The Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood is a historically low-income area that faces numerous social challenges from addiction to inadequate housing. Since 1998, the area has been the subject of an extensive planning and community development program that aims to deal with these issues (City of Vancouver 2009). Today, the neighbourhood is undergoing increasing change, especially with the introduction of more market housing – in particular the redevelopment of Woodward’s. As a result, some community advocates have expressed fear of the implications of this change and over what will happen to them and their community’s assets (Pederson & Swanson 2010).
As part of the Historic Area Height Review, Council has directed staff to undertake a social impact study to assess the effect on the existing low-income community of new developments (such as Woodward’s) in the historic area and where opportunities for enhanced affordability and live-ability may be achieved.
Beginning in October 2010, Social Policy staff are leading the project with support from Central Area’s DTES Planning Team staff and Housing Policy staff. A consultant has been hired to facilitate two community workshops with DTES community stakeholders to identify indicators and measures for assessing social impacts, as well as develop the methodology for a social impact assessment. The consultant will also organize and facilitate a small number of follow up meetings to engage the community to share results and get feedback from the two workshops. The City is also using an academic intern/observer, Tanya Fink, MA (Social Planning) Candidate, to take part in the process and to oversee the approach taken to ensure the community is well respected and represented. She is tasked with observing, monitoring and evaluating the process of scoping for the DTES Social Impact Assessment. Her role is to ensure the terms of reference, ground rules, and community input are respected in this participatory process. She is working in partnership with the consultant and the project team and is an integral part of ensuring the success of this community-driven process.
A concurrent Directed Studies on Participatory Social Impact Assessment, using this project as a case study, was also performed by the student. Completion date for the entire project is scheduled for early 2011.
