Funded - Intro to Community Land Trusts

Description

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are neighbourhood controlled nonprofits that take land off the speculative real estate market for the long-term benefit of the tenant and working class. The buildings on that land, such as housing, gardens, parks, or stores, are governed by the land trust’s members. CLTs are seeing a new wave of interest from policymakers, citizen groups, and anyone worrying about the housing crisis we face. Join CLT practitioner Chiyi Tam, for a short course on the what, why and how of community land trusts. This course will introduce you to debates, case studies, theoretical literature, and practical tools concerning the CLT movement in North America. You will explore issues related to property and land ownership, including colonial private property relations, urban displacement, anti-capitalist approaches to land, and participatory models of land use. You will also be introduced to case studies of Indigenous-led, Black-led, and Chinatown CLTs in North America. This is an ideal course for anyone with curiosity for alternatives to our current housing and real estate system, as well as CLT-curious residents and professionals who are wondering whether a CLT solution is right for addressing their community’s current issues. About the Instructor: Chiyi Tam (she/her) is an urban planner and anti-displacement organizer practicing in Tkaronto's Kensington-Chinatown neighbourhood. She is currently a visiting expert with the School of Cities’ as an Early Career Canadian Urban Leader. Chiyi is the managing director of the recently established Toronto Chinatown Land Trust. Her goal is to reciprocate knowledge and wealth into community ownership. She was formerly the executive director of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust, serves on the advisory board of Montreal Chinatown’s JIA Foundation and the board of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts. Chiyi co-developed “Planning and Designing for Community Power”, a graduate course at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Architecture. She frequently supports groups from all corners of turtle island exploring community ownership and wealth building as an anti-displacement strategy for racial & economic justice.