Designing Together
Contributors: Luli Morar, Celia Lee, Jessie Anjelic, Matt Knapik, Roxanne LeBlanc, Katie Lore, Srimal Ranasinghe, Philip Vandermay
Click on the image to access the full pdf document!
Celebrating 7 years of codesign with Active Neighbourhoods Canada.
Using codesign, Sustainable Calgary worked with local residents and professional designers to create great public spaces that keep us physically active. This book showcases the process and design work we created along the way!
The last decades of city building in Canada have limited travel on foot or ‘slow wheels’ like bikes, skateboards and wheelchairs. This is making us sick. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease are on the rise. They represent the leading cause of premature death in our province and country. Active Neighbourhoods Canada was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, in recognition of the relationship between community design and health.
But the work of Active Neighbourhoods has impacted more than just health. Healthy cities are climate-friendly, age-friendly, and benefit local businesses. They can improve our social lives and mental health. Our codesign process promotes a culture and a practice of participation in decision-making. With our emphasis on health equity, Active Neighbourhoods tried to amplify voices we typically struggle to hear from, among them new Canadians and Canadians experiencing low incomes. We’ve taught kids and contributed to curriculum in public and post-secondary schools. As such, Sustainable Calgary has had the opportunity to work on a program that touches every domain of sustainability measured in our State of our City reports.
While this book highlights design work, what has become clear over the years is that codesign is not simply about creating a great end product. The process itself has the power to change. Residents asked to consider public space through the eyes of a child walking to school, a senior riding a scooter or shift worker coming home at night not only changed their minds about what their community needed, it turned them into advocates for their neighbours. Empathy created public support to build communities that work for everybody. Empathy fueled innovation. This is worth remembering as we tackle big challenges - such as climate change - over the coming decades.
We are thrilled to celebrate the culmination of our work on Active Neighbourhoods Canada, alongside core partners, the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre and The Centre for Active Transportation in Toronto, and to celebrate the work of countless individuals and organizations in Alberta dedicated to making great, healthy communities.
