WHAT IS CITYSTUDIO?

CITYSTUDIO is …
An innovation hub where UFV students experiment and
solve community challenges by collaborating with City
of Abbotsford staff in the design and launch of solution
prototypes.

• For Students
– opportunity for students to gain experiential learning in their
field of study by tackling municipal challenges as class
projects
• For City Staff
– opportunity to work with innovative student teams in
addressing community challenges with a new perspective
 The
challenge
is……

City
Prime

Student
Projects Types
Research
Analysis
Mapping
Pilot / Prototype (mock up)
Experiment (try 1)
Design collateral
Demonstration Project (multiple – City owned)
CITYSTUDIO
Projects Types

City
OWNED
 What role do I play? City
Prime
1 Propose a City
Attend Challenge
HUBBUB
(1hr)

2 Define the
5 Challenge
Formal (1.5hrs)
presentation /
report review
(2hrs)
Attend &
Provide
Background
Informal QA & 4 3 (1.5hrs)
Feedback
(2hrs)
What does the City get out of it?
• Inspiration / A new perspective
• A spark / Energy
• An ability to contribute to the next generation
• Youth in engagement and potential future team
members….
 What’s next?

December Xth, 2022

City Hall Foyer
11:00am – 1:30pm (tentative time)
Challenge: Hidden Careers
• The largest municipality by geographical area in BC
• The 5th largest city by population in BC
• 75% of properties in our community are located in
the Agricultural Land Reserve – some of you may
know this as “farm land”.
• 63% of the residents who live in Abbotsford also
work in our community.
• Median age 37.8 (2011)
• 27% of residents are immigrants
The City of Abbotsford
• Our municipality produces the
largest farm gate sales in
Canada
• We have our own International
Airport YXX
• Treat and supply water and
wastewater services to
residents of Abbotsford and
Mission
• We are 1000 employees
strong, and we’re young – the
average age of our City
employees is 40yrs!
Abbotsford City Council
2019-2022 Strategic Plan

VIBRANT COMPLETE FISCAL ORGANIZATIONAL

ECONOMY COMMUNITY DISCIPLINE ALIGNMENT
 City of Abbotsford
Organizational Structure

Public

Police Board

City Council
Chief Constable

Airport Authority
City Manager

Airport General
Manager

Parks, Abbotsford Innovation,

Planning & Engineering & Finance & Legal, &
Recreation Fire Rescue Strategy & Inter-
Development Regional Procurement Legislative
& Governmental
Services Services Utilities Services Services
Culture Relations
The City of Abbotsford
Municipal Services
Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities | City of Abbotsford

City info
Where to look:
www.abbotsford.ca
Thing to investigate:
– Strategic Plan / Mission Vision
– Official Community Plan
– Master Plans & Strategies
– Info about our Community
– 2019 Community Report
– Mid-Year & Annual Reports
– Quarterly Reports
– Demographic Profiles
– Economic Statistics
– Other Agency Statistics
Challenge Statement:
Visualize the hidden careers that run our City
and make it a beautiful place to live.

How might we capture the stories of our team

members to both celebrate them and encourage
people to consider careers in local government?
Field trip to the City
• 24 students

• 24 City staff
– 1:30-2:00pm: Welcome / Introductions
– 2:00-3:15pm: Interviews / Tours
– 3:15-3:45pm: Closing / Next Steps
Idea for interview questions:
• How did you get here? / What has you career path been?
• What does a typical day/week look like for you?
• What is the most interesting project you have worked on for the City?
• What is the biggest most positive impact you believe your
role/department has had on the citizens of Abbotsford?
• What did you learn during the Emergency Response for the flood?
• If a student wanted to pursue this type of career what is the education
/ experience they should pursue?
• What do you love about working for the City?
• What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
• Picture of team member (optional)
• Video (optional)
• Pets?
• Hobby?