Over the years, the methodology for public consultation has evolved to include public information meetings and hearings, telephone polls and surveys, and most recently online engagement. Increasingly, government is emphasizing evidence-based decision-making. They recognize that existing methods are lacking in reaching a broad demographic. Internet communication technology has made it possible to reach a broader […]

This Mitacs internship will determine the economic feasibility of the repurposing of 312/324 Main Street into a Centre for Social Innovation and Inclusion (CSII) in Vancouver. CSII is modeled on the successful Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto. CSII aims to create cooperative networks among different social groups, cultivating an environment of reciprocity. CSII envisages […]

Under the 2010, Preparing for Climate Change: British Columbia’s Adaptation Strategy (Ministry of Environment, 2010) the Government of British Columbia has been tasked with integrating aspects of adaptation planning into their policies, legislation and regulations. By evaluating the policies and programs that the Government of B.C. has legislated and implemented to date, this internship will […]

Over the years, the methodology for public consultation has evolved to include public information meetings and hearings, telephone polls and surveys, and most recently online engagement. Increasingly, government is emphasizing evidence-based decision-making. They recognize that existing methods are lacking in reaching a broad demographic. Internet communication technology has made it possible to reach a broader […]

The From Hammers to Homes project seeks to engage one masters student intern for two semesters to work with the partners in order to design a new database and conduct a new annual survey to report on improving the quality and transparency of information on the residential development environment in regional Vancouver’s municipalities. The intern […]

This project will expand upon the underlying research conducted with the 2012 Urban Futures Survey of Greater Vancouver. The intern will evaluate a survey that was the third similar survey approximately 20 years apart to inform planning policies in the Metro Vancouver region. The last survey, in 2012, used an online consultation platform instead of […]

Cultural Planning encourages recognition of a community's network of interrelated assets, and maintains that it is beneficial to conserve built cultural heritage resources. Many municipalities, including the City of Guelph, have undertaken cultural mapping initiatives, which are considered an initial step and a defining feature of this vein of planning. Guelph’s mapping initiative identifies the […]

After the NRTEE 2003 National Redevelopment Strategy for Canada, an in-depth review of the progress and status of the 14 recommendations offered will be completed through interviews of Canadian municipal and provincial governments and other stakeholders in the Brownfield Industry. Outcomes and recommendations will be formulated for consideration. This study will be presented at the […]

The Connections and Engagement Survey Breakdown Project will provide a deeper understanding of relevant community health issues in the Metro Vancouver area by studying various elements associated with civic engagement and citizen participation. Using data collected by the Vancouver Foundation, this project will produce several reports on key issues of neighbourhood and community well-being and […]

In 2011, 21% of Winnipeg residents (or 61,790 households) were living in unaffordable housing, as defined by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) is a tool available to municipalities to respond to this issue by ensuring all new residential development includes a certain percentage affordable housing. Inclusionary Zoning is used successfully across […]

Vacant storefronts reflect the disinvestment and loss of retail activity that has accompanied suburbanization, while also creating impediments to revitalization. It is therefore important to consider alternative approaches, such as activating empty storefronts through social innovation. Social innovation focuses on public interest and social cohesion, rather than commercial success. In this research, we seek to […]

The Hey Neighbour! pilot program evaluation intends to draw conclusions about the potential of social policy interventions into urban neighbourhoods. First, we will review the multidisciplinary research trends and approaches related to the question of improving social quality in urban neighbourhoods and communities. This will include review of the terminology, definitions of related terminology, overlapping […]