The City of Vancouver and EcoPlan recognized with the 2023 IAP2 International Project of the Year Core Values Award for “Sea2City Design Challenge”!
The judging panel for the 2023 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values Awards noted: Your submission impressed the international jury, where one jury member thought the project was amazing. “Indigenous reconciliation is a major theme in public policy decision making in Canada right now, and an important consideration for meaningful engagement with project interest-holders and rights holders. I loved how this project integrated Indigenous perspectives and values into their engagement approach.”
This is in addition to the Planning Institute of British Columbia 2023 Silver Award for Planning Excellence, the Sea2City Design Challenge was awarded the prestigious Indigenous Engagement Award for its groundbreaking approach to collaborative planning and design on Vancouver’s False Creek shoreline. Led by the City of Vancouver, this 12-month competition sought to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels, urban development, ecological revitalization, and decolonization and reconciliation with Host Nations.
What set Sea2City apart was its commitment to Indigenous engagement. Indigenous knowledge keepers and designers were actively involved, marking the first time in Canada that a competition model was used for such a planning and adaptation initiative. The project incorporated comprehensive public engagement efforts, including public learning sessions, decolonization workshops, and reflection sessions with advisory groups and design teams, ensuring broad participation and diverse voices.
Sea2City exemplifies the spirit of Indigenous engagement, fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities and setting a high standard for future projects of this nature.
This project has been shared with IAP2 International and will be considered alongside projects from IAP2 affiliates around the world for an IAP2 International 2023 Core Value Award.
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Please accept our congratulations on behalf of the judging panel for the 2023 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values Awards. Your entry has been selected as the winner of the 2023 International Project of the Year category for your entry “Sea2City Design Challenge”.
Your submission impressed the international jury, where one jury member thought the project was amazing. “Indigenous reconciliation is a major theme in public policy decision making in Canada right now, and an important consideration for meaningful engagement with project interest-holders and rights holders. I loved how this project integrated Indigenous perspectives and values into their engagement approach.”