Is it feasible that placemaking can be at the heart of everything we build? Of course it can – and, first we need to understand its importance and why it’s so integral. When it comes to the built environment we could be hitting a home run with every project we undertake. As stewards of our […]
Roundabout to Hope
In 2016 a bold vision and collaborative process began in an effort to bring the Circle Series: Circle of Support & Arts to the community of Red Deer, Alberta. It would support restorative practices, connection and arts for social change. The initiative was successfully launched earlier this year through dynamic partnerships and community collaborators. It […]
Public Safety, Compassion and Community Integration
As public safety remains a growing concern in cities around the world, how we treat our most vulnerable people must also be considered. How can we become more compassionate, support these people and help them integrate into our communities? I recently attended a conference which addressed these issues in Victoria, BC (where I now live) […]
Crime Prevention and Capitalism: What’s the Rub? Part II
In part I of our blog feature from last week I presented the contrast between the corporate world and smaller communities such as Rocky Mountain House, where I recently spoke to about 50 local residents. These rural communities are found beyond the larger municipalities and the city limits. We explored the War on Drugs, policing […]
Crime Prevention and Capitalism: What’s the rub? Part I
We live in a world that often believes that bigger is better – more profit and income – larger homes and communities. That list is BIG and it seems to be growing all the time. This past week I found myself working in two different worlds. There was a stark contrast between them. Stepping into […]
More Prevention less Police
With 2016 well underway I’m reminded of how much work we still have ahead of us. While there is no question we are making some great progress – many municipalities continue to struggle with issues that often seem to cripple them or at least set them back. How can we help and are there solutions? […]
Place-based Conflict Management
In our global village world, we are more likely to buy into ideas and approaches developed somewhere else, in a different place. This is certainly true in the conflict management arena (my perspective with this post); whether its interest-based negotiation, more prisons, or Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). No matter if good or bad, these other […]
Walking tours: a closer look at our urban world
I’m a great believer in the power of walking tours. There’s a unique value in getting people together in small groups and walking the streets of a city to see, really see, what’s really there. That was brought home to me on one urban plan we worked on, where we tried to convince a municipal […]
Building community trust with flowers
One of the things I love about my new neighbourhood of Fairfield, in Victoria (BC, Canada) is the variety of “faces” presented by homes in the community. Each house, condo or apartment has a different look (no cookie cutter concepts here) but most importantly every yard reflects an individual personality. Some yards are manicured like […]