Regular readers will notice that my posting has been very light practically non-existent over the past several months.  My day job with PlaceSpeak, writing for Spacing Vancouver and coordinating Jane’s Walks in Vancouver have left me with little time to write here.

One of the initiative I am involved in at PlaceSpeak is the 2012 Metro Vancouver Urban Futures Survey.

The Urban Futures Survey is the third in a series of geographically specific research studies that measure the importance of a number of issues to residents across the Lower Mainland. Previous surveys helped inform the creation of the Livable Region Plan and the Choosing our Future program.

The 2012 survey will update and enhance the information available about public attitudes and experiences of the population over three points in time. This information will be invaluable to planners and policy makers at all levels and can be completed in the time it
takes to have your morning coffee.

Ken Cameron, former manager of policy and planning for the GVRD, said that “I am not aware of any other urban region that has an extensive body of longitudinally comparable information such as this available to aid the decision-making process.”

The earlier surveys involved sit-down and telephone interviews but this time it is being conducted online by PlaceSpeak which ties respondents to their household location. “The improvement in consultation and citizen empowerment offered by PlaceSpeak is very
significant.” explains former Vancouver Mayor and BC Premier, Mike Harcourt. “At its best, PlaceSpeak represents the next generation in the evolution of community engagement.”

The survey is being conducted with the sponsorship of Lambda Alpha International, Vancouver Chapter and the financial support of the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the City of Surrey, the City of North Vancouver, Translink, and
Vancity Credit Union.

In order to promote awareness for this project, ten 30-second public service announcements have been filmed starring local famous faces including broadcast legend Red Robinson, actor Blu Mankuma, former Mayor and Premier Mike Harcourt, City of North Vancouver Mayor, Darrell Mussatto, architect David Wong, development tycoon Bob Rennie, restaurateur Umberto Menghi and musicians Jim Byrnes and Don Alder.