FOOD INNOVATION

We have launched a series of conversations about the need for a more sustainable and equitable food future. In this dialogue, we question misconceptions about food systems, and discover how ‘frontrunners’ across the world are challenging outdated paradigms and behaviours.

CALGARY CHINATOWN

As part of the Tomorrow’s Chinatown program, we partnered with the community to create a first-of-its-kind Chinatown Cultural Plan. This plan advances that Calgary’s Chinatown is a neighbourhood like no other, with a culture that continues to be meaningful to its residents and all Calgarians.

CITY CENTRE DEN HELDER

The centre of City of Den Helder is successfully revitalized, leveraging its cultural, maritime and industrial heritage. Historic sites are activated with culture, retail and creative industries. We spearheaded the real estate strategy and market feasibility analysis to lay the foundation for a public-private partnership.

FOOD SYSTEMS DESIGN

Together with D+FA and the Consulate General of the Netherlands, we hosted a provocative workshop, 2051: A Food Odyssey. Teams of food innovators, designers and entrepreneurs explored the forces of systems thinking and international collaboration to protect the future of food for British Columbia and the Netherlands.

VANCOUVER CHINATOWN

Small, independent and culturally significant businesses are key to the fabric and experience of Vancouver’s Chinatown and Strathcona. We support community-minded entrepreneurs by repurposing underutilized Chinese society buildings and other not-for-profit properties for food and retail businesses.

VIENNA SOCIAL HOUSING

This exploratory research project studies the social-economic impacts of Vienna’s innovative social housing models. In particular, we looked at how these models are contributing to a more diverse society, inclusive of equity-seeking groups such as immigrants, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ and racialized communities.

NEWTON MURAL LANEWAY

We engaged with artists, residents and businesses to celebrate Newton’s diversity, culture and entrepreneurship with a placemaking festival at Mural Laneway. The celebration offered youth, newcomers and women of mostly South Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds a welcoming place to showcase their talents.

THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY

Drawing from our experience in Europe and Canada, we create and program spaces for industry and manufacturing within our cities, where entrepreneurs, innovators and makers are part of an ecosystem that helps them start up, find clients and partners, and grow their business.

SHAPE THE COURTYARD

This two-day event showed the possibilities for cultural activation of the underused Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Courtyard in Vancouver Chinatown. Together with the Classical Chinese Garden, we gave local groups a platform to experiment with cross-cultural learning, entrepreneurship and placemaking.

JULIANADORP AT SEA

This family-friendly neighbourhood in the Dutch town of Julianadorp was developed with 615 affordable homes, schools and sports facilities. A unique design aspect is the flexible building concept that offers residents the opportunity to adapt their homes over time as their lifestyles and age evolve.

TOWN OF CANMORE

The picturesque Town of Canmore has among the highest housing costs in Alberta. We supported the planning, economic analysis and stakeholder engagement for new affordable housing development, providing homes for singles, young families, teachers, students and seniors.

EURO INNOVATION CENTRE

Nations can progress much faster towards sustainability by exchanging ideas, innovation and talent. To propel this, we supported the activation and programming of an innovation centre in Vancouver to introduce European approaches for circular economy, clean energy and climate resilience to the Canadian audience.

CULTURAL RESOURCE MAP

The Calgary Chinatown Cultural Resource Map is a platform where community stories unfold and are pieced together to capture the cultural places, activities and legacies of the neighbourhood. We encouraged residents as cultural stewards to submit content and shape the narrative.

UNIVERCITY SFU

We hosted a symposium on sustainable area development together with Simon Fraser University, FSA and Parallel 52°. During a 2-day workshop, a group of 15 students assessed the sustainability of the UniverCity community in Burnaby BC and compared it to developments in various European cities.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES

Community centre IJsselmeerstraat in Den Helder, the Netherlands, is part of a wider neighbourhood revitalization plan and includes the development of two schools, sports facilities, child daycare, affordable rental housing and programs for children with special needs and disabilities.

BUSINESS PARK KOOYPUNT

Business Park Kooypunt is perfectly situated on the Dutch North Sea coast with easy access to major cities in the UK, Scandinavia and Germany. The development entails 320 acres of industrial park, leveraging adjacent airport facilities and an inland port for industries servicing offshore wind energy parks.