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Designing for Justice: Reconciliation, Spatial Equity & Climate Adaptation in Vancouver’s Parks

The initiative, led by the University of British Columbia, reflects a critical analysis of urban planning in Vancouver, particularly concerning reconciliation, spatial equity, and climate adaptation within the city’s parks. The roadmap delves into the spatial and temporal distribution of parks across the city, analyzing the establishment and redesign of these spaces over time. It highlights the disparities in access to green spaces, particularly among first-generation immigrants, Indigenous populations, and residents of single-family homes. The roadmap emphasizes the need for inclusive decision-making processes that consider the voices of marginalized groups, such as Indigenous communities, to ensure that park spaces serve the needs of all residents equitably. It also extends this discussion by tracing the trajectory of park design projects, from conception to post-construction, and examining the socio-spatial dynamics of these spaces over time.
Our roadmaps to quality in the built environment
Partners working on this roadmap

Former partners are in brackets

Award Organization/Professional Inst. No profile picture Doug Shearer Senior Planner City of Vancouver Park Board
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Emily Gorham CityStudio Vancouver
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Fionn Byrne Assistant Professor University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Grant Fahlgren Chair Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Reconciliation Advisory Committe
Award Organization/Professional Inst. No profile picture Jordan Lypkie Planner II City of Vancouver Park Board
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Kees Lokman Associate Professor and Chair University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Michelle Gagnon-Creeley CRAB Park Volunteer Network
Award Organization/Professional Inst. Sara Jacobs Assistant Professor University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Award Organization/Professional Inst. (Ileana Costrut) Senior Program Coordinator CityStudio Vancouver
Award Organization/Professional Inst. (Miriam Esquitín) Director of Vancouver Program and Finance Manager CityStudio Vancouver
Award Organization/Professional Inst. (Sean Ruthen) Senior Architect James KM Cheng Architects Architecture office
Students working on this roadmap
Cynthia San Student University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Narita Ico Student University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Robert Iain Ferguson Student University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Tess Adebar Student University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)