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Royal Roads grad student research focuses on west shore growth issues

Hosted by Royal Roads University professors Rob Newell (Environment and Sustainability) and Brian White (Tourism and Hospitality)

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Open House at Royal Roads University to explore presentations by five graduate students in the area of Langford growth impacts, Nov 22, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]
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Saturday November 23, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC [Posted at 5:54 pm | Updated 9:57 pm]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends


The impact of urban growth in the Langford and west shore areas has been the focus of research by graduate students at Royal Roads University (RRU) over the past year.

Five major projects were showcased at a five-hour open house at the Royal Roads University campus library yesterday.

graduate students, royal roads
Three graduate students with their visual presentations about their research projects on Langford growth impacts, Nov 22, 2024 at Royal Roads University Campus Library. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]

The relaxed informal walk-about event was hosted by Royal Roads University professors Rob Newell (Environment and Sustainability) and Brian White (Tourism and Hospitality), along with the graduate students who presented their work.

Students at Royal Roads University receive support for major research projects, masters theses and doctoral dissertations from their program’s faculty.

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About the research:

The research was west-shore focused. This work will now be available online, making it accessible by residents and leaders in the Langford municipality and beyond.

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Royal Roads University Tourism Management Professor Dr Brian White chats with grad students and guests at the west shore research presentation on Nov 22, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]

The west shore is generally considered to encompass Langford and Colwood including View Royal, Metchosin and Highlands as well as Sooke. This represents nearly half of the 13 municipalities of the Greater Victoria area.

Each project focused on issues and possible approaches or solutions to improving well-being and ecosystems in the West Shore communities of the Capital Regional District. 

shelly donaldson, metchosin counclilor
Metchosin Councillor Shelly Donaldson (right) attended the Royal Roads west shore research project presentation on Nov 22, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]

Topic areas covered by the research presented in the session included:

  • environmental management,
  • tourism management,
  • town planning,
  • community garden development, and
  • regional planning and growth.
doug kobayashi, rob newell, royal roads
Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi discussed the watershed management tool with Royal Roads Professor Rob Newell, Nov 22, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]

Presented materials took the form of display boards, maps, computer interaction and virtual reality. Each student had one-on-one or group discussions about their research findings with people who visited the event.

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Integrated Water Management computer interface at the Royal Roads University event on Nov 22, 2024. [Island Social Trends]

A watershed planning and management visualization tool is being developed through a Millstream Creek Watershed visualization planning tool project by TRIAS Lab. The interactive display for that consisted of computers and virtual reality headsets available for attendees to use the visualization tool and explore scenarios for development and management in the watershed.

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Who was there:

Community members, teachers, representatives from west shore community associations, and government leaders were invited to attend.

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Professor Rob Newell observes as people try out the watershed virtual reality tool, Nov 22, 2024. [Island Social Trends]

Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi and Colwood Councillor David Grove dropped in to tour the event as well as Langford Councillor Mary Wagner and Metchosin Councillor Shelly Donaldson.

Bilston Watershed Habitat Protection Society lead Alison Leduc attended, as did Urban Food Resilience Initiatives Society lead Mary P Brooke.

Change management specialist Dr Eileen Pepler attended as did local change activist Kara Middleton.

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grad students, royal roads, research projects
Open House at Royal Roads University to explore presentations by five graduate students in the area of Langford growth impacts, Nov 22, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]

List of projects:

There were 10 projects on displays.

  • Community Involvement in Public Space Development in Langford & Colwood
  • Water Management & Land Use Planning in Greater Victoria
  • Establishing a Community Garden in the City of Langford
  • Visualization tools for planning & stakeholder engagement
  • Reshaping Langford’s Landscape: Water resources and urban forestry
  • Co-Designed Millstream Creek Watershed Visualization Tool
  • Energy consumption using renewables in Langford
  • Enhancing Bramberton Quarry’s Reclamation PRogram
  • Assessing Metal Contamination Risks in Millstream Creek
  • Innovative spaces, Livable Langford: Placemaking for a Sustainable Community
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