Canadians want public spaces that are welcoming for everyone and see room for improvement in how their communities are built.
In an Angus Reid Poll released in April, Canadians are near-unanimous in prioritizing accessibility (96%), aesthetic beauty (92%), and sustainability (90%) in new buildings. They are also widely supportive of new roles which would be responsible for encouraging better design outcomes, such as a Chief Architect or similar title, in both their community (70%) and province (56%).
The online poll, developed by Rise for Architecture in partnership with the Angus Reid Institute, includes viewpoints from a randomized sample of 1,859 Canadians from the general population polled between January 20-24, 2022.
Rise for Architecture is a national, volunteer-led committee of architects, educators, advocates and organizations that regulate the architectural profession in Canada. Since 2016, the group has been hosting conversations about architecture with professionals, students, and the public. Its findings will culminate in a National Architecture Policy for Canada?a set of recommendations and actions that governments, professionals, and people involved in the development of our communities can adopt to build a better future for all Canadians. Three-quarters of the Angus Reid poll?s respondents say culture and heritage should be key considerations in community design. Yet almost three in ten (29%) don?t see themselves and their culture reflected in their communit...