What is lived experience?
“Lived experience” refers to personal knowledge, perceptions, and feelings about the built environments in which we live, work, and play. Responses reflect meaningful personal opinions rather than expert, scientific, or even formal descriptions.
Mapping positive lived experiences in Canada
Share your lived experience
Ice Stations – Ramsey Lake – Ontario
“I particularly remember visiting… A series of ice stations situated on the skate path of Ramsey Lake, a water body
Mount Pleasant Cemetery – Toronto
“In my personal perspective — which I acknowledge is not reflective of all park users — two criteria that most
Grand Marché de Québec
“Although the project is recent, the new Grand Marché de Québec is a concrete example of the quality described above.
Distillery District – Toronto
“An example of my positive experience of quality in built environment is the Distillery District in Toronto. It is a
Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and Calgary Central Library
“I am not an architect and so these two buildings may not completely align with the principles I listed above
Halifax Central Library – Halifax
“I particularly remember visiting the Halifax Central Library, after it was completed. On this vacant site for years, nothing happened,
Heart of Old Quebec
“An example of quality development in the heart of Old Quebec is located at the intersection of Saint-Paul and Saint-Pierre
Alex Community Food Centre – Calgary
“I particularly remember visiting the Alex Community Food Centre. The Alex community food centre is a welcoming space where people
Kensington Market – Toronto
“Kensington Market in Toronto is a unique place where the above elements intersect. Layers of history, non-confirming land uses, buildings
The Evergreen Brickworks – Toronto
“I particularly remember visiting… The Evergreen Brickworks is an excellent example of a post-industrial site that has been adapted for
Guidelines
Typically, between 500-1000 words.
Positive Lived Experience should touch on at least one of QUALITY IN CANADA’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT goals.
Should aim to include at least one good quality image accompanied with a caption.
Should be accessible and understandable to a wide audience, e.g. everyday language, and explain any more complex concepts with which not everyone will be familiar.
Contributions in EN-FR
Include a short author bio.
Process will include submission, review and edition.