Canada is well known around the world for its vibrant cities and multicultural identity. Cities like Vancouver function as “gateways” to foreign countries, providing a cultural reference point for local-to-global engagements.
The key to optimizing Vancouver’s “locational advantage” as a global knowledge and innovation hub is developing a curator’s instinct for new sources of social and economic value as well as a strategist’s aptitude for combining different, but complementary perspectives, in an integrated manner.
Follow the conversation in Vancouver and learn more about VSIR’s growing contribution to the social, economic, and intellectual life of this exceptional city.
INNOVATION IN CHINA: HOW DOES INNOVATION HAPPEN IN CHINA? STATE-PRIVATE PLAYERS IN NEW-OLD INDUSTRIES
China has changed markedly since 1970 when Canada established diplomatic relations, bringing it out of international isolation. Knowledge of China’s innovation capacity is key for Canada since the “world’s factory” aspires to a qualitative shift in development.
read moreJAPAN’S LEADERSHIP IN THE LIBERAL INTERNATIONAL ORDER
Japan’s leadership on geopolitical and geoeconomic issues is instructive for liberal democracies like Canada which remain vulnerable to the disruption created by the strategic competition between China and the United States.
read moreBROADWAY PLAN: KITSILANO STREETS AND PUBLIC REALM WORKSHOP
Vancouver’s Broadway Plan provides an opportunity for over-the-horizon thinking and active participation in future planning processes that will help to optimize community resilience and adaptation, but the hard work is just beginning.
read moreINTELLIGENT URBAN DESIGN: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT REVOLUTION
Contemporary urban governance requires a strategic rethink. While formidable, this multi-generational challenge can be overcome with right mix of intelligent design principles and integrated learning solutions.
read moreURBAN DISPATCH #5 – A MUNICIPAL NOMINEE PROGRAM: CANADA’S NEW IMMIGRATION MILESTONE?
Canada continues to raise its immigration targets to attract global talent. But in a hyper-competitive world is that enough? Urban Dispatch 5 examines whether the proposed Municipal Nominee Program represents a new milestone.
read moreSHAPING VANCOUVER 2019: WHAT’S THE USE OF HERITAGE?
Vancouver’s “super diversity” is key to its global reputation as a “livable city of neighbourhoods” which is why the tangible and intangible value of heritage needs to be workable in daily life.
read moreURBAN DISPATCH #4 – USING FORESIGHT ANALYSIS TO DRIVE INNOVATION EXCELLENCE
Rapid urbanization, economic transformation, and technological disruption reveal the limitations of “lessons learned” and “best practices.” In this issue of the Urban Dispatch, VSIR examines how to transcend those limitations using foresight analysis.
read moreURBAN DISPATCH #3 – PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE SKILLS CHALLENGE
VSIR has launched a new blog series called the Urban Dispatch which summarizes and clarifies contemporary city-related trends, strategic management issues, and research questions. We welcome your engagement and feedback.
read moreURBAN DISPATCH #2 – LEVERAGING CANADA’S URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AMBITION
VSIR has launched a new blog series called the Urban Dispatch which summarizes and clarifies contemporary city-related trends, strategic management issues, and research questions. We welcome your engagement and feedback.
read moreURBAN DISPATCH #1 – HARNESSING THE SMART POWER OF CITIES
VSIR has launched a new blog series called the Urban Dispatch which summarizes and clarifies contemporary city-related trends, strategic management issues, and research questions. We welcome your engagement and feedback.
read more