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Date: Friday, February 8, 2013
Venue: Graduate Student Society (GSS) Building – 6371 Crescent Rd. Vancouver.
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Morning
8:30-9:00AM ǀ Breakfast & Registration
GSS Ballroom
9:00-10:00AM ǀ Welcome & Opening Keynote
GSS Ballroom
How can ghostboxes, dead malls, aging office parks, out-dated edge cities and blighted commercial strips be retrofitted into more sustainable places? Co-author of the award winning book, “Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs”, Ellen Dunham-Jones will explain the drivers behind successful built suburban retrofits in North America and illustrate the three principal strategies: re-inhabitation, redevelopment and re-greening.
Ellen Dunham-Jones, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, Georgia Institute of Technology
10:15-11:30AM ǀ First Session of Panels
Food Systems Planning
Penthouse
The international peasant federation La Via Campesina defines food sovereignty as: “The right of people’s to healthy and culturally appropriate food, produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agricultural systems” (R. Patel 2009). This panel will explore how food sovereignty is being promoted in Vancouver from educational, institutional, and indigenous perspectives.
Brent Mansfield, Co-Chair, Vancouver Food Policy Council
Dawn Morrison, Program Coordinator – Urban Aboriginal Garden/Kitchen Project, Vancouver Native Health Society
Will Valley, PhD. Candidate & Sessional Instructor – Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia
Embrace the Cul-de-Sac: Challenging Assumptions about the Suburbs
Leon’s Lounge
New urbanist planning emphasizes high-density, mixed use areas as the most culturally vibrant and sustainable places to live. Suburban sprawl is depicted as socially isolating, environmentally unsustainable, and the product of government policies which favour single family home ownership. This panel challenges these assumptions that draw a line between suburban and downtown neighbourhoods, and critically examines fundamental aspects of our definitions of livability, quality of life, and sustainability.
Lance Jakubec, Senior Researcher, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tom Lancaster, Planner, VIA Architecture
Peter Russell, Planning & Engagement Group Manager – Sustainable Communities Group, Golder Associates
Jessica Woolliams, Consultant, Eco City Planning
CityPlan and Beyond: Effective and Inclusive Participation in the Municipal Context
International House – Upper Lounge
In 1992, Vancouver’s City Planning Department was mandated by City Council to undertake a public engagement process in an effort to identify priority areas for Vancouver’s strategic plan. This process sought out wide involvement using various participation techniques including surveys, polls and workshops and ultimately engaged over 100,000 residents from across the city. This panel will reflect upon lessons learned, and some of the process elements that could translate to planning efforts today, from the perspective of those directly involved in guiding the planning process. It will also examine how similar initiatives have been utilized in other cities in the Lower Mainland. Panelists will also discuss the long-term outcomes of CityPlan and share some insights about the future challenges and opportunities for the use of community engagement in planning around the Metro Vancouver region.
Francis Bula, Freelance Journalist & Chair – Journalism Program, Langara College
Ronda Howard, Fmr. Assistant Director – Planning, City of Vancouver
Ann McAfee, President, City Choices Consulting
Housing Affordability
Thea’s Lounge
Housing affordability is a pressing issue throughout British Columbia. This panel will look at housing affordability in several diverse communities in the province. It will seek to better understand the issue and examine strategies that communities are using to address the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Janet Kreda, Senior Housing Planner, Metro Vancouver
Kera McArthur, Director, Public Engagement – Campus & Community Planning, The University of British Columbia
Marla Zucht, General Manager, Whistler Housing Authority
Afternoon
11:30AM – 12:00PM | Break for Lunch
GSS Ballroom
12:00PM – 12:45PM | Lunch Keynote
GSS Ballroom
Why should we Idle No More, and what’s planning got to do with it?
Leonie Sandercock, Professor, School of Community & Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
Gerry Oleman, Stl’atl’imx Nation Elder & Elder-in-Residence, School of Community & Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
Lyana Patrick, PhD Candidate, School of Community & Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
1:00 – 2:15PM ǀ Second Session of Panels
Alternative Transportation Visions for the Lower Mainland
International House – Upper Lounger
Metro Vancouver is currently experiencing rapid growth, and there is little consensus about how the region is going to address future transportation needs. Conflicts have arisen between provincial and local governments, as well as between local governments, regarding the location and the types of transportation investments needed, as well as how to fund these investments. This session will examine how alternative transportation investments could influence development and growth at the regional level, as well as in terms financial costs. The session will also examine impacts in terms of quality life, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Sarah Ross, Senior Manager – Strategy and Plan Development, TransLink
Larry Frank, Professor, School of Community and Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
Gaëtan Royer, Author, timeforcities.ca
Jinhua Zhao, Assistant Professor, School of Community and Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
Genesis Project: Giving Suburban Malls New Life
Leon’s Lounge
Malls, a long stand-by of retail and a single-use hub for suburban communities, are facing a crossroad. As malls find their continuing commercial success in jeopardy, landowners are taking advantage of rising property values and suburban shifts in favour of redeveloping malls into more vibrant and mixed centres of activity. With a combination of retail, office, residential, and community uses, the potential for creating community is great. However the intensification of activity in existing neighbourhoods also poses challenges of livability and compatibility with community members.
Ned Jacobs, Riley Park/South Cambie Community Visions
Dwayne Drobot, Rezoning Planner, City of Vancouver
Andy Yan, Planner/Researcher, Bing Thom Architects/BTA Works
Role of Neighbourhood Associations & Groups in the Planning Process
Thea’s Lounge
As land available for development is exhausted in downtown Vancouver, development will increasingly need to take place outside of downtown to keep pace with population growth and ensure housing affordability. Increasingly development is taking place in established neighbourhoods in Vancouver, often prompting conflict with local residents. This session will look at the role of neighbourhood associations in shaping urban planning policies and development in Vancouver. It will examine past experiences of conflict and efforts of collaboration, current trends, and considerations for the future.
David Chudnovsky, Fmr. MLA, Vancouver Kensington
Scott Clark, Executive Director, ALIVE Society
Nathan Eldelson, Senior Partner, 42nd Street Consulting & Adjunct Professor, The University of British Columbia
Jennifer Gray-Grant, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Andrea Reimer, Councillor & Chair – Planning, Transportation & Environment , Vancouver City Council
Planning for Equitable & Sustainable Economies
Penthouse
Improving our economy, from the inside. A non-profit business may sound like an oxymoron, but social enterprises and co-operatives across the world are proving that businesses can thrive while pursuing social, cultural and/or environmental objectives. More importantly, these innovative businesses are creating jobs, increasing food security, generating clean energy, and strengthening local economies. And it’s happening right in our backyard. Hear compelling stories about social enterprises and co-ops in Vancouver, and learn how planners and local governments can support their important work.
David LePage, Team Manager, Enterprising Non-Profits Program
Helesia Luke, Principal & Senior Consultant, Ethos Strategy Group
David Van Seters, Sustainable Economics Practice Leader – Sustainable Communities Group, Golder Associates
2:15 – 2:45PM | Coffee Break
GSS Ballroom
2:45 – 4:00PM ǀ Third Session of Panels
Campus Walking Tour
Campus & Community Planning-led walking tour that highlights new bike infrastructure around and the transformation of UBC’s campus towards a vibrant and sustainable community. ***Limited space available, by sign-up only
Led by:
Gerry Mcgeough, University Architect
Nena Vukojevic, Architectural Planning Assistant
Active Transportation in Suburban to Rural Communities: From Ideas to Implementation, and Everything In Between
International House – Upper Lounger
“Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car” (E. B. White, 1940).
Active transportation is commonly discussed in an urban context, but it’s increasingly important everywhere. In this panel, we will discuss some of the barriers to the use of active modes of transportation in lower density suburban to rural areas – places where the built form may not be conducive to safe, enjoyable, and efficient walking and cycling – and some of the unique opportunities that exist in these places. We’ll start with discussion of why active transportation matters outside of the big city, next hear from a rural mobility advocate with lots of creative ideas, then learn about the work of planning for active transportation across different types of communities, and finish with a first-hand look at how active transportation projects can be successfully implemented.
Gavin Davidson, Associate, Alta Planning + Design
Larry Frank, Professor, School for Community and Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
John Rowlandson, Velo Village Chair, Island Pathways
Reimagining Downtown Surrey: Design Proposals from SCARP Students
Thea’s Lounge
In fall 2012, students in SCARP’s Theory & Methods of Urban Design course participated in a series of design exercises to reimagine downtown Surrey. Students applied contemporary thinking in urban design theory and methods to a series of redevelopment interventions for the downtown neighbourhood. Students will present interventions that were developed as part of their coursework for the class.
Ruchir Dhall, Adjunct Professor, Urban Design - School of Community and Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia
SCARP Students: Lee Haber, Ryan O’Connor, Gordon Redmond, Sean Bohle & Jim Beaudreau
Innovative Communication Tools for Public Engagement
Penthouse
What are some novel communication techniques /tools that planners are exploring to reach audiences across culture, race, class, gender, age and space as a way to inform and engage them in the planning of their communities?” Join us today for an engaging dialogue with three of Vancouver’s most creative minds. This session will consider a variety of approaches, from design jams to filmmaking, that planners can use to communicate ideas and engage the public in local community development.
Fiona Rayher, Artistic Director, Gen Why Media
Marten Sims, Nerd Facilitator, Vancouver Design Nerds Society
Amanda Mitchell, Engagement Specialist – Corporate Communications, City of Vancouver
Wine & Cheese Reception
4:00PM – 6:45PM | Chief Planner Panel
Metro Vancouver Chief Planners Panel: Preparing for Regional Growth in the Lower Mainland
GSS Ballroom
The population of Metro Vancouver is expected to rise by 1 million people over the next 30 years. This panel presentation will explore how local planning departments in the Lower Mainland are preparing their communities for the future. It will also seek to examine how alternative models of growth may influence the region’s livability, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
Brian Jackson, General Manager – Planning & Development Services, City of Vancouver
Jean Lamontagne, General Manager – Planning and Development, City of Surrey
James L. McIntyre, General Manager – Planning and Development, City of Coquitlam
Lisa Spitale, Director – Development Services, City of New Westminster
Moderator:
Robert Barrs, Principal – Sustainable Communities Group, Golder Associates
