Faculty of Architecture

Community Design and Planning Centre (CDPC)

The Community Design and Planning Centre (CDPC) provides equitable, accessible, inclusive, and multicultural design and planning services and is a hub for community engaged research and projects in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture. Students, staff, and faculty develop and carry out research, educational activities, and design and planning projects in collaboration with communities in Manitoba, northern Ontario and southeastern Saskatchewan. 

The CDPC understands ‘community’ as the ever-cycling interrelatedness of land, water, people, and animals. Our work is informed by the Indigenous concept of ‘kinship,’ the interconnectedness of all forms of life – human and more-than-human. This foundational perspective grounds our understanding of all histories, identities, and knowledge systems being based in place and underscores the importance of relationships founded on respect and reciprocity.

a draft image to be used as cover for the CDPC website.

Community Design and Planning Centre (CDPC)

Mission

The CDPC collaborates with community partners and professionals from diverse disciplines to create well-designed climate-responsive environments, enhance quality of life in underserved communities, and make meaningful social impact through planning and design innovation and leadership.

Vision

The CDPC addresses essential social needs by co-creating healthy, socially just, and thoughtfully designed and planned environments that benefit all citizens of Manitoba and beyond.

Our projects

  • wall section

    Bus shelter research

    Research question: In addition to providing a place to wait for a bus, how else can a bus shelter serve a community?

    Project: In this collaboration with AROW Global, a bus window manufacturer, the CDPC team is researching multiple aspects of bus shelters, including regulations, construction materials and details, and precedents for bus shelters as community landmarks. Through a series of ideation and co-design workshops with varied stakeholders, the CDPC team is developing design ideas for innovative and functional bus shelters for Winnipeg.

  • two people presenting at the front of a room

    Spence Neighbourhood Association

    Research question: How can a neighborhood association develop a transitional housing hub?

    Project: The Spence Neighborhood Association (SNA) has identified the need for transitional housing for Indigenous people moving to Winnipeg from other parts of Manitoba. Grounded in a decolonized and land-based approach, the CDPC team is collaborating with SNA to create and implement a series of community engagement workshops to understand preferred living conditions, definitions of home, and spatial requirements for housing.

  • model of a house

    Art City

    Research question: How can kids learn about cities through play?

    Project: The CDPC team is developing a series of fun educational workshops related to the design and planning of cities for the children who attend Art City’s after-school programs. Children are encouraged to express their understanding of urban spaces and life in the city through interactive art projects.

  • small sweat lodge without a cover

    Star Blanket Cree Nation indoor sweat lodge

    Research question: How can a spiritual and physical connection to the earth be maintained in an indoor conditioned space?

    Project: Star Blanket First Nation has identified a need for a permanent sweat lodge that can be used easily all year round for community healing and fostering cultural revitalization. The CDPC Team is working with the Star Blanket community to conduct assessments of community assets and needs related to the design and construction of the sweat lodge and run co-design workshops.

Work with us

Our strength lies in our ability to engage deeply with those we serve, fostering partnerships that empower communities to shape their own environments. We are driven by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that each project centers the diverse voices, gifts, and needs of the people involved.

If you would like to start a conversation or are interested in working with us on a project please email cdpc@umanitoba.ca.

Our team

The Community Design and Planning Centre (CDPC) is a collaborative group of students, staff, faculty, and dedicated volunteers from the University of Manitoba. With a passion for creating inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking design and planning solutions, we bring together a wide range of expertise and perspectives to address the unique challenges faced by communities.

Leadership Team

 

Faculty Affiliates

Professional Affiliates

  • Alex Ross, M.L.Arch., B.A. (Geography)

 

Student Research Assistants

  • Sophia Sacco Sophia Sacco (Work-Study Student – Fall 2025-Winter 2026, Summer 2025)
  • Jory Thomas (Work-Study Student – Fall 2025-Winter 2026; Indigenous Summer Student Internship Program 2025)

Past Research Assistants

  • Hanan Alahmad (Undergraduate Research Award Student - Summer 2025)
  • Howl Phan (Undergraduate Research Award Student - Summer 2024)
  • Athena Santiago (Work-Study Student Fall 2024 - Winter 2025

Volunteers

Among the list of volunteer opportunities are grant writing, event coordination, research and engagement opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and graphic design assistance. If you are interested in volunteering at the CDPC, please reach out to Alixa Lacerna at alixa.lacerna@umanitoba.ca.

  • Brend Abarquez
  • Maryam Amini
  • Saba Ammari
  • Lila Asher
  • Lealyn Carlos
  • Suiden Duplassie
  • Eva Hagel-MacPherson
  • Devin Lam
  • Sarah Lenius
  • John Manahan
  • Angelica Mandapat
  • Miku Morioka
  • Doménica Naranjo
  • Howl Phan
  • Taza Pratt
  • Juan Ramos
  • Jae Rivera
  • Athena Santiago
  • Ethan Wong

Past Volunteers

  • Vandana Arya
  • Jade Butterfield
  • Annika Hofstede
  • Grace Olokun-Jaiyesimi
  • Eva Rodriguez
  • Leslie Then

Contact us

Community Design and Planning Centre
245 Portage Ave
Winnipeg, MB
R3B 2A6

cdpc@umanitoba.ca