Squamish Employment Lands Model User Tool

In 2020, District of Squamish staff created a new Employment Space Demand Model as a key tool to support economic development and land use planning. The goal of this project was to better understand existing and planned supply of employment space throughout the District, and to offer data-driven forecasting for the potential demand for space overtime. The model relies on District data from business licencing, building development and construction, and it also incorporates third-party consumption data, employment and firm forecasts.

The goal of this project is to help make the Model more widely accessible to other staff at the District, evolving the model from its current format as a complex Excel-based tool to a more user-friendly format for staff. The project will involve conducting user-centered research with staff, and undertaking the design and development of a new tool that can make the model and its insights more accessible. (The student researcher would determine the optimal format for the tool, which could consist of a web-based tool / graphical user interface, a simple desktop app, or an improved spreadsheet tool.)

Faculty Supervisor:

Roger Yu

Student:

Partner:

District of Squamish

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Thompson Rivers University

Program: