New Westminster, BC
City in British Columbia
Canada
New Westminster, BC opens reGENERATE Ideas Challenge for a redeveloped 22nd Street SkyTrain Station
The two-month competition seeks proposals from the entire community for the redeveloped neighborhood. Ideas must achieve "a climate-friendly neighbourhood where everyone can thrive" within the framework of climate action, truth and reconciliation, and equity. A jury of experts will evaluate each proposal based on relevance, creativity, and value alignment. Winning projects are in line for prizes ranging from CAD 200 for Honourable Mentions to CAD 5,000 for the Top Comprehensive Idea.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
New Westminster, BC expands citizen engagement opportunities with EngagementHQ platform
The Be Heard New West platform opened with consultations on electric mobility and COVID-19 recovery. Each project includes surveys, timelines, and relevant documents. EngagementHQ takes consultations over the top with moderated discussions and up-voting capabilities on comments. Participants set notifications based on project types and locations. City officials benefit from feedback as well as data on how best to engage residents based on their preferences.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
New Westminster, BC combines food security and workforce training with Community Therapeutic Garden
The city leased a portion of Ryall Park to the GROWcery Food Network Society for the nine-month pilot. Ryall Park was selected due to its proximity to a housing development for the recently homeless. Twelve participants will be trained in carpentry and landscaping skills as they build two gardens, an orchard, and seating areas. Residents of the Queensborough neighborhood will use the finished garden to grow food and realize the health benefits of outdoor activities.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
New Westminster, BC uses AI-enabled traffic cameras for Intelligent Systems Pilot Project
The pilot relies on Miovision SmartView cameras installed at five intersections along Columbia Street. Each camera tracks traffic volume, speed, and arrival at intersections during green lights. City staffers rely on the TrafficLink platform to analyze traffic behaviors along this test corridor. New Westminster will use this data to determine the need for additional smart traffic technologies. The pilot data also informs future road work and transit plans.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
New Westminster, BC develops urban solar gardens open to residential and commercial subscribers
The city first developed the 50-kilowatt, 156-panel Queensborough Community Centre garden. A similar garden was later built at the City Public Works Yard. Individuals and businesses can claim up to 10 panels each to offset energy bills. Savings produced by a subscriber's panels are applied to their utility account twice per year. The community solar garden concept reduces the need for subscribers to invest in costly systems of their own.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
New Westminster, BC switching public utility to Advanced Metering Infrastructure
The city's electrical utility plans citywide replacement of household meters with wireless AMI devices over a six-month period. Wireless meters allow for real-time usage data that produce accurate bills and encourage energy-efficient behaviors. The data also help utility workers stay ahead of outages and surges. Householders concerned about privacy or wireless communications can opt out of real-time data transfers. This project was delayed until further notice by COVID-19.
New Westminster, BC
Canada