Our entry depicts the transformation of the post-war suburb into a Living City. In the heart of BC’s lower mainland, on the richest agricultural soil in the world, Surrey BC is a diverse arrival city of 446,561 people, growing by 900 people each month. We align the twin non-linear pressures of population growth and climate change with the goals of the Livable Region Strategic Plan: increasing density in the already developed area of Surrey while protecting high value agricultural land and natural areas. By restructuring the road grid and then the lots particularly in the industrial area the suburban fabric is transformed into a social, urban fabric. Furthermore the re-scaling of these lots allows for a gradual change to take place with development occurring bit by bit rather than in massive sweeps. A vibrant daily social life in the Living City arises from urban and agricultural activities rooted in local, placed-based solutions and stewardship principles that restore the environment.                   

Living City Design Competition, International Living Future Institute

Surrey, CAN - 2011

in collaboration with Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Stantec Inc.