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PLANNING INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
PLANNING
WEST
Fall 2019
FORWARD THINKING
SHAPING COMMUNITIES
Planning
This Issue:
for
Health
&Well-
being
PM41854519
2 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019
PLANNING
WEST p.30
Volume 61 | Number 4
Planning West is published
by the Planning Institute of
British Columbia (PIBC)
Dave Crossley
Executive Director
Tel: 604.696.5031 Fax: 604.696.5032
Email: dave.crossley@pibc.bc.ca Animals, Well-being and
Community Planning
Opinions expressed in this magazine
are not necessarily those of PIBC,
its Board of Directors, or the
Planning West Editorial Team
INSIDE
The primary contact
for Planning West is
Maria Stanborough rpp, mcip
Editor
Please send submissions to
editor@pibc.bc.ca FEATURES
Paid subscriptions to
Planning West are available 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 10 Bridging the Gap
for $57.75 (incl. 5% GST). Send Health and Urban Planning
a request with a cheque to: 5 OUTLINES
Planning Institute
of British Columbia
What’s Trending; 14 Where Matters:
#1750 - 355 Burrard St. Member in Focus Walkable Places Support
Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8 Healthy Lifestyles
Tel: 604.696.5031 8 GRADUATE STUDENT
Fax: 604.696.5032 RESEARCH Public Libraries: 18 Through an Equity Lens:
Email: info@pibc.bc.ca Contributors to Community Planning for Healthy and
Find more about the
Well-being and Quality of Life Equitable Communities
Planning Institute of BC
and Planning West at 13 FALL PIBC WEBINARS 20 Messy Cities: Mental Health
www.pibc.bc.ca and Urban Planning
Planning West layout 17 IN MEMORIAM
Luna Design Jay Simons 23 Climate Action March
Email: fiona@lunadesign.org
Planning West is printed by 32 INSTITUTE NEWS 24 Nourishing our Communities:
BondRepro PIBC Board Notes; Food System Planning for
Vancouver, BC Membership Reports Health and Well-being
Contents Copyright ©2019
Planning Institute of BC
All rights reserved. ISSN 1710-4904
35 WORLDVIEW 26 Health and Housing:
Sunder Nursery New Perspectives for Practice
New Delhi, India
30 Animals, Well-being and
Community Planning
ON THE COVER facebook.com
Our Planning for Health and Well-being issue /PIBC.bc.ca
examines a number of themes, including the Where
Matters: Health and Economic Impacts of Where We
twitter.com
Live study that found people who live in walkable
neighbourhoods tend to have better health, are less /_PIBC
likely to suffer from stress, and feel a stronger sense
of community belonging. linkedin.com/company/
planning-institute-of-
Photo credit: Krzysztof Klowailik courtesy of UnSplash british-columbia
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thinking about achievements in planning, I also
wanted to share and acknowledge a significant recent
milestone. As most members are aware, PIBC is
the professional association of planners across both
British Columbia and Yukon, and I’m pleased to
acknowledge a truly significant land use achievement
in the north. Congratulations to the First Nation of
Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation,
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Nation; the Tetlit Gwich’in of the
Northwest Territories and the Yukon Government for
approving the Peel River Watershed Land Use Plan
F
after over 15 years of planning and a Supreme Court
of Canada decision to uphold the spirit and intent
all is always a season of transition and change, and as we at PIBC of the modern treaties in the Yukon. The Peel River
enter this fall and find ourselves in the early period of a new Board Watershed, at 68,000 km², is one of the world’s larg-
term, change and renewal are on our agenda. The Board recently est pristine wilderness areas.
met to finalize work on the revised Strategic Plan covering the next Fall also represents the start of a new academic
two years, to review and finalize our budget and fees for the coming year. And, as we reach out and connect with students
(2020) year, and to look ahead on key issues and tasks for our at the four accredited university planning programs
profession going forward. in BC and Yukon, we’re excited to welcome a number
The Board’s revised Strategic Plan will continue to move a number of key of new student members to the Institute this fall. As
initiatives forward – in particular objectives related to: advancing the profession previously noted, the Institute’s continues its com-
and strengthening external relationships; building member value; continued sup- mitment to ongoing initiatives and new objectives to
port for students and emerging professionals; engagement on relevant advocacy support students and our future professionals.
and issues; enhanced organizational resilience and long-term visioning; looking I was very pleased to attend, along with Institute
at diversity and inclusiveness in our profession; and thinking about members’ staff and other Board members, our annual student
professional challenges and well-being. Watch for the release of the final updated social event in Vancouver with planning students
Strategic Plan on the PIBC website in the coming few weeks. from UBC and SFU. Sincere thanks and congratula-
On that note, we were very pleased to complete the roll out of our newly tions are extended to our student members for organ-
redesigned PIBC website this past summer, which includes a fresh new look and izing and hosting another successful event this year.
feel, as well as some additional sections and features – such as an online register It was a great opportunity to connect and network,
of members and new consultants’ directory. The renewed website also maintains as well as test our planning-related trivia knowledge.
and updates many familiar features and resources members know and use – such We look forward to similar events with students from
as planning job opportunity listings, the online calendar of events, Institute news UNBC and VIU in the coming months as well.
items, and key membership information. Additionally, our communications team Looking ahead, I’m excited about the many oppor-
will continue to further update and enhance the new website into the future. tunities and objectives reflected in our renewed Stra-
The Institute’s recently approved budget for 2020 continues to provide the tegic Plan, as well as key upcoming Institute events
resources and support for our many core programs and services, ongoing opera- and activities, including: our annual World Town
tions, and key strategic initiatives. It also reflects the Institute’s continued overall Planning Day gala celebrating our profession; planned
financial health. PIBC’s membership fees for 2020 have been adjusted up slightly, government outreach in the new year; our ongoing
in line with current cost of living rates. CIP is adjusting its fees up for the first successful CPL programming; and our next annual
time in several years, while professional liability insurance premium rates will conference – the joint national planning conference –
remain unchanged for 2020. We are also pleased that CIP is continuing its being held in conjunction with CIP in Whistler next
practice of providing complimentary student membership, in keeping with the July. We also look forward to welcoming a new staff
approach pioneered by PIBC some years ago. team member in the position of ‘Member Services
Another exciting development this fall was the Board’s decision to acknowl- Coordinator’ later this fall as well.
edge and designate Dr. David Witty Ph.D, RPP, FCIP as a Life Member of PIBC Best wishes for a productive and enjoy-
– the highest honour the Institute can bestow upon a member for their contribu- able autumn.
tions to the profession. He is being formally recognized, along with our annual
recognition of new Registered Professional Planners and long-serving members
with 25 or more years of professional membership, at our annual World Town
Planning Day gala event in November. Congratulations to Dr. Witty, and to
everyone being recognized this year. Lesley Cabott rpp, mcip
4 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019
OUTLINES
...
What’s Trending... Member in Focus
Below find links on organizations
Notice some
providing tools for building healthy
planning gold in
communities and improved well-being
the social media
universe? Share
it @_PIBC
What’s Trending?
> Cindy Cheung, PIBC Communications & Marketing Specialist
I
n this issue, let’s take a look at some of • Phase 1: Happy Homes - building sociability
the online tools and expertise available to through multi-family housing design.
help planners, community influencers, and • Phase 2: Designed to Engage - policy recom-
citizens alike shape their built environments mendations for promoting sociability in multi-
for healthy communities and improved family housing
well-being.
Happy Homes Toolkit Visit www.thehappycity.com to access these toolkits
(www.thehappycity.com) and get started.
The Happy City team and its founder Charles First Nations Health Authority – Region
Montgomery have been leading advocates for shaping Profiles to Improve First Nations Health
and building happy cities, so it’s no surprise their www.fnha.ca @fnha
current feature project is the ‘Happy Homes Toolkit.’ The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the
The key objective of this kit is to “use housing first province-wide health authority of its kind in
design to fight social isolation.” With support from Canada, is the health and wellness partner to over
BC Housing and the Real Estate Foundation of 200 diverse First Nations communities and citizens
BC, Happy City Lab has translated evidence-based in BC. Partnering with existing Indigenous primary
conclusions into smart design and action items: healthcare centres throughout BC, not only does
FNHA support culturally safe care for Indigenous
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 5
peoples, but it also provides important
information about the First Nation
MEMBER IN FOCUS
Communities it serves, including an
online Wellness Plan and demographics
for five coastal regions. Visit https://
www.fnha.ca/about/regions for Michael Gordon rpp, mcip
more details. Vancouver Heritage Commissioner and
BC Healthy Adjunct Professor (UBC SCARP)
Communities @BC_HC
www.bchealthycommunities.ca > Cindy Cheung, PIBC Communications & Marketing Specialist
Stay on top of the latest tools & news
related to healthy communities by
following BC Healthy Communities
online. This province-wide not-for-
profit organization provides a range of
resources, programs and fee-for-service
offerings in support of its vision: healthy
communities for all. Follow this PIBC
2019 Awards nominee at @BC_HC
MEMBERS
for IN THE
brief and informative dailyNEWS
online
updates. See their article on “Health and
Housing” in this issue.
Member in the News
Julian Dunster, Ph.D., RPP, MCIP,
of Victoria, British Columbia, is the
recipient of the 2019 International
C
Society of Arboriculture (ISA) R.W.
Harris Author’s Citation. This Award
of Distinction is given to authors ity planner, documentary How did you become a planner?
who consistently publish timely and director, UBC SCARP adjunct Was there a person or event
valuable content related to the field of professor, writer, music that motivated you into this
arboriculture. Dunster was recognized enthusiast and skateboarder; profession?
during the opening ceremony of the these all describe Michael In my teens and early 20's, I considered
ISA Annual International Conference Gordon, long time senior becoming a community planner, a profes-
and Trade Show on August 11 in planner at the City of Vancouver and past sional musician or a journalist. I took the
Knoxville, Tennessee. president of the Canadian Institute of opportunity to pursue all three. However,
Planners (CIP). We caught up with Michael two professors teaching at Waterloo's Plan-
as he was taking some well-deserved time ning School - Kent Gerecke and Novia
Planning West off travelling through Europe to find out Carter - were very persuasive that I join
Call for Submissions what has inspired him, the impact of the profession and complete my Planning
digital technology on planning, and how degree. They also assisted me in getting my
Winter 2020 Issue: he stays on top of his own well-being in a
World Town Planning Day first job as a professional planner at the City
& the Climate Crisis – what
demanding profession. of Regina where they hired me in the 70's to
are we doing? prepare an inner-city strategy and to set up
Deadline December 15, 2019 Where did you grow up?
community-based neighbourhood planning
Spring 2020 Issue:
I lived in Toronto for 16 years until 1971 in the central neighbourhoods. Larry Beas-
Urban Planning and Artificial but the Gordon family first arrived in Brit- ley and Ann McAfee also encouraged me.
Intelligence – good, bad or ish Columbia (Victoria, Kamloops) in the
terrifying? mid-1870's and to Vancouver in the next Those were three very interesting
Deadline March 15, 2020 decade. They were on the first City of Van- and diverse professions you were
Articles should be 1000-1200 words couver voters list. My dad was convinced I considering. Were there specific
in length and in an unformatted, MS should study and work here so I moved back things that called out to you as a
Word document. Please note: not
all articles may be accommodated
to Vancouver in the early 1980's, completed Community Planner?
based on editorial decisions and the
my M.Sc. in Planning at UBC, and joined I wanted to work closely with the com-
number of submissions received. the City of Vancouver in 1985. munity on neighbourhood planning and
6 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019
OUTLINES
1 A gift from the Staff at the City of Vancouver – a cartoon
depicting Michael and his favourite hobby.
Why skateboarding? Is there a
particular place you like to go to
skateboard?
Skateboarding is a unique activity that
combines the challenge of skating plus
a community with interests in the built
environment, the visual arts and music. It's
a very supportive community if you skate.
I wanted to skate since I was eleven but
it takes a village to learn how. It's the most
fun, most challenging and rewarding thing
I have ever pursued. My favourite places to
skate are the hills in my neighbourhood and
parking lots. I have a pool Santa Cruz deck
(I never liked long boards).
1 You have a lot on the go -
what’s next?
pursue a balance of community engagement A challenge is developing an expertise in As I am typing this, I am in Liverpool at
and policy development. In the 1970's the video editing software. If there is a plan- a music tourism conference and I’ll be head-
into the mid-1980's (and with some later ning student who would like to earn some ing to Venice. I’m currently the Vancouver
Councils) there was a Council commitment funds mentoring me on the Final Cut Pro Heritage Commissioner. This past year I
to staff co-leading neighbourhood plan- (video editing software), I'm down for that! edited BCSLA's magazine Sitelines and
ning processes with representatives from the taught my UBC Housing course. I also gave
community. Can you share an instance two walking tours and three presentations
where using video or digital on Vancouver History and Reconcilia-
You’ve used video and media helped you improve a tion. I'm also a mentor for three Candi-
digital media to enhance the challenging situation? date planners.
planning process. Uses of these When we launched the West End I look forward to more of the above and
technologies are constantly Community Plan, we interviewed a lot of further work on our documentary on the
evolving. What do you think residents and businesses on what they loved history of Vancouver's live music venues.
are the latest benefits and about the West End, what they did not like I'm also interested in the history of our West
challenges these digital tools and what their dreams were for their neigh- End villages and the emergence of suburban
bring to planning? bourhood. These videos were posted on the mixed-use transit-based town centres.
There are a number of benefits. The City’s website and helped build trust with
Follow Michael…
most important is that they help enhance the community.
the sharing and communicating of memo- … via his twitter account @MichaelVancity
rable stories and key messages. They are Planning can be a very and listen to his most recent podcast “The
more accessible and more interesting for demanding profession. How do Yin and Yang of Community Planning
people than just reports and presenta- you unwind and take care of in Vancouver” with PIBC Honourary
tions with lots of words and few images. your own well-being? Member Gordon Price at https://pricetags.
Videos can also give a voice to marginalized The sweet spot is a balance of the physi- ca/podcast/michael-gordon-on-the-yin-
groups and youths, who can be interviewed cal, intellectual, and spiritual. Amongst my and-yang-of-community-planning-in-
and “heard.” favourite pursuits are reading, films, guitar, vancouver/.
meditating, yoga, the gym, biking, walking,
skateboarding, and socializing.
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 7
Graduate Student Research
Public Libraries: Contributors to Community
Well-being and Quality of Life
/ Dylan Thiessen, m.a., Candidate Member
Though to the non-user public libraries From a survey completed by 85 public Klinenberg’s conception of social
may seem to spend a fair amount of library managers (of 102) in B.C.: infrastructure also introduces a hierarchy of
time operating in the background of an • 91% indicated that their libraries value or social good. A café, for example,
increasingly digital and connected society, offer programming that is designed to has more value as social infrastructure than
what is happening inside their walls tells a increase social connections a retail store for a café encourages people
different story. In the 21st century, public to linger after making their transaction. A
libraries have evolved and come to life • 77% indicated that they offer program- public library, however, has more value as
in a variety of fascinating ways. And the ming designed to increase cultural social infrastructure than a café, or nearly
transformation they have undertaken has understanding any other place, as there is no admission
important implications for all residents, • 66% indicated that they offer program- cost, no expectation of a purchase once
as well as for the planners that work to ming to help people with employ- inside, the space is often highly flexible, and
improve and enhance cities, neighbourhoods ment issues, programming that is patrons are encouraged to linger.
and communities. specifically tailored to immigrants, and The capacity of the planning profession
Fraser Valley Regional Library CEO programming aimed to help peoples’ to encourage the emergence and flourish-
Scott Hargrove goes so far as to say that mental health ing of social infrastructure is tremendous –
“libraries are in the business of building perhaps larger than that carried by any other
• 58% indicated that they offer program-
communities.” Marylaine Block, academic profession. The widespread and wholesale
ming to help people engage with the
librarian and firm believer in public librar- recognition of this throughout the profes-
political process
ies’ ability to adapt, also describes the situ- sion is the beginning step we as planners
ation aptly. She argues that “librarians have • 53% indicated that they offer program- must take.
billed libraries as the ‘information place.’” ming aimed at increasing physical activ- There are many tools that municipalities
But with information more and more being ity or promoting healthy lifestyles. have in their arsenal which can encourage,
seen as the internet, “librarians are begin- foster and strengthen social infrastructure.
ning to emphasize the second word in that When asked about the fundamental Zoning bylaws can be rewritten to remove
formulation: place.” role of the public library as an institution, zones that only allow for single family
Having to rethink their raison d’être has only one-third agreed that it should remain
resulted in public libraries distancing them- on the storage and distribution of written
selves slightly from their initial conception material and increasing reading literacy. In
as the information place, something which a follow up question, nearly 84% agreed
has often resulted in budget cuts and calls of that the public library’s fundamental role
irrelevance. However, public libraries have has become community-oriented in a
embraced a broader and changing role that much broader way than it ever was before.
has allowed them to not just flourish when Eighty-two percent (82%) agree that public
so many predicted their demise, but to also libraries are becoming (if they have not
provide the many value-added services that already) their community’s central hub or
help increase the quality of life of the com- gathering place.
munities they serve. So where does the planner fit into this
There are scores of studies and research story? Sociologist Eric Klinenberg argues
on the relationship between public libraries that public libraries are the most effective
and a component of quality of life – such form of ‘social infrastructure’ – the physical
as its effect on social capital, physical and places and spaces in the built environment
mental health, psychological wellbeing, or that exist specifically to connect people
economic prosperity. However, very little with one another. Even though Klinenberg
research has focused on public libraries does not approach his concept of social
as being central to quality of life more infrastructure from a planning perspective,
generally. Despite this, it is this issue that is the connection is easy to make. Whenever
front of mind for British Columbia’s public infrastructure is involved, there is something
library managers. that can be planned.
8 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019
housing and encourage the establishment
of small commercial or institutional nodes
in more residential areas. An OCP that is
crafted in a way that encourages the creation
and development of social infrastructure –
one that encourages the establishment of the
types of places that generate social connec-
tion – can also go a long way.
Transportation plans, mobility plans,
public space plans, revitalization plans – 2
all, and more, can work toward increasing
the amount of social infrastructure such as
libraries in a neighbourhood, community, or
city of any size.
Municipalities and planners can also
explore how to work collaboratively with
their public library staff and experts to These pilot projects with the City of systems in Regina, Toronto, and Halifax.
develop more social infrastructure. The City Toronto in community parks showed how This initiative helps public libraries work
of Toronto has done this already, partner- public libraries can help activate public with low-income communities who face
ing with Toronto Public Library to activate space in a way that engages passersby and barriers accessing certain services. Librarians
public space at two centrally located but increases the liveliness and vitality of a through this project identify communities
small and relatively underutilized parks. community or neighbourhood. in need, discuss their needs through a vari-
While libraries are very public spaces, In 2004 the Vancouver Public Library ety of consultation methods, and collabora-
they are generally confined to four walls. developed the ‘Working Together Project’– tively plan for social services to meet those
in conjunction with municipal library needs. An outcome of this project was the
newly position of ‘Community Develop-
1 ment Librarians’ (CDLs).
Ultimately, the collective social good
that public libraries offer neighbourhoods,
communities, and cities is second to none.
They are uniquely positioned to bridge
communities, forge social relationships,
and connect people to each other and to
their communities. The planning profession
would be wise to recognize the potential
that can be found in working collaboratively
with public libraries.
Dylan Thiessen holds an M.A. in Political
Science from the University of Calgary
and is a Candidate Member studying at
Vancouver Island University’s Master of
Community Planning program.
1 Surrey Public Library. Photo by Revery Architecture
2 A word cloud of keywords from a survey administered by the
author to the question “What does your library mean to you?”
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 9
Bridging
the Gap
Health
and Urban
Planning
/ Laura Chow, PIBC Student Member
Around the world, we are hearing more add value to existing practices by challeng- meaningful input. The sooner ‘unhealthy’
and more about the ways that planning, ing the status quo. elements of a project are identified, the
design, and policy decisions impact people’s While this quest has yet to yield a sooner they can be addressed. However,
lives, affecting how individuals live, learn, key solution, my experience to date has often health authorities are brought in late
work, and play. Since 2015, I have worked illustrated the existing gaps that may act to the discussion.
on Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH’s) as barriers to the creation of a win-win
Healthy Built Environment Team actively relationship between the professions. As Interests: Above all else, professionals
seeking to find the particular “added value” with any conversation that works toward working in public health are interested
that the health authority can bring to the breaking down silos, recognition of gaps can in protecting the health of the general
creation of vibrant, healthy communities. help identify opportunities. public. What this means is not always well
My experience has led me to identify how understood by planners. As a short primer,
to move the discussions on health and GAPS health professionals’ perspective often
planning beyond simply acknowledging Timing: Health authorities would love emphasizes:
the impacts. to support local governments’ efforts in • Vulnerable populations – individuals
My hope is that, as both a planner and creating healthier communities. What who are marginalized or are more likely
health professional, I might gain insight is challenging, however, is to define to experience negative health outcomes
to find ways to bridge gaps between the the timing of this support. In general, related to a planning or policy decision
two professions – to identify more specific health considerations and related data are
opportunities to engage health in planning needed early in a process in order provide • Exposures – often negative health out-
processes, and identify where health may comes associated with issues such as air
pollution, noise, and heat
10 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019• Equity – consideration of different help provide insight at a neighbourhood
populations who may be at a struc- level with respect to peoples’ overall health
tural disadvantage that prevents them and well-being.
from thriving While this particular data set is not
• Long-term health impacts – positive available outside of the Lower Mainland,
or negative physical, mental, or social health professionals can provide interpreta-
health and wellbeing outcomes as related tion of survey results, provide access to other
to either exposure or behaviour change forms of data (e.g. BC’s Community Health
Survey), and provide suggestions for engage-
• Development of health promotive envi- ment questions that might provide more
ronments – including environments that insight to health outcomes.
are accessible, affordable, and do not
exacerbate negative health impacts Health Expertise: Some health
• Recognition of the potential health professionals have specific concerns around
impacts of urban design – such as nutrition, or land uses related to drinking
the impact of the built environment water, waste water or recreational water.
to social connectedness or childhood In this way, they may provide additional
development context or suggestions to help address
Photo credit: Rodion Kutsaev courtesy of UnSplash specific legislative health requirements –
Jargon: Professional jargon can often be a particularly around water and sewage issues
barrier when looking to bridge health and and increasing density in areas not serviced
urban planning. To start with, some terms immunization programs, harm reduction, by municipal systems.
have varying definitions. For example, health inspection work, nutrition, as well as
“health” might mean the acute treatment the health professionals working with local Knowledge Translation: Recognizing
of disease or injury, or prevention of disease governments. To ensure that health is not that health has a very particular perspective,
transmission, or longer-term chronic disease lost in the work done by local governments, health professionals may help interpret
prevention. Health professionals tend to health professionals rely on the development health-specific data and evidence to make
be guilty of becoming entrenched in our of strategic partnerships and shared them more accessible, such as: identifying
work, forgetting that we have not shared our priorities and goals to help improve the health concerns related to conflicting
sector’s definitions attributed to common health and well-being of the population. land uses that may pose health impacts
terms such as “risk” and “benefit,” or our In this context, some of the ways that (for example, potential impacts related to
sector-specific terminology with others such health might help inform local government air quality, noise, water contamination);
as “social determinants of health.” planning processes and decision-mak- articulating health impacts related to climate
ing include: change; or interpreting data sources such
Limited Capacity: While the health as the Early Development Index. Providing
sector receives the majority of the provincial
SUPPORTS this context may enhance cases for further
budget, the public health sector only Health Data and Evidence: Locally, action or encourage additional creativity in
receives between 2-4% of the annual VCH and Fraser Health have conducted My problem solving.
health care budget. This funding supports a Health My Community, a population health
number of public health programs including survey run in 2013-2014 (to be conducted Research Generation: As the dialogue
again in late 2019/early 2020). This survey between health and planning professionals
provides health-specific data sets on self- has grown, it has highlighted the need for
reported health concerns, and is meant to
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 11additional research to support these
growing relationships. Partnerships
with health professionals can help local
governments with questions they have
about their communities and health impacts
to their residents.
Awareness Raising: Part of the role of
health is to stay up-to-date with the latest
in health research. This means that public
health professionals are well-positioned to
bring awareness of urban planning issues
and their impact on health. Examples might
include policy and design considerations
for the development of child-friendly cities,
or long-term impacts of climate change on HEALTHY BUILT
community health. ENVIRONMENT
Neutral, Objective Voice: When it comes
to planning for marginalized populations,
the discussion can often become heated and
reflect personal biases and judgements. As a
non-political body, health professionals can
utilize their voice to support challenging
decisions, the caveat being that there be
sufficient evidence that links the decision to
health outcomes.
Healthy Built Environment Linkages
Toolkit Version 2.0 (2018): This
toolkit and its affiliated documents show
the Province’s commitment to connect
health with urban planning. While its
recommended planning principles are
largely understood as best planning
practices, the toolkit includes evidence-
based health impacts linked to: the built
environment; social wellbeing; and mental
health and well-being. It also provides
information on the economic co-benefits While I am not sure that I am much
of health promoting environments and closer to bridging the gaps that exist
considerations for small and medium- between health and planning, I hope to
sized communities. inspire ongoing dialogue. By asking ques-
tions, collaborating on ideas, and building
partnerships and databases we can better
understand each others’ motivations. This
can help move the conversation forward and
create long-lasting, sustainable, and health-
ier people, environments, and policy that
enable communities to thrive socially, emo-
tionally, economically, and sustainably.
Laura Chow is a 2nd year Masters
Student at the School of Community
and Regional Planning at UBC and
an Environmental Health Officer,
Built Environment Team, Vancouver
Coastal Health.
12 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019FALL WEBINARS
PIBC’s webinar on Declaring a Enjoy an armchair travel segment from
Climate Change Emergency: Process, our very own PlanGirl Emilie Adin who will
Considerations & Legalities was a timely showcase the most ‘out there’ and unusual
and very popular session. To obtain a copy planning initiatives she has seen in her trav-
of both the webinar recording and slide els and written about in Planning West.
deck, please call the PIBC office at: And finally, Michael Geller, the ‘guru’ of
604-696-5031. Cost (+GST) Members $39, all things housing, will present his uncon-
Non-Members $59 ventional (and perhaps slightly contro-
versial) ideas on housing and planning,
drawing on decades of practical private and
SAVE THE public sector experience in British Columbia
DATES ! and abroad.
There will be draws for all kinds of prizes,
including a free webinar group registration
for our January 2020 “Provincial Planning
Waterfront & Brownfield Outlook: Strategic Statistics to Get the Job
Development Webinar Done!” (a $100 value). We hope to “see”
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 you there!
This webinar will provide an opportunity
Speakers
to share best practices and lessons learned
Sue Hallatt RPP, MCIP
that would be applicable to any under-
Emilie Adin RPP, MCIP, LEED AP
utilized brownfield or waterfront site in the
Michael Geller RPP, FCIP, AIBC
Province, and how a local government can
be the catalyst to transform it into a thriving
new community.
Provincial Planning Outlook:
Strategic Statistics to
Thank you PIBC members for your Get the Job Done!
overwhelming support of PIBC webinars! Wednesday, January 29, 2020
In 2018, nearly 1,000 members watched
Join PIBC for its annual overview of the
our programs featuring a variety of timely
vital information that planning professionals
and relevant topics. As a thank you, PIBC
need “to get the job done.” Start the year
is inviting you to this FREE Petcha Kutcha
off right with the economic, demographic,
webinar, made possible by the generous
housing, and industrial/commercial market
sponsorship of the Real Estate Foundation and
information that will help you formulate a
Urban Systems.
strategic planning perspective for 2020 and
beyond. How is the Province’s demographic
makeup expected to change over the short
and long term and what are the implications
on household formation and housing
demand? What are the key economic forces
Petcha Kutcha - PIBC style! impacting growth? What trends can we
expect in the residential, commercial and
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
industrial markets?
Join us for this light-hearted, entertaining
and educational webinar that will be sure to
put you in the holiday spirit. The esteemed Please see the PIBC website for
planning legend Jane Jacobs will offer her information about registration
words of wisdom and commentary on cities, for all our webinars.
communities, and planning as if she were
still around today, as channelled through the
formidable Sue Hallatt.
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 13Where Matters:
Walkable Places Support
Healthy Lifestyles
/ Erin Rennie, Candidate Member
D
esigning walkable cities that promote
public health is one of the foundations of The three goals of Where Matters were to:
strong community and regional planning.
And for good reason: The Where Matters:
Health and Economic Impacts of Where We • examine how built environment features
Live study found that people who live in relate to physical activity, body mass index,
walkable neighbourhoods tend to have better health,
and chronic disease
are less likely to suffer from stress, and feel a stronger
sense of community belonging.
Where Matters quantifies the relationship between • analyze impacts by age and income
the built environment and health outcomes by linking
walkability and park access in Metro Vancouver with • evaluate whether built environment
real health care data. To support this project, a group features are connected to healthcare
of interdisciplinary organizations formed a unique
partnership spanning land use, transportation, and use and costs
health expertise.
Car Dependent
Car dependent
Car d ependent Somewhat
Somewhat tcar
S o me w h acar dependent
c adependent
r dependent So
S
*5 dwellings per acre *10 dwellings per acre
14 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019Photo credit: Ryoji Iwata courtesy of UnSplash
Walkability is a measure of the physical characteristics of was applied to the health outcomes information to draw conclusions
the built environment that support pedestrian movement. about healthcare costs associated with walkable vs. less
Where Matters used the 2011 Walkability Index, which is walkable neighbourhoods.
developed by combining four input variables (residential density,
land use mix, street connectivity, and pedestrian-oriented retail Health Benefits of Walkability and Park Access
density) to predict walking, physical activity, and obesity. The 2011 The study found higher levels of walkability resulted in more
Walkability Index produces a walkability score for every postal code people selecting to walk as a preferred mode of transportation, and
in the Lower Mainland. achieving the recommended 150-minutes-per week of physical
Along with the Walkability Index, two new data layers were activity. This was particularly true for lower income earners (less
added: a measure of regional accessibility (i.e.: distance to key desti- than $60,000 per year), who were 51% more likely to achieve the
nations) and a measure of park access (i.e.: number of parks within recommended amounts of physical activity if they lived in walkable
walking distance). This created the built environment database for neighbourhoods.
the Lower Mainland. Compared to those in the least walkable, car-dependent neigh-
Researchers then linked the built environment database with two bourhoods, residents in walkable places were also:
large health outcome databases: the My Health My Community
dataset and the BC Generations dataset. Researchers could • 39% less likely to have diabetes
connect for every postal code the walkability score was with health
outcomes. The postal codes were then divided into five groups • 28% less likely to have hypertension
called “place types” (or quintiles) of roughly equal size to allow the • 23% less likely to suffer from stress
researchers to make inferences about how the built environment and
health outcomes are related. Finally a “Cost of Illness” methodology
Somewhat
Somewhatwalkable
Somewhatwalkable
walkable Moderately
Moderately ywalkable
M o d e ra te lwalkable
wa l k a b l e Walkable
Walkable
Wa l k a bl e
*15 dwellings per acre *20 dwellings per acre *60 dwellings per acre
*Numbers represent median value for each place type.
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 15Casual Pathway
Linking Environments, Environment/ Behaviours/
Travel Exposures
Health, and Cost
Behaviours
Source: Frank et al, 2017
Transportation Dietary
Infrastructure Intake
Physical
Travel & Activity Patterns
Activity
Land Use/ Social
Walkability Interaction
Exposures
Pedestrian Air Pollution
Environment
& Crime
Noise
Greenspace
Living close to a park also appears to improve those odds. The What does it mean for planners?
study found residents in neighbourhoods with the greatest park Where Matters demonstrates the benefits of investing in improved
access were 20% more likely to walk for recreation and 33% more walkability and park access, in terms of both health benefits and
likely to meet the recommended weekly physical activity rates related healthcare cost savings. Communities can support better
compared to the neighbourhoods with the lowest park access. As a health outcomes by building compact residential areas, increasing
result, 53% were less likely to have diabetes, 39% less likely to have intersection density, supporting compact commercial development,
heart disease and 35% less likely to suffer from high blood pressure. building mixed-use neighbourhoods, and improving access to parks.
Both walkability and access to parks could be associated with Focusing growth in areas that are already walkable and with good
lower healthcare costs. By using the “Cost of Illness” method – park access could mean improved health for more residents and
multiplying the annual direct healthcare cost of chronic diseases by workers and a reduced health care cost burden overall.
the prevalence in a population – the study found that compared A sprawling, unwalkable development pattern dilutes from the
to neighbourhoods with low park access (zero to one park) to a vibrancy of centres and corridors; contributes to increased traffic
neighbourhood with high park access (six or more parks), direct “in- congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions; and
patient” healthcare costs could be: results in negative health outcomes for residents and workers. This
study demonstrates that it also drives healthcare costs. Renewed
• 75% lower for diabetes commitment to growth management principles is required to ensure
• 69% lower for hypertension more of the region’s residents have access to healthy,
walkable neighbourhoods.
• 69% lower for heart disease Unfortunately, there are challenges: housing affordability is a
growing concern in many of the region’s highly walkable neighbour-
Furthermore, residents in walkable neighbourhoods were 46% hoods. More work is required to support inclusivity of all income
more likely to report a strong sense of community belonging groups in existing and emerging walkable neighbourhoods, includ-
compared to the least walkable places. People over the age of 60, for ing policies that increase the supply of affordable rental and family-
instance, were 91% more likely to report having a strong sense of friendly housing. Failing to do so is likely to result in widening
community if they lived in the most walkable places. inequities in health outcomes across income groups.
16 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019IN MEMORIAM
Biological Chronic In memory
Response Disease
of Jay Simons rpp, mcip
Physical
Hypertension
Healthcare Utilization & Cost
BMI/
Obesity Cardiovascular
Disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Breast, Colon/Rectal
Systemic Injury/Fatality
Mental
Dementia Jay Simons passed away suddenly July 25th,
while camping in the Cowichan region.
Depression A graduate of the 1972 class of
Stress University of Waterloos’s Community and
Regional Planning program, Jay never saw
himself as a “career planner” with one local
government, institution, or business. Jay’s
planning and CAO career included the Old
Man Regional District (Alberta), Metro
Where Matters provides strong evidence for the health benefits Vancouver, the Agricultural Commission,
of many of the growth management and community planning Bulkley Valley Regional District, Esquimalt,
practices that are already part of the planner’s toolkit. Focusing Slave Lake, and the Columbia Shuswap
growth in compact, complete, and walkable communities is a core Regional District.
principle of both the Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping our Future, the Jay was instrumental in reinvigorating
regional growth strategy, and the Regional Transportation Strategy. PIBC in the 1990s and served as President
Where Matters allows planners to quantify the benefits of walkability in the mid-90s. At a time when there were
and park access in terms of reduced chronic disease and reduced no women on Council, Jay encouraged
healthcare costs. several women to stand for office. Four
The strong inter-agency partnership formed through this work women were elected who went on to serve
will help strengthen ongoing collaboration across disciplines and in leadership positions with PIBC and CIP.
between agencies so that planning and public health can continue to As the photo shows, Jay loved the
be mutually supportive as we look towards the future of the region. outdoors, travelling extensively, skiing,
canoeing, and camping. How many
Where Matters was led by researcher Dr. Larry Frank with
planners travel to the Everest base
UBC’s Health and Community Design Lab. It was supported
camp? Jay did!
by Metro Vancouver, TransLink, Vancouver Coastal Health,
Jay is greatly missed by his
the City of Vancouver, the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and
beloved family, and his many friends
Fraser Health.
and colleagues.
Erin Rennie is a Senior Planner at the Metro Vancouver Memoriam submitted by Linda Allen RPP, FCIP, along with Jay’s
Regional District working with the Regional Planning Division. wife and planning colleagues.
Graphics courtesy of Dr. Lawrence D. Frank, Health and Community Design lab, School of Population
and Public Health, University of British Columbia. Graphic support provided by Mr. Stuart Hamre.
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 17Through an Equity Lens:
Planning for Healthy and
Equitable Communities / Victoria Barr, mHSc PHD (Planning)
Over the past 10 years, it’s been exciting communities, we must ensure our work • How might some population groups be
to see the growing interest in planning for will serve and benefit all residents so that unfairly burdened today or in the future?
healthy communities. And while all the everyone can have access to decent housing, How might existing privilege be further
attention on healthy communities is great, open space and recreation, affordable and entrenched?
it’s important to consider the complex accessible transportation options, and safe • Have important decisions been made
factors that underlie health and well-being neighbourhoods. with the direct input of those who will
so that our efforts to support good health Faced with these complex issues, how can be most affected by those decisions?
can have the most impact. planners consider equity in their work to
Many indicators of health – from life foster healthier communities for all? Many • From whose perspective is the ‘success’
expectancy to disease rates to obesity – are cities, including Toronto, Hamilton and of the project or policy being evaluated?
linked to social inequities which have their Ottawa, have recently introduced policies
Why Use an Equity Lens?
roots in colonialism, racism, discrimina- that encourage city staff and elected officials
tion and imbalances of power. This isn’t just to use an equity lens - a framework that Communities that are more equitable are
about poverty, although it’s easy to see how introduces a set of questions to consider stronger economically. Greater equity gives
poverty and poor health go together. when planning and making decisions about more people the opportunity to participate
High levels of inequity, especially related new policies, programs or initiatives. Apply- in the local economy at a higher level, and
to income, negatively affects the health of ing an equity lens means continually asking: that adds strength to the economy. The
all of us, even those with higher incomes. process is also important; broad, inclusive
• Who will benefit from a policy, program, community engagement is also linked to a
Greater social inequity reduces social initiative or service?
connections within a community and can thriving, resilient economy.
contribute to stress, fear and insecurity • Who might be excluded from those The use of an equity lens is consistent with
for everyone. In order to build healthier benefits and why? Indeed, who might a comprehensive approach to sustainability.
be harmed?
Equality Equity Justice
The assumption is that Everyone gets the All 3 can see the game
everyone benefits from supports they need without supports or
the same supports. (this is the concept of accommodations because the
This is equal treatment. "affirmative action") cause(s) of the inequity
thus producing equity. was addressed. The systemic
barrier has been removed.
18 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019community partners, to better under-
stand the diversity of the community What have Canadian
and the day-to-day lives of residents.
Health authorities can be good part- Cities Done?
ners in the effort to find and under- The idea of using an equity lens is
stand data.
still quite new in North America,
4. Carefully examine proposed policies or but some cities have recently
initiatives to understand the potential
impacts of those initiatives regarding implemented equity lens policies:
access, equity, and inclusion for diverse
communities and groups that experience Toronto, Ontario – The City of Toronto
racism, discrimination and prejudice. has developed an Equity Lens Tool to assist
in identifying and removing barriers for
5. Ensure that all stakeholders and anyone the city’s most marginalized populations.
likely to be impacted by the initiative The Equity Lens is used to develop Equity
Defining sustainability beyond a “green” / receive information about it and are able Impact Statements, which are required
environmental approach, by adding in the respond. Communicate information in for all major policies and reports to City
other two Es (economy and equity), allows clear, direct, easy to understand ways, Council. The City also uses an Equity
for a stronger, more integrated triple-bottom and use several communication tools, Responsive Budgeting process, which
line approach that benefits all. including video, graphics and sound. ensures that equity, especially regarding
Using an equity lens is consistent with prin- Use a variety of communication chan- gender, is considered in the City’s
ciples and action towards reconciliation. One nels to prevent unintended exclusions. budget process.
of the essential components of authentic
efforts towards reconciliation with Indige- 6. Continually evaluate the new policies
nous peoples is to recognize the ongoing leg- or initiatives developed, the process Hamilton, Ontario – in February
acies of colonialism, and the ways in which of developing them, and the equity 2019, Hamilton City Council passed a
racism and discrimination reinforce the framework itself. Seek to understand motion to develop an action plan for the
gaps between the well-being of Indigenous using a wide variety of types of data and implementation of an equity, diversity and
peoples and non-Indigenous populations. knowledge – from statistics to stories. inclusion (EDI) lens. The implementation
The process of using an equity lens can help The effectiveness of an inclusive policy, of the lens will include steps to integrate
to uncover these injustices and foster greater once implemented, is measured by the a consideration of equity into program
learning and connection for all. extent to which it creates an environ- development, service delivery, budgeting,
ment within which all stakeholders business planning and prioritization.
How can Planners Apply an feel included and empowered to access
Equity Lens? resources, opportunities, and see them- Ottawa, Ontario - In 2011, Ottawa’s
Thinking about applying an equity lens can selves reflected. Transit Commission prepared a review of
be daunting – but it’s okay to start with bus routes and their frequency. Members of
one project and grow from there. There are Committing to using an equity lens means the community brought their concerns to
several excellent tools and resources available demonstrating the courage to uncover City Council about the potential impact of
to help apply an equity lens to planning power differences among individuals or proposed changes in their neighbourhood.
work. In general, these tools suggest the groups, acknowledging privilege, and The community requested that a study be
following components to consider: working to dismantle systemic barriers that undertaken using an equity lens to consider
can make it difficult for some community the impact on groups of people who may
1. Create opportunities for people from all members to participate in, and benefit from, be most at risk of exclusion. The study
walks of life to participate in planning local decision-making processes. The result documented that the reductions had indeed
and decision-making processes. Design can be policies and strategies that are more a disproportionately negative impact on
those opportunities so that priority responsive to local needs and have more women, seniors, immigrants, people in
populations can participate and fully potential to foster better community health poverty, youth and people with disabilities.
engage in the process. This will take and well-being. As a result, the Transit Commission
some creative planning - a process I call initiated a policy to apply an Equity and
“extreme outreach”. Victoria Barr is a consultant for Inclusion Lens going forward in all their
2. Ensure diversity and inclusivity in the LevelUp Planning and Consulting, a operations. Community groups work
workplace, through explicit policies, multidisciplinary consulting collaborative with the Commission to help make sure
leadership, training and continuous focused on supporting organizations that happens.
learning for every staff member at and communities to become stronger,
every level. healthier and more equitable.
3. Use many sources and types of
data, gathered with the assistance of
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 19Messy Cities:
Mental Health and
Urban Planning
/ Maria Stanborough rPP, mciP and Aaron Licker
The origins of urban planning are often
identified as planning for better health.
At the turn of the 20th century, sewage,
water and clean air were of the utmost
consideration in designing and maintaining
our cities. In the 21st century, when most
(but not all) communities in BC have the
infrastructure needed to ensure basic needs,
mental health has risen to be one of the key
health issues for communities everywhere.
By 2020, depression will be the second
leading cause of global disability1, with a
10-25 year life expectancy reduction in
patients with severe mental disorders2. In
keeping with the history of planning for
better health, urban planners have the
opportunity to explore how mental health is
impacted by the communities we create in
both physical and intangible forms.
When looking at mental health indica-
tors, one of the main areas of concern is the
issue of social isolation – people are not con-
nected to each other as we once were. This is
perhaps best known from Robert Putnam’s
study Bowling Alone which documented
the loss of participation in group activities
in favour of being alone. More recently,
the Former U.S. Surgeon General sounded
the alarm on the loneliness epidemic: "It
turns out that loneliness is associated with
a reduction in your lifespan that is as severe
as the lifespan you see with smoking 15
cigarettes a day.”
Photo credit: Matthew Henry courtesy of UnSplash
20 PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019“Messy Cities” explores how public
spaces can work to either bring people
together or keep them apart.
“Messy Cities” explores how public Community” survey completed by Fraser
spaces can work to either bring people Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.
together or keep them apart. The project The survey provided neighbourhood
was originally inspired by the redesign of a level data on self-reported health and
dog park in East Vancouver, where an open, well-being, including mental health. By
communal off-leash area was relocated and looking at data for two of the larger cities
fenced. The results of the dog park redesign in this study – Vancouver and Surrey
have been mixed, but initial anecdotal expe- – we explored whether there was a link
rience was a loss of a sense of community. between self-reported mental health and
The park previously had allowed for family neighbourhood design.
and friends to gather in the open space with Photo courtesy of UnSplash
their pets; the park now only permits lim-
ited activity which only works well for one Elements that we considered The study was admittedly limited by
person and their dog. in the study included: the data available, and provides analysis
Contrasted to this is another nearby park at a high level of consideration. We also
which has mixed uses including a children’s • Number of street trees had to identify that income is still the
day care, a hospice, a playground, tennis greatest indicator of mental health – the
courts, and an open, off leash dog area. • Park space per capita more money you have the better your self-
The second park allows for a mix of people reported mental, and health in general, will
to come together, including parents who • Mix of zoning types (e.g. be. When looking at Surrey and Vancouver,
come to the park with both their chil- all single family housing both cities with significant income inequity,
dren and pets. vs. residential mixed with the data showed that higher ratios of poverty
Whether one park is more success- commercial/institutional) were generally associated with lower levels of
ful in breaking down social isolation, and mental health.
thus forging better links to mental health, • Size of neighbourhood However, there were a few urban design
is in itself a post-doctoral study. But the blocks (e.g. shorter features that did show a positive or negative
experience of the parks did invite the idea blocks encourage more impact on mental health across the study
of examining what physical features of pedestrian flow) areas. The first significant finding was that
our cities encourage more socialization, population density is co-related to a higher
and thus may have a positive impact on • Population density level of poor mental health. It seems that
mental health. after a certain point, the more people who
For the Messy Cities study, we looked • Density of social housing share a space, the less healthy they may
at data from the “Our Health, Our feel. This finding was also identified in the
PLANNING WEST / FALL 2019 21You can also read
