THRIVE! Surrey in 2030 – A Resident’s Lab on the Future of their City was a feature event of SFU Public Square’s 2015 Community Summit: We The City. Through a series of imaginative and interactive events from October 30th to November 7th, we explored the theme of citybuilding. Inviting residents to consider the power they hold in shaping their city, we deliberated on possible futures where everyone can thrive. We invigorated the public conversation on how people can connect with cities, find their voice, and enjoy increased participation in civic life.

What happens when you invite Surrey residents to take on the role of city planners for a day, to sketch out what a thriving future for the city could look like? On November 7, 2015, SFU Public Square did exactly that. On a raindrenched Saturday morning 125 people of all ages, from all parts of the city and from all walks of life came together to help the City move forward on its updated Sustainability Charter.