Local Cultures – Global Spaces
Abstract
Nestled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Granville Island is a captivating testament to circular communities’ power. This dynamic locale hosts talented creatives and makers who embody sustainability through their craft. The Granville Island Creative Walk provides insight into the interplay between local culture’s circular practices and the island’s essence. Over two days, this event explores the stories of brilliant island makers, demonstrating their embodiment of circular community principles. Painters, sculptors, food artisans, and creative retailers interweave tradition and innovation, crafting a sustainable way of life rooted in creative expression. This collaborative initiative originated from the GEOG/GD 464 Urban Regeneration, Art, and Sustainability Course at the University of Fraser Valley. Students behind the Granville Island Creative Walk closely collaborated with local businesses and government stakeholders, applying placemaking, sustainable development, and human-centered design principles. It uniquely combines diverse fields, including Design, Geography, Environment, and Social Work. The event testifies to the symbiotic relationship between the island’s creative community and the broader society. The circular network of creativity enriches both the makers’ lives and the entire island with palpable energy. The Granville Island Creative Walk celebrates creativity and embodies circular community and circular economy sustainability principles. It illustrates how interdisciplinary collaboration sustains places like Granville Island, where creativity, culture, and community harmoniously flourish, inspiring similar initiatives in diverse urban environments.
Miranda Ting is an interaction designer, firmly rooted in the belief that design is a transformative practice with the power to impact change. Her design philosophy is marked by her fascination with community-driven design processes, embracing a multi-disciplinary approach that seamlessly bridges and enriches creative communities. She emphasizes eccentric design thinking, prioritizes the process over the product, and cherishes the art of storytelling as a catalyst for meaningful change. Her passion for teaching sustains her commitment to the fusion of digital in the creative field.