Reflections from ACSP 2024

Just returned from #ACSP2024 in Seattle, it was such a privilege to connect with fellow planning academics and thought leaders. My colleagues and I presented our research, "Analyzing Municipal Long-Range Planning for Reconciliation in British Columbia." Our work focuses on the pivotal role municipalities play in advancing reconciliation, exploring how existing tools within their Official Community Plans can be leveraged to drive meaningful change. By analyzing every municipal Official Community Plan across BC, we highlighted key ways that municipalities can lead reconciliation efforts using their existing jurisdictional authority and tools. We hope these findings inspire planners to seize the potential within their current strategies to foster reconciliation—a conversation we believe is fundamental to the future of planning in Canada.

Being at ACSP2024 reminded me of the tremendous power and responsibility planners hold. We have a unique ability to shape how people build relationships with the land and turn spaces into places filled with meaning. This power must be fused with equity in every facet of our work, ensuring that our communities are inclusive, resilient, and respectful of diverse histories and futures. 

#Reconciliation #UrbanPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #EquityInPlanning #MunicipalLeadership #ACSP2024