SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Nicole Neil – Inclusive Education Advocate 

Nicole’s S3 Camp welcomes children from different backgrounds, including those with neurodevelopmental challenges, to learn and participate in STEM activities together. The camp promotes empathy, social connection and recognition of each child’s strengths. By supporting equitable participation and a genuine sense of belonging, it advances SDG 11’s vision of inclusive communities.

Nicole's Work

Greg Kopp – Extreme Weather and Infrastructure Researcher

Greg’s leadership in the Northern Tornadoes Project and his work on tornado-resilient housing address SDG 11’s targets on urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, and safe infrastructure. His collaboration with municipalities and builders to improve building codes is a strong example of applied urban sustainability. 

Greg's Work

Susana Caxaj – Housing Equity Advocate

Susana’s work addresses unsafe and inadequate housing conditions experienced by migrant agricultural workers in Canada. Her research has contributed to a national housing strategy that calls for appropriate housing standards, privacy, safety, access and dignified living conditions, while engaging governments to strengthen housing regulations. Her efforts to ensure vulnerable populations have access to safe and adequate housing directly align with SDG 11’s goal of creating inclusive, safe and sustainable communities.

Susana's Work

Sheri Molnar – Disaster-Resilient Cities Researcher

Sheri’s work uses seismic mapping to help cities better prepare for earthquakes and reduce risks to people and infrastructure. Her Metro Vancouver project identifies neighbourhood-level earthquake hazards, providing evidence that municipalities can use to improve community planning and building safety. This research supports cities in anticipating disasters and developing safer, more resilient communities, aligning with SDG 11’s focus on disaster resilience and sustainable urban planning.

Sheri's Work

Abe Oudshoorn – Homelessness and Housing Advocate

Abe’s work addresses homelessness by bringing researchers, advocates and policymakers together to develop better housing solutions locally and globally. His research highlights housing shortages, affordability and insufficient support for people experiencing homelessness, while his collaborations have contributed to a proposed Ontario policy framework to end homelessness. His efforts to recognize housing as a fundamental human right strongly align with SDG 11’s goal of ensuring access to safe and adequate housing for all.

Abe's Work

Victoria Esses – Inclusive Communities Researcher 

Victoria’s work helps communities become more welcoming and inclusive for immigrants and newcomers. Through Pathways to Prosperity, she brings researchers, policymakers and community organizations together to develop evidence-based tools that help communities improve areas such as housing, employment and health care for newcomers. Her focus on belonging, inclusion and equitable access to community resources aligns with SDG 11’s goal of creating inclusive and sustainable communities for everyone.

Victoria's Work