Citizen City

“Citizen City” explores the incredible potential of cross-sector partnerships among private developers, nonprofi ts and various levels of government to share a portion of the wealth created in real estate developments to support the greater good. By orchestrating these important partnerships and championing social causes, architects are able to achieve socially valuable urban planning goals such as aff ordable housing and community amenities that promote a vibrant urban culture. Th is book highlights the success and failures of such efforts with case studies of eleven Vancouver, BC building projects, in the hope that the lessons of these innovative projects may help guide other cities towards a more just existence.

Gregory Henriquez is the Managing Partner of Henriquez Partners Architects and a leader among a new generation of architects who are reintegrating ethics and activism into the discipline. His work is founded on the belief that meaningful architecture must be a poetic expression of social justice. Gregory’s socially, culturally, and environmentally sustainable projects are having a major impact on shaping local communities. He recently completed the socially inclusive Woodward’s Redevelopment in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside—a project that is bringing new density and vital body heat to the area. The project is unprecedented in Canada due to its scale, humanitarian aspirations, and complexity. It was awarded a 2011 AIBC Special Jury Award for Outstanding Programming and Place-making, and the National Design Exchange Gold Medal. Currently, Gregory is the Design Architect for TELUS Garden, which will bring Vancouver its first LEED Platinum-certified office tower. Gregory’s work has been honoured with numerous design awards, including BC Lieutenant Governor’s Medals in Architecture for the Coal Harbour Community Centre and Bruce Eriksen Place, and a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for the Lore Krill Housing Co-op. A member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Marya Cotten Gould is an author and American lawyer. Prior to relocating to Vancouver, Marya was a full-time law professor at Baruch College – City University of New York where she taught a variety of business law classes and was the recipient of a Zicklin School of Business Teaching Excellence Award. Marya’s research centered on her belief that ethical, sustainable and creative business can generate positive social and environmental change. Marya has published articles about the legal and business challenges of social enterprise, the power of cross-sector partnerships between corporations and non-profit organizations, and green building policy.
Marya has worked as a VP for Acquisitions at the Hudson Yards Development Corporation, a non-profit set up by the Bloomberg administration to implement and manage a multi-billion dollar economic and real estate development project on the far west side of Manhattan. As a mayoral appointee, Marya previously served on the board of directors for the New York City Industrial Development Agency, which provides companies with financing and tax benefits to attract and retain diverse businesses and jobs. She also has eight years of experience as a real estate and corporate attorney, most recently at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City.
Marya received her juris doctorate from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree in Politics/Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College. She is a member of the bar in New York and Washington, as well as a LEED accredited professional.