Students in UNBC’s School of Planning and Sustainability are applying their knowledge in a real-world setting this semester thanks to a partnership with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG).

Students are working directly with RDFFG staff as part of a review of the Official Community Plan for Electoral Area A, which encompasses the areas of Salmon Valley, Nukko Lake, Chief Lake and Ness Lake.   

“This is a unique opportunity not often afforded to undergraduate students to be able to work directly with a local government on an Official Community Plan,” says Bachelor of Planning student Matt Henderson. “It’s fantastic that the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George recognizes that there is an opportunity for students to participate in the process and provide their perspectives about what is going on here.”

Students will lead two related streams of work as part of the course. They will engage in a policy analysis and a community engagement process with young adults from the region. They will also learn how factors such as agricultural protection, housing diversification, wildfire risk mitigation, youth retention and infrastructure sustainability all need to be balanced and considered as part of the Official Community Plan.

“One of the areas I’m looking forward to exploring in this class is learning more about the planning process in the rural context, in particular the intersection between housing and agriculture,” Henderson says.  

Official community plans describe the long-term vision of communities. They are a statement of objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning and land use management. The current plan for Electoral Area A was adopted in 1997.

"I'm very excited to be a part of a course like this as it facilitates opportunities to collaborate with other passion-driven students and to work with community members, local governments and industry," says student Riana Smith. "I'm eager to gain more hands-on skills that will benefit the community and myself in my future career through this course." 

Fourth-year student Connor Lewis is from Prince George and jumped at the opportunity to take part in the class.

“I’ve spent a number of years studying the theory behind Official Community Plans and I’m looking forward to doing a hands-on project in my home community,” he says. “Official Community Plans are important guiding documents for our future. I really see the potential for positive change in our community and through this class I will have the chance to talk about what’s possible for our region.”

The class is led by School of Planning and Sustainability faculty members Dr. Mark Groulx and Dr. Rylan Graham along with RDFFG staff members Heather Meier and Kenna Jonkman.

“Students in UNBC’s Bachelor of Planning program are studying to become the next generation of leaders who will help to build capacity for the advancement of healthy, productive and thriving northern communities,” says Graham. “By working directly with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, students will be able to apply their classroom learnings to a real-world project and explore how local governments solicit and interpret feedback from the community.”