Urban Strategies Inc. has been retained by the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (the MST Development Corporation) and Canada Lands Company (CLC) to lead the preparation of the ʔəy̓alməxw / Iy̓álmexw / Jericho Comprehensive Development Concept Plan, which will form the basis of the City of Vancouver’s ʔəy̓alməxw / Iy̓álmexw / Jericho Lands Policy Statement.

Our team recognizes that the 90-acre ʔəy̓alməxw / Iy̓álmexw / Jericho Lands are a culturally and spiritually significant place for the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – a place of generosity and gathering, where the sea meets the land, and where multiple Coast Salish communities have come together. The Comprehensive Development Plan/Master Plan presents a tremendous opportunity to restore and transform these lands, achieve the aspirations of the MST-CLC partnership, and embed Indigenous values through the process – while demonstrating innovation in planning – to create an inspiring, healthy, welcoming, transit supportive and resilient urban community design.

The Comprehensive Development Plan will establish a new model of community building that embeds Indigenous values in process and design; anticipates the extension of the Broadway subway to and beyond the site; and responds to the surrounding natural and urban context, emerging City policies and objectives, MST-CLC aspirations, and – in the spirit of reconciliation – the lands upon which it resides.

Over the course of the year, the project team have been engaging the public in the ʔəy̓alməxw / Iy̓álmexw / Jericho Lands planning process. During spring 2021, the public was invited to share their initial feedback on a set of Emerging Site Planning Ideas. The consultant team is working closely with Cultural Liaisons to engage with the Nations’ broader communities, including Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, youth and Nation members. Input and feedback gathering during these sessions has informed the conceptual site plan options. Ongoing public and MST Nations engagement will focus on sharing these site plan options.

Site Plan Concept Option: p̓aq̓əs / sp’akw’us / eagle

Site Plan Concept Option: Ɬən / tahím̓ tl’a úxwumixw-chet / weave

ʔəy̓alməxw/Iy̓álmexw Jericho Lands

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