Students Build Cities 2026-27

Photo: Andrew Gunn & Carley Shearon of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press stand in downtown St. Thomas with the Canada Southern Railway Station in the background. Our team is beginning to introduce new projects in our ‘Students Build Cities’ program for 2026/27.

Over the past six years, our team at Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press has worked in collaboration with the Thames Valley District School Board and STEAM Centre to connect students directly to local community-building projects. In St. Thomas specifically, students have participated in the design of Westlake-Evans Park, collaborated with professional artists to paint new murals, informed the development of the Hospice of Elgin, welded sculptures, and contributed ideas to renew the Parks & Recreation and Transportation Master Plans for the City of St. Thomas.

Now, we are thrilled to begin introducing our Students Build Cities projects for 2026-27!

First up, we are happy to share that we will be gathering input from local students to help inform the new Railway City Central Master Plan being developed by the City of St. Thomas. The purpose of this document is to guide the development of the railway lands area over the next twenty-five years. This is one of the most exciting opportunities to contribute to the long-term vision for growth in the community! Participating students will have the opportunity to learn about the significance of preparing Master Plans, examine the particular dynamics of this part of the city, and share ideas for how the area should look and function in the future.

We cannot wait to hear from the students! This is how Students Build Cities.

Stay tuned as we announce more projects for the school year.

Interested in participating? Contact Andrew Gunn at gunn@andrewgunnconsulting.ca