New Westminster is handing out cash in exchange for successful ideas that can help reshape a neighbourhood, the city claims, has "the potential to be more vibrant."
The city recently launched its reGENERATE Ideas Challenge encouraging the public to submit "bold" and "cutting edge" ideas on how the area around 22nd Street SkyTrain Station can be revitalized.
More specifically, New West city staff are looking to build diverse housing, increase civic services and amenities for the growing community, and incorporate climate-friendly features.
The challenge's reward: $5,000 for the top comprehensive idea, $2,000 for the best local community idea, $500 for top youth submission, $1,500 for community's choice and $200 for honourable mentions.
"New Westminster residents, like everyone, are feeling the impacts of the climate crisis, which is why the reGENERATE Ideas Challenge is an exciting opportunity to surface new ideas from a wide pool of innovative thinkers on how a climate-friendly neighbourhood design could look at this location," said Mayor Patrick Johnstone in a news release.
What to consider
There are five themes New West has listed in its challenge that interested participants need to consider for submission:
- Land use and housing
- focused growth near transit, diverse and affordable housing
- Mobility, access and infrastructure
- sustainable transportation options and infrastructure
- Landscape and water
- nature-based design, connected open spaces and sustainable food systems
- Buildings, energy and waste
- zero emission buildings, energy efficiency and conservation, embodied energy and carbon, local renewable energy, construction waste reduction and circular economy opportunities
- Community connections and belonging
- community well-being, sense of place and safety, celebrating culture
The challenge states the ideas can range from simple and easy to complex and detailed.
Who can participate?
The reGENERATE Ideas Challenge is open to the general public, the city's release explained, including community members, students, urban development professionals and climate thought leaders.
Submissions can be made individually or as a group.
"By exploring ideas from near and far, the city hopes to discover creative approaches to address the urgent challenges of climate change, housing affordability, social inequity, and reconciling with the harmful impacts of colonialism," said New West housing manager Lynn Roxburgh.
Visuals of the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station neighbourhood redesign, as well as written description, need to be submitted by 5 p.m. PST on Jan. 31, 2024.
Those wishing to participate in the reGENERATE challenge need to register before the deadline of Jan. 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST.
For more information and registration, you can visit the City of New Westminster's website.
