Aayush Sharma on building 15-minute neighbourhoods for inclusive and healthy communities

Aayush Sharma is an MSc candidate dedicated to enhancing the inclusivity and accessibility of Surrey communities through the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods.

As a Surrey-based community researcher, my research project, "Co-Creating Connected Communities, 15-minute Neighbourhoods in Surrey, BC" holds particular significance. As a lifelong resident of Surrey, I have seen the city develop right before my eyes. From my early childhood years living near Bear Creak Park to attending school at LA Matheson Secondary, I have a unique perspective: I grew up in the communities I am trying to support. Because of this, I want to do my part in making the city that I call home safer, healthier, and more inclusive while ensuring it meets the needs of all its residents.

When I was younger, I used to live with my grandparents. During this time, we walked everywhere, whether it be to the park, the grocery store, or the doctor. I looked forward to these walks as they were the highlight of my day, and I would like to think that my grandparents also felt this way as it kept them active. However, I know walking everywhere is not a possibility for everyone. Studying the built environment and how it impacts health has shown me that many factors affect people's ability to walk to essential services, including safety or health. However, many people simply cannot walk to these services because they are too far away!

Hearing the perspectives of Surrey residents has enriched my work. We have worked with many equity-deserving populations in our workshops, including refugee, immigrant, racialized, senior, single mother, and Indigenous groups. My parents are both immigrants, and I have had many family members immigrate to Canada, allowing me to understand the unique struggles and challenges these populations face. As someone who grew up in Surrey, I can tell from first-hand experience that the city is highly diverse and has many equity-deserving populations. Each of these populations will have different experiences and needs, which is why I think our work is critical!