provided.