In Development Episode 6 - Building Thriving Communities Through The Missing Middle with Alkarim Devani

11/18/21 • 58 min

On today's episode of In Development Alkarim, Mariah and Ryan discuss how to balance the needs of a neighbourhood as it redevelops. They dive deep into human behaviour and how the needs of people change and evolve over time. Redevelopment is a balancing act between viable projects and social responsibility and Alkairm shares his experience as one of Alberta's leading medium scale builders. Alkairm has chosen to build with a focus on people's needs and we recommend you check out his website.

Alkarim’s vision is to make thriving communities through elevated design and innovation. He wants to connect more people to the simple pleasure of living in a walkable neighbourhood full of vibrant, local businesses and modern spaces. Seeded in his hometown of Calgary, he is committed to improving the urban life and connection of people everywhere.

As Co-Founder of RNDSQR and as Co-Founder and board member at CHROMA, his ideas are reflected in each build. Emphasis is placed on living, connecting and creating sustainable homes where people can make it all fit.

In addition, Alkarim is a board member of D.Talks, a partner at NHBR Coffee and No Island Co-Work, places to connect with his community and maintain a pulse on the needs of Calgarians.

In addition, Alkarim is a board member of D.Talks, a partner at NHBR Coffee and No Island Co-Work, places to connect with his community and maintain a pulse on the needs of Calgarians.

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In Development Episode 5 - Revitalizing Neighbourhoods through Commercial Infill and Repurposing with Chris Dulaba

In today's episode, Ryan and Mariah talk to Chris Dulaba a Placemaker at Beljan Development all about what commercial infill is, what benefits it brings to neighbourhoods and how we can repurpose heritage buildings into beautiful community hubs.

Chris Dulaba, RPP, MCIP

Chris is a Placemaker at Beljan Development with over fifteen years of experience as a planner and developer. Chris has been directly involved in the planning, design and development of various projects from large master-planned communities to small scale infill throughout western Canada and Ontario. At Beljan his primary role is managing the development team with a specific focus on acquisition, concept development, land use approvals and design development.

Chris holds a Bachelor's degree in Planning from the University of Waterloo and a Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and Alberta Professional Planners Institute.

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In Development Episode 7 - Advice from a Councilor: Revitalizing Downtown and Working towards ending Homelessness

Scott Mckeen is Edmonton's former Ward 6 City Councillor. Scott is best known for his 24 years at The Edmonton Journal, including eight years as the hometown newspaper’s City Hall columnist.

Scott’s career at the paper ran the entire spectrum, from crime reporting to the environment beat. The majority of his years were spent at City Hall, reporting and commenting on city council.

Upon leaving the newspaper, Scott launched a last-minute bid in the 2010 civic election, finishing second. Since then he has started a successful communications business, serving local, provincial and federal clients.

He also became actively involved in the community, a few including volunteering as director of the Downtown Edmonton Community League, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force, the Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health and the Lieutenant Governor’s Circle on Mental Health and Addiction.

Scott was also the City of Edmonton’s first ever Blogger in Residence, a position he stepped down from to run in Ward 6 in 2013.

Since his election in 2013, Scott has advocated for our most vulnerable population with his Mental Health and Urban Isolation initiative and through affordable housing and harm reduction strategies.

He’s voted for and against infill developments in Ward 6 based on the location, design and density of the project.

He’s supported a walkable, bikeable, and livable downtown with the approval of the 102 Ave bike lanes, the Reimagine Jasper Avenue Revitalization, and by pushing EPS for more enforcement on noisy cars and motorcycles.

Scott has three grown children. He spends as much time with them as they allow. He lives in Ward 6 in the community of Oliver, where he can often be seen zipping around on his yellow Vespa scooter.