The City of New Westminster is committed to addressing the housing crisis and taking bold action on climate, including changing the way we plan for growth.
We hope you will join us now to create a climate-friendly neighbourhood around the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station where everyone can thrive.
From November 20, 2023 to January 31, 2024, you are invited to participate in the reGENERATE Ideas Challenge, by submitting proposals that answer questions like:
- How can we plan for neighbourhood growth with climate change at the forefront of our thinking?
- What are the most urgent adaptation measures we need to design into our communities?
- How do we best reduce our emissions through neighbourhood or building design?
- How can we plan neighbourhoods that are inclusive and safe for everyone, now and into the future?
Entry is open to everyone – community members, students, youth, designers, urban development professionals, climate thought leaders, and everyone in between. Entrants can participate individually or in groups. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
CHALLENGE DETAILS
The reGENERATE Ideas Challenge is part of the City’s visioning process for the area around the 22nd Street Station. The vision is propelled by our region’s housing crisis and guided by three foundational values: Climate Action, Truth & Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
We are interested in ideas that fall under the following themes:
- Land Use & Housing: focused growth near transit, diverse & affordable housing
- Mobility, Access & Infrastructure: sustainable transportation options, infrastructure
- Landscape & Water: nature-based design, connected open spaces, sustainable food systems
- Buildings, Energy & Waste: zero emission buildings, energy efficiency and conservation, embodied energy and carbon, local renewable energy, construction waste reduction, circular economy opportunities
- Community Connections and Belonging: community well-being, sense of place and safety, celebrating culture
Any and all ideas are welcome, from simple to complex! You might have an idea for a policy, program, or fully designed block or neighbourhood. Your idea might address one or many of the themes listed above. We are open to it all!
AWARDS
You can receive up to $5K in award money for your idea. Award levels are as follows:
- Top Comprehensive Idea ($5,000): The winning idea from all submissions received will provide a comprehensive concept for the area, considering multiple challenge themes (i.e. landscape, land use, mobility, etc). These ideas must be at the Station Area or Neighbourhood scale.
- Top Local Community Idea ($2,000): The top idea from a New Westminster resident or team of residents. This idea may not address all of the challenge themes but it ranks well against the evaluation criteria.
- Community’s Choice Award ($1,500): The public will be invited to vote online on a shortlist of the submissions, to provide an opportunity to celebrate the idea that resonates most with the New Westminster community.
- Top Youth Idea ($500): The top idea from any individual or team aged up to 30 years old. This idea may not address all of the challenge themes but it ranks well against the evaluation criteria.
- Honourable Mentions ($200): Additional compelling ideas that we want to celebrate and acknowledge.
REGISTER
If you would like to participate in the reGENERATE ideas challenge, please register by January 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm PST. You will receive a link to the submission platform, and any updates and reminders about the challenge. Please check your junk mail if the link does not reach your inbox. Submissions are due by January 31, 2024, at 5:00 pm PST.
