An interview with Katia Tynan
Strong neighbourly connections are critical to helping communities survive, adapt, and thrive.
In times of crisis, neighbours are often our closest source of support. Strong neighbourly connections are therefore critical to helping communities survive, adapt, and thrive amid all kinds of challenges and change.
In this short interview, Katia Tynan, Manager of Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction at the City of Vancouver, reflects on why working together to build community, mutual support, and resilience matters.
“I want to really think about how we build not just social connections, but also social capital, so that communities can come together to advocate for their needs in all kinds of different challenges, changes, and contexts.”
Background
This interview is part of a collection of interviews emerging from Living Together 2025: Connecting housing, social health, and resilience.
Living Together 2025 was a two-day ‘collective action’ symposium that convened over 200 housing experts, public health professionals, municipal planners, architects, place-based community organizations, emergency management professionals, senior government policymakers, academics, and students.
We are deeply grateful to the many attendees who took the time to share their reflections and insights in brief interviews. From student research assistants to housing operators, policymakers, and public health practitioners, these voices capture the rich diversity present at the symposium.
