EcoPlan

A better way for decision-making

epi — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:26:06 +0000

An article by Robin Gregory, a close EcoPlan colleague and collaborator, in today’s Vancouver Sun proposes a better way for decision-making around megaprojects in BC: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/better+megaproject+assessment+decisions/6642957/story.html

Marpole Midden

epi — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:19:58 +0000

Musqueam’s proposal to protect Marpole Midden presented in an open letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson and Premier Christy Clark. Read more here.

Federal Budget and First Nations Statistics

epi — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:29:54 +0000

Finding reliable statistics for First Nation communities in Canada can be a challenge at the best of times. And now the recent Federal budget is doing away with two First Nations statistical agencies – the First Nations Statistical Institute (FNSI) and the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO). Another organization however – the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) – says it has always been and can continue to be a central player, providing “the best, most reliable and comprehensive data about First Nations anywhere in Canada”. Check out the First Nations Information Governance Centre website here. Interesting highlights include plans to carry out a First Nations Regional Education and Employment Survey (REES) of First Nations living on-reserve and in northern First Nation communities, in partnership with AANDC. First order results are expected in 2014, with full distribution in 2015/ 2016.

Source: http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=53023

The Economist on American Indigenous Self-Government

epi — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:24:38 +0000

An interesting article on self-governance among Tribes in the US, from the Economist.

Participatory City-Making: City 2.0

epi — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:06:47 +0000

The TED prize was recently awarded to a project called City 2.0. The goal is to bring people, resources and ideas together through technology. Call it crowdsourcing for better city-living. It’s a flashy website and at least worth the visit to check out. Curiously, it’s been in place now for about a month (as far as we can tell) and only has 16 registered participants in Vancouver. It’ll be interesting to follow the site to see how many users it can get involved. The challenge from there on in is to discover if online tools can be truly effective in stimulating meaningful change. We’ll be watching…

AZA CCP in the News

epi — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:14:15 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of EcoPlan’s current projects is in the news. A Comprehensive Community Plan with the Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek Nation is getting attention for its unique approach and successful outcomes to date. Much more to come with this plan, scheduled to wrap-up this spring.

See more, including videos and photos from community events, at the project website.

EcoPlan Honoured at PIBC Awards

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:01:55 +0000

EcoPlan International was honored with three awards at the 2011 Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) awards and conference held last night in Nanaimo, BC. These awards mark the third year that the PIBC has recognized EcoPlan’s contributions to our clients and to planning profession in British Columbia. EcoPlan won Awards of Excellence for Planning Practice, Research and New Directions in Planning and Small Town and Rural Planning. We would like to thank our project partners, with whom we share these awards.

We would like to thank the Musqueam First Nation for their years of collaboration that lead an Award of Excellence in Planning Practice for We Are of One Heart and Mind: Musqueam Comprehensive Community Plan. The community’s guiding plan, We Are of One Heart and Mind clearly illustrates how Musqueam will become a self-sufficient, self-governing Nation and a complete and healthy community.

We would like to thank Dr. Robin Gregory and Dr. Tim McDaniels for their contributions to Using insights from planning: An alternative approach to assessing environmental damages and cultural loss, which won an Award of Excellence in Research and New Directions in Planning. This work developed and refined a new approach to help aboriginal communities address the issue of environmental damages, supporting negotiations and mediations as well as being tested in the courts.

Finally, EcoPlan would like to thank the Comox Valley Regional District, Urban Strategies and Ear to the Ground Planning for their contributions to the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy, which won an Award of Excellence in Small Town and Rural Planning. This project involved the development of a comprehensive Regional Growth Strategy for the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.