Andy Yan awarded planning profession’s highest Canadian honour

Last month, the Canadian Institute of Planners inducted five new members to its prestigious College of Fellows, including SFU City Program director Andy Yan.

Being named to the College of Fellows is Canada’s highest recognition for planning professionals and granted to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to the planning profession locally and internationally.

“With inspiration and help from many teachers, mentors, friends and colleagues, this is a tremendous honour,” says Yan.

The role of planners, adds Yan, is more critical than ever. “Communities across Canada are facing tremendous challenges, from climate change to housing unaffordability to a cost-of-living crisis in a framework of reconciliation and social inclusion,” he explains.

“The field of planning has a unique role and responsibility in examining, co-creating and implementing the solutions to these problems of our time.”

Yan has led the City Program since 2016. An urban planner and researcher, his experience has extended to projects in Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City and New Orleans. In addition to directing the City Program, he is an associate professor of Professional Practice in Urban Studies at SFU.

Yan’s previous honours include the Planning Institute of British Columbia’s award for Leadership in Advocacy and Innovation and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Advocate for Architecture award. He has also received SFU’s Newsmaker of the Year Award twice.