Built Environment and Infrastructure

Where do the MacChangers themes come from?

The MacChangers themes are based on four  "Our Future Hamilton"  themes. “Our Future Hamilton” is a 25-year vision created by the City of Hamilton in consultation with the Hamilton community. Approximately 55,000 Hamilton community members were consulted through focus groups, mail lists, vision cards, and pop-ups across the city to collaborate on this shared vision. “Our Future Hamilton” co-developed a  Public Engagement Charter  that outlines the City’s responsibility to involve and engage citizens to problem solve and plan for the future of Hamilton. 

What is the intended use for this guide?

This guide is meant to introduce you to community-informed challenges in a way that reflects the needs of the community as identified through interviews with various community members. The MacChangers Program greatly values lived experiences, hence, you may notice limited stats or references in this guide as many challenges are born from the lived experiences of community members. Furthermore, this guide is meant to provide you with context, inspiration, and a place to kick start your research. We suggest you bookmark this site and use it frequently to assess if your project aligns with the needs of the community, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the project's expectations, and the laws and regulations of the City of Hamilton.

At MacChangers, we strive to align ourselves with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). During the course of the program, you will be identifying and aligning your project with UN SDG targets. Watch the video below to better understand the UN SDGs and why they are important.

This years questions are outlined below! Each question contains a context paragraph, some media for inspiration, and links to jumpstart your research. As you follow the process for human centered design, your group will narrow and refine your chosen question. 

While McMaster abides by disability standards the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act (AODA), there are still opportunities to improve the accessibility of our campus. For students with disabilities at McMaster University, navigating life on campus is vastly different. A student may not feel comfortable physically or mentally in a space, or even feel too uncomfortable being in a space that they know was not built with them in mind. Students with motor/physical disabilities may experience difficulties accessing desks, lab spaces, uneven terrain or inconvenient building access. For example, the main entrance at Burke Science Building is a flight of stairs, with the accessible entrance being in a difficult to find spot. While this is still technically accessible, it suggests that accessibility is not a priority.  Various pathways on campus can also become inaccessible  for individuals with motor disabilities, as cracks in pavement make wheelchair use more difficult. In the winter, poor snow and ice clearance can exacerbate this issue. It is also important to note that the  McMaster campus can be poorly lit in the evening,  which can create barriers for individuals who are visually impaired. Consider also, that not all disabilities are visible. For example, McMaster University only has a few sensory friendly rooms where modified lighting, noise-cancelling spaces, and  soundscape furniture  exists.

It is important to consider when designing a sensory friendly space, to not make accommodations such as dimmer lighting to the extent that they may impact other groups, like those with visual impairments. An interesting aspect of the problem is that there is no standardisation when it comes to the layout of a space. When a new organisation or user of a space on campus comes in, they are free to arrange the space in a way that fits their needs, without accommodating the layout to fit the needs of others. Examples of this problem in action include labs on campus. One lab in the A.N. Bourns Science Building was pointed out by a student, and redesigned by lab coordinator Russ Ellis from the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science. Part of this was creating a lab space that was wheelchair accessible with spacing and heights of desks! Part of creating accessibility and inclusion to enhance the learning experience for students of disabilities with sensory, mental health and neurodivergence is soundproofing and sound dulling. Currently, Student Accessibility Services at McMaster exists to accommodate students with disabilities, and there are different plans and programs for those with different needs, but there are often barriers and gaps that go unsupported. The  McMaster University Accessible Campus Map  indicates accessible floors and spaces in all 33 buildings, to provide information on where accessible locations are on campus. It is important to note as well, that buildings on campus do not have standardised and universal features; with differing colours, handle types or washroom signs.

Imagine

1. Lindsay does not feel comfortable going on campus anymore because she becomes too overwhelmed by the noise and lights in most common areas.
2. Markus cannot navigate certain classroom spaces as the layouts do not fit his wheelchair and the desks are too high.
3. Emelia cannot go to libraries on campus anymore because she is worried she will not have a quiet space to go to if she becomes anxious.
4. Daniel has trouble reading signs on campus as they are all different colours, fonts, and designs, and he has visual impairments.

Topics to inspire you!

• Accessible infrastructure that can be implemented into classrooms and spaces on campus
• Attitudinal barriers on campus that make prevent rooms being designed in an inclusive manner

Helpful links to start your research!

•  Maccess 
•  The Accessible Campus: Built Environment, Facilities and Grounds 
•  Promoting Disability-Friendly Campuses to Prospective Students 

Did you know that the average city in Ontario uses approximately  100 000 tonnes  of salt during the winter for road and highway maintenance? As the snow and ice melt, an excessive amount of salt winds up in Hamilton's drainage system. Road salt also damages our infrastructure - it corrodes bridges, roads and other elements in our transportation system. It also harms aquatic life in our waterbodies. There are three ways that runoff penetrates in the natural environment: “infiltration into the ground, spray from traffic and wind, and overflow of combined sewer systems that discharge to surrounding surface waters” (Winter Road Salt Usage and Environmental Impacts, Toronto Transportation Services).

The use of salt on Hamilton’s roads in combination with water runoff only worsens the ongoing issue of water pollution. As road salt melts ice and snow, or is dissolved by water runoff along surfaces like the pavement that businesses and institutions salt in the winter to avoid slippery surfaces, the  water will pick up many pollutants - like any chemicals, fertilizers, litter, and even salt that is on the surface. In the case of road salt that is washed away and dissolved into this water runoff- it ultimately makes its way into Hamilton’s water bodies and aquatic habitats.When this happens, salinization, or the accumulation of water-soluble salts in the soil, interferes with the quality of crops, infrastructure and the aquatic ecosystem as salinity increases. 

Beyond the impact on water resources, road salt is very costly as it not only causes cars to rust, but is also detrimental to the transportation network. Concrete and sidewalks can also become damaged by salt, shortening their lifespan by  speeding up their deterioration processes . The  Canadian Infrastructure Report Card  assesses the health of a number of infrastructure elements throughout Canada. The most recent report is from 2019 and according to it 17% of roads reviewed were in poor or very poor condition. The increased salinity of water bodies across Hamilton allows for invasive species that have higher tolerance to higher concentrations of salt, like goldfish, to easily thrive and prosper. Meanwhile native species like freshwater fish and turtles with lower salt tolerances often die out. Furthermore,  high salinity limits the ability for crop plant growth  due to interrupted nitrogen intake. Salt can also change the way water mixes and lead to the formation of salty pockets near the bottom of lakes, creating biological dead zones.

According to  Environment Canada,  the use of road salt will not be eliminated, but different cities across Ontario are encouraged to program and develop their own salt management system (2021 Salt Management Plan, The City of Hamilton). However,  the City of Hamilton signed a 40-million dollar contract  for a five-year supply of road salt at maximum use (Dongen, 2018). Community initiatives such as  “Smart about Salt”  have been developed through government-partnership to educate stakeholders with better salt management practices which has allowed for us to better understand this issue, but this is simply a starting point. Green Venture, a local non-profit organization, has worked on numerous projects including “Depave Paradise” which works to replace paved areas with native plants and permeable surfaces.  Permeable surfaces allow for water absorption,  which protects against the risk of water runoff on surfaces that will ultimately lead to salt and pollutant filled water making its way into Hamilton’s water bodies. Although these efforts have made an astounding impact on controlling stormwater runoff,  only 1435 square meters have been depaved by Green Venture , leaving a long way to go. 

While the use of salt is an issue, we must keep in mind the predicament businesses find themselves in, not wanting to put people at risk of getting hurt if they are to slip on ice, and not leaving their business vulnerable to legal battles. Methods to melt ice and snow are still needed, but at lower risk of salt contamination in Hamilton’s water bodies, through water runoff. We encourage you to consider and examine implementable ways to decrease road salt usage and its impacts on Hamilton’s environment via water runoff through the following:  

1. Consider solutions that target the use of road salt in areas of Hamilton that may be at higher risk of the effects of salt and stormwater runoff 
2. Consider solutions that target the general impacts of water runoff into Hamilton’s water bodies from polluted urban surfaces  

Topics to inspire you!

• What have other cities across Ontario done with sustainable salt management?
•  Potassium and salt maintenance at Cootes Paradise

Helpful links to start your research!

•  The Hidden Cost of Road Salt 
•  Hamilton Salt Management Plan 
•  Let's Talk Road Salt 

In addition to being a convenient option for commuting to school or work, riding a bike can be a rewarding way to experience our surrounding communities at a slower pace, and can  improve overall well-being  while mitigating the health impacts of climate change! Despite the endless benefits of riding a bike, our roads continue to be dominated by motorized vehicles. How many times have you considered riding a bike to and from campus but were discouraged by the fast moving vehicle traffic on Main Street? Maybe you’ve thought about exploring Westdale by bike but have worried about having to swerve around a car parked in a bike lane. Or perhaps, you’re hesitant to ride a bike in various weather conditions due to the low availability of protected bike lock shelters on campus and in the surrounding areas. Maybe you don’t have a bike and are not sure how to access one, or you are unsure of how to cycle on the road safely.

Recently, the City of Hamilton  voted to provide financial support  to Hamilton Bike Share; a  local not-for-profit organization  that aims to improve equitable access to bicycles in Hamilton. Bike Share systems and their equity programs can  reduce financial and educational barriers , increasing the number and diversity of people who ride bikes. Investments like these show a commitment to increasing access to bicycles, Hamilton still  lacks adequate cycling infrastructure  to ensure that the growing number of people who want to ride bikes in the city can do so safely! It is clear that folks in Hamilton care about this issue. In 2018,  30 female riders cycled  from the East end to City Hall to protest for better bike lanes and infrastructure that supports bike users in the Downtown and McMaster area.

McMaster University currently maintains  18 CycleSafe bike lockers and a storage facility  that can house up to 48 bikes. These options are available to McMaster students for a fixed price per semester, potentially excluding students who may not be able to afford the cost, or other people who also frequently visit the McMaster campus but are not students. In many areas in and around the McMaster campus, bike lanes stop and start unexpectedly, and busy pedestrian and vehicle traffic make navigating by bike feel unsafe and stress inducing. Furthermore, bike lines are often blocked by parked cars on roads near Westdale and McMaster.

The need for better bike infrastructure that is inclusive to all members in and around the McMaster community welcomes the possibility for new ideas to improve our built environment and reduce additional barriers to cycling. We encourage you to look at the challenges by:

• Considering an approach to the problem that supports bike safety through solutions that involve traffic control and will allow for better bicycle flow in and around campus 
• Considering the varied reasons why people may be uncomfortable or unable to ride a bike due to the ways in which our current systems are set up and maintained

Topics to inspire you!

• Strategic planning and design of bike friendly cities in Ontario and around the world
•  Bike Buddy Program  
• Weather protective bike lock shelters 
• Integration of bike lanes with ongoing traffic

Helpful links to start your research!

•  Sustainable Mobility 
•  Cycling Numbers 
•  HamOnt Healthy Loops  
•  Cities for Cycling 

What does the MacChangers journey look like?

What does a completed MacChangers project look like?  

A final MacChangers project is a proposed solution discovered through the human-centered design process and is financially viable, well-researched, inclusive, and innovative. Past successful MacChangers projects have included the proposal for an app, a social media page, infrastructure proposals, policy recommendations, and businesses. In addition to the relationships and skills you’ve built, finishing the MacChangers program will look like creating a business plan, not launching a business; proposing a policy plan, not changing a policy; showcasing an app demo, not creating an app. The project is one that presents a well-thought-through idea that could be carried through by you or picked up by a community member. In some cases, students have been able to bring their idea to grants or mentorship programs to begin implementing their idea.   

What does “Innovative” mean?

Our definition of innovative means “new to the City of Hamilton,” or any idea, practice, or object that is perceived as new by the Hamilton community. For example, p op-up parking patios  had been implemented by Nova Scotians long before the idea came to Hamilton. Basing a proposed solution on case studies from other places tends to produce more implementable ideas, as the constraints and successes of the proposal are better known. That said, the design thinking process allows for completely innovative ideas. If you do base things off of a case study, ask yourself to think about how to best adapt these ideas to Hamilton specifically. In other words, try to elevate these ideas to best suit the Hamilton community.

One question you want to ask yourself when solving a problem is, “Who has the authority to implement my idea?” As a MacChangers student, you are constrained to developing ideas that can either be implemented or approved by the municipal government. For example, one of the priorities identified by “Our Future Hamilton” is to reduce the average public-school class size. As education is overseen by the Provincial government in Ontario, this problem is considered outside of the City of Hamilton’s jurisdiction. Do some research to understand what authority the City of Hamilton has over the problem you are addressing to help you scope your ideas once you start solution finding. (Read more:  Government of Canada  &  Federal, Provincial and Municipal Responsibilities ) 

Some actions you may take to familiarize yourself with the scope of your problem include: 

1. Ask yourself: who has the authority to implement my idea?
2. Understand how by-laws work and how they can be introduced or affected or changed. Research what by-laws, Provincial laws, and Federal laws currently exist and how they may be impacting the problem. (For a well-organized resource, consider  this document  created in Saskatchewan. For a local resource, review the  City of Hamilton website .)