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
“Petit Laurier” – Plateau-Mont-Royal – Montreal
“My experience of living in my neighbourhood, the “Petit Laurier” in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, is the best example of a
Food Market – Atwater – Montreal
“I used to live in the Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood in Montreal. It’s where my great-great-grandparents settled when they first arrived in
Halifax Central Library – Halifax
“I particularly remember visiting…the Halifax Central Library for the first time and feeling an incredible sense of community. Not only
Emily Follensbee School – Calgary
“I particularly remember visiting Emily Follensbee School, an elementary school for children with complex disabilities. What is striking is how
Mount Pleasant Cemetery – Toronto
“In my personal perspective — which I acknowledge is not reflective of all park users — two criteria that most
Métis dovetail homes
“Historic Métis Handhewn dovetail homes are quality architecture. They are built from the land using local materials and respect the
Esplanade Tranquille pavilion – Montreal
“I recently had the opportunity to visit the new Esplanade Tranquille pavilion in downtown Montreal. As an architect, I went
Maison de la littérature de l’Institut Canadien – Old Quebec City
“One example that comes to mind is the Maison de la littérature de l’Institut canadien, built in Old Quebec City,
Hôtel-Dieu – Montreal
“A concrete example of inclusivity in the built environment is the repurposing of Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal to provide shelter for
Benny Library – Montreal
“I particularly remember visiting the Benny Library in my neighbourhood of Montreal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG). There is a reason for it
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.