Mayors' Institute on City Design
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Virtual Seminars

Engaging discussions on today’s most pressing topics.

Arts, Urban Design, and Mental Health

In our latest seminar, learn how the built environment can help address mental health challenges.

Overview

Virtual Seminars are engaging and interactive learning and discussion opportunities for small groups of mayors and city staff. Each one-hour seminar features a deep-dive presentation on a single timely topic from a design expert, followed by a moderated group discussion among the attending mayors and city staff.

Details

Like conversations at MICD, discussions in virtual seminars are “off the record” and designed to promote candid conversation and the open exchange of ideas. A recording of the presentation portion is made available to the public after each seminar.

Past MICD Virtual Seminars have covered timely topics such as design-based approaches to community safety; helping main streets and small businesses survive the pandemic; and how quick-build projects can reshape public spaces in impactful ways. 

Click here for a list of past and upcoming seminars.

Time Commitment

MICD Virtual Seminars are one hour long, typically structured as a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute non-public, moderated discussion among the attending mayors and city staff.

Eligibility

MICD Virtual Seminars are open to mayors and their staff (MICD alumni and non-alumni welcome). A recording of the presentation portion is made public after the event. Registration is required.

How it Works

  • 01

    Register You and Your Staff

    Join our email list to be notified about upcoming seminars. Mayors and city staff can register to participate in the live discussion.

  • 02

    Learn & Discuss

    In the first half of the seminar, a top design leader will share timely projects and ideas. Then mayors engage with the speaker about challenges in their cities.

  • 03

    Explore More

    Watch past presentations to gain more ideas and insights about timely design topics, and reach out to MICD with ideas for future seminars.

FAQs

What is the cost to attend?

Mayors and their staff are invited to register for upcoming seminars at no cost. Past presentations are also available to view at no cost. Speakers receive a modest honorarium for their participation from MICD.

What do MICD Virtual Seminars look like?

Virtual Seminars are short (1-hour) events that provide expert advice on a single, timely topic about city design to mayors and their staff. While the presentation portion is made available after the event, the discussion portion is limited to mayors and city staff only and is not recorded.

Virtual Seminars are meant to supplement the in-depth learning at MICD sessions, similar to the Resource Team presentations that take place at Institute Sessions.

How can I express interest or request a specific topic?

Join our email list to receive notifications when Virtual Seminars are scheduled. We also encourage you to contact us to suggest specific topics for future seminars.

Can I bring staff?

Mayors are encouraged to invite key staff members to attend the presentation and discussion. A recording of the presentation portion will be made available afterwards for sharing.

What types of topics do Virtual Seminars cover?

Past MICD Virtual Seminars have covered timely topics such as design-based approaches to community safety; helping main streets and small businesses survive the pandemic; and how quick-build projects can reshape public spaces in impactful ways.

Click here for a list of past and upcoming seminars.

How can I get involved as a design leader?

MICD Resource Team alumni interested in presenting at a future Virtual Seminar are encouraged to contact us.

For design leaders who have not previously served as MICD Resource Team members, click here to learn more about getting involved in MICD.

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