Burnaby is known as a "hyper diverse" city, with more than 67% of its population identifying as a visible minority
It is one of 8 cities in canada without a "majority ethnic group".
Major urban centre, with a total population of 250,000 people, 55% of whom are immigrants and non permanent residents.
Two neighbourhoods in Burnaby in which a focus can be placed due to their diverse demographics and community services available. For the Lougheed area of Burnaby the borders are somewhat vague and could include a couple different neighbourhoods.
The project aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and equitable public recreation services for immigrant and racialized communities in British Columbia.
Here's how the project's objectives correspond with specific SDGs:
By enhancing access to recreation services, the project supports physical activity and social engagement, which are vital for physical and mental health.
The project's educational components, such as EDI training for staff and community workshops, foster understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and inclusion.
The project aims to reduce inequalities by ensuring that public recreation services are accessible and welcoming to immigrant and racialized communities.
By enhancing access to recreation services, the project supports physical activity and social engagement, which are vital for physical and mental health.
The project's community-based participatory research approach ensures that marginalized voices are included in decision-making processes related to public recreation services.
The project fosters partnerships among municipal recreation departments, community organizations, and immigrant communities to collaboratively enhance recreation services.
The Belonging, Dignity, Justice, and Joy (BDJJ) framework (Davis, 2021) and the ‘5-Pillars’ framework offers an alternative approach to addressing EDI & Accessibility challenges in the community.
BDJJ strongly aligns with public recreation as both foster a climate where individuals can experience pursuits that enhance individual and community wellbeing (CPRA, 2016). BDJJ is a new and emerging approach to complement EDI and this project will add to its operational understanding in Participatory Action Research driven social innovation (Van Der Velde et al., 2009). In addition, the concepts embodied in BDJJ are like ‘care-based approaches’ in government relationships with the public (Dong & Morehouse, 2022), where practitioners apply strategies such as openness, empathy, and humanization. BDJJ humanizes the process of pursuing EDI strategies and goals. This study explores how the Belonging, Dignity, Justice, and Joy (BDJJ) framework can enhance equity in public recreation.
Understand immigrant and racialized communities' recreation needs, identify access initiatives, and address barriers through systemic change.
Create pathways to strengthen societal integration and boost civic engagement within immigrant and racialized communities.
Build impactful partnerships between municipal recreation staff and immigrant and racialized communities to co-create accessible programs.
Produce exemplary initiatives that can be adapted and implemented in other Canadian communities to improve access for equity-deserving groups.
Capture data on the intersectional identities within immigrant and racialized communities to inform future research and support for other equity-deserving groups.
Ensure co-created initiatives benefit target populations and intersecting communities, including those with disabilities and diverse gender identities.