CityStudio Abbotsford students have been working on two important projects this winter semester.
Led by Dr. Afia Raja, the students in Geography 252 and 344 are looking at the importance of data in providing community services, and community planning. The new addition to a CityStudio semester this year is the project shadowing by the two work-study students Prabhjot Kaur and Jasnoor Sodhi. Both are international students and are registered in the CIS program. Prabhjot and Jasnoor have also enjoyed a previous experience with work-integrated learning through UFV by having enrolled in the Co-op program. These students work as a team on prototyping the new CityStudio website as well as shadowing the two Geography projects. It is a unique chance to learn more about the way that Canadian educational system works, and the way it is different from other models in terms of curriculum design, student engagement, and community involvement.
After being a frequent visitor to Geography 344 virtual class, Jasnoor noted that the students in the class came up with a range of questions, answers, and suggestions that could change the community.
Professor Afia Zubait Raja shared this reflection on her GEOG 344 CityStudio project: “Through the GEOG 344 Urban Development Project for Abbotsford, we are basically targeting the overall UFV goal of equity, diversity, and inclusivity. Planning for all segments of population in the area is well aligned with the Official Community Plan and will help channelize City’s efforts towards a sustainable future.”
Prabhjot Kaur enjoys shadowing Geography 252 CityStudio project. This CityStudio project is looking at Vancouver and Abbotsford to observe the trends in community needs from a data-driven perspective. Last term as well, this project was first of its kind to explore HelpSeeker data in Abbotsford. This term the data from both Vancouver and Abbotsford is being analysed, which will help to direct future support efforts.
Social Geography 241 students have also had an experience with a project facilitated within the CityStudio umbrella. Desiree Dawson, a Canadian performing artist and a cultural mentor for the Black Lives Matter Social Justice Art project at UFV, shared her insights on the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement in Dr. Cherie Enns’ virtual classroom. Students from this class will be writing blogmposts on social justice art and placemaking.
CityStudio Abbotsford is planning a mid-April virtual student showcase event — Hubbub — that will highlight all CityStudio activities in Winter 2021.The event details are forthcoming. Faculty are welcome to contact Larissa Horne, the CityStudio Coordinator, UFV for more information on upcoming CityStudio projects for 2021-22 and to propose a new project.
For more information, contact Larissa Horne at larissa.horne@ufv.ca
04/19/2021