common ground in a liquid city

In their recent newsletter, Neworld Theatre highlighed an upcoming event titled Another City is Possible which sounds super-interesting - especially given the strange flux we're about to experience in our city with a) the Cultural Olympiad followed by b) the impact of the proposed funding cuts. Here's how the event has been described:

Come hear some of the best thinkers in Vancouver and talk about the future of the city.

All great cities have a certain flavour and vitality.

How does a city get that life and vitality?