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Hear from local experts about the health and climate rationale for intergenerational ‘sociable’ design.
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Building social connections: Housing design policies to support wellbeing for all
Hey Neighbour Collective and Happy Cities are co-leading this three-phase project, in partnership with Simon Fraser University. Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective have collected substantial evidence over the last several…
A Place Like Home: student research symposium
Are you a Vancouver-area university student researching housing-related issues? Check out this November event.
What is the role of planners in fostering pro-social communities?
A critical perspective in housing affordability and choices that are key to quality of life.
Sogol Haji Hoseini on environmental gerontology and what it’s like to sleep in a desert at night
Our conversation with Sogol took us from her work with the Collective to her interests in researching older adult populations, and why camping in the desert is something everyone should try.
Building hope through action
Connect & Prepare program featured in report by Public Health Agency of Canada and BC Centre for Disease Control.
Rojan Nasiri on how urban design can facilitate walking among older adults, and why Kerman is her favourite city
During our chat with Rojan, one of HNC’s research assistants, we learned about what makes for walkable urban spaces and sociable common areas, plus some of her favourite things about Kerman, Iran.
Understanding the walking experiences of older immigrant populations with Farinaz Rikhtehgaran
In our conversation with research assistant Farinaz, we talked about her work with HNC and discussed the challenges and potential solutions for making walking more accessible for immigrant older adults in cities.
Cookies, research methods, and building audits
Our HNC research group, comprised of Simon Fraser University and Happy Cities members, explored how social interactions in multi-unit housing are influenced by the physical environment in 20 buildings in Vancouver and Victoria.
How density can boost wellbeing
People who oppose rezoning single-family neighbourhoods often claim that density is bad for our health and wellbeing. But what does the data really say? With the B.C. government’s recent announcement…
Are you and your neighbours safely connected and prepared for extreme heat? Try out our new guide
Building Resilient Neighbourhoods (BRN), in collaboration with Hey Neighbour Collective, has published a new, free guide called Prepare Together for Extreme Heat.
Job posting: Knowledge Mobilization Specialist
HNC is on the lookout for a new part-time member to boost our knowledge mobilization capacity.
US Surgeon General highlights the need for more social connection
The Surgeon General has created a Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection. It details critical and actionable next steps that individuals, communities, organizations, and governments can take to foster social connection.
Ahad Kamranzadeh on the inestimable value of laundry rooms and what makes public common spaces feel inclusive and welcoming
In our conversation with Ahad, we learned about how he’s made connections between his engineering background and current work with the Collective.
Going beyond the norm: Innovative roles for local governments in fostering neighbourly social connections
Governments have become interested in reducing loneliness and social isolation and strengthening resilience and collective emergency preparedness in these settings.