By Carol Volkart
Dunbar residents interested in issues surrounding neighbourhood planning might like to tap into a 12-part speaker series now underway across the city.
The third of the series takes place this Wednesday, March 25, with former real estate lawyer Mike Mangan talking about citizen exclusion from decisions about towers in Mount Pleasant. He’ll trace the steps that led to that exclusion and what residents might do about it. The talk will be 7 p.m. at the ANZA Club, 3 West 8th Ave.
The speaker series, kicked off March 11 by Vancouver’s former co-chief planner Larry Beasley, is exploring the crucial role neighbourhoods can play in balancing growth and livability, supporting affordability, and improving democratic participation. The second talk was by Penny Gurstein, former Director of the UBC School of Community and Regional Planning, who spoke in Kitsilano on March 18.
The series has been organized by Local Focus, a Vancouver-based project aimed at improving civic engagement through raising public understanding of how local government works.
Dunbar’s turn comes on April 15, when local architect, civic commentator and author Brian Palmquist will speak on “Three Steps to a Better Vancouver” at 7 p.m. at Dunbar Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Before that, Dr. David Ley, former head of the UBC Geography Department known for his expertise in housing markets, gentrification and immigration, and author of Housing Booms in Gateway Cities, will speak at Pacific Spirit United Church on April 8.
Speakers later in the series include Patrick Condon, professor emeritus in the UBC School of Landscape and Architecture and author of Broken City; Scot Hein, former City of Vancouver and UBC senior urban designer and development planner; Elizabeth Murphy, a private-sector property manager formerly with the City of Vancouver’s housing and properties department, will speak April 1 at Britannia Community Centre; Erick Villagomez, UBC Community and Regional Planning School lecturer; and Graham McGarva, community activist and founding principal of VIA Architecture.
Events are free, but advance registration is required.
Website – https://www.localfocus.network/ https://www.localfocus.network/mission-statement
Eventbrite Collection – https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/community-planning-matters-4821906
YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@LocalFocus-Network
LinkedIn Profile – https://www.linkedin.com/company/local-focus-civic-network-assn
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/LocalFocus.CivicNetwork X – https://x.com/LocalFocusCivic
