On June 11th, we gathered at the Reliance Theatre at Emily Carr University for the UEA Public Symposium — a day built around a single, resonant theme: Culture in Place. To our speakers, our members, and everyone who joined us in the room — thank you. You made Culture in Place more than a theme. You made it real.

On June 9th, the Urban Experience Alliance gathered at Inform Projects for a day that captured exactly why this community exists.

At this year's Symposium, Melissa Higgs opened the day by setting the stage with our theme: Culture in Place. What does it mean to design for it — and why does it matter?

Molly Steeves and Josh White explored the tensions in public engagement — consultation vs. participation, community vs. expertise — arguing that trust is cultural infrastructure built through transparency.

Spencer Coppin, Angela Hartman, and Dai Manuel explored the future of urban wellness — unpacking barriers to wellness in cities and the case for a new urban Blue Zone.

Steel & Oak and PiDGiN team up for a UEA Project Lab to highlight the vital role of the hospitality industry in our neighborhoods. Together, they created Okome, a Japanese rice lager brewed with rice from the Fraser Valley.

Chief Ian Campbell, Cory Douglas, and Ginger Gosnell-Myers introduce The Cultural Ribbon—a visionary policy advancing reconciliation and urban design in Vancouver.

Alex Beim, founder of Tangible Interaction and Grafitti +, and Jordan MacDonald, Partner and CEO of fabric living, explore how graffiti can thrive and endure amidst urban growth.

Working with collaborators Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Principal at Ginger Gosnell-Myers Consulting, and Cory Douglas, Owner of Modern Formline Design, Chief Ian Campbell of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw showcases efforts to embed Indigenous knowledge into urban design—from planning frameworks to tangible projects.

Tim Ng, CEO and Founder of ADHOC STUDIO and Blackline, speaks with Sunny Hahm, Founder of Tandem Strategy, about how data and digital tools are reshaping real estate development, sales, and placemaking.

Industry leaders Chuck We and Ted Mildon shares how innovative placemaking is helping reclaim Vancouver’s downtown offices, creating spaces that attract employees and energize the city.

Karm Rai, Community Safety Lead at Downtown Van, shares how the organization is combining community safety, placemaking, and advocacy to create a more vibrant and inclusive downtown core.