KINGSTON, Jamaica – Internationally recognised urban planner Brent Toderian will deliver the fifth annual Honourable Maurice Facey Lecture on October 9, focusing on revitalising Kingston’s waterfront as a major public and economic asset.

The lecture, themed “Where the City meets the Sea: Unlocking Downtown Waterfront as a Public Space and Economic Asset,” will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre starting at 4:00 pm.

The event is free and open to the public.

Toderian, former chief city planner of Vancouver, Canada, is known for his global expertise in sustainable city planning, transportation, and urban design.
He has worked on projects across six continents, advising governments and developers in cities including Sydney, Auckland, Medellín, Oslo, Helsinki, and Paris through his consultancy, Toderian UrbanWORKS Inc.

During his tenure in Vancouver, Toderian played a key role in shaping the city’s downtown and waterfront areas, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and efforts to create a more livable, multi-modal urban environment. He has been named twice among the “100 Most Influential Global Urbanists in History” by Planetizen.

Stephen Facey, chairman of the Pan Jamaica Group and the CB Facey Foundation, said the lecture series aims to spark critical discussions on Jamaica’s urban future by drawing on best international practices.

“Brent’s experience and perspective will help us consider how Jamaica’s cities can evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow,” he stated.

Gayon Douglas, executive director of the CB Facey Foundation, said Toderian will arrive in Kingston days before the event to assess the city’s waterfront and downtown personally. This will enable him to tailor his insights and recommendations to Jamaica’s context.

The Maurice Facey Lecture Series honours the late Maurice Facey, OJ, JP, founder of the Pan Jamaica Group, who was committed to Jamaica’s development and urban growth. Established in 2019, the series brings together prominent international thinkers to discuss sustainable and equitable urban solutions for Jamaica.

The Pan Jamaica Group, a Caribbean-based multinational, has invested strategically in Jamaica’s built environment for over 60 years, developing projects such as the ROK Hotel & Residences on Kingston’s waterfront. The group continues to promote sustainable urban development as key to Jamaica’s future.

The lecture will be available for later viewing on the C B Facey Foundation’s YouTube channel. Interested attendees may register for the event online.