Gillian McKellar
Female
Profile Information:
- In which Vancouver neighbourhood or other community do you live?
- Other
- If you don't live in Vancouver or are in another neighbourhood or community we did not list, please tell us where home is.
- Delft, The Netherlands
- Please tell us which areas of Transition interest you. For example: growing more food/urban agriculture, relocalizing our economy/local currency, Permaculture, transit, energy efficient buildings, the arts, urban homesteading, preserving seed diversity, placemaking, potlucks, outreach, organizing events, community-building, having fun while saving the world, or...
- I'm an architect living in the Netherlands with the intention to move to Vancouver within the next 2 years. I'm Canadian but have been doing a Msc of Architecture with a minor is Sustainable Design here in Delft.
I am interested in self-sufficient, carbon neutral buildings, especially in the housing area. I am an avid cyclist, knitter, worm keeper and gardener, and am looking forward to learning how to keep my own chickens and bees upon my return to the west-coast. - There's a saying that "Transition is not a spectator sport". It's true! Village Vancouver runs on people power, and engaging in activities and projects together helps us accomplish more. Which groups, networks, neighbourhood villages, or projects do you think you might be interested in getting involved with? And what knowledge, skills, resources or other assets can you bring to the mix? (Don't be bashful!)
- I would love to, if only I were in Vancouver...
- What would you like to see improved in Vancouver or in your community regarding sustainability or resiliency? Do you have an idea for a new Transition project or activity?
- I am moving to Vancouver with the intention to improve sustainability in housing.
- I agree to read and abide by the Site Guidelines under the About tab on the navigation bar, remaining respectful in all communications on this web site.
- Yes
Randy Chatterjee
Gillian,
Welcome to Village Vancouver. I am glad you've found us, especially at such a critical time when you can explore and investigate first hand what others in similar climates are doing to live life more sustainably.
Having spent my early working career in Vienna, I could gain an intimate understanding for both city planning based not on cars and building technology based on expensive energy. The Passivhaus movement was in its infancy, but the drive to reduce energy use was papable everywhere.
We need both the intellectual understanding and the emotional, experiential connection to creating complete and walkable communities around welcoming urban forms.
Easier said than done, but it is easier when you've lived it. Take the best of what you can learn and see there, and please bring it home. The whole of the Lower Mainland needs a complete redesign, around cafes, pedestrian malls, street cars, and mid-rise classic building forms designed to capture the energy of the sun, the earth, and even the people inside.
Come back soon.
Randy
Feb 13, 2011