Sea2City: Reimagining Reconciliation in Design and Policy

Grounded in the city of Vancouver B.C.’s commitment to truth and reconciliation, this nature-based climate adaptation approach envisions a return to the historic False Creek shoreline. A precedent-setting process prompted ongoing, continuous learning between city and province agencies, a youth adaptation lab, cultural artists, designers, the public, and Host Nation cultural advisors. With reconciliation and reciprocity as the foundation, design outcomes represent a future in which Host Nations are active, celebrated partners in the strategic transformation of an ever-changing shoreline over generations. Both visionary and technically informed, this work inspires the practice of adaptation and charts a course for meaningful reconciliation.

RECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE  Vancouver is situated on the unceded traditional homelands of the xwməθkwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Host Nations. The area currently known as False Creek has significant meaning to Host Nations who have stewarded the land since time immemorial. Today, the shoreline is a major destination for residents and visitors, and vulnerable to flooding as sea level rises to one meter and beyond in the coming century. The Sea2City Design Challenge was a 12-month initiative to reimagine Vancouver's False Creek shoreline in the context of reconciliation between Host Nations, the City, the province and wider community. Embodying values of reciprocity and exchange, this challenge positioned teams as collaborators rather than competitors, with shared cultural advisors and “collaboratorium” workshops with the city and both teams. The design outcomes inform a framework and vision that prioritizes reconciliation with Host Nations to guide City and regional Coastal Adaptation Plans. 

DESIGN OUTCOMES  The design of Sea2City achieved three significant outcomes. Firstly, it disrupted the language of coastal planning by recognizing the inseparable connection between land and water. Secondly, it created a forward-looking and positive vision for the False Creek shoreline, where Indigenous voices, values, and aspirations were integrated with community needs. Finally, it resulted in implementable site concepts and pilot projects, refined through public input, introducing novel, decolonized ideas unprecedented in Canadian urban contexts.  

ANALYSIS INFORMED BY “WAYS OF SEEING” Stories, oral histories, knowledge, and values were heard directly from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. An Indigenous Knowledge Keeper emphasized the profound impact of conventional adaptation terminology.  By reframing language to align with Indigenous values of reciprocity, a paradigm shift fundamentally transformed the meaning behind returning to the historic shoreline and how that was communicated with the city teams and broader public. 

COMPREHENDING THE CLIMATE CRISIS   The adaptive design responses illustrated short-term and long-term design opportunities to protect and adapt the promenade and surrounding land and water scapes.  Responding to the urgent need for shared comprehension of the climate crisis, curated cultural events specific to climate adaptation supported collective learning and capacity building. This work was recognized by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), with the Canada Indigenous Engagement Award and the International Project of the Year Award.  

IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF RECONCILIATION AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING   This work is being consistently integrated into regional agency and city department work.  It has inspired the city to change direction on existing land use decisions and informs the City’s overarching Coastal Adaptation Plan.  Implementation is well funded, including the floating walkways pilot project which is under construction. This work set a precedent for future planning methods and created foundations for meaningful reconciliation.  In 2024 the Canada Society of Landscape Architects recognized the project with a National Award of Excellence in Communication and the top Jury's Award of Excellence, given to one project annually that best demonstrates the CSLA's vision of advancing the art, science, and practice of landscape architecture.

• Deb Guenther, FASLA - Mithun
• Laura Durgerian, ASLA - Mithun
• Shannon Lee - Mithun
• Zoe Kasperyzyk - Mithun
• Derek Lee - PWL Partnership
• D'Arcy Hutton - PWL + North False Creek Collective
• Meredith Wilson - PWL + North False Creek Collective
• Beau Wuthrich - PWL + North False Creek Collective
• Moffatt & Nichol - Civil and Waterfront Engineering, Mithun + One Architecture Team / South Creek
• Younes Nouri - Moffatt & Nichol
• Herrera Environmental Consultants - Blue Green Systems and Coastal Ecosystem Adaptation, Mithun + One Architecture Team / South Creek
• Chuck McDowell - Herrera (formerly with Mithun)
• Deltares - Civil Engineering, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• Happy Cities - Social Planning, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• Westmar Advisors - Shoreline Engineering, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• GW Williams Associates, Ltd - Environment, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• Goudappel - Mobility, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• Modus - Policy Planning, PWL Partnership + MVRDV Team / North Creek
• Corey Douglas, Modern Formline - Cultural Advisor, Squamish Nation (Both Teams)
• Charlene Aleck - Knowledge Keeper, Tsleil Waututh Nation (Both Teams)
• Sophie MacNeill - City of Vancouver Parks (formerly with PWL)