Reconciliation
Award for Planning Excellence
2021
Project Name:Nom du projet : Heather Lands Rezoning Plan
Company:compagnie : Canada Lands Company, MST Partnership and DIALOG
Through a unique joint-venture partnership between Canada Lands Company, a federal crown corporation, and MST Development, the land development corporation for Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Heather Lands Rezoning Plan seeks to plan and develop lands today known as the Heather Lands in the City of Vancouver, which is located on the unceded territories of the three Nations.
Through an extensive public consultation process with neighbours, and collaboration with MST community members and cultural liaisons, MST culture and traditions are imprinted in all facets of site design, creating a complete community organized around a vibrant public realm that includes a forest trail spine reminiscent of the trails travelled by Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh ancestors across the peninsula of Vancouver. The Plan also supports the healing of painful histories for Indigenous peoples, by replacing the existing RCMP heritage building with a new MST Cultural Centre, which celebrates MST culture at the site where the Nations’ customs and culture were oppressed. The development of these lands through this joint-venture partnership unwinds the colonial history and makes a powerful step towards reconciliation in the City of Vancouver.
The jury applauds this plan for not only being an example of thoughtful and culturally integrated design and consultation, but also for being an excellent example of co-creation and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments and developers. In particular, the jury was impressed with the development of the Heather Lands Cultural Interpretative Plan that collected the stories and ideas shared by the Nations which were used to guide the development of the Rezoning Plan.
The result of a robust and culturally appropriate planning process that upholds the integrity of Indigenous expression, has created an inspiring, progressive, and sustainable new neighbourhood that will be a beautiful space to benefit the community harmoniously integrated with the neighbourhood that is there today. Jury members congratulate CLC, MST and DIALOG for truly reflecting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s intent that the preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous cultures are best managed by Indigenous people and communities. The Heather Lands Rezoning Plan and its planning process offer a new relationship model for planning for reconciliation in communities across Canada.