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URB499/URB692

Course Description

This 6-(grad) or 9-(undergrad) unit course offers students an intensive and project-based laboratory course in which to develop, refine, and apply theories of and concepts of urban strategy, innovation, and sustainable transformation to the real-world context of an urban public or quasi-public organization. This course was piloted in three iterations 2023-2025 in partnership with the City of New Westminster as a living urban laboratory of vanguard policy development and efforts to implement systemic change.  Working within a lab organization partner, we work to understand the organizational means by which big policy ideas get translated into organizational and operational action – and what gets lost in translation. Students have a guided opportunity to understand the functioning of a policy area and/or staff team in the City of New West and pursue a deep understanding of one or more of the City’s current priorities, including downtown liveability, climate action, emergency response, reconciliation, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). 

Spring 2025 outline for grad students can be found here. For undergrads, here.

Urban Innovation Lab Information Session