FortisBC School of Development: The Art of Approvals 2021
Name:
FortisBC School of Development: The Art of Approvals 2021
Date:
March 8, 2021 - March 11, 2021
Registration:
Sorry, public registration for this event has been closed.
Event Description:
Join us for a four-day dynamic interactive virtual experience and learn all about "The Art of Approvals".
Learn strategies for mobilizing communities and winning land use approvals. You will gain insight for your future projects through the approvals process from different perspectives:
- Municipal - the municipal context, development tools, questions a municipality asks itself, questions a home builder should ask
- Consultant - the approvals process, project checklist, new era of engagement and social mobilization
- Home builders - challenges and lessons learned from a current case studies
Expertly facilitated by Michael von Hausen of MVH Urban Planning & Design, this course is limited to just 60 students and is for UDI members only.
Come and learn from the best in the business!
FACULTY SPEAKERS
MUNICIPAL - Michael Epp, City of North Vancouver
Michael is a land use and community planner whose work has ranged from neighbourhood planning and visioning projects in New York City neighbourhoods, to managing the planning department in Gibsons, BC to his current role as Director of Planning for the City of North Vancouver. The current focus of Michael’s work is ensuring that transportation and development are coordinated as the City plans for growth and works to create new housing opportunities for families, seniors and renters.
CONSULTANT - Gary Pooni, Pooni Group
Gary Pooni is responsible for driving the firm's growth and managing major client projects in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Gary was appointed President in October 2008 and was named and honoured as one of Business in Vancouver's "Top Forty under 40" recipients in 2009. In his role as president and senior planner, Gary has worked on projects throughout the Lower Mainland, the Sea to Sky corridor and throughout BC. His expertise spans planning principles, policy planning, public consultation and advanced skills in negotiation and facilitation. Gary is highly active in the community; chairing Urban Development Institute Liaison Committees in several municipalities as well as serving as a Director of the Indo-Canadian Friendship Society, which provides funding and resources for infrastructure and community development in Punjab, India.
HOME BUILDER - Houtan Rafii, Beedie
A graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the Post Graduate Site Planning Program at the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia, Houtan has worked in real estate development for almost 20 years. As Executive Vice President of Residential Development at Beedie, Houtan has been instrumental in the inception and growth of Beedie Living, the company’s residential and mixed-use business unit. With 2500 residential units completed or under construction, and an additional 4000 units in the approvals process, Beedie Living has quickly grown to become a prominent player in the development of major projects throughout Metro Vancouver. Prior to joining Beedie Development Group, Houtan held senior positions with several other established Vancouver developers. In addition to Vancouver, Houtan has managed large-scale projects in Victoria, Whistler, Calgary and Toronto. Houtan is a member of the YMCA of Greater of Vancouver Board of Directors, the Urban Development Institute (UDI Pacific Region) Board of Directors, is the previous Chairperson of the UDI Under40 Executive Board, and recently completed the Leading Business into the Future Programme at London Business School.
CONSULTANT & FACILITATOR - Michael von Hausen - MVH Urban Planning and Design
Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University, Michael heads an international consulting firm that specializes in land development strategies, community partnerships, urban design, and training mid-career professionals. Michael's firm has won 10 awards for planning, design and development of communities across western Canada over the past five years. He brings over 30 years of experience in land development planning, finance, and urban design, teaching and working across North America.
HOME BUILDER - Katie Maslechko, Beedie
Katie is the Senior Development Manager for Beedie Living, where she focuses on guiding several of the firm’s developments from initial acquisition, through design, development approvals, marketing, sales, and construction. Her project experience spans a variety of asset classes and includes the MEC Vancouver Flagship, affordable housing partnerships, Safeway grocery, and several mixed-use and residential high-rise developments across the Lower Mainland. Katie is the Americas Co-Chair for the ULI Young Leaders Group (YLG), representing more than 10,000 ULI members under the age of 35 in 54 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico, and co-chairs ULI BC’s YLG. She is a board member for Catalyst Community Development Society and a Vice Chair for the ULI Public-Private Partnerships National Product Council. Katie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Policy, Planning & Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California and is a former member of UDI’s Women of UDI Committee.
Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University, Michael heads an international consulting firm that specializes in land development strategies, community partnerships, urban design, and training mid-career professionals. Michael's firm has won 10 awards for planning, design and development of communities across western Canada over the past five years. He brings over 30 years of experience in land development planning, finance, and urban design, teaching and working across North America.
