Virtual Lunch & Learn: Balancing Act – Addressing Policy Priorities in a Challenged Economic Environment
Join the Urban Development Institute (UDI) and the Planning Institute of B.C. (PIBC) as part of our partnered event series, addressing topics that are top-of-mind for planners and developers alike.
Despite our combined efforts across the public and private sector, issues of climate change, affordability, and social equity remain at the forefront of our professions. We are living through an era of rising costs and interest rates, putting further pressure on our ability to meaningfully address some of the biggest problems of our day. Continued project cost increases pose a challenge to both the development industry and all levels of government in achieving desired outcomes.
In this webinar, we will explore the effectiveness of development related local government policies aimed at addressing a number of important issues and discuss the realities of balancing priorities in an uncertain economic climate.
Register now to hear from industry leaders tackling these issues head-on, and learn how they are balancing the need to address these societal priorities in a meaningful way, despite the collective pressures we face within today?s economic realities.
Panelists
Carla Guerrera, M.Pl, MCIP
Founder & CEO, Purpose Driven Development
As a globally recognized real estate development professional, Carla combines the fields of real estate development and urban planning. Carla has delivered over $1 B of complex, mixed-use real estate development across Canada's top markets over the past 20 years. Carla is the Founder and CEO of Purpose Driven Development and Planning, a company which brings a proven approach to unlocking successful development in our complex urban environments for developers, public sector and First Nations clients to create communities where we can all thrive.
Carla was recently appointed to the Thames Estuary Growth Board, UK's largest growth opportunity focused on the revitalization along the Thames River with a £1.5bn investment and recovery post-Brexit and post-Covid. Locally she also serves on the British Columbia Pavilion Corporation Board. Carla is an international thought leader and speaker on innovative approaches to development and city building.
Andrew Merrill, RPP, MCIP
General Manager, Planning & Development, City of Coquitlam
Originally from the East Coast, he has a Masters in Planning with a concentration in Urban Design from UBC. Andrew has over 18 years of experience in community planning, development approvals, public engagement, facilitating housing affordability, and urban design. His current work involves leading a team of 90 guiding transit-oriented development and infill housing for one of the fastest growing cities in BC.
Robin Petri
VP, Development, Catalyst
As Vice-President, Development, Robin is responsible for the leadership and management of Project Delivery.
Robin joined Catalyst in March 2015 as the lead of the Project Delivery team which is responsible for the development and construction of Catalyst projects. This involves working together with partners, neighbours, consultants, contractors and municipal staff to design, permit and build projects. Robin brings extensive municipal and private sector experience to Catalyst. Robin loves working at Catalyst because of the meaningful use of the buildings that she plays a part in creating.
When not at work, Robin can be found biking with her family along the seawall or in her community organizing school events, block parties and soccer teams.
"It's great to be part of an organization that works to build stronger communities through creative real estate projects."
Henry McQueen, RPP, MCIP
Vice President, Development, Qualex-Landmark
(Moderator)
Henry is the Vice-President of Development at local developer Qualex-Landmark, and brings both public and private sector experience to the real estate development profession, having worked with the City of Toronto previously.
Henry has managed over 4 million square feet of mixed-use development across Canada to-date, ranging in scale from high density master planned communities to single-building mid-rise. In his role Henry is responsible for overseeing the development project pipeline at Qualex-Landmark, assessing project feasibility, developing the strategic vision for each project, and advancing design and approvals through to construction.
Henry is a Registered Professional Planner, and Co-Chair of the UDI & City of Coquitlam Liaison Committee. Henry is an active volunteer, having served a variety of community-level organizations from affordable housing to amateur sport.
