Date: October 6
Icebreaker Social: 12:00 – 12:15 PM (MDT)
Webinar: June 2 @ 12:15 – 1 PM (MDT)
Cost: Free
About the Presentation
The application of refined gondola technology in an urban setting is nothing new. Throughout Europe, Asia, and South America there are many established and successful projects but there are few examples of cities actively developing urban gondola in North America. The Prairie Sky Gondola Inc. (Prairie Sky) project consists of five experiential and commercially programmed urban gondolas stations connecting the most vibrant, yet divided, communities in Edmonton on a 2.5km ropeway alignment. The ropeway is an innovative city building initiative responding to the municipality’s climate goals, fiscal challenges and commitments to Truth & Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, while expanding its infrastructure network as it plans for an explosion in population growth. Prairie Sky will also provide a cost-effective utility for urban commuters that complements existing Edmonton Transit Service infrastructure, establishing a new way for those in the region to experience Edmonton’s river valley, the largest urban park in Canada
About the Speakers
Georg Josi, P.Eng., Ph.D., ENV SP, is a structural engineer and a Partner at Dialog Design in their Edmonton studio. He has worked on numerous urban infrastructure projects, such as the River Valley Mechanized Access, the Walterdale Bridge and the Valley Line LRT. His approach to achieving success is equal parts expertise, enthusiasm, diligence, sincerity, and inspiration. When asked why he assumed the role as VP of Technical Project Development at Prairie Sky he did not hesitate to share, “I could not turn down this opportunity to meaningfully improve access to our river valley with sustainable transportation technology, while linking Edmonton’s two major hubs – Downtown and Whyte.
Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson has been leading Prairie Sky Gondola since its inception. He has spent his career in infrastructure capital and development industry in Western Canada. He has a track record of starting city building organizations. As a director at EllisDon Capital he brings finance, real estate, and project development expertise to the project. Why did he take the lead? “I had to. This came out of nowhere. It’s special. Not often can private enterprise unlock such a profound public benefit.”
Virtual Icebreaker Social
We will be holding a social from 12:00 to 12:15 PM to provide attendees the opportunity to mingle just like we would if we were back at the Faculty Club. Participants will be split into breakout rooms to facilitate conversations. This is optional, anyone who is not interested in the social may log in at 12:15 PM for the webinar.
