November 27, 2009 - 8:02am
Vancouver Island University graduate Cleopatra Corbett represents a new breed of town planners.
In her role as Manager of Development Services for the town of Golden, she was instrumental in winning the 2009 Leadership and Innovation award for small communities from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
Corbett is becoming famous for using innovative strategies in town planning.
Corbett, who graduated VIU’s Tourism and Recreation Management program at the Nanaimo campus, is a self-proclaimed “muni-geek” who balances a busy professional life with numerous activities, including rocking out with a metallic blue Stratocaster guitar.
While some municipalities host open houses or town hall meetings to gather public feedback, Corbett’s background in Tourism and Recreation and her fun-loving personality helped her program unique public engagement events aimed at reaching a broader audience.
In developing Golden’s Official Community Plan, she organized a musical jam night, free public skating, school events and even a guerilla marketing campaign conducted by Tourism Recreation students from VIU.
“You’ve got to make it fun,” said Corbett.
The recent UBCM award for Golden is an honour Cleo thoroughly deserves given her smart, progressive approach to
community planning, said Dr. Dave Robinson, Tourism professor at VIU.
“Cleo was one of our star students. Since graduating, she’s earned a reputation for being a dynamic town planner. Her passion for protecting and enhancing BC’s emerging resort communities while facilitating orderly growth and development is demonstrated through her presentations and actions. We’re proud of her.”
Corbett stresses that sustainable community planning is important to the quality of life of citizens and to the longevity of society. “Planning must be done better and smarter than before,” she said. “It’s not simply land use planning. Communities face unprecedented challenges but have opportunities to prosper and make a difference in the world.
“In rural Golden, we have implemented affordable housing initiatives, increased parkland and trails, developed green buildings and have engaged citizens in planning for their future.”
Corbett credits her education at VIU and her on-the-ground work experience for giving her the tools to make a difference in town planning.
“I would never be this position today if it weren’t for my education at VIU coupled with my co-op work term experiences,” said Corbett. I truly love my job. It is so cool to see theory in action and see community members making positive change in the places they call home.”
Corbett earned a Bachelor Degree in Tourism and Recreation Management from VIU in 2004, and gained experience in fast growing communities such as Tofino and Ucluelet during co-operative education placements.
While a student at VIU, she assisted in creating the nationally and internationally acclaimed Ucluelet Official Community Plan (OCP), specifically drafting the affordable housing policies that have garnered over 200 units that will be built in the future.
Corbett is currently pursuing a Certificate in Urban Design from Simon Fraser University and full membership in the Planning Institute of BC and Canadian Institute of Planners. She continues to work toward implementing Golden’s OCP and rewriting a new Zoning Bylaw to push the boundaries of sustainable development.
Tags: In the Community
