In the second installment of our "Happy Communities: Building Spaces that Thrive" series, we delve into the intriguing world of Happiness Economics, a pivotal concept that redefines our understanding of prosperity and success in community development.
The first installment of our "Happy Communities: Building Spaces that Thrive" series. The concept of community connectivity is about crafting spaces and environments that foster interaction, engagement, and a sense of belonging among residents. By exploring theories like the Third Place and others, we can grasp how these elements contribute to a community's well-being and happiness.
World Water Day takes place on March 22nd, and serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of clean, accessible water and effective sanitation systems in our global and local ecosystems. To take part in World Water Day, we connected with valued icona partner Aplin Martin to learn to build healthy, sustainable communities.
Reflecting on 2023, Icona Properties proudly acknowledges a year marked by significant growth and community impact. Guided by our values of Creativity, Community, Integrity, Vision, and Tenacity, we've made substantial strides in realizing our vision of creating meaningful places.
Our experienced local government consultant, Carol Mason, unpacks just what is a Special Study Area and their importance to Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy - Metro 2050.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we at icona reflect on how our industry has the opportunity to become more inclusive to women regarding the zoning process.
In the fourth installment of an ongoing series of partner profiles, icona shines the spotlight on their strategic partnership with Paul Fenske and Theo Finseth, Partners and Co-Founders at Placemark Design, a multi-disciplinary design, development, and planning studio based in Vancouver, BC.
The housing crisis in the region is a multi-faceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach from all levels of government, including municipal, provincial, and federal. However, it's not just the government that needs to be part of the solution; private developers also have a crucial role to play in addressing the housing crisis.
During an eventful year, we discovered just how resilient our communities can be—and how important they are in making our world a better place.
Financial resilience helps us enjoy greater stability, autonomy and wellbeing. The good news is that even in a challenging economy, enhancing your financial literacy can help you become more resilient and grow your wealth.
Mental health is influenced by complex factors, including our genes, what we eat and even how well we sleep. But did you know that the design of our urban spaces is one of those factors?
icona does things differently than other developers. We place creativity at the centre of everything we do, and our multidisciplinary approach is integral to this process.
In the third installment of an ongoing series of partner profiles, icona shines the spotlight on our strategic partnership with Carol Mason, an experienced local government consultant with an accomplished career in regional governance.
Every city has a distinctive style. But can it have a gender? On the surface, the idea seems impossible. How can things like buildings, roads, parks and sidewalks have a gender? Look a little deeper, and the gender assumptions woven into our urban spaces become clear. And when we ignore this fact, it can have negative consequences for both women and the entire community.
In the second installment of an ongoing series of partner profiles, icona shines the spotlight on our strategic partnership with Brian Johnston, a recreational consulting expert who has changed the way communities across Western Canada stay healthy and connected.
In the first of an ongoing series of partner profiles, icona shines the spotlight on our strategic partnership with SLA, a globally renowned, landscape architecture studio headquartered in Copenhagen.
Housing affordability and climate change are two of the biggest issues facing Metro Vancouver. Innovative changes to how local governments approach rezoning could be the key to solving them.
The look and feel of the communities we live and work in have a surprisingly direct impact on our quality of life, including productivity, health and happiness. At icona, we see good design as a necessity, not a luxury.
icona is focused on creating complete communities — places where people can live, work and play. That means our company needs to understand how people live and what they need. We need to listen to them.
Creating communities that connect people to the resources and experiences they need to live purposeful lives is hard to do right, but icona is pioneering a holistic approach that brings the goal closer than ever.
Embracing a post-pandemic future will take creativity — one of icona’s core values. Learn more about the values that drive icona.
