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UDesign Justice Initiative

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from UDesign Justice Initiative, Architectural Designer, 616 Macleod Trl SE, Calgary, AB.

A bold, transdisciplinary initiative at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape that voices marginalized communities and advances equity in the built environment.

10/27/2026

On October 16th, the UDJI team hosted our second annual Housing Justice in Action Working Group Meeting.

Aiming to support meaningful discussion and next steps for the project with dedicated practitioners, the event generated purposeful themes, potential barriers, and research topics to inform UDJI’s approaches to housing solutions and to promote design justice for youth in the City of Calgary.

We extend our gratitude to all members who attended the meeting. Your presence, voice, and dedication to improving housing experiences for Calgary communities are highly valued. Thank you!

10/02/2026

Another huge thank you goes out to all of the teams, organizations, and practitioners that led youth workshops to wrap up the final week of the 1st ever UDJI Youth Summer Camp this past August! We could not have done it without you. Your time, participation, and knowledge means so much to us and the community.

Day 6: Planting Session led by collaborator Jonathan Heinz🪏🌱 + Paint the Pavement led by Federation of Calgary Communities🫟

Day 7: Arts and Expression Crafts led by our UDJI team + Urban Furniture Creation led by Federation of Calgary Communities🪑

Day 8: Pollinators Workshop led by Calgary District Beekeepers Association🐝 + Happy Streets Workshop led by Hive Developments and some of our amazing volunteers! 🏘️🚙

Day 9: Food Resilience Workshop led by the City of Calgary Food Resilience Team 🍽️ + Youth Housing Innovation led by our UDJI team🏡🏙️

Day 10: Garden Care & Future Growth led by collaborator Jonathan Heinz🪴 + Camp Wrap-Up (with Yoga led by Elaine Yeung + Back to School Gifts from the Shidaa Foundation!)🎒🧘‍♀️🎊

We truly thank you for all of your support, planning, and dedication to enhancing and bringing more fun to the Forest Lawn Community! This Summer Camp truly meant so much to everyone involved and we couldn’t thank all of our volunteers, supporters, collaborators, and sponsors more. Until next time!

08/18/2026

A huge thank you goes out to all of the teams, organizations, and practitioners that led youth workshops for the 1st week of the UDJI Youth Summer Camp!

Day 1: Cyanotype Art Workshop led by UDJI members Veronica and Zahra👩‍🎨☀️

Day 2: Land and Stories led by Two Row Architect + Photography and Storytelling led by collaborator Chris Hsiung and UDJI member Cordelia📖📷

Day 3: Ecosystems Workshop led by Two Row Architect + Videography and Storytelling led by Chris Hsiung and UDJI member Cordelia🎨🎥

Day 4: Planting Lessons and Gardening led by collaborator Jonathan Heinz and collaborator Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed from ALCLA Native Plants + Accessibility Workshop led by the UofC Accessible Mapping Research Lab🌷🏡

Day 5: Growing Solutions Workshop led by BrainSTEM Alliance🤖🌱

We truly thank you for all of your support, planning, and dedication to improving and bringing more fun to the Forest Lawn Community!

08/10/2026

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended the UDesign Justice Initiative x Lemay Co-Designing Workshop!

“Growing Ideas Together” was an event to collaborate with community members and creatively foster ideas for the future of the Forest Lawn Community Centre, and it was exactly that. It was inspiring to see great minds work together to improve this local community and have youth reflect on the place they call home.

Thank you so much to the Lemay Architecture team for your extensive effort and commitment to the community, the Design Week Calgary and DTalks teams and volunteers for your amazing planning and support, and all guests and community members who came to share their experiences and inspiring creativity.

A special thanks goes out to the President of the FLCA Gar Gar, Lemay Senior Advisor Myriam Caron Belzile, Lemay Architect and Senior Partner Grace Coulter Sherlock, and our UDJI Founder and Director, Dr. Marie Cecile Kotyk. This event could not have been possible without your dedication, energy, and hard work. You are greatly appreciated.

We are excited to bring some of these ideas to life at the UDJI Youth Summer Camp that kicks off today. See you there!

08/03/2026

On behalf of the UDesign Justice Initiative, the Forest Lawn Community Association, and the Yes Centre, we sincerely thank our Summer Camp sponsors.

Your generous support enables Calgary youth to deepen their understanding of the built environment and design justice, express their creativity, contribute to their community, and enjoy meaningful experiences.

Your support helps us share our passion for design justice while educating and inspiring youth. Thank you again for your support and commitment!

07/29/2026

You are invited to the UDJI × Lemay Co-Design Workshop on August 6! 🌱

From 2:30–3:30 PM at the Forest Lawn Community Association, experience a hands-on design process where children’s imaginative ideas take centre stage.

At UDJI, we believe that great places are created with communities, not just for them. This workshop celebrates children’s creativity and demonstrates how design justice empowers young voices to help shape the future of their neighbourhood.

We can’t wait to grow ideas together! 🌿

07/15/2026

Young people experience their communities every day. They walk the streets, use public transit, gather in parks, attend schools, and navigate public spaces. Yet their perspectives are not always included in conversations about how these places are designed.

We believe youth should have opportunities to be heard, contribute ideas, and take an active role in imagining the future of their communities.

Through the UDJI Youth Summer Camp, participants will be introduced to design justice, urban planning, architecture, and community-building through creative, place-based learning. Workshops, site visits, hands-on design activities, and mentorship from professionals and community leaders will encourage youth to examine their own neighbourhoods, identify challenges and opportunities, and imagine new possibilities for more equitable and inclusive communities.

By creating space for youth perspectives, we can help young people recognize that their lived experiences are valuable, and that careers in design and planning are spaces where their ideas can make a difference.

07/08/2026

This summer, discover how creativity can help shape your community.

The 2026 UDesign Justice Youth Summer Camp is now accepting registrations! Youth are invited to take part in a free, hands-on program where they'll explore design justice, connect with their community, and bring creative ideas to life in Forest Lawn.
Throughout the camp, participants will:
- Help create community gardens
- Design public art and placemaking projects
- Experiment with photography, filmmaking, and design technology
- Develop leadership skills while working with peers, mentors, and local community members
Open to youth ages 10–19, the camp will take place August 10–21 through two one-week sessions at the Forest Lawn Community Association.

Spread the word! Share this opportunity with youth, families, educators, and community members who may be interested.

Spots are limited. Register using the QR code on the flyer or the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAlpQLScARNW5cy2ARgLGaUYJreE|Lxucldez7iUpe5xY
HzEGnZNwjg/viewform

07/04/2026

Looking to make a difference in your community this summer? Join us in an exciting opportunity!🌱

We are seeking passionate volunteers for the UDJI Youth Summer Camp this August in the Forest Lawn Community. Share your skills and enthusiasm for educating and empowering youth with us!

Available roles include:

- Garden Mentor or Build Volunteer
- Place-making and Tactical Urbanism Volunteer
- Makerspace Volunteer
- Media Mentor
- Community Art Volunteer

Be part of a transformative experience this summer in Calgary and witness the positive impact you can have on young lives. Scan the QR code or copy the link below to get started.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWJS1b__hELtNsU4_R-ZRzPCwa0nzyqlp-B5J4f0xKLO74tQ/viewform

06/26/2026

In recent months, the UDesign Justice Initiative has been diligently working on our summer camp initiative, aimed at providing a fun and educational program through the lens of design justice. Yet, our efforts have only thrived thanks to collaboration with the Forest Lawn Youth Empowerment & Skills Centre - YES Centre🏘️

The Youth Empowerment and Skills (YES) Centre has been incredibly gracious and welcoming, allowing us to partner with them in our mission. The YES Centre is a youth-focused non-profit organization that supports, empowers, and educates young people in Forest Lawn. Through workshops, skill development, community projects, mentorship, after-school programs, and more, the YES Centre has significantly uplifted the youth in the neighborhood.

In addition to breaking down barriers, the YES Centre fosters a safe and welcoming community for families. The UDJI has been fortunate to participate in some of their programs and witness the positive impact of their mission.

We are immensely grateful and would like to extend special recognition to Gar Gar, the President of the Forest Lawn Community Association and the Founder and Director of the YES Centre, along with all the other community members who have shown us such kindness in our efforts. Thank you for everything you do!

Address

616 Macleod Trl SE
Calgary, AB
T2G2M2

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