Public squares have been gathering places for thousands of years, but do they truly serve everyone in today's increasingly diverse communities? This episode explores two very different town squares in Waterloo Region – Waterloo Town Square and the Gaslight District – to understand what makes these spaces work, revealing that while public squares can help people encounter difference, they don't automatically create belonging or deep understanding. Making them truly inclusive requires thoughtful design, intentional programming, and grappling with difficult questions about who belongs in public space. As our region grows toward one million people and housing becomes less affordable, these free gathering spaces aren't just nice to have - they're essential infrastructure for the human spirit.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS

Ryan Lok, PhD Candidate at the University of Waterloo School of Planning

Jeyas Balaskanthan, Executive Director of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area

Scott Higgins, President of HIP Developments

Sheri Roberts, City of Cambridge Councilor for Ward 2

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Uptown Waterloo BIA

Gaslight District

CREDITS

Jay Harrison, Host/Producer

Karyn Atkins, Writer

Deren Atkins, Editor

Shrijith Ramaswami, Editor

David Harmes, Executive Producer/Engineer

MUSIC

courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Main theme music - Rocket Jr: High Tech

Transition music - Par Hagstrom: Snakes and Fire (Instrumental Version), and Loyae: Level Up

This show was made possible by the support of the Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

Local expert Troy Glover shows us why social infrastructure is the invisible glue that holds a community together. Through the lens of public libraries, this episode uncovers how these everyday spaces are actually "palaces for people," quietly helping to transform strangers into neighbors and isolated individuals into thriving communities. As Waterloo Region grows toward becoming home to one million people by 2050, this episode asks a crucial question: will we invest in the social infrastructure that turns a growing population into a connected community, or will we let our social fabric fray?

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS

Troy Glover, Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo

Nathan Stretch, Senior Manager of Community Development and Insights

at Kitchener Public Library

Cristina McLaren, Manager of Library Services for the Region of Waterloo Libraries

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s 2025 Vital Signs report

Gehl Institute report on social infrastructure

ActivateYourNeighbourhood.ca

CREDITS

Jay Harrison, Host/Producer

Karyn Atkins, Writer/Reporter

Deren Atkins, Editor

Shrijith Ramaswami, Editor

David Harmes, Executive Producer/Engineer

MUSIC

courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Main theme music - Rocket Jr: High Tech

Transition music - Par Hagstrom: Snakes and Fire (Instrumental Version), and Loyae: Level Up

This show was made possible by the support of the Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

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Join host, Jay Harrison, for a five-part series on social infrastructure in Waterloo Region. Starting January 17, 2026 you can tune in to Midtown Radio (midtownradio.ca) on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am ET to listen along with your neighbours. Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to catch up with past episodes.
Music from Rocket Jr. courtesy of Epidemic Sound