New Zealand’s ‘Everyday Urbanism’ techniques transferable to Vancouver

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Significant work is being done in high profile urban areas, such as city centres, waterfronts and new planned settlements.  However, there is little theoretical or practical knowledge being developed to direct place-specific growth in the vast in-between areas where many people live and work. Achieving sustainable urbanism in suburban areas and small settlements, where limited public sector investment is available and market forces are weak, requires well-tested rather than trend-driven responses. In mid 2010  Kobus Mentz delivered a presentation on his “Everyday Urbanism” practices as part of the “Cities Programme” at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver. The presentation focused on sharing tools and techniques for delivering small interconnected spatial and non spatial initiatives across the city and the in-between spaces in the city.