Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: : University House (F124)
Gerben van Straaten believes in a fundamentally different approach to sustainable urban development.
Drawing from 28 years’ experience in business, economics, and real estate, he travels the world sharing his “radical hope” for the power of collective and collaborative efforts around community development to tackle the Earth’s most pressing problems — including climate change, poverty, and social injustice.
Van Straaten founded World of Walas in 2010 amidst a major economic and real estate crisis in The Netherlands. Almost a decade later — 25 companies strong and with partnerships across Europe, China, Canada, and the USA — World of Walas finds innovative ways to (re)develop struggling cityscapes while looking at the social, cultural, ecological, and financial impacts.
Lucky for UFV, Van Straaten is no stranger to B.C. or the Fraser Valley! He worked with the City of Chilliwack in the mid-2010s to generate ideas on how to re-purpose empty commercial spaces downtown, and owns the Dudoc Vancouver Centre for Sustainable Urban Design and Development in Vancouver, BC.
He is also an active member of the International Earth Charter movement, author of Earth Charter Cities Manifesto, and a signatory partner of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“Mission: Earth First” is free, open to the public, and will feature a Q&A session with van Straaten after his presentation.
Coffee and tea provided!
Event Location : University House (F124)
“Mission: Earth First” Public Talk by Gerben van Straaten, founder of World of Walas
Date(s): Friday, October 18Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
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