Building social

connections
Toolbox of design actions to nurture
wellbeing in multi-unit housing
 Published by Happy Cities and
Hey Neighbour Collective

July 2024

2
 Building social connections toolkit

Land
acknowledgment
We gratefully acknowledge that this research took place on
the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-
Waututh) Nations.
The project team recognizes that colonialism isolates Indigenous
Peoples intentionally and by design—for example, by prohibiting
cultural practices, separating communities, and weakening
family and language ties. We recognize these historic and
ongoing inequities and systemic barriers, and strive to be part of
movements to correct them.

3
 About this
project Happy Cities is an urban planning, design, and research firm that
uses an evidence-based approach to create happier, healthier,
more inclusive communities. Our firm has spent over a decade
This toolkit was published in July 2024 as part of the Building collecting evidence on the links between wellbeing and the built
Social Connections project, in which Happy Cities and environment. Our Happy Homes research shows how intentional
Hey Neighbour Collective worked with planners from five design can reduce social isolation and boost community
municipalities and one First Nation to co-create new multi- resilience in multi-unit buildings, culminating in a toolkit to help
unit housing design policies to support social wellbeing for housing providers turn wellbeing evidence into action. As part of
all residents. Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective our housing practice, we advise municipalities, developers, and
collaborated on the vision for this toolkit, building on project housing providers on strategies to support resident wellbeing
learnings and prior research, policy, and engagement by each throughout all development stages.
organization. Happy Cities led research, writing, and design of
the toolkit, with detailed content review and collaboration from Team members: Madeleine Hebert, Emma Avery, Sheree
Hey Neighbour Collective and external reviewers. Emmanuel, Leah Karlberg

The project included three phases:

Phase 1: Measuring the impacts of the City of North

Vancouver’s Active Design Guidelines

Phase 2: Co-creating housing design policies to support

wellbeing in multi-unit housing
Hey Neighbour Collective (HNC) brings together housing
Phase 3: Developing this Building Social Connections policy operators, non-profits, researchers, local and regional
and design toolkit governments, housing associations, and health authorities.
Together with residents of multi-unit housing, these HNC
partners take action to alleviate loneliness and social isolation
This work was supported by through building social connectedness, resilience, and capacity
researchers from the Simon for neighbourly support and mutual aid. HNC is housed at
Fraser University Department of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Morris J. Wosk Centre for
Gerontology. A special thank you to Dialogue. Key academic research partners include SFU Urban
Dr. Atiya Mahmood’s team who co- Studies, Gerontology, and Health Sciences.
led Phase 1 research with the City of
North Vancouver. Team members: Michelle Hoar

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 Building social connections toolkit

Project funders
This project received funding from the Canada Housing and
Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), Vancity Community Foundation,
BC Healthy Communities (Plan H), Metro Vancouver, BC Non-profit
Housing Association, and SFU Community Engaged Research
Initiative.

In addition, six Metro Vancouver jurisdictions (five municipalities

and one First Nation) participated in workshops and contributed
funding. We are deeply grateful to the City of North Vancouver,
City of Vancouver, City of Surrey, City of Burnaby, City of New
Westminster, and Tsawwassen First Nation for their support and
participation.

The views expressed in this document are those of the authors.

CMHC and other project funders accept no responsibility for them.

To learn more about this project, please visit:

happycities.com/projects/building-social-connections-
housing-design-policies-to-support-wellbeing-for-all

5
 Participants
Other participating organizations

• Aboriginal Housing Management Association

• BC Centre for Disease Control
• BC Housing
• BC Non-profit Housing Association
• BC Society of Transition Homes
Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who participated
• Beyond The Buildings Ltd
in and contributed to the Building Social Connections workshops,
• Brightside Community Homes Foundation
which took place between October 2023 and February 2024.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
• Chesterman Properties
A special thank you to our guest speakers:
• Concert Properties
• Dave Ward, CEO, Lu’ma Development • Co-operative Housing Federation of BC
• Barbara Lawson Swain, Director of Housing Operations and • Co:Here / Salsbury Community Society
Programs, Lu’ma Native Housing Society • Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society
• Kimani Geoffrey, Swahili Vision International • Fluid Architecture
• Carla Guerrera, Founder & CEO, Purpose Driven Development • Hogan’s Alley Society
• Annelise Van Der Veen, Manager of Strategic Projects & • Human Studio Architecture
Operations, Purpose Driven Development • LandlordBC
• Lilian Chau, CEO, Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society • Ledcor
• Peter Atkinson, Principal, Human Studio • Lu’ma Native Housing Society
• Michael Guenter, Vice President of Development, Concert • Metro Vancouver
Properties • Phoenix Housing
• Robert Brown, Principal, Chesterman Properties • Peterson
• Alicia Medina, Manager, Housing Accelerator Program, Vancity • Placemaker Communities
Community Foundation • Pooni Group
• Katie Maslechko, CEO, Rental Protection Fund • Purpose Driven Development
• Public Architecture
Local government and First Nation partners: • Ron Hart Architecture
• Sacha Investments
• City of Burnaby • Ske’eyk Housing Society
• City of New Westminster • Small Housing BC
• City of North Vancouver • Swahili Vision Society
• City of Surrey • Terra Housing
• City of Vancouver • Tikva Housing
• Tsawwassen First Nation • TL Housing Solutions
• Translink (Development)
• Vancity Community Foundation
• Vancouver Coastal Health

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 Building social connections toolkit

External reviewers:

Thank you to the architects and housing

industry experts who participated in workshops
and reviewed this toolkit for best practices,
applicability, and clarity:

• Peter Atkinson, Principal, Human Studio

• Kira Gerwing, Chief Real Estate Investment
Officer, Sacha Investments
• Bruce Haden, Principal, Fluid Architecture
• Sarah Klym, Design Researcher, Human Studio

Participants share challenges, ideas,

and opportunities for promoting social
wellbeing in multi-unit housing at
a workshop for the Building Social
Connections project. (Sogol Haji
Hosseini)

7
 Contents
1 | Introduction 10

2 | Wellbeing and housing 16

3 | Design principles 22

4 | Toolbox: Social building edges 30

5 | Toolbox: Social circulation 38

6 | Toolbox: Social amenities 48

7 | Toolbox: Social homes 60

8 | Policy and implementation 68

9 | Conclusion 78

References 80

Definitions 82

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 Building social connections toolkit

Design toolboxes

Social building Social

P. 30 P. 38 Social amenities P. 48 Social homes P. 60
edges circulation

Transition zones P. 32 Lobbies P. 40 Indoor amenities P. 50 Entryways P. 62

Building entrances P. 34 Corridors P. 42 Outdoor amenities P. 54 Private homes P. 64

Publicly accessible
P. 36 Nooks P. 44 Bicycle spaces P. 58 Balconies P. 66
spaces

Stairs P. 46

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10
1 Introduction
 Building social connections toolkit

Understanding loneliness in Canada

According to the 2021 Canadian Social Survey by Statistics

1 | Introduction
Canada,

3 in 10 sometimes feel
lonely.

Making the case for social connection in housing

Strong social relationships make us happier, healthier, and 1 in 10 often feel
lonely.
more resilient in the face of crises—and are linked with living
15 years longer on average. Yet, loneliness and isolation are on In the same survey, young people report feeling lonely more
the rise in many places, reaching epidemic levels, as stated in a frequently than older adults, with young women and people
not in a couple reporting the highest levels of loneliness.
2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General. In 2021, the Canadian

1 in 4
Social Survey found that three in 10 people across Canada feel
young people ages 15-24 often or
lonely sometimes, and one in 10 feel lonely often, with loneliness always feel lonely.
being greatest among young women and single people.
This toolkit seeks to rebuild social connection back into our
lives through the design of the homes we live in, with a focus
on multi-unit housing. The design principles and actions
equip policy makers, planners, designers, and community Why do we need design guidelines for social
members to build and advocate for more socially connected, wellbeing in housing?
inclusive communities, drawing on over a decade of research
Local governments typically require a minimum area of
and engagement with residents and housing industry actors—
common space for multi-unit residential developments.
including non-profit housing providers, city planners, architects,
But beyond minimum requirements, there is limited
and market developers.
information on specific design strategies on how to
In the face of growing challenges—including an acute housing design housing that promotes social connection and
affordability crisis, extreme weather, social isolation, and wellbeing. Policies typically do not offer clear guidance
an aging population—our social connections are one of the on creating convenient, welcoming spaces that residents
strongest resources we have to chart a more sustainable, want to spend time in. Many shared spaces lack comfort,
resilient path forward. functionality, and flexibility. As a result, they often go
unused, or are not used to their full potential.

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Part 1 | Introduction

Why multi-unit housing?

Denser housing forms are becoming increasingly common in recognizing that multi-unit homes are more attainable,
Canada. It is critical that we design these homes to support sustainable, and desirable for many demographics than a single
community wellbeing, social connection, sustainability, and detached home.
inclusion for everyone.
Multi-unit housing is diverse. It includes multiple forms—
CMHC estimates that Canada needs an additional 3.5 million townhouses, multiplexes, low-rise apartments, and high-rise
homes by 2030—on top of what we are already projected to towers—and tenures—both market and non-market, with varied
build—to reach housing affordability. The share of new apartment rental and ownership models. Several actions in this toolkit can
housing being built each year in Canada has steadily grown over apply to any form of multi-unit housing; however, the actions are
the past decade, with multi-unit housing representing close to most focused on mid- to high-density apartment communities.
half of Canada’s housing stock. All levels of government are
increasingly allowing and encouraging denser development,

Townhouse, row Multiplex Mid-rise High-rise Master-planned community

house, or semi- or low-rise apartment apartment
detached apartment

MULTI-UNIT HOUSING

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 Building social connections toolkit

This table focuses on considerations specifically related to

the relevant social spaces and design actions in this toolkit
(sections four to seven). It is not meant to be comprehensive.
Considerations may vary according to jurisdiction and local policy.

Considerations for different multi-unit typologies

Typology Scale Opportunities Challenges

Less than 6 homes per lot (e.g. • Small social group size • Typically do not have much
Small-scale missing
super small apartment, duplexes, can create an intimate indoor common space, and
middle triplex, row house, townhouse) community. outdoor spaces are mostly
• Ground entrances and/or semi-private.
6-25 homes (e.g. low-rise balconies can offer a good • Higher cost per home.
Missing middle apartment, row house, townhouse, connection to the street. • May be challenging for
multiplex) • Ground-oriented homes are accessibility (e.g. stairs in
often attractive to families. multi-storey townhomes).
• Project budgets can support
the inclusion of some indoor • Building code and density
and outdoor common space. requirements can limit the
• Potential for social amount of common spaces.
Mid-rise 4-8 storeys, 25-100 homes
programming. • Including more common
• Medium community size can spaces can lead to a smaller
support sense of belonging number of homes.
and neighbourly relationships.
• More room for amenities. • Towers typically have limited
High-rise 9+ storeys, 100+ homes • Potential for social area per floor allowed by
programming. zoning, which can limit the
placement of common space.
• More space for amenities. • Can be more challenging
• Potential for social to get to know neighbours
programming. without intentional design or
Master-planned Mix of housing forms, often high
• Opportunity to create a programming interventions.
community rise
shared, central amenity • Building edges need careful
building and more publicly attention to feel friendly and
accessible shared spaces. human-scale.

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Part 1 | Introduction

Age-
friendliness
Neighbourhood Social
How to apply the actions in this toolkit context connection and
wellbeing
Sections four through seven of this document offer toolboxes of
design opportunities to nurture social wellbeing in housing for
people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, household sizes, and
incomes. The toolboxes are designed to be widely applicable
and act as a starting point for both designers and policy makers.
Affordability Cultural needs
All design decisions should be considered in relation to local
policies, building context, and budget in order to select high- Secure tenure and practices
impact actions that are complimentary, flexible, and adaptable,
Safety and accessibility
and that suit the needs of anticipated future residents. To
maximize opportunities for social connection, sociable design
actions must be accompanied by social programming and
property management after development (for example, by strata Sustainability
councils, co-op committees, or property management staff). and climate
resilience
This work begins from the premise that affordable, secure
housing choices are a crucial foundation for social wellbeing.
We consider social wellbeing and connection in relation to this Who is this toolkit for?
core need and several other intersecting policy areas, including
This toolkit is for anyone interested in or working
neighbourhood planning, sustainability and resilience, cultural
in housing, community planning, and development,
practices, age-friendliness, adaptability, and accessibility.
including:
The toolkit does not go in depth into all these areas. For example,
• Planners and planning consultants
the design actions are meant to complement existing guidance
on accessibility features, including the Rick Hansen accessibility • Architects and designers
certification and requirements in the building code. There • Market and non-market housing developers and
are also many well-researched resources that identify design operators
considerations for specific demographics (for example, guides
• All levels of government involved in housing
specific to housing for Indigenous Peoples, women who have
experienced violence, African Canadians, Muslim families, and • Individual residents and community advocates
older adults aging in place).

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 Building social connections toolkit

Policy context and precedents North Vancouver Active

Design Guidelines: The
This document considers policy tools that can help enable City of North Vancouver first
more buildings with social design features, without significantly published Active Design
increasing construction costs. Guidelines in 2015, offering
In the context of B.C. and Metro Vancouver, where the Building developers incentives (floor
Social Connections project emerged, recent policy changes to area exclusions) for design
enable more socially connected, multi-unit housing include: features that encourage
physical activity and social
• Province of B.C. housing legislation: British Columbia interaction in multi-unit
has implemented wide-ranging housing policy changes housing.
since 2023, including legalizing four to six homes per lot in
municipalities with over 5,000 residents, and increasing the
minimum density for developments within 800 metres of
rapid transit and 400 metres of bus exchanges. The Province Port Moody Social
also plans to legalize single egress stair buildings in the new Wellbeing Design
building code, anticipated for Fall 2024, to increase livability Guidelines: Happy Cities
and design flexibility, particularly on small lots. created Social Wellbeing 

• Metro 2050: Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy, Design Guidelines that were
passed in 2023, outlines a vision for complete, resilient, adopted by the City of Port
connected communities. One action item under 4.1.8 calls Moody in June 2024, offering  

on member jurisdictions to identify policies and actions that comprehensive design

contribute to specific outcomes, including “increased social guidance and incentives for
connectedness in multi-unit housing.” This strategy was developers to include social 

informed by the Hey Neighbour Collective discussion paper, design features in multi-unit
“Developing truly complete communities: Social equity, housing. The guidelines are 

social connectedness and multi-unit housing in an age of organized according to scale

public health and climate crises.” of density.

15
 2
Wellbeing
and housing
16
2 | Wellbeing
and housing
Why do relationships with neighbours matter?
Our neighbours are our closest source of social support and
connection. Socially connected homes and neighbourhoods
greatly benefit wellbeing, nurturing greater physical and mental
health, community resilience, and social trust between diverse
residents.
The homes we live in play a significant role in encouraging and
creating opportunities for positive neighbourly interactions.
In particular, evidence consistently shows that the design and
location of common spaces in multi-unit housing—including
common amenities, circulation spaces, and outdoor areas—
can support our connections with neighbours, and are closely
connected to the social wellbeing of residents. Programming and
policy also play important roles, such as by ensuring residents
can easily access and use shared spaces in ways that meet their
needs.

Outdoor walkways and social nooks

overlook the courtyard at Our Urban
Village in Vancouver, BC allowing
adults to hang out above while kids
play downstairs. Building designed by
MA+HG Architects. (Our Urban Village)

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Part 2 | Wellbeing in housing

Understanding social wellbeing

Social wellbeing refers to the extent to which individuals and The Happy Homes toolkit identifies
a framework for wellbeing in multi-
communities experience a sense of belonging, social inclusion, unit housing, including 10 wellbeing
and overall satisfaction with their social relationships and elements to consider in design.
(Happy Cities)
connections. These connections include both casual encounters
in the community and deeper relationships with family, friends,
and neighbours.
Social wellbeing is a core dimension of overall wellbeing. People
in socially connected neighbourhoods report greater physical
and mental health. They can provide both emotional support
and physical help with errands or household tasks. They are also
more resilient in times of crisis. For example, neighbours can
check in on one another during extreme weather or a pandemic,
and can support each other through personal challenges, like an
injury, illness, or other circumstances. Over time, relationships
with neighbours can bring many benefits, including financial
savings, sharing household items, and even sharing childcare
and meals.
However, there are basic needs that need to be met in order for
residents to feel comfortable and to have the time for creating
strong social ties. For example, secure, affordable, and stable
tenure in a safe home is an essential foundation for wellbeing.
Without a home that meets these core needs, it is much harder
for people to nurture supportive relationships with neighbours
and build a sense of belonging in a community. These principles
are explored in more depth in the Happy Homes toolkit, released
by Happy Cities in 2017.

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 Building social connections toolkit

EVIDENCE SNAPSHOT: SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND WELLBEING

Frequent social interactions are associated

with higher levels of happiness, physical and
Why do social mental health, community belonging, and life
satisfaction.

connections matter
for health?
People with strong social connections live 15
years longer, on average, than those who are
socially isolated.

Loneliness is linked to poor mental health and Regular social interactions with neighbours
lower life satisfaction. boost wellbeing at all ages.

Neighbourhood connectedness is extra important

In Canada, nearly half of those who feel lonely to life satisfaction for older adults, people on low
frequently also report “fair” or “poor” mental incomes, people with less education, and people
health. with health challenges.

Youth in supportive, trusting communities are

more likely to play outside and have better physical
Loneliness increases our risk of cardiovascular
and mental health.
disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety,
and premature death.
Casual, daily social interactions in the
The impact of loneliness on mortality is community are just as important for our health
equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. as deeper relationships with friends or family.

For more, check out Hey Neighbour Collective’s evidence backgrounder Regular interactions with neighbours help us
by PhD candidate Meredith Sones: “How does social connectedness integrate social connection into our daily lives—
between neighbours support health and wellbeing?” making them one of the most effective ways to
reduce loneliness.

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Part 2 | Wellbeing in housing

The spectrum of social connections

Building connections with neighbours takes time. The actions in design and programming play a role in encouraging neighbours
this toolkit consider the entire spectrum of social connections, to start building deeper, more trusting relationships, through
recognizing that people need frequent opportunities for casual opportunities to do activities together. The goal is to design
encounters to start to get to know one another. Building design is homes that nurture these relationships and build friendships
critical in facilitating these repeated encounters. Over time, both and mutual support in the long-term.

Design & programming

Social programming can help residents
Design make the jump from casual encounters to
Buildings and community spaces can be meaningful relationships. The design of
designed to encourage residents to bump physical spaces facilitates successful
into each other and linger in common programming.
areas.

3 4 5
1 2

Casual Repeated Doing things Forming Mutual

encounters encounters together friendships support

Increasing social connectedness, belonging, and resilience

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 Building social connections toolkit

Social group size Social programming

Dunbar’s number proposes 150 as the theoretical limit on the resources
number of people with whom any individual is able to sustain a
stable or meaningful relationship. Dunbar’s theory also defines
different social scales, from close relationships, to friends, to During the design stage, it is important to consider
acquaintances. These numbers provide a useful framework for building operations and social programming (e.g.
thinking about social relationships when it comes to planning new maintenance and cleaning of amenities, potential for
communities. They also illustrate the importance of providing social activities, resident safety, and opportunities
social spaces that can facilitate interaction for different social for residents to shape and manage common spaces).
group sizes and various kinds of connections. Residents, property managers, landlords, and local
governments all have a role to play in fostering
neighbourly connections in multi-unit housing.
Large
Medium Hey Neighbour Collective has published four in-depth
Medium
Small practice guides that share strategic approaches and
compelling benefits to building strong multi-unit
housing communities:
2-5 15 50 150 • Guide 1 shows how residents can take leadership.
people as people as people as people as
special or close good friends meaningful
connections connections acquaintances • Guide 2 and Guide 3 look at what landlords,
housing operators, and community non-profits
can do on their own or in creative, adaptive
collaborations.
• Guide 4 discusses specific opportunities for
local governments to sow seeds and help support
the entire sector.

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 3
Design
principles
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 Building social connections toolkit

Location
Maximize opportunities for interaction by locating

3 | Design
social features and spaces in convenient, visible, and
prominent locations with natural light; Multiply social
impact through co-location.

principles Invitation
Maximize spontaneous daily encounters by designing
places to pause and interact; Use the built environment
as an icebreaker for social interaction.
An outcomes-based approach
Activation
This toolkit seeks to shift the housing design conversation
Create interesting, functional spaces and a centre
towards designing for social wellbeing as a key outcome,
or heart for the community through diverse scales of
rather than prescribing set solutions. An outcomes-based
common spaces with intentional things to see and do.
approach recognizes that there are many ways to design for
social connection. We propose six design principles that can Inclusion
inform design decisions for common spaces, including common
amenities, circulation areas, and transitions from private, to Create spaces that are accessible and safe for people
semi-private, to public space. The principles consider multi- of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds; Reflect different
unit housing design from a social wellbeing lens, while allowing cultural preferences and identities.
designers and housing providers flexibility to respond to diverse
building sites, demographics, and typologies. Transition
Balance high-quality, livable private homes with
This outcomes-based approach was supported by planners, common spaces; Consider thoughtful transitions and
developers, architects, housing providers, public health gradients from public to private space.
professionals, community non-profits, and researchers engaged
through the Building Social Connections project. Beyond Evolution
checking a box, outcome-based thinking challenges housing
industry professionals to think about the impacts of design Nurture a sense of belonging through stewardship of
on residents beyond project completion. The following pages common spaces; Allow spaces to evolve with residents
introduce six guiding design principles for social wellbeing. over time to meet changing community needs.

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Part 3 | Design principles

I like looking

Location
outside to the
courtyard while I
wait for my laundry
It’s easy to see who to finish.
Maximize opportunities is in the lounge and
for interaction by locating laundry room when I
get home from work,
social features and spaces
and to say ‘hi’.
in convenient, visible, and
prominent locations with
natural light; Multiply social
impact through co-location.

Why is this important?

People are more likely to use spaces
that they pass by on a daily basis.
The ability to observe community
activity can help people feel
connected to neighbours even if I get to play in
they are not yet ready to join in, and the lounge while
encourages forming connections my parents do the
over time. Locating spaces in close laundry!
proximity to each other helps to
triangulate and concentrate social
activity, increasing the chances of
bumping into a neighbour.

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 Building social connections toolkit

The community
garden in front of my

Invitation The front door feels

friendly because
there are lots of
building always gives
me an excuse to chat
with neighbours!
Maximize spontaneous daily different colours!
encounters by designing
places to pause and interact;
Use the built environment
as an icebreaker for social
interaction.

Why is this important?

Inviting, welcoming design elements
encourage people to pause and
linger, and create opportunities to
connect with others. When people
feel safe and comfortable in a
shared space, they are more likely
to want to spend time there and I like to sit by my
engage in social interaction. Natural building’s entrance
light, colour, and spatial cues, like a because I always get
wide hallway, can help people feel to interact with pets
comfortable and more open to social and neighbours!
connections.

25
Part 3 | Design principles

Activation
Create interesting, I know that there will
always be a neighbour
functional spaces and a in the common house.
centre or heart for the Whenever I feel lonely,
community through diverse that’s where I go spend
time.
scales of common spaces
with intentional things to
see and do.

Why is this important? I really like the shared

puzzle table outside
People are more likely to use shared I love sharing baked
the common house. I
spaces when there are multiple goods with others. When
I have extra, I always like to play there for a
activities or reasons to visit them. bring them down to the bit every time I come
Organized social activities are key to common house to share home from school.
activating shared spaces. However, with neighbours!
interactive design elements—such
as community gardens, message
boards, pet areas, or play spaces—
also encourage use and offer
something for everyone. When shared
spaces become part of daily routines,
residents have more opportunities
get to know their neighbours in a
casual setting.

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 Building social connections toolkit

Inclusion
Create spaces that are
accessible and safe
for people of all ages,
abilities, and backgrounds;
Reflect different cultural
preferences and identities.

I got to help
paint a mural last
Why is this important? summer, and I
love showing it
Places that promote interaction
off to my friends! The courtyard has a
among residents of various income
levels, backgrounds, ages, and nice, accessible
walking path that I like
household sizes help bridge
to loop around every
differences and build trust. Equitable day to get my activity
access means that residents of in.
all ages and abilities should feel I feel welcome in the
courtyard because it
safe and comfortable using shared
includes art and plants
spaces. Building management that remind me of
policies also play a role, by ensuring home.
that people can access shared
spaces at convenient hours, without
having to book in advance.

27
Part 3 | Design principles

Transition
Sometimes, I’m looking for
quiet, so I choose to spend
time on my balcony, which
faces away from the shared
walkway.
Balance high-quality, livable
private homes with common
spaces; Consider thoughtful
transitions and gradients
from public to private space.

Why is this important?

Residents feel safer and more I love sitting in the
I like that there is space
nook patio to drink
comfortable when they can choose to leave my scooter by
my coffee, because I
when they want to interact with the front door of my
always see neighbours
home so I can grab it
others. This sense of control over I know.
quickly to ride in the
social exposure can be created by courtyard!
offering a clear gradient of spaces
from private, to semi-private, and
semi-public, with gradual increases
in exposure to the public realm.
This sense of control enhances
opportunities for positive social
interaction, ensuring that people
do not feel a lack of privacy or
overcrowded.

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 Building social connections toolkit

Last year, we added a

Evolution
tool sharing area in
the lobby and I’ve
been able to try all
kinds of projects.
Nurture a sense of belonging
through stewardship of
common spaces; Allow I used tools from
spaces to evolve with the library to build
residents over time to meet birdhouses for the
kids to paint.
changing community needs.

Why is this important?

Residents are more likely to care for
shared spaces and build a strong
sense of community when they can
work together to shape these spaces.
In particular, cohousing communities
share responsibility for social
activities and building management,
and tend to report a stronger sense
of belonging than people in other
types of multi-unit housing. Shared I love watching the
spaces that can evolve to meet birds eat seeds from
changing needs over time allow my birdhouse!
people to live in their homes longer
and build deeper relationships with
neighbours.

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 Toolbox:
Social
building
edges

30
4
 Building social connections toolkit

Designing social...
Building edges
Why are building edges important for social
wellbeing?
The zone just outside a building is a critical transition zone
between public and private space. This includes the design
of the building edge itself and how it integrates with adjacent
streets and public spaces. Active edges—meaning visually
diverse facades lined with entrances, visual connections to the
street, and interesting features to pause and linger at—create
a safer, more welcoming, human-scale experience for people
walking, rolling, and biking outside. Active edges also help
foster stronger sense of place attachment for everyone. Well-
designed transition areas let residents choose when they want
to retreat into private spaces, while still providing opportunities
to interact with the wider community.

1 in 5 In this section, you will learn how to design

social:
North Vancouver residents reported 4.1. Transition zones
having frequent connections outside 4.2. Building entrances
their building, making this area the 4.3. Publicly accessible spaces
second-most important zone for
social interaction in our study.

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Part 3 | Strategies for social building edges

4.1. Transition zones

The public, covered colonnade at
Nightingale Anstey in Brunswick, Australia
offers a transition zone from the public bike
path to private spaces within the building.
(Derek Swalwell / Breathe Architecture)

Sociable design outcome:

Design an activated transition zone that
provides a smooth transition between private,
semi-private, and public spaces.

Considerations
4 3
Applicability: These actions apply to all
building scales. They can be particularly
important for denser building forms.

Social group size: Encourage spontaneous

2
interactions between two or more residents
living in the same building, and between 5
building residents and the wider community.

Scale: Gehl Studio finds that the optimal

distance between the building edge and public
realm is between 3.5 to 4.0 metres. This allows
people to choose their social interaction and
exposure.

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 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action 2

1 Invitation | Provide opportunities for

placemaking interventions to boost sense of
belonging and joy. Co-designing placemaking
features together with residents nurtures a 3
sense of community.
4
2 Activation | Create building edges that feel
continuous while providing visual variation.
Visual variation can be achieved through
interesting openings, entrances, materials, and
textures. Varied, continuous edges help people
feel comfortable navigating urban streetscapes.

3 Inclusion | Provide comfortable seating

The main residential entry at Lakeside
Senior Apartments in Oakland, CA
opportunities, including shaded areas or places creates a sense of privacy and clear
transition between the street and
where a person can rest their back against the private zones through setbacks, shelter,
edge. and landscaping. The building edges
1 are visually stimulating. (Treve Johnson
/ David Baker Architects)
4 Transition | Ensure that edges have clear 2 The Nuutseumuut Lelum Housing and
transitions between public, semi-private, Aboriginal Centre on Vancouver Island,
and private zones. Consider landscaping BC offers 25 units of rental housing for
and materials rather than fences to create 5 Indigenous families, youth, and Elders
centred around a publicly accessible
transitions and delineate zones. community gathering space. The
entrance provides an invitation into the
courtyard from the public sidewalk.
5 Transition | Use architectural and landscape Building designed by Fold Architecture
and RDH Building Science.
elements to create both private areas and (BC Housing / Flickr)
semi-private spaces that allow neighbours to
see each other and interact.

33
Part 3 | Strategies for social building edges

4.2. Building entrances

The entrance at Berwick, a seniors independent
living building on Vancouver Island, BC, includes
a generous drop-off area that is easily seen from
the lobby, wide sidewalks, a distinct entry point
with a wide overhang for weather protection, and
an walking area with boardwalk over the
rainwater capture pond and native plants.
Sociable design outcome: Building designed by Low Hammond Rowe
Architects. (Happy Cities)
Create distinctive entrances by considering
building articulation, material variation, and
placement on the site.

Considerations
Applicability: These actions apply to buildings
with shared indoor or outdoor entrances.

Social group size: Encourage spontaneous 5

interactions between two or more residents
living in the same building, and between 1
building residents and the wider community.
2

Scale: Where possible, limit the number of

households sharing an entrance. Smaller group
sizes facilitate social interaction and a sense
of belonging. Research finds that the optimal
number is 8 to 12 homes sharing an entrance;
however, in denser building forms, up to 25
homes per entrance may be a more attainable
goal to create social benefits and belonging.

34
 Building social connections toolkit

The entrance at Mason on

Mariposa in San Francisco, CA
is distinct and invites social
connection. Social features
include seating where residents
can chat, weather protection, and
an accessible call system. (Craig
Principles in action Cozart​/ David Baker Architects)

2 The main entrance at Five88

1 Location | Locate entrances adjacent to
5
in San Francisco, CA provides
residents with clear wayfinding
exterior and interior common spaces to and sight lines into the lobby and
increase visibility, connection, and vibrancy. offices. The sheltered entrance
allows people to linger under cover
6 and can facilitate spontaneous
1
2 Invitation | Distinguish entrances from the 3
interactions with neighbours and
the community. (Mariko Reed /
surrounding architecture through building David Baker Architects)
articulation and material variation, and
consider their location in relation to main road
access. Clear, distinct entrances are critical for
accessibility and ease of wayfinding.

3 Invitation | Provide seating near the entrance.

4 Activation | Create sociable stoops where

neighbours can chat with other residents in
their building or people passing by.

5 Inclusion | Provide weather cover while

considering daylight access and shadows. 5

6 Inclusion | Include an easy to reach push

button, call system, and clear address graphics. 2
6
7 Inclusion | Consider artwork, materials, or
forms that celebrate residents’ cultural heritage. 4

For guidelines on entrances to private homes, refer to 7.1,

Entryways (p. 62).

35
Part 3 | Strategies for social building edges

4.3. Publicly accessible spaces

Sociable design outcome: Examples include:
• Mews
Provide value to the wider community by • Plazas
creating pleasant, publicly accessible spaces • Ground-level parks with
that complement existing neighbourhood spaces to garden, walk,
A street parking spot in front of Quayside
and play
gathering places. Cohousing in North Vancouver, BC has been
transformed into a vibrant parklet with a
repurposed shipping container. (Meg Wray)

Considerations
Applicability: These actions apply to all
building scales, particularly higher-density
housing forms. For mixed-use buildings,
consider how publicly accessible spaces can
help activate commercial areas.
2
Social group size: Encourage spontaneous
interactions between two or more residents
living in the same building, and between
building residents and the wider community. 6

Scale: Provide a flexible space that can support

the anticipated uses and number of users.

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 Building social connections toolkit

The apartments at 1010 Potrero

in San Francisco, CA include
many publicly accessible
gathering spaces, including a
dog play area. (Bruce Damonte /
David Baker Architects)

Principles in action
The proposed public mews at
Mary Anne’s Place in Port Moody,

1 Location | Locate spaces to attract passersby BC provides a strong public

space that complements the
and maximize social potential. Connect spaces mixed-use building. (Placemaker
to circulation areas and public paths of travel. Communities / GHL Architects)

2 Activation | Include design features that

complement existing businesses, spaces, and
5 1 4
parks in the neighbourhood.

3 Activation | Include three to five reasons to 3

visit the space, such as a play area, community
garden, public art, seating, tables, plants,
walking paths, or pet areas.

4 Activation | Design active edges that

include windows, openings, and textures and
colours to provide a sense of enclosure. Use
windows, balconies, and doors to create visual
connections between the building and the
public space, to enhance sense of safety.

5 Transition | Ensure that public spaces

complement and are distinct from private or
4
semi-private spaces dedicated to a building’s
residents. Use balconies, porches, plants, and
other buffers to create a clear transition. 6
2 3

6 Evolution | Provide opportunities for active

placemaking and community co-design. 1

37
 Toolbox:
Social
circulation

38
5
 Building social connections toolkit

Designing social...
Circulation
Why are circulation spaces important for social
wellbeing?
Circulation spaces have significant—and often unmet—social
potential. Residents use these spaces daily, regardless of
whether they are looking to socialize with neighbours or not.
Design influences whether people rush through corridors,
elevators, and stairs or linger on their way in and out of their
homes. For example, narrow, dark, empty hallways may feel
uninviting or even unsafe, and reduce the likelihood of people
stopping to chat. In contrast, wide corridors with natural light and
social nooks encourage lingering and increase opportunities for
spontaneous, positive interactions between neighbours. Saying
‘hello’ to a neighbour in the hallway is often the starting point to
a longer-term relationship.

1 in 4 In this section, you will learn how to design

social:
North Vancouver residents reported 5.1. Lobbies
connecting with neighbours in lobbies, 5.2. Corridors
corridors, and elevators, making these 5.3. Nooks
the spaces where residents connect 5.4. Stairs
most frequently!

39
Part 4 | Toolbox for social circulation

5.1. Lobbies
Sociable design outcome:
Design comfortable, multi-purpose lobbies that
encourage neighbours to linger and connect
with one another, by co-locating multiple
activities and uses in the space. The lobby at Quayside Village in North
Vancouver, BC uses comfortable seating and
warm materials to create a desirable hang
out space for residents. It is also the access
point to the common house and courtyard.
(Happy Cities)

Considerations
5
Applicability: These recommendations
generally apply to mid-rise and high-rise
buildings. For smaller buildings that may
not have lobbies, consider how the design
principles can apply to common entry points. 4

Social group size: Encourage spontaneous 3

interactions between a small number of
neighbours.
1 4

Scale: For buildings with few indoor common

spaces, consider creating a larger lobby to
serve as an indoor social space for residents.

40
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action 4 5

1 Location | Connect the lobby with other indoor and

outdoor amenity spaces.

2 Location | Where appropriate to the site context,

1
design open-to-below stairs to create connections 3
to and from the lobby in buildings where amenities 7
are located on the second floor.

Activation | Create visually appealing and

3
prominent mailboxes that have nearby seating to
encourage interactions on a daily basis. Design
functional areas to store parcels and recycling and
The lobby at Station Center Family
minimize clutter. Housing in Union City, CA has natural
light and warm colours. It includes
Activation | Provide multiple social and functional access to other amenities, mailboxes,
4 elements, such as soft seating, tables, power
and sight lines to public spaces
outside. (Bruce Damonte / David Baker
outlets, WiFi, shared bookshelves, a fireplace, Architects)
games cupboard, bulletin board, coffee station,
The lobby at 150 Dan Leckie Way in
movable furniture, artwork, box of toys for kids, and 5 Toronto, ON has an active stairway
more. connecting the lobby to amenity spaces
on the second floor. The double height
ceiling contributes to a comfortable
5 Inclusion | Use warm materials, colours, natural waiting area with ample natural light
light, and artwork to create a sense of joy and and visual access to the street. (Maris
Mezulis / KPMB)
belonging for residents of various cultures and ages.

Inclusion | Avoid blank corners and tight spaces

6 that make the lobby uncomfortable to navigate and 7
spend time in. 1
4 5
Inclusion | Ensure that the lobby provides a good
7 2
waiting point with visual access to the street.

41
Part 4 | Toolbox for social circulation

5.2. Corridors
Bright colour accents and natural light along
the corridors of 150 Dan Leckie Way in
Toronto, ON welcome activity and interaction
among residents. (Maris Mezulis / KPMB)

Sociable design outcome:

Create easy-to-navigate, comfortable,
accessible circulation spaces that allow
neighbours to bump into each other, pause,
and interact.

Considerations 5

Applicability: Low-rise, mid-rise, and high-

rise buildings with shared corridors or outdoor
walkways.

Social group size: Encourage spontaneous

interactions between a small number of
neighbours.

Scale: Consider a corridor that is at least 1.5 2

metres wide to accommodate social functions.

42
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action

1 Invitation | Introduce natural light into

corridors. Where not possible, consider
warm colours and lighting quality to create a 1 3
comfortable area. 6
4
2 Invitation | Consider single-loaded circulation,
where homes are placed only on one side of the
corridor. Consider designing exterior walkways
that allow for cross-ventilated homes and 5
overlook social spaces, such as courtyards.
The wide lobby and
3 Activation | Provide multiple reasons to pause hallways at Lakeside Senior
Apartments in Oakland,
and interact in corridor spaces. CA allow two people using
wheelchairs or walkers
to pass by comfortably.
4 Inclusion | Consider wider corridors with Natural light, seating,
integrated accessibility features, such as artwork, bulletin boards,
and handrails create a
handrails. comfortable, accessible
environment for all ages

5 Inclusion | Break up long corridors through

and abilities. (Mariko Reed /
David Baker Architects)
building form, social nooks, widened areas, and
variation in lighting, colour, and materials. 3 Wide, outdoor walkways at
2 Our Urban Village Cohousing
in Vancouver, BC include

6 Transition | Consider acoustic solutions to

social nooks. Neighbours
gather and have coffee
avoid noise transfer and echoes, particularly in in these shared spaces,
areas with wider corridors or social functions. 4 which overlook the common
courtyard. The single-loaded
corridor allows for cross-
For guidelines on entrances to private homes, refer to 7.1, ventilation in homes with
Entryways (p. 62). natural light and windows on
two sides. Building designed
by MA+HG Architects.
(Happy Cities)

43
Part 4 | Toolbox for social circulation

5.3. Nooks
Social nooks off the elevators at Bayview Hill
Gardens in San Francisco, CA provide space
for residents to gather. Each floor features
different artwork and natural light. (Matt
Edge / David Baker Architects)

Sociable design outcome:

Create social nooks off of corridors, lobbies, or
outdoor shared spaces that allow for a small
group of residents to interact.

Considerations 4

Applicability: Ideally, distribute small

social nook spaces throughout the building,
particularly in larger-scale buildings.

Social group size: Provide opportunities

for small groups of neighbours to meet and
interact.

Scale: Social nooks should be sized to

accommodate a small group of residents
comfortably.

44
 Building social connections toolkit

2
Principles in action

1 Location | Ensure that nooks are prominently

1
located (e.g. visible from an elevator landing)
and residents are able to preview the space or
pass by it without feeling pressured to connect.

2 Invitation | Provide access to natural light in

social nooks to make spaces more appealing
and encourage people to spend time there. 3

3 Activation | Create dedicated programming 4

in these spaces, such as storage for books
and games, plants, a place to display art, and
comfortable seating. The social nook off the
elevator at Little Mountain
Cohousing in Vancouver, BC
4 Inclusion | Provide details, materials, and a is well lit and functions as
the community library.
spatial configuration that creates a warm and Comfy seating, natural light,
intimate space. and a rug create a cozy
atmosphere for residents of
all ages. Building designed
5 Transition | Create acoustic privacy between 2 by Cornerstone Architecture.
(Little Mountain Cohousing)
homes and social nooks.
5
Wide, exterior walkways at

6
Driftwood Village Cohousing
Evolution | Consider who will live in the in North Vancouver, BC
building and how residents can work together are lined with differently
coloured doorways, windows,
to shape activities or uses of social nooks to plants, and seating areas.
meet various cultural backgrounds, ages, and 3 Nooks are placed adjacent
to the elevator and stairs,
household compositions. increasing opportunities for
social encounters as people
1 pass through the building.
Building designed by
Cornerstone Architecture.
(Happy Cities)

45
Part 4 | Toolbox for social circulation

5.4. Stairs
Exterior stairways connect different social
spaces at Via Verde in New York, NY. (David
Sundberg / Grimshaw + Dattner Architects)

Sociable design outcome:

Encourage the use of stairs to promote
physical activity and movement through the
building.

Considerations
Applicability: Mainly applies to low and mid-
rise buildings, or the lower portions of a high-
rise building. Stairways should be prominent
and inviting, complement elevators, and
encourage use by those who are able.
5
Social group size: Encourage spontaneous
interactions between a small number of
neighbours.

Scale: Stair widths are primarily determined by

building code. To encourage sociability, provide
enough width to allow two people to stop for a
conversation with a comfortable space between
them.

46
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action
4
1 Location | Ensure that stairs are easily
accessible and visible from the main lobby and
entrance.

2 Location | Consider an open-to-below lobby

stairway to connect different amenity spaces
together on separate floors.

3 Invitation | Where possible, provide natural 2

light in stairwells.
The interconnecting stair
4 Invitation | Include colourful graphics in at the Bowline in North
stairwells that mark levels or encourage people Vancouver, BC allows
residents to travel directly
to linger and interact. from the lobby to the second
floor where the majority of

5 Activation | Where possible, pair outdoor

amenity spaces are located.
Building designed by RH
stairways with an outdoor walkway and/or Architects & GWL Realty
Advisors.(Happy Cities)
courtyard to encourage use.
The landing of the stairs
at Aboriginal Housing in
6 Evolution | Allow residents to participate in Victoria, Australia features
creating artwork and graphics to decorate 4 bright graphics. The brick-
clad walls of the stairs stand
stairwells. out along with graphic
decals of birds. (Andre
Wuttke / Breathe
Architecture)

47
 6
Toolbox:
Social
amenities
48
 Building social connections toolkit

Designing social...
Amenities
Why are shared amenities important for social
wellbeing?
Shared amenities offer space for residents to participate in
activities together on common ground. They also accommodate
uses that multi-unit housing residents do not have space
for in their private units, such as workshops, outdoor areas,
or a large gathering room. Functional and well-designed
common amenities allow residents to participate in a variety
of social activities and provide gathering places, encouraging
intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships. In addition,
programming and policy (for example, how and when residents
are allowed to use spaces, and what activities they can do there)
influence how likely it is that residents will use shared amenities.

1 in 10
In this section, you will learn how to design
social:
6.1. Indoor spaces
North Vancouver residents
6.2. Outdoor spaces
reported connecting with
6.3. Bicycle spaces
neighbours daily in outdoor
spaces and parkades.

49
Part 5 | Toolbox for social amenities

6.1. Indoor amenities

Sociable design outcome: Recreational amenities may include:
• Lounges
Provide a variety of recreational and functional • Shared kitchens
amenity spaces that are prominently sited and • Kids playrooms and teen lounges
in easily accessible locations, with flexibility to • Exercise facilities
• Music rooms
accommodate different uses.
Functional amenities may include:
• Shared laundry
• Bookable guest suites
• Co-working spaces The community room at OME in
San Francisco, CA opens onto a
Considerations • Bookable meeting rooms shared deck overlooking Folsom
• Tool libraries and workshops Street, with city views, planters,
a grill, and access to the laundry
Applicability: Applies to all typologies, with • Pet areas and pet wash room. (Bruce Damonte / David
• Sports equipment storage Baker Architects)
particular considerations for mid-rise and high-
rise buildings.

Social group size: Encourage both

spontaneous and planned interactions between
smaller and larger groups of neighbours.

Scale: Size spaces according to their function,

anticipated uses, and the number of people who 7 3
will share a space. In buildings with multiple
amenity spaces, create spaces at a diversity of
scales from small, to medium, to large.

50
 Building social connections toolkit

Little Mountain Cohousing in

Vancouver, BC received a reduction on
the overall number of parking spots
required by the City. The community
used the extra space to create a
sound-proof music room below ground,
8 next to the parking garage. Building
Principles in action 4 designed by Cornerstone Architecture.
(Little Mountain Cohousing)

1 Location | Locate amenity spaces near to The common room at Our Urban
Village in Vancouver, BC offers
lobbies and people’s daily travel paths. residents a flexible space for shared
6 activities. Colour accents and playful
lighting brighten the space, which also
2 Location | Where appropriate, co-locate has a door and windows facing onto
functional and recreational amenity spaces to Main Street. A variety of seating areas
allows for multiple functions, including
encourage greater interaction and use. a space where residents can cook and
eat meals together. Building designed
by MA+HG Architects. (Darren
3 Location | Create a direct and visual Sutherland)
connection between indoor and outdoor
amenity spaces.

4 Invitation | In smaller buildings with few

recreational amenities, consider how to
maximize the social potential of functional
spaces (e.g. laundry, parking, etc.).

5 Invitation | Include colour, artwork, natural

light, and a variety of types of lighting.

6 Invitation | Include a comfortable seating area 5

1
in functional amenities (e.g. in a shared laundry 3
room). 7

6
7 Activation | In larger spaces, include three to
five functions that can appeal to residents.
2

8 Activation | Design resident-led programming

to take place regularly in amenity spaces.

51
Part 5 | Toolbox for social amenities

6.1. Indoor amenities (continued)

2
12

14

The lounge at Bayview Hill Gardens in The shared workshop at Driftwood

San Francisco, CA is co-located with Village Cohousing in North Vancouver,
the laundry and computer rooms, with BC adds value for residents by allowing
clear sight lines between the different them to borrow tools, work on projects,
spaces. (Matt Edge / David Baker and share knowledge while living in
Architects) multi-unit housing. Building designed
by Cornerstone Architecture. (Happy
Cities).
5
The dedicated indoor kids play area at
Driftwood Village Cohousing in North
Vancouver, BC is a safe and joyful
place for young residents to spend
10 time with neighbours. The play room is
9 directly connected to the courtyard and
includes a shared washroom. Building
designed by Cornerstone Architecture.
(Happy Cities)

14

52
 Building social connections toolkit

5
Principles in action

9 Inclusion | Provide access to a universal

washroom in large amenity spaces. 11
12 12
10 Inclusion | Consider opportunities to
accommodate cultural needs (e.g. ventilation for
smudging or acoustics for musical activities).
10
11 Inclusion | Offer convenient access hours that 15
allow residents to drop in to a recreational
space without booking in advance.
The Common House at Marmalade
12 Transition | Provide an opportunity for Lane in Cambridge, England is
residents to ‘preview’ the space before a year-round social hub for the
intergenerational community. (David
entering, through placement of glazing. Butler / Mole Architects)

The common house at Edwina Benner

13 Transition | Consider both active and quiet Plaza in Sunnyvale, CA provides
functions, use acoustic solutions, and locate dedicated space for kids and an
indoor-outdoor connection. (Bruce
amenities to minimize noise disruption. Damonte / David Baker Architects)

14 Evolution | Provide one or more ways for 11 14

residents to take ownership over shared spaces 3 12
(e.g. an undesignated space that residents can
determine a use for, or an intentionally blank 13
wall for community art).

15 Evolution | Design spaces to be flexible and

allow uses to shift over time to meet the needs 15
of residents.

53
Part 5 | Toolbox for social amenities

6.2. Outdoor amenities

Sociable design outcome: Outdoor spaces may include:
• Courtyards
Provide a variety of recreational outdoor • Rooftops
amenity spaces on site, with flexibility to allow • Barbecue areas
for different uses. • Community gardens
• Gazebo or small seating areas
Vindmollebakken housing in
• Dog run or park Norway co-locates the lobby,
• Playgrounds and informal play common amenities, and shared
walkways around a central
spaces courtyard. (Sindre Ellingsen / Helen
& Hard Architect)

Considerations
Applicability: Applies to all typologies.

Social group size: Encourage both

spontaneous and planned interactions between
smaller and larger groups of neighbours.

Scale: Size spaces according to their function,

anticipated uses, and the number of people who
2 5
will share a space. In buildings with multiple 1
amenity spaces, create spaces at a diversity of
scales from small, to medium, to large.

54
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action 2

1
1 Location | Create direct and visual connections
between indoor and outdoor amenity spaces.
These connections can allow residents to
observe passively or participate, depending on 4
their preferences. 5
4
2 Invitation | Use colour, diverse plants, and 3
lighting to create a visually appealing space.

3 Invitation | Maximize the amount of sunlight

while also providing covered and shaded The outdoor courtyard at 855 Brannan
seating opportunities. Apartments in San Francisco, CA offers
residents multiple and flexible outdoor
gathering spaces at the building edge
4 Activation | For larger spaces, include three to 3 as well as access to interior amenities.
(Bruce Damonte / David Baker
five functions that can appeal to residents. Architects)

2 The colourful, outdoor, covered play

5 Activation | Ensure that the building edges area at AYA Housing in Washington DC
facing the outdoor space (particularly for offers a flexible space with sunlight for
children of all ages. (Hoachlander Davis
courtyards) are active. Active facade elements Photography / Studio Twenty Seven
include home entrances at grade with a clear 5 Architecture + Leo A Daly JV)

transition from private to public, balconies

overlooking the space, direct access to an
indoor amenity space or lobby, or exterior
circulation.

6 Inclusion | Provide access to a universal

washroom nearby.

55
Part 5 | Toolbox for social amenities

6.2 | Outdoor amenities (continued)

10

12

Residents play together in the Rooftop community gardens offer

common courtyard at Capitol Hill an intergenerational community
Urban Cohousing, a single egress stair space at Via Verde in the Bronx, NY.
building in Seattle, WA. (Schemata (David Sundberg Grimshaw + Dattner
Workshop) Architects)

Lu’ma Native Housing Society worked

with Indigenous residents and a local
artist to build a teepee in the common
courtyard outside their modular
housing building in Vancouver, BC.
The outdoor space hosts community
celebrations and activities, and
includes sheltered seating space and
a community garden to grow local and
medicinal plants. (Happy Cities)
10
9

9 13
12

56
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action

7 Inclusion | Consider both active and quiet

functions, and how they relate to each other.

8 Inclusion | Consider convenient access hours that 11

allow residents to drop in to a recreational space 10 10
without booking in advance. 14
13
9 Inclusion | Provide opportunities for plants, 12
placemaking, and artwork that celebrate and reflect
culture.
7 8
10 Transition | Provide an opportunity for residents
to ‘preview’ or overlook the space before entering,
through placement of windows, doors, or other The courtyard at Station Center Family
openings. Housing in Union City, CA has a kids
playground and community garden.
The laundry room is located off the
11 Transition | Consider acoustic solutions and locate courtyard, allowing kids to play while
amenities to minimize noise disruption to private parents do laundry. Balconies overlook
spaces. the courtyard to connect private units
with shared space, creating a sense of
10 community. (Bruce Damonte / David
12 Evolution | Include at least one element that Baker Architects)
allows residents to take ownership of the space (for
example, a community garden, flexible furniture, or Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge in
a place to paint a mural). 9 Saskatoon, SK provides affordable
homes for Metis elders. The small
12 courtyard gardens are at an accessible
13 Evolution | Design spaces to be flexible and height and connect to the indoor
allow uses to shift over time to meet the needs of community gathering space, supporting
social programming and community
residents. connections. The building is owned by
Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.
Building designed by David T Fortin
14 Evolution | Provide access to a shared storage area Architect.
to store seasonal items. (Big Block Construction)

57
Part 5 | Toolbox for social amenities

6.3. Bicycle spaces

Sociable design outcome: Bicycle spaces may include:
• Secure long-term parking (e.g. in a parking garage)
Provide secure, comfortable, easily accessible, • Short-term, convenient parking (e.g. at building entrances)
and convenient bicycle infrastructure that • Bicycle repair room, workshop, or station
encourages residents to ride their bikes and • Storage area for cargo bikes, trailers, strollers, and mobility
devices
provides opportunities for social interaction.

Considerations
Applicability: Applies to mid-rise and high-rise
buildings.

Social group size: Encourage spontaneous 9

interactions between small groups of
neighbours.

Scale: Reference the relevant municipal policy, 8

7
LEED standards, and other best practices to
align with or exceed the highest standard for The designated stroller
bike parking quantity, quality, and location (both parking at the Bowline in
North Vancouver allows
short-term and long-term spots). families the flexibility to store
items that can be
challenging in typical multi-
unit homes. Building
designed by RH Architects &
GWL Realty Advisors.
(Hey Neighbour Collective)

58
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action

1 Location | Ensure that bicycle rooms are secure

and easily accessible from the street (e.g. at grade
or near the parkade entrance) and main entrances.

2 Location | In large buildings, consider a bike

elevator or designated bike pathway beside vehicle 9 3
access to the parkade. 5

3 Location | Co-locate bike area with other amenities.

1
4 Location | Minimize the number of locked doors
that cyclists have to pass through to get outside
The bike room at Potrero
with their bicycle. 1010 in San Francisco, CA
is located on the ground
5 Activation | Create a bicycle repair area with tools floor and directly connected
to the lobby, elevator, and
and an area to work. mail area next to a street-
level entrance. It includes
a bike repair station and
6 Activation | Consider a designated dog wash, bike
large windows to provide
wash, or car wash facility near bike storage. light and a sense of safety.
(Mariko Reed / David Baker

7
Architects)
Inclusion | Include signage and wayfinding to
indicate bicycle access routes. The bike nook at the
5 Bowline in North Vancouver,
BC allows residents to
8 Inclusion | Dedicate a percentage of long-term socialize while repairing
bicycle spots for larger bikes and wheeled devices, and maintaining their
bicycles. Building designed
such as cargo bikes, bikes with trailers, strollers, by RH Architects & GWL
and mobility devices. Accommodate charging Realty Advisors. (Happy
infrastructure for e-bikes. Cities)

7
9 Inclusion | Include bicycle parking spaces that do
not require people to lift their bike.

59
 Toolbox:

60
7 Social
homes
 Building social connections toolkit

Designing social...
Homes
How does the design of individual homes
impact social wellbeing?
It is important for people to have a private, quiet, and calm space
at home where they can recharge. Transition areas and semi-
private spaces, such as balconies and entryways, ensure that
when people step outside their homes they have opportunities
to engage in social interaction, but can choose when they are
ready to engage. When people are satisfied with their homes,
they are more likely to stay there longer. Long-term, secure
tenure is linked with a higher likelihood of knowing neighbours
and greater sense of belonging and trust.

1 in 3
In this section, you will learn how to design
social:
7.1. Entryways
North Vancouver residents
7.2. Private homes
reported that they chose to live in
7.3. Balconies
their building due to the design
of their home’s private spaces.

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Part 6 | Toolbox for social homes

7.1. Entryways
Ground floor homes at 855
Brannan in San Francisco, CA offer
residents direct access to the
pedestrian path. (Bruce Damonte /
David Baker Architects)

Sociable design outcome:

Create a thoughtful transition between private
homes and semi-private or semi-public spaces
to ensure comfort and privacy for residents.

Considerations
2
Applicability: Applies to buildings of all scales.

Social group size: Ensure that residents

have choice over their social exposure and an
opportunity to retreat into private spaces.

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 Building social connections toolkit

A home entryway at
Vancouver Cohousing, BC
is located a step back from
the wide, social, exterior
walkway. The orientation
of the window balances
Principles in action privacy with natural light
and visual connections to
the corridor. Planter boxes

1 Location | In double-loaded corridors (with and decorations make the

entrance feel personalized.
units on two sides), stagger home entryways to 6 Building designed by
Ankenman Marchand
enhance privacy for residents.
Architects. (Leslie Shieh)

2 Location | Use ground-level entrances, patios,

A proposed concept by
Human Studio Architecture
and stoops to create an active edge along in Vancouver, BC places
pedestrian-oriented roads and courtyards. private balconies adjacent
to the shared outdoor
walkway, which allows for

3 Inclusion | Provide a shelf near front doors

cross-ventilated homes
and a thoughtfully
to allow people to put down an item while 4 designed transition space
reaching for keys, or for placement of small between private homes and
the shared walkway.
decorations. (Human Studio
Architecture)

4 Transition | Create a transition zone and

extend living spaces by designing a small
setback or patio between the home’s entrance
and wider social corridors.

5 Transition | For ground-level entrances,

ensure that there is an adequate transition
between private and public through the use of
landscaping and orientation of entryways. 6

6 Evolution | Provide opportunities for

residents to customize their entrances through
decorations, plants, or colour.
4
6

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Part 6 | Toolbox for social homes

7.2. Private homes

This fully accessible, ground-floor home at the Aster in
Vancouver, BC provides thoughtfully designed spaces for
people with disabilities. The home also has a flex space
and storage area in the entry foyer for residents to use
as needed. (Brightside Community Homes Foundation)

Sociable design outcome:

Design a variety of high-quality homes that can
accommodate diverse households, life stages,
needs, abilities, and preferences, with flexibility
to meet changing needs over time and allow
people to age comfortably in place.

Considerations
Applicability: Applies to buildings of all scales.
2
Scale: Consider different ways to evaluate the
livability of homes. For example, more square
footage does not always translate to better 7
livability. However, critical dimensions—such as 5
bedroom and living room width—are important
to consider for adaptability and flexibility
(e.g. to accommodate changes in household
composition, mobility challenges, or disability).
In addition, taller ceiling heights make homes
feel more spacious.

64
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action
6
1 Location | Consider placing family-sized homes
(2+ bedrooms) at grade with exterior entrances
3
or facing a courtyard. On upper floors, consider
locating these homes near a common amenity,
such as a rooftop or raised courtyard.

2 Invitation | Consider building layouts that

maximize opportunities for natural light and
cross-ventilation in private homes.

3 Transition | Invest in good acoustic separation 4

and sound insulation between homes to minimize
friction between neighbours. This unit at Our Urban Village
Cohousing in Vancouver, BC creates a
timeless space with high ceilings and
4 Evolution | Consider flexibility in home design excellent natural light. The building is
through flex spaces (e.g. for a home office, a kids 6 passive house certified, which creates
good acoustics and comfort within
play area, or extra storage) and lock-off suites individual homes. Building designed
(e.g. for multi-generational households, changing by MA+HG Architects. (Tomo Spaces)
households, or rental income). The family-sized townhouse homes at
Driftwood Village Cohousing in North
5 Evolution | Design adaptable homes that support 1 Vancouver, BC provide functional and
comfortable living spaces with direct
accessibility and aging in place. connection to the street and small
7 outdoor, semi-private patios.
3 (Cornerstone Architecture)
6 Evolution | Consider how the structure and
placement of services (e.g. mechanical, electrical,
plumbing) impacts future flexibility, maintenance
(e.g. for repairs), and operations.

7 Evolution | Provide ample built-in storage space

and space to display personal items.

65
Part 6 | Toolbox for social homes

7.3. Balconies
A semi-enclosed patio extends an individual
home’s living areas at Savonnerie Heymans
in Brussels, Belgium. (Filip Dujardin / MDW
Architecture)

Sociable design outcome:

Provide private balconies and ground-floor
patios for residents’ use. These spaces allow
people to access nature and connect with the
public realm, helping to create active building
edges.

Considerations
Applicability: Applies to buildings of all scales. 7
Consider the types of homes in the building and
how balconies can balance other requirements
of energy-efficient buildings (such as passive
house design).
3 5
Scale: Propose a balcony size that is functional
and useful for the home’s expected occupants.
For example, balconies less than 1.8 metres
wide tend to be underused by occupants. For
larger homes that will have more occupants,
consider larger balconies.

66
 Building social connections toolkit

Principles in action
2
Location | Consider the placement and context of a
1 balcony. For example, balconies below eight storeys
can provide a strong connection to the public realm.

Location | Consider the amount of sunlight that the

2
balcony will receive based on the orientation of the
home and the building context. 5
1
3 Location | Ensure that the balcony feels like an
extension of a home’s living spaces.

Invitation | Where private balconies are not

4
possible for each home, consider opportunities for
other smaller-scale shared spaces. For example,
design an outdoor balcony or patio space that three
to five units can share and personalize together, The balconies at Breese St. in
rather than each having their own private balcony. Brunswick, Australia offer residents
semi-private outdoor spaces with
2 connections to the public realm. The
5 Activation | Allow residents to grow plants in pots building’s operations are fossil fuel free
and carbon neutral, with a maximum
on balconies. For larger patios and decks, consider of five neighbours per floor. (Anthony
a hose bib to enable larger gardens. 1 Richardson, Tom Ross / Breathe
Architecture + DKO)

6 Transition | Create a sense of privacy and Residential stoops at Lakeside Seniors

enclosure, while allowing opportunities to interact 6 apartment in Oakland, CA provide
with neighbours and the public realm. a connection and transition to the
sidewalk, balancing privacy with social
exposure. (Mariko Reed / David Baker
7 Evolution | Consider flexible indoor-outdoor Architects)
connections, such as enclosed or semi-enclosed
balconies that extend living space. Partly enclosed
and recessed balconies can help people feel safe
xx
and provide a sense of privacy.

67
 8
Policy and
implementation
68
 Building social connections toolkit

8 | Policy and
implementation
Market
Presently, few municipalities provide detailed guidance, support,
or incentives for design that prioritizes wellbeing and social New
connection. Municipal policies have an important role to play in buildings
enabling housing that prioritizes sociability through the design
of shared spaces. These policies may include zoning bylaws, Non-market

design guidelines, rezoning requirements, and more. This

section outlines challenges, tools, and opportunities to nurture
sociable design in multi-unit buildings through city policies and Supporting
development processes. programming and
operations
Considering policy for new buildings
This toolkit focuses primarily on design strategies for new
buildings, while recognizing that action is also needed to Retrofits
promote wellbeing in existing housing.
This section outlines policy and implementation considerations Existing
for both non-market and market developments. The chart to buildings
the right highlights additional policy considerations when Retaining
planning for social wellbeing in multi-unit housing, including the affordable

importance of retrofitting existing buildings, retaining affordable

units, and supporting programming and operations.

69
Part 7 | Translating into policy

Policy challenges
During this project, we heard several critical policy barriers may deem personalized entryways (e.g. with pots beside the
and challenges to building more socially connected, affordable door), windows, or seating along corridors as fire hazards, which
multi-unit housing. These challenges were highlighted during restricts personalization and functionality of common spaces.
research, workshops, and engagement with planners, developers, Single egress stair buildings are also not allowed in most
housing providers, and architects across Metro Vancouver. North American jurisdictions, limiting the number of units that
can be built on small sites and increasing costs. If legalized,
Amenity space limitations single-stair buildings could bring benefits, including buildings
with more windows, more family-sized homes, better energy
Across Canada, municipalities have varying definitions of
efficiency, opportunities for social lobbies on each floor, and
amenity space, but generally define them as enclosed spaces
reduced corridor length.
with a specific function—for instance, a gym, lounge, or kitchen.
These shared spaces can be valuable for resident wellbeing, but Rezoning and approval challenges
take away from area that can be sold or rented. As a result,
many developers do not include any innovative social features The Province of B.C. and many local government councils are
or shared amenities outside of private homes without specific pushing for staff to approve housing development applications
policy requirements or incentives. faster. Long approval timelines can add significant costs to
housing, with a 2023 CMHC study finding that housing approval
Municipalities sometimes exclude indoor amenities from delays are linked with lower housing affordability. Complex
floor space ratio (FSR) calculations to facilitate their inclusion incentives can be onerous for municipalities to check, adding
in buildings. However, these incentives typically do not apply steps to the development process. It is important for local
to more informal social spaces (such as wider hallways with governments to consider how to design incentives carefully so
social nooks). Further, FSR exclusions can become complex for that they reduce rather than add complexity to the development
architects and developers to calculate. Building setbacks and process. Planners can consider innovative ways to both support
height regulations often restrict overall building form, reducing social connection and reduce permitting times.
flexibility for designers. Outdoor spaces, such as courtyards, are
also not typically incentivized by municipal policy. Affordability
Building code restrictions Affordable, secure housing choices are critical for building
strong social connections, belonging, and trust. Given this core
Beyond municipal policy, building codes and zoning restrictions need, it is crucial that new policies around sociable design do
can add costs and limitations to sites. For example, fire codes not pose additional challenges to affordability.

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 Building social connections toolkit

Importance of the
neighbourhood
During the final workshop, we heard from Robert Brown
of Chesterman Properties, who provided background on
the current state of (un)affordability, key policy levers to During workshops and in our study of North Vancouver,
reduce housing costs, and potential impacts on sociable participants emphasized the importance of complete,
design elements. The presentation is available from Hey accessible, and inclusive neighbourhoods to support
Neighbour Collective on YouTube. wellbeing for multi-unit housing residents. Homes
need a supportive context—a community that
residents are proud of, that meets their daily needs,
Funding criteria for affordable housing and where they love to spend time. In particular, we
One major challenge for affordable housing providers is that heard the importance of neighbourhoods that offer:
funding criteria for social spaces do not necessarily align with • The ability to live a healthy, active lifestyle
current and future needs of housing operators and residents. For
example, funding criteria may restrict the overall area dedicated • Convenient destinations near homes
to non-residential spaces (i.e. amenities) that can be included, • Attractive, people-friendly streets and public
with a strong emphasis on the number of units built in a given spaces
project. These metrics require a balance between quantity and • Opportunities to build friendships through
quality of units to ensure that deeply affordable projects also chance encounters
enhance social connection, wellbeing, and livability for residents.
• A strong sense of local identity and attachment
Additionally, many affordable projects ‘stack’ funding out • Diverse, affordable housing choices for all
of necessity, as individual funding sources do not cover the residents, and that respond to people’s needs
entire cost of a project. As a result, housing providers often
deal with conflicting funding criteria, posing challenges Above all, it is important to consider an equity-
during the planning and development process. This context of based approach to community planning, including
intricate funding structures, underwriting processes, and legal equitable access to green space, public transit,
agreements contributes to increased complexity, prolonged pedestrian infrastructure, housing, and more.
timelines, and higher expenses for affordable housing.

71
Part 7 | Translating into policy

Policy toolbox
Guidance, incentives, and regulation
City planners and housing professionals discussed benefits and Affordability
challenges to an incentive-based approach versus regulation. For affordable housing projects, municipalities can:
A regulatory approach makes certain design features mandatory • Fast track approval processes
through zoning or other policy. However, it can be difficult to get • Lease or donate City-owned land to non-profit
cities to adopt new and innovative design regulations, as strict housing providers
requirements may generate more industry push back.
• Provide grants to facilitate sociable programming
An alternative approach is for municipalities to create incentives • Offer property tax exemptions or forgiveness
for sociable design features, and align existing policies and
regulations to work with these incentives. This approach allows • Waive development permit fees
for innovation and flexibility among socially minded architects • Waive/reduce municipal development cost charges
and developers. It also increases the likelihood that other • Create or support a land trust
developers will follow suit, and can improve the quality of multi-
• Create an affordable housing reserve
unit housing applications.
Case studies of innovative buildings can help highlight the
benefits of social connection and generate support from industry
partners and residents.
Approvals process
In either approach, it is important for municipalities to consider
and offer clear guidance for a broad range of social spaces • Fast track approval of affordable and sociable
beyond typical amenity rooms—such as wider walkways or housing design projects
social nooks—recognizing that socially connected residents • Implement a trusted developers program (similar to
are happier, healthier, and more resilient. The policy tools on a certified professional program)
the following pages provide high-level guidance on ways that • Introduce pre-approved sociable design solutions
municipalities can consider improving affordability and social and/or designs for different typologies
connection through approvals, zoning, plans, design guidelines,
and other policy levers.

72
 Building social connections toolkit

The policy tools on this page are adapted from the following reports:
• Local Government Levers for Housing Affordability (Community Social Planning Council and CMHC, June 2023)
• A Scan of Leading Practices in Affordable Housing (BC Housing, October 2017)

Planning policy Zoning and regulatory tools

• Create a sociable, affordable, resilient housing • Increase allowable density (e.g. FSR exclusions) for
strategy or action plan housing that follows sociable design principles
• Integrate language in Official Community Plans • Relax setbacks and building height requirements
to show commitment to providing a range of age- • Reduce vehicle parking requirements for housing,
friendly, inclusive, sociable housing choices particularly in areas with good access to transit
• Create neighbourhood or area plans that show • Create comprehensive development zone guidelines
commitment to providing a range of sociable that favour affordable and sociable design
housing choices that are accessible to the full range
of incomes and household needs • Consider inclusionary zoning policies
• Consider modified building standards (i.e. code
related)

Existing housing, retrofits, and Education and advocacy

redevelopment • Create resources that help planners, developers,
• Replacement policies for loss of rental housing stock and non-market housing organizations prioritize
sociable design (such as this toolkit!)
• Demolition policies
• Offer guidance for property management
• Condo/strata conversion policies
companies, strata councils, and co-op committees
• Standards of maintenance by-law on pro-social operations and programming
• Wellbeing-focused tenant protection and relocation
policies

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Part 7 | Translating into policy

Implementation
3 | Identifying alignment, support, and
opportunities
• What policies and process updates are happening in your
Putting this toolkit into action jurisdiction right now? (E.g. accessibility plan, seniors
strategy, livability guidelines, OCP or zoning updates)
During this project, we guided planners from five local
municipalities and one First Nation through a four-workshop • What challenges or resistance points do you anticipate to
process to explore core questions around the implementation of implementing policy for sociable design?
sociable design. The workshops revealed many new questions • What is your assessment of the desire for change within
and steps that planners must consider before developing new your organization?
policy to encourage social wellbeing in multi-unit housing. The
steps below provide a useful tool for other planners who are • Do you have support from elected leaders? From key
considering a similar process. community or advisory groups?

1 | Taking a broad look at the wellbeing 2 | Taking stock of current housing

context regulation
• What strategies, policies, practices, or guidelines already • How is multi-unit housing design (particularly for
support social wellbeing or sustainability in multi-unit common spaces) currently being guided or regulated
housing in your jurisdiction? (E.g. strategies for inclusion, in your jurisdiction? (E.g. incentive-based or optional
equity, accessibility, family-friendly design, age- design guidelines, family-friendly guidelines, BC Housing
friendliness, affordability, or cultural design) or CMHC requirements, minimum or maximum common
room areas set in the zoning bylaw, development
• What are the current wellbeing and demographic trends agreements or negotiations)
in your community? What are some key challenges?
• Are there key housing types in your jurisdiction that are
• Are there any pressing council or government priorities posing challenges for wellbeing?
(e.g. affordable housing, decreasing permitting times)?
Where does social wellbeing fall within your priorities? • Has your jurisdiction assessed or taken stock of what is
being built? What type(s) of housing are being built, and
how are they supporting or hindering wellbeing?

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 Building social connections toolkit

4 | Setting goals, intentions, and outcomes 5 | Designing your policy

• Which design strategies are you interested in exploring, • Are there any other jurisdictions with policies or
and why? Consider factors including community impact, experiences that can inform how you write your policy?
political support, and alignment with your existing
strategies or plans. • What housing typologies will the policy apply to?

• How would particular policy approaches or design goals • Are there population groups that will particularly benefit?
transform housing in your jurisdiction if successfully (E.g. seniors and older adults, people with low or fixed
implemented? incomes, people with disabilities, newcomers, young
people, larger families, etc.)
• What outcomes would you like to see from your policy
changes? How will you measure success or progress • How much does the policy differ from current policy,
towards identified goals? development, and design practices?

• How will the policy impact cost and affordability?

• How complex or prescriptive are your design guidelines

to implement from a construction point of view?

6 | Identifying incentives and levers • How can your policy multi-solve for social wellbeing and
climate resilience at the same time?
• What are some processes that could be improved to
make way for higher-cost design elements? • Will this policy and its design guidelines have an impact
on the approval process?
• What levers or powers do you have at the local
government or First Nation level? • Will the design guidelines be mandatory? If so, where will
they reside? Or, will design strategies be incentivized? If
• Where might you need to advocate to senior levels of so, what incentives will be most effective?
government?
• What are the key design considerations or criteria? Is
• What are some incentives that could be effective in there any testing, analysis, or engagement needed to
encouraging developers to change the way they design? confirm the criteria?

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Part 7 | Translating into policy

Research, evaluation, and post-occupancy Case studies

studies
Case studies and post-occupancy evaluations As part of this project, Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour
are critical to understand and evaluate whether Collective published a series of case studies to inspire more
new housing is supporting wellbeing and social socially connected multi-unit housing. The case studies include:
connection. Beyond evaluating the built environment, • Multi-unit housing examples: Seven projects from four
post-occupancy studies should consider funding countries offer inspiration on socially connected housing
models and partnerships, enabling policies, innovative that responds to local needs, including affordability, climate
design features, engagement with residents, social resilience, aging in place, and cultural connections.
programming, and building management. Case
studies can highlight innovative and exemplary • Policy examples: Four different local governments have
projects and how they support wellbeing for a wide each taken unique approaches to encouraging sociable
range of demographics. At the same time, it is multi-unit housing design and development.
important to identify how innovative examples differ
from current development practices and housing July 2024

stock. Both can be evaluated to draw insights and Building social

inform policy decisions. connections Building social
Case studies to inspire socially
connections
connected multi-unit housing Innovative housing policy examples for
social wellbeing

Building social connections | Case studies 1

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 Building social connections toolkit

Post-occupancy studies POST-OCCUPANCY STUDY EXAMPLES

Happy Cities, Hey Neighbour Collective, and Simon

Fraser University Department of Gerontology have Building social
connections
together piloted and developed post-occupancy
A study of active design policy in the City of North Vancouver
study methodology to assess social wellbeing and
capacity for aging in place in multi-unit housing. In
Canada, these types of studies are rarely done and
never mandated by governments. However, they are
essential to help us understand how residents actually
use and interact in shared spaces. Social wellbeing
post-occupancy evaluations include several steps:
• Conducting an on-site evaluation of a building’s
common spaces, looking at over 100 built
environment factors that assess scale, quality,
functionality, and programming. January 2024

• Hearing from residents through surveys, North Vancouver

interviews, and focus groups. active design study

• Hearing from property managers, landlords, and The happier Aging in the right
developers through interviews. missing middle place study
Lessons for building an urban cohousing village
Our Urban Village
cohousing study

April 2024

77
 9
Conclusion
78
 Building social connections toolkit

9 | Conclusion
As governments, residents, and housing industry • Conduct post-occupancy evaluations to measure the
professionals push to increase the supply of homes, it impacts of new housing policies on multi-unit buildings
is crucial to ensure that new multi-unit housing provides
safe, secure homes that make our lives happier, healthier, • Implement strategies to improve affordability of sociable
more connected, and resilient for generations to come. design, ensuring that new development benefits everyone.

Over the coming years, communities will continue to add density • Explore co-benefits of sociable design features with other
to accommodate growing populations—all while grappling with policy priorities, including climate mitigation, resilience,
climate change, affordability, and meeting the needs of an aging and reconciliation.
population. This toolkit identifies opportunities for housing— • Allow for flexibility in design guidance to accommodate
and in particular, shared spaces—to become a catalyst for social diverse building contexts, demographics, and evolving best
connection and wellbeing. practices.
Key next steps include:
• Align metrics across jurisdictions, share learnings,
and gather evidence, including through case studies,
evaluations of existing housing stock, and engagement with
residents.
• Educate planners, architects, housing operators,
developers, and elected officials on the importance of
social connection in housing for community resilience and
wellbeing.
• Advocate to senior levels of government and elected
officials to implement policy to support this work.

79
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 Definitions
Active edge: A ground floor edge (or first adjacent storey) that Prominently sited/easily accessible: Amenities that are
is activated with a combination of regular entrances, doors prominently sited and easily accessible are directly accessible
and/or balconies, and windows. or visible from the main entrance to the building or major
elevator or stairway. The spaces are easily accessible to people
Common space: Includes all common spaces within the of all ages and abilities.
building that are shared by multiple residents, including
hallways, stairwells, lobbies, and amenities. Semi-private space: A shared space that is accessible to
residents of the building and their guests.
Amenity space: An outdoor or indoor area specifically
designed for use by multiple residents living on a site for Single-loaded corridor: Private homes (units) are located
cultural, social, or recreational activities. Amenity space only on one side of the corridor. This configuration allows for
specifically refers to those common spaces with a specific an exterior corridor to overlook a courtyard or other common
function (ex: parking, laundry) or recreational purpose space on one side, for example, and allows for cross-ventilation
(gardens, rooftops, gyms, lounges). and windows on two sides of private homes.
Double-loaded corridor: Private homes (units) are located Single egress stair building: Also known as point-block
along both sides of a corridor. This configuration is typical of access, this typology places small clusters of homes (units)
multi-unit buildings in North America. around a single stairway. This form is typical of many lower-
rise European buildings but is not allowed in most North
Floor space ratio (FSR): Calculated by dividing the total area American jurisdications. The layout is most efficient for small
of all building floors by the area of the site. Many muncipalties or narrow sites, and creates more space for individual homes
use this as a key metric to measure what developers are by requiring only one stairway instead of two.
allowed to build.
Social wellbeing: Social wellbeing refers to the extent to
Private space: Space intended for and used by a single home which individuals and communities experience a sense of
or household. belonging, social inclusion, and overall satisfaction with their
Privately owned, publicly accessible space: These spaces social relationships and connections. These connections
are typically on private property, but allow public access and include both casual encounters and deeper relationships with
are considered as an amenity for the wider community. family, friends, neighbours, and the broader community. Social
wellbeing is a core dimension of overall wellbeing, and is
closely linked to mental, physical, and emotional health.

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 Building social connections toolkit

Get in touch!

Happy Cities
Website: happycities.com
Email: info@happycities.com

Hey Neighbour Collective

Website: heyneighbourcollective.ca/
Email: mhoar@sfu.ca

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Part 7 | Translating into policy

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