In Conversation with: The Bentway’s Public Space Fellows (Part 1)
In July, The Bentway Conservancy issued a call for Public Space Fellows to support the new Safe in Public Space initiative. The Fellowship program aims to broaden the public space field to amplify marginalized perspectives, allowing The Bentway to learn from the next generation of diverse leaders that will steward the future of public space, ensuring resiliency, inclusion and equitable access. The Fellows, Gelila Mekonnen and Nahomi Amberber, will use their 3-month fellowship to interrogate the meaning of public safety during a global pandemic and heightened focus on anti-Black racism.
The following conversation between Gelila and Nahomi, edited for length, marks the beginning of their fellowship. They discuss what each hope to learn, what motivates their work and how they currently understand public safety.
What motivated you to apply for the Public Space Fellowship?
Gelila: I've always been interested in the conversations around equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly in planning. As I reached the end of my studies, I wanted to ensure that focus was in my professional work. So I thought this was a great opportunity to advance my understanding as it relates to public space practitioners. There’s also the fact that we get to work with one another- getting to learn a lot more from you (Nahomi) is something I'm looking forward to.
Nahomi: I feel similarly to you but I was coming from a public health perspective and was really keen on being intentional about equity and social justice work in my more “professional” capacity. Just as you said, this such a unique opportunity to think critically about what that means and very tangibly in terms of in public space, as well as put all of our interests in practice.
How do you currently understand the concept of public safety in the midst of this pandemic? Or, how has that understanding of public safety changed?
Nahomi: It’s such an interesting question because I think for a lot of us the idea of public safety is constantly changing during this pandemic; I'm constantly re-evaluating it. But I think besides the most obvious ways that’s changed, something that I've been thinking a lot about is how it’s not enough for Black people, or any other community, to not have their safety threatened but they must also be at peace of mind in public space.
Gelila: I echo that and, coming from a planning perspective, I haven't had much of an opportunity to connect public health to how we build our spaces. I think it's becoming more obvious the ways in which the two are connected and inextricably linked with one another. Especially as it relates to mental health- I find it interesting the way that it relates to public safety.
How do you see yourself weaving some of those past experiences you mentioned into the fellowship?
Gelila: I’m a lot more cognizant of being more comfortable with making sure that my experiences inform the work that I do. As someone who lives at the intersection of many things, as a woman, as a Black person, as someone even who has someone in their direct family who is a frontline worker, there's a lot of different ways in which I think about problems and potential solutions. Especially when we're dealing with deep and complex questions, I'm always interested in finding nuance.
Nahomi: Similarly, I'm constantly trying to understand where I'm coming from into this work. And thinking about what an education in public health has taught me but also what work outside of my “professional” experience has taught me. How I can bring my own lived experiences, professional experience and experience in community organizing all together.
What are you excited to learn the most during this fellowship? Or potentially explore?
Nahomi: I'm interested in learning more about urban planning and geography. Some of my professional experience has definitely been within that scope but learning more about what it means to design spaces and what it means for these organizations to operate in spaces and open them up to the public. What that means on the ground to make a really warm community gathering space.
Gelila: It's funny that you say that because that is kind of my answer, but related to public health coincidentally. And how public health needs to be situated kind of at the forefront at this point. Also looking at how The Bentway will kind of shift and change the way that we traditionally do things.
What do you hope to accomplish during this fellowship? What are your goals?
Gelila: One of the things I definitely want to contribute to is the growing conversations about what institutions and organizations can do to build safer spaces that are more equitable. Because this is only the beginning, right? I'm excited to contribute to broadening that conversation in the future.
Nahomi: I'm excited to talk to the communities and groups and organizations that are animating spaces and how they're approaching public health and safety. One of my goals is to bridge those different conversations and hear from people about what's been working for them and what’s serving their communities the best. There’s so much knowledge in different places that would be great to bring together.
Check back in with the Public Space Fellows in part two of their “In Conversation with…” where Gelila and Nahomi will discuss the highlights of their time at The Bentway as their fellowships come to a close.
GELILA MEKONNEN
Gelila Mekonnen (she/her) is a planner with a diverse background in research, policy, community engagement, and active transportation. She is a graduate of the Master of Planning in Urban Development Program at Ryerson University, where her research focused on cycling equity and micromobility. Gelila has worked in active transportation with the Bike Share Toronto program, and has a keen interest in placemaking. Using an intersectional approach, Gelila is interested in how community co-creation and intercultural collaboration can enhance public space and city building practices.
NAHOMI AMBERBER
Nahomi Amberber (she/her) is a Black public health researcher that uses data to push forward conversations of justice and health equity. A graduate of the Master of Public Health – Epidemiology program at the University of Toronto, she strives to bring her passion to all projects she works in, which have included those with Black Lives Matter – Toronto, the Wellesley Institute and The Centre for Active Transportation. As a researcher and budding organizer, Nahomi is constantly learning from the people around her who continue to defend the health and livelihoods of their communities.
ABOUT THE PUBLIC SPACE FELLOWSHIP
The Bentway’s Public Space Fellowship aims to address key knowledge gaps in the development, planning and operation of public spaces. During a time marked by interrelated crises of public health and safety, there is a clear need to broaden the public space field to include perspectives from public health, public policy, anti-Black racism, indigenous studies and anti-indigenous racism, unhoused communities, and other historically marginalized groups. Acknowledging the limitations and shortcomings of traditional processes, The Bentway seeks to support underrepresented and suppressed voices by listening, learning, and creating meaningful partnerships that improve our skills and approaches. Fellows will act across disciplines, working collaboratively with staff, partners, and advisors to conduct research, contribute editorial content, and support ongoing creative explorations and community consultation. They will also help inform The Bentway’s growth plans, commitments, and actions to deliver on its mission and core values. Fellows join The Bentway on a full-time basis for 3-months from September-December 2020.