At times one of the local universities here has free public lectures on topics related to urban development/design /community sustainability. These topics are growing in popularity. Next year Simon Fraser University will ensure they will book bigger lecture halls to accommodate the burgeoning public interest.

Next wk.'s session should be interesting: it's a public debate between 2 folks on which city is doing better/worse in terms of urban design /community sustainability.
http://www.sfu.ca/city/fpl8popup.htm

The same debate (but speakers switching sides) will be delivered in Seattle, on Jun. 18(?). Dunno where.