The way we build our neighbourhoods is the way we write our culture.

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A Celebration of “Culture in Place” on June 11th
Culture

A Celebration of “Culture in Place” on June 11th

On June 11th, we gathered at the Reliance Theatre at Emily Carr University for the UEA Public Symposium — a day built around a single, resonant theme: Culture in Place. To our speakers, our members, and everyone who joined us in the room — thank you. You made Culture in Place more than a theme. You made it real.

06.30 Multiple Contributors
Members & Industry Partners Day — June 9th at InformProjects
ueaStories

Members & Industry Partners Day — June 9th at InformProjects

On June 9th, the Urban Experience Alliance gathered at Inform Projects for a day that captured exactly why this community exists.

06.30 Tak Yukawa
An Introduction to “Culture in Place”
ueaStories

An Introduction to “Culture in Place”

At this year's Symposium, Melissa Higgs opened the day by setting the stage with our theme: Culture in Place. What does it mean to design for it — and why does it matter?

06.30 Melissa Higgs
Engagement, Expectations, and the Reality of Public Process
ueaStories

Engagement, Expectations, and the Reality of Public Process

Molly Steeves and Josh White explored the tensions in public engagement — consultation vs. participation, community vs. expertise — arguing that trust is cultural infrastructure built through transparency.

06.30 Molly Steeves
The Next Generation of Urban Blue Zones
ueaStories

The Next Generation of Urban Blue Zones

Spencer Coppin, Angela Hartman, and Dai Manuel explored the future of urban wellness — unpacking barriers to wellness in cities and the case for a new urban Blue Zone.

06.30 Spencer Coppin
Manifesting Asian Experience in the Public Realm
ueaStories

Manifesting Asian Experience in the Public Realm

Kelty Miyoshi McKinnon and Brian McBay explored Manifesting Asian Experience in the Public Realm — how storytelling and heritage, tangible and intangible, can shape distinctive, resonant neighbourhoods.

06.29 Kelty McKinnon
Sticky Places: The Economics of Placemaking
ueaStories

Sticky Places: The Economics of Placemaking

Brad Jones and Michael Mortensen explored the economics of placemaking — why "sticky" places require investing ahead of returns to unlock lasting cultural and economic value.

06.29 Micheal Mortensen
The Shift from Perfectly Designed Spaces to Imperfect Cultural Spaces
ueaStories

The Shift from Perfectly Designed Spaces to Imperfect Cultural Spaces

Josh Vanderheide and John Negrin explored hospitality's shift toward raw, imperfect, culturally grounded spaces — and how authenticity is reshaping connection, engagement, and a renewed sense of place.

06.29 Josh Vanderheide
Unlocking Granville: Development Strategies for a Cultural Comeback
ueaStories

Unlocking Granville: Development Strategies for a Cultural Comeback

Andrew Emmerson and Saadi D'hoore explored Granville Street's cultural decline — and the development strategies that could reimagine the district as a vibrant cultural destination once more.

06.29 Multiple Contributors
Beyond the Algorithm: Why Human Insight Still Shapes Great Places
ueaStories

Beyond the Algorithm: Why Human Insight Still Shapes Great Places

Norbert Jakubke moderated Derek Lee and Calum Srigley on why human insight — intuition, empathy, trust — still shapes great places that AI's speed and analysis can't replace.

06.29 Norbert Jakubke
What does it mean to “uplift” a neighbourhood?
ueaStories

What does it mean to “uplift” a neighbourhood?

Steve Johnston and Rebecca Bligh explored what it means to "uplift" a neighbourhood — unpacking access, affordability, and dignity in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside policy landscape.

06.29 Steve Johnston
Indigenous Knowledge and the Future of City Building
ueaStories

Indigenous Knowledge and the Future of City Building

Cory Douglas and James K. M. Cheng explored how Indigenous knowledge systems — rooted in place, ecology, and community — can inform architecture and reshape city building.

06.29 Cory Douglas
All Stories

The built environment is a reflection of our culture: it shapes our communities and affects our daily experiences. Urban experience is a methodology that helps us understand the power of placemaking and appreciate how development influences our quality of life. When we look at our communities through the lens of urban experience, we find ways to build a more diverse, inclusive society. And, we can create relevant spaces that resonate with the public and make meaningful improvements to the way we live.

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