The Town of Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation created a new Waterfront Plan for lands and water in their respective community and unceded territories. Recognizing the legacy of past misdoings, including the destructive impacts of colonization, the 50-acre waterfront offered an opportunity to partner and design together for mutual benefit.

Engagement events were jointly hosted and included a multi-day charrette that included hands on participatory design activities. The Town and Nation have since used the resulting plan and design to secure millions of dollars in implementation funding.

Client | Town of Ladysmith in partnership with the Stz’uminus First Nation

Agency | DIALOG

Project Consultant Lead | Jennifer Fix while at DIALOG

Renderings and Urban Design Lead | Matthew Thomson while at DIALOG

Awards | Gold, Excellence in Policy Planning (Small Town and Rural Areas), Planning Institute of British Columbia, 2018 | Brownie Award – Outreach Category, Canadian Brownfield Network, 2019

Photos | Guillermo Ferraro