The online survey, developed by Rise for Architecture in partnership with ARI, includes viewpoints from a randomized sample of 1,859 Canadians from the general population polled between January 20-24, 2022, summarized in a report by ARI.
Three-quarters say culture and heritage should be key considerations in community design. Yet almost three in ten (29%) don’t see themselves and their culture reflected in their community, with visible minorities and Indigenous far less likely than Caucasian Canadians to feel this way. Only 11% of Canadians believe their communities are doing a really good job of protecting the environment.
“Canadians support what we’ve believed all along,” says Darryl Condon, Chair of the Rise for Architecture committee, “that our surroundings shape our future, and the design of our communities has a significant impact on our potential as individuals and as a nation.”
“Canada’s communities are facing unprecedented challenges,” says Lisa Landrum, member of the Rise for Architecture committee, “and we now have confirmation that Canadians want architects to help solve issues like housing affordability, equity and inclusion, and the climate crisis.”
Research shows well-designed buildings create sustainable, socially equitable, and inspiring communities. And yet, in Canada, we haven’t always considered this. The poll found that half of Canadians (51%) say development in their community is poorly planned. Fewer than half (47%) admire the architecture where they live.
More than 30 countries have or are developing architecture policies. Canada doesn’t have one—yet. Rise for Architecture aims to change that. How? We’ve developed a set of recommendations and actions that governments, professionals, and people involved in the development of our communities can adopt to build a better future for all Canadians.
Join us in creating places where all Canadians can thrive. Read our national consultation findings and recommended actions towards an Architecture Policy for Canada.
About Rise for Architecture
Rise for Architecture is a national, volunteer-led committee of architects, educators, advocates and organizations that regulate the architectural profession in Canada. From 2016 to 2022, we hosted conversations to learn what Canadians want and need in their communities. Our final report includes a series of actions and objectives to improve the processes and policies that shape how Canada’s communities are built. Our goal? To empower the building sectors, educators, and governments to create inclusive, sustainable and inspiring communities for all Canadians.
About Angus Reid Institute
The Angus Reid Institute (ARI) was founded in October 2014 by pollster and sociologist, Dr. Angus Reid. ARI is a national, not-for-profit, non-partisan public opinion research foundation established to advance education by commissioning, conducting and disseminating to the public accessible and impartial statistical data, research and policy analysis on economics, political science, philanthropy, public administration, domestic and international affairs and other socio-economic issues of importance to Canada and its world.