Asset Mapping in Mount Pleasant!
Asset Mapping In Mount Pleasant
On May 7, the CDLI team hosted a Jane’s Walk in the pleasant north-west community of Mount Pleasant. Jane’s Walk is a global festival in honour of Jane Jacobs, who was an urbanist and advocate for getting to know your neighbourhood through walking. Jane was a proponent of walkable design, Jane’s Walk is a time to celebrate learning through a variety of perspectives. It’s a chance to reflect on a place by exploring intimately a new or familiar neighbourhood. The CDLI team wanted to get in on the festivities by teaching participants about asset mapping while exploring the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant.
Jane Jacobs
Neighbourhood Asset Mapping
What Do You SEE?
Balmoral Circus - Heritage Sport in Calgary
So Many Assets!
The route(s) taken in Mount Pleasant
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody”
Gathering the Assets
Saw Market Cafe
What do you see? Is all about having a good attitude and perspective, asset mapping can be really useful when we approach mapping by
focus on what’s strong and not wrong
Remain curious and look at possibilities for opportunities, not the deficits
Nobody is an expert and learning from each others experience whether you’ve been in the neighbourhood for many years or your first time - every perspective is valued
no need to rush, slow down and take time to reflect
More assets doesn’t always mean better
Reflect on who’s not there and why?
Reciprocity
Participants got to learn how to develop their own asset map by walking different routes in the neighbourhood. Many of the inspired Walkers considered what type of unique strengths they saw and what could be taken back into their own neighbourhood. Take a look at the Neighbourhood Asset Map, that was developed to enhance participants experience.
Walkers got to experience the Mount Pleasant community association, the historical Balmoral Circus, Confederation Park in addition to vibrant murals, homes with character, and unique road designs were all assets identified.
Residents got to celebrate their neighbourhood, explain what they loved and how they experience their hood. Residents shared insights into the history, planning, ecology and the their favourite ice cream. So many valuable shares that participants new to Mount Pleasant were able to hear! In the spirit of reciprocity, residents were able to share their initial observations, questions and what assets they identified.
Mount Pleasant Community Garden!
After touring and gathering the assets in Mount Pleasant, the groups reconvened together to discuss what they found. Types of assets that we identified are:
Individual assets/people and their capacities
Informal associations (small groups who are unpaid, e.g. community associations, garden group, parent groups)
Local institutions (paid groups, e.g. social service providers, fire hall, local businesses, are centre)
Physical assets (e.g. land, buildings, etc.)
Connections and exchanges (the relationships that exist and opportunities).
Our furry friends also experience the neighbourhood!
