New West Mayor Cote uses SFU urban studies degree to solve real-world problems

Jonathan Cote wasn’t even dreaming of becoming a mayor when he enrolled in SFU’s master of arts program in urban studies in 2011. He was looking for solutions to New Westminster’s rental housing and transit issues.

Yet today, at age 35, he is Metro Vancouver’s youngest mayor, and his rental housing innovations are capturing the attention of mayors across the region. More at: New Westminster's Mayor Cote uses degree to solve real-world problems - SFU News - Simon Fraser University

Downtown New Westminster — River Market at the Quay

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New Westminster's waterfront redevelopment is one to watch for lessons learned. Skytrain extension has led to new development in the Fraser River city.  River Market at the Quay - Downtown New Westminster, British Columbia, Business information, Events and News

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Background on developer Mark Shieh (Take Root Properties) in this piece by Hadani Ditmars in the Globe — "His concept is to build on Chinatown’s context and meaning. “We’ve learned from River Market that tourists go where locals go,” he says, pointing to an integrated neighbourhood model rather than an “ethnic theme park.”"   More at How to harness a changing Chinatown - The Globe and Mail