Contributor Biographies
Chris Holt
photo courtesy of John Stefani
Chris Holt has been actively studying cities for decades. After enrolling in the Architectural Technology program at Windsor’s St. Clair college, he decided that focusing on the microcosm of individual building design was too limiting and didn’t provide him with the opportunity to affect change on a large scale. He then moved up to study Urban Design at London’s Fanshawe College, where he was introduced to the ideas of macro-planning, and the impacts good civic design had on the human experience.
Chris has translated his civic inquisiveness to the realm of policy development at the municipal level. During a 14 year career as a tradesman in the automotive sector, he has always kept busy working with different organizations in forwarding the concept that good urban design is a major contributor to a healthy environment and stronger community bonds. Chris has served on many boards in the city in an attempt to shape his community in a positive way; Windsor Bicycling Committee, Windsor Essex County Environment Committee, Citizens Environment Alliance and Windsor’s Ontario Public Interest Research Group to name a few. Chris has also been active on the political level, running as a candidate in both provincial and federal elections, as well as organizing local riding associations and managing other election campaigns.
Chris started the ScaleDown website while working on the plant floor, and has moved into the uncharted waters of multi-media production as the founder and host of ScaleDown Radio on CJAM 91.5 FM; the 2009 Jammy award winner for “Best New Show“. Interviewing noted academics and media personalities such as Richard Florida and Steve Paikin, as well as a host of influential community leaders and politicians from around the globe, has proven itself an invaluable resource in researching the many options available in fixing our city. ScaleDown has gone on to host many successful events and public information gatherings, bringing celebrated authors and academics to Windsor. ScaleDown has also garnered significant media attention, and Chris has been the focus of national newspaper articles and international magazine articles.
These days you can find Chris enjoying his layoff by attending the University of Windsor in the interdisciplinary Environmental Studies program, while raising his two children in the highly livable, pedestrian-friendly neghbourhood of Olde Walkerville in Windsor’s core.
to contact Chris, send him an email at chris (at) scaledown.ca
