#Cityresolve 2016 Exceeds Expectations!

January 27, 2016

Andrew Muscat

Once again the hashtag has proven to play an integral role in engaging the public through digital means. As seen through numerous campaigns initiated over social media, it is apparent that a simple character can make an unexpected difference.

Pioneered by ULI Toronto at the beginning of 2015, the #cityresolve campaign set out on its second venture in the digital front this year. By using the social media giant Twitter, ULI challenged local Torontonians to resolve to make a positive change to their home city in 2016. By doing so, ULI hoped to use social media to bring out the very best in their local community.

With well over 900 tweets sent by 423 Twitter users, 2016’s #cityresolve campaign was a fantastic success. From city representatives such as Councillor Norm Kelly, Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat and Mayor John Tory, to local students and businesses, the #cityresolve campaign was a far reaching success. Over a three day period, #cityresolve collectively made 2.4 million impressions on social media users. One million more than last year’s campaign!

Due to such an impressive showing by Torontonians, the ULI team had its work cut out for them when selecting a daily winner of an Urbanize cap. Judges chose resolutions that strived to make an impact, and highlighted trends toward local exploration and sustainability.

The three daily winners selected all exhibited the positive influence that #cityresolve was looking for. User @avi_behar planned to use his creative and technical skills to provide Toronto the soundtrack it deserves. @mosilb hopes to convince her friends to try something new and explore the far outreaches of North York. Twitter user @mikejcw plans on connecting with the city politically in order to promote transit-first policies.

The grand prize winner will receive two tickets to the 2016 Annual Mayor’s Luncheon and will have a meet and greet with Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua of the City of Vaughan. With this experience, ULI Toronto hopes to continue the trend of positive change and give both the mayor and winner an eye-opening experience. The grand prize winner will be announced by ULI Toronto on January 27 2016.

Building on the success of this year’s campaign,the ULI team aims to expand the impact of #cityresolve and hopes to pilot an unforgettable campaign that will reach far beyond Toronto’s borders. As the trend moves outward from the Toronto chapter — to Philadelphia, Austin, Charlotte, Washington D.C. and many other cities and regions ULI hopes to continue engaging local facilitators and leave behind a trail of positive motion.

#Cityresolve 2016 Exceeds Expectations!

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