Planning for the future

Chad Manley (Nick Pearce Photo)

Chad Manley is interested in experiencing landscapes—urban or natural—and in finding surprises in the way people use them. He chose to study planning because “it allows you to explore intriguing landscapes, while learning how we might improve upon them.” His professors have challenged him to imagine how cities might work in the future, and have helped him question the assumptions of current city building.

Mr. Manley’s thesis focuses on designing an ecologically-driven urban North Vancouver neighbourhood; one that promotes a drastically different vision from the status quo suburban business park model. The neighbourhood features a mix of commercial and residential uses, rain water capture, ecological waste-water treatment, and building forms that conserve hydrological and ecological connection in the landscape.

Recognized for his academic achievement and contribution to the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, the Sexton Scholar was awarded a Dalhousie In-course Scholarship, the Atlantic Planners Institute Scholarship, the Eksitics Planning & Design Scholarship and a Community Design Award. In 2008, he was awarded Dalhousie’s inaugural Lezlie Oler Design Prize in the public space-based design competition for undergraduate students in the community design and environmental design studies programs.

An outdoors enthusiast, Mr. Manley enjoys mountain biking, skiing, sailing and is an executive member of the Dalhousie Sailing Team. After graduation, Mr. Manley will return to his hometown of North Vancouver and will pursue his master’s degree at the University of British Columbia.