- About
- Current Research
- SAGA: Translanguaging and Sustainability
- Research Team
- 2023 CO-LAB IN SYDHAVN
- 2024 CO-LAB IN HELSINKI
- 2025 CO-LAB IN PARIS
- Dynamic Language Demands for Ecological Transition of Cities
- Key Dimensions of Language and Terminology : City as Habitat in Space and Time
- Key Dimensions of Language and Terminology : Inviting Cultural Vernaculars
- Key Dimensions of Language and Terminology: Real-Time Updates to the Evolving Language of Urban Practice in Ecological Transition
- Innovation in Urban Transition Practice: Putting Transition in Place in Arcueil and the Plateau de Saclay
- Key Dimensions of Language and Terminology: Political Ecological Translations
- Losing the Edge of the Translation: Gated or Green; Shrinking or Degrowth
- Terms of Transition
- Call for Abstracts
- Open Positions
- Zotero
- Urban Innovation Lab
- SUSI: Scaling Up Social Instrastructure
- SAGA: Translanguaging and Sustainability
- Opportunities
- Partners
- Events
SUSI: Scaling Up Social Infrastructure
Social infrastructure: the places, spaces and ways in which people connect, learn, and support one another in communities; the infrastructure of social life.
The goal of the SUSI Partnership for 2025-29 is to collaboratively develop pathways for social infrastructure policy, provision and practice that ensure no net loss of social quality of life, within complete communities in BC. Mixing land uses and users in tight quarters is an opportunity for effective urbanism, but the specifics of what social infrastructure is needed, where and in what mix, are matters that need more thought and action in B.C. communities.
We know we are facing chronic challenges and are lacking even the clear means to maintain existing social infrastructure — and we know we need to plan for growth in its scale and function.
From 2026 to 2029, the team will work to:
Understand the essential role of social infrastructure through new research, case studies, and outreach with communities;
Convene over 20 partner municipalities, health authorities, regional districts, and provincial ministries across the Lower Mainland and South Vancouver Island and beyond to generate learnings, and;
Share recommendations to support rapid policy and budget changes to encourage social infrastructure that benefits residents.
Social infrastructure like parks, community centres and childcare provides the foundation for healthy and functional communities as they grow and change. Cities need partnerships, policies and tools to ensure the right kind and mix of social infrastructure.
Research Approach
The SUSI Partnership works through three ‘sandboxes’ which are focused teams whose multisector experimental approach allows for safe experimentation and innovation.
| Sandbox | Goal |
|---|---|
| 1. Data and tools | To identify, inventory, characterize, map and spatially model social infrastructure in the Metro Vancouver and South Island regions, and analyze them within the framework of complete communities. |
| 2. Case studies | To co-create an evidence-based understanding of the role of social infrastructure through case studies that examine space and design qualities, tenure and financing arrangements, governance and programming structures, and alignment with community values. |
| 3. Adequacy and impact | To survey and observe social infrastructure needs and functions from community members and inform opportunities to plan for and fund social infrastructure through policy tools. |
Social Infrastructure Highlight
The District of Saanich's G.R. Pearkes Rec Centre
The District of Saanich's G.R. Pearkes Rec Centre is a community hub where residents access a range of essential services including recreation opportunities, library, event spaces, and a youth centre. Here, residents connect with formal community resources and also build informal neighbourly relationships that strengthen local support networks.
Full o'beans full-day childcare - Saanich Neighbourhood Place
Saanich Neighbourhood Place was established in 1993 by a group of citizens and parents who recognized the need for a space where families could gather, share resources, and support one another in a safe and inclusive community environment.
Full o'beans full-day childcare program is for children 30 months to school aged, operated by Saanich Neighbourhood Place. This program provides opportunities for children to learn and grow through play both inside the classroom as well as outdoors. The children will be provided with an environment that encourages them to learn new skills, explore new materials and gain independence while building meaningful relationships with their peers and educators.
Many thanks to our funders SSHRC and Mitacs!
