How can Hamilton maximize community engagement and citizens needs in the development of a Master Parks Plan?
Building a Climate Change Resiliency Program
Complete Streets Ward 1 Intersection Makeover Project
Amplifying Engage Hamilton
Re-connecting Neighbourhoods Amidst COVID-19
Transit’s Role in Enhancing Community Sustainability and Improving Quality of Life
How can we identify transit solutions and strategies that increase health and safety while balancing the needs of the greater community?
Project Description: Community organizations and government departments alike are often hard-pressed to deliver evidence-based research to support their program planning. In the rapidly changing context of COVID-19, access to reliable and fast research for a variety of health-related questions is more important than ever. Identifying the best evidence to inform program development is an urgent priority that requires multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure the bet result.
COVID-19 has uprooted the way in which many social and health services/programs are offered in the community; therefore, such organizations may need help with identifying the best evidence to inform decision-making for program planning. Public Health students at McMaster University enrolled in the Leadership and Applied Public Health course worked in groups of 3-4 and provided consolidated and actionable reports to inform best practices for program development.
City Staff: Ali Sabourin - Customer Experience and Innovation Manager - HSR
Faculty, Course, and Students: Emma Apatu (McMaster University), Sarah Neil-Sztramko (McMaster University), Leadership & Applied Public Health (30 students)
Student reports and findings (Videos, Infographic, Sample Reports):
Nelda Cherrier, Stephanie Hopkins, Joanne Kearon & Robin Tetreault
Sample Reports:
Report Infographic:
Where will the work go? Input into Customer Experience and Innovation planning and relevant strategic documents (e.g.: (Re)envision HSR)
Your City in Data: Visualizing Info that Matters
How can we use data visualization and other engaging communication strategies to show the value of municipal services?
Project Description:
Municipal Benchmarking Network of Canada (MBNCanada) is a collaborative of Canadian municipalities whose mission is to enhance municipal service delivery by leading the development and application of municipal performance measurement and benchmarking programs. MBNCanada collects data from across 36 municipal service areas that informs evidence- based decision making and ensures municipalities are providing effective and efficient public services that citizens want and need. The data is summarized into an annual performance report.
The performance report, while available online to the general public, is not engaging to the reader and does not fully demonstrate the value of municipal services to the local user. In addition, the limited descriptive or contextual information that does exist could create confusion or result in misinterpretation.
Challenge Summary:
MBNCanada would like to create a product that uses data visualization and other communication strategies to translate MBNCanada data into a reader-friendly product for multiple end users (i.e., City Council, municipal service planners and the general public which tells a story about municipal performance and service delivery. The goal is to create a product that can inform municipal planning, illustrates service quality and value for money and enhances public trust and confidence. MBNC would like to address one or more of the following challenges:
What are the barriers to the public in understanding the value or quality of municipal services?
How can data be used to illustrate service quality, value for money, and enhance public trust and confidence in municipal services?
How can MBNCanada report on municipal service delivery in a way that is user- friendly and engaging to the general public?
How can data be presented in a manner that informs or enhances municipal service planning.
City Staff:
Greg Witt - Municipal Lead, Municipal Benchmarking Network of Canada (MBNCanada) and Senior Policy and Program Specialist, Housing Services Division, Healthy and Safe Communities
Meighan Finlay - Executive Director, MBNCanada
Faculty, Course, and Students:
Katie Moisse (McMaster University), SCICOMM 2A03 (150 students)
Student Projects:
Water For All
Swamped by the Stats
Every Second Counts
Deliverables:
Students will submit a report containing two evidence-based audiences profiles, two sets of data visualizations, and a defense of their communication strategies.
Where will the work go?
The work will be used to facilitate the future production of the MBNCanada Performance Report in user friendly and engaging formats.
This work will also be made available and used by participating MBNCanada municipalities to inform the planning, implementation and monitoring and reporting of municipal service delivery.
Portions of the report may also be used to report to municipal governments as part of municipal performance measurement reports
FOR BACKGROUND ON THIS PROJECT, VIEW THE MATCH MAKER DISCUSSION BELOW
Mohawk College Community Project in Partnership with CityHousing Hamilton
How might we provide excellent student learning opportunities while providing cost-effective renovations to CityHousing units to meet the community need?
Project Description: While there is high demand for subsidized housing in Hamilton, CityHousing Hamilton has units that are not lived in because they need costly renovations and updates.
Students in their third year of the Building Technician Renovation Program at Mohawk College, are continuing their collaboration with CityHousing Hamilton to renovate city housing units that are unsuitable for use until renovations are complete.
City Staff: Brian Kinaschuk (Manager of Operations, CityHousing)
Faculty, Course, & Students: Brad MacDonald Mohawk College, Building Renovation (65 Students)
Enhancing Wi-Fi at the Hamilton Public Library
How can we improve the wireless guest network at all HPL branches to further enable member access to online resources?
Project Description: HPL provides free Internet access at all branches via their wireless guest network (HPL_Guest), enabling members to use online resources and the Internet with their own wireless-enabled equipment.
Library members depend on this free access to the Internet; we want to know how this service can be improved across the system.
Challenge Summary: Research Hamilton Public Library’s public Wi-Fi service across all branches, including public spaces and bookmobiles. Examine the service in terms of coverage, signal strength, capacity and user experience. Report on findings and provide recommendations to improve the service across all branches and public spaces.
City Staff: Sukh Jatana, Hamilton Public Library
Faculty, Course, & Students: Lisa Pegg, Mohawk College, Business Analysis - 334 (~3 students)
Group two:
Analyze WiFi coverage, signal strength, capacity, Terms and Conditions
Students: Andrea Thomas, Alex Hubling, Mishal Kella, Rachel Kolenko, Inja Yun
Group four:
Providing recommendations to improve the public Wi-Fi service at HPL
Students: Amna Sadiq, Avi Khurana, Luz Mejia Sierra, Tam Truong, Tina Vineham, Ogochukwu Assams
Group five:
Enhance Wi-Fi UX: Research current problems. provide solutions.
Students: Foluke Raji, Mohammed Sinaj Kalathil, Maigreth Lacouture-Diaz, Khushi Apurvakumar Shah, Yash Mukesh Makwana
Goals: This project will give HPL a clear understanding of the HPL public Wi-Fi network in terms of coverage, signal strength, capacity, connectivity and user experience, noting inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement.
Deliverables: The final report will describe HPL’s public Wi-Fi network across all branches in terms of coverage, signal strength, capacity, connectivity and user experience, noting inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement. The report may include maps, diagrams and tables to ensure it is easy to read and understand.
Vanier Towers Data Analysis
How can we use data to identify needs and solutions in a neighbourhood facing high rates of poverty?
Project Description:
Vanier Towers faces significantly poorer health outcomes than other areas in Hamilton. Tenants at these two buildings report higher rates of poverty, mental health issues, physical health issues, and addictions, than the average citizen in the City. A hub of services was implemented in 2017, to bring support and programs to the towers to address the social and health needs of this community. Partners include: Wesley (meals, recreation/social activities, mental health support), tenant led groups (peer support, art programming, social activities), Shelter Health Network (doctors drop-in hours on site), St. Josephs social worker (mental health and addictions support), OW, ODSP, Home Management, Tenant Support Workers (address issues putting tenancies at risk). The hub continues to develop according to tenant and community partner feedback. Evaluation and assessment of the hub is complex and ongoing. Since the spring of 2019, community partners for Vanier Towers have been entering data from their interactions with tenants using a Google Form. This project aims to analyze and enrich the current data to identify trends, gaps, and potential solutions.
City Staff: Kelly Coxson, CityHousing
Faculty, Course & Students: Steven Way, Mohawk College, Capstone Project (Analytics for Business Decision Making Program)
Goal: It is hoped that the data analysis plan will help with the following:
Improved data collection/analysis process so information can be analyzed using defined time periods (ex. monthly or quarterly).
Improved data collection/analysis process so information on referrals between hub partners is clearer.
Deliverables:
Written reports on data collection and analysis improvement suggestions, and data analysis visualizations (10 to 20 pages)
Presentation of analysis (30 min)
Testing and Tracing Contaminants in Chedoke Creek
How can we precisely identify and eliminate pollutant sources in our watershed?
Project Description: Rehabilitating our urban river systems from centuries of human impact is highly beneficial from a triple bottom line perspective, yet complex to achieve. Pollutant discharges to the environment can occur from a variety of sources, including storm sewers, combined sewers, and from unknown sanitary sewer cross-connections. To improve the water quality in the urban river systems, it is important to identify, regulate, and minimize sources of pollutants to each receiver. The identification of the pollutant sources is key - like 'contact tracing' of a virus. Confirming the precise sources is important, so that there is certainty in knowing that the effort you put into eliminating the source will be worth the time and cost.
For this challenge, we are looking for new ideas to help improve the Chedoke Creek subwatershed by better tracing the contributing pollutants. The developed solutions should however consider flexible application in any of Hamilton's subwatersheds.
City Staff: Christina Cholkan, Water/Wastewater Planning, Public Works
Faculty, Course & Students: Dr. Zobia Jawed, McMaster University, Master’s Engineering Design Project (2 students)
Challenge Summary: Develop or research and recommend emerging water quality technology to monitor pollutants of concern at pipe outfalls or in-creek, preferably remotely and/or in near real-time.
Goal: To design a framework to monitor and track selected contaminants in Chedoke Creek, improving on existing conditions.
Deliverables:
Report
Analysis to be developed and presented using a triple bottom line approach and infographics where sensible
Includes actionable recommendations for City
Presentation
Visually-based pitch to the City summarizing methodology and actionable recommendations
Visitor Management for Hamilton's Waterfalls
How can we ensure that Hamilton’s Waterfalls are not ‘loved to death’?
Project Description:
All natural spaces within the City of Hamilton are experiencing increased amounts of visitors (especially during fall colour season and a particularly popular area is the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area for three natural areas; Webster Falls, Tew Falls and Dundas Peak)
The increased volume in visitors has contributed to unwanted visitor behaviours which have been occurring at these natural spaces. Issues like increased garbage, littering, overcrowding, congested roadways and street parking as parking lots fill, trespass on private properties, accidental slips and falls.
This is placing pressures on the environment, nearby residents, community, EMS services, City of Hamilton and Hamilton Conservation Authority staff
How can we ensure a balance is struck between access to nature and overloading our natural spaces and the communities in which they may be found?
What is the current trend for visitor management in natural spaces across Canada?
How can we offer the best visitor experience while protecting the environment, natural habitat, neighbouring communities, and mitigating safety/risk concerns?
Ensuring the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is not "Loved to Death"?
Students: Andrea, Calvin, Brooklyn, Nolan, Jade
City Staff: Sylvia Sadowski, Planning and Economic Development
Faculty, Course & Students: Karen Dieleman, Redeemer University, CTS 410 Core capstone Experience (5-6 students)
Goal: To prepare recommendations for managing access to Hamilton’s waterfalls that balance the protection of habitat and people with positive visitor experience.
Deliverables: Recommendation report or guidelines, Presentation to Waterfall Motion Working Group at end of course (possibly virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions), Presentation at CityLab likely virtual
COVID-19 Effects on Parkland
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed how people use and value parkland?
Project Description:
The Landscape Architectural Services team leads parkland, trails, and open space development for the City of Hamilton. Experience has shown that although people intuitively understand the value of parkland, empirical evidence of its benefits is missing. This gap in evidence has sometimes meant proposed projects fail to get economic or political support. As the downtown population intensifies and budget challenges arise, we need more research data to show how the city benefits from the creation of parklands. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its probable change in people’s use of parkland, is an opportune time to conduct this research.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that people use parks, trails, and open spaces in our City and we want to better understand the changes that have taken place. We seek to answer the following questions:
How has usage of parkland and open space changed before, during and after the COVID-19 emergency? How have perceptions changed?
Are there regional or spatial differences? Do people with less access to private open spaces (i.e backyards) value the public ones more after COVID-19?
Are there correlations with mental health, physical health, weight gain, and other factors related to the lockdown versus access to local open spaces and parks?
This project will help staff better understand the use, perception, and value of parks, as well as inform the placement of open spaces across the city in the context of a pandemic .
City Staff: Cynthia Graham, Manager, Landscape Architectural Services, Public Works
Faculty, Course & Students:
Karen Dieleman, Redeemer University, CTS 410 Core capstone Experience (5-6 students)
Allison Williams, McMaster University, GEO4HC3 Geographies of Public Health (25 students)
Goal: To better understand the use of green public space, as impacted by COVID-19.
Deliverables: Primary Research (i.e. conducting surveys and/or collecting data)
View Redeemer Project Agreement
View McMaster Project Agreement
McMaster University Project:
Impacts of COVID-19 on human mobility and behaviors of recreationists
Student: Veronica Zhu
Redeemer University Project:
A study on the impact of Gage Park usage on well-being
Students: Sarah Snider, Benjamin Ashun, Spencer Kerssies, and Jacob Houzer
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BACKGROUND OF THIS PROJECT CHECK OUT THE MATCH MAKER DISCUSSION WITH CYNTHIA GRAHAM BELOW
Connecting Families with Loved Ones in Long-Term Care
How can we create an electronic platform for families to better engage in the lives of their loved ones in long-term care facilities at the city?
Project Description: The City of Hamilton operates two long-term care homes – Macassa and Wentworth Lodge. Staff at the Lodges have identified that there is a need to improve the way in which information is communicated to families about residents in long-term care. With the presence of COVID-19, it is more important than ever that long-term care homes are keeping open communication with families on the status of the homes. It is also important to look for new and creative ways to connect families with their loved ones while still maintaining the safety of all residents, staff, and family members. The Lodges are interested in exploring opportunities to communicate with families in real time – for example through activity calendars where family members can see the activities their loved ones are engaged in daily.
The end goal for the Lodges would be to implement an electronic platform that allows families to better connect and engage in the lives of their loved ones in long-term care facilities at the City. The Lodges see students being able to successfully support this project by conducting primary research into the communication needs and desires of families and residents including the type of information, frequency of communication and delivery methods. It is also envisioned that students would play a role in conducting secondary research on best practices and available technology options with a business case for recommendations based on outcomes of research. Development or implementation of any technical solutions would be out of scope.
City Staff: Jenn Hohol, Senior Project Manager, Healthy and Safe Communities
Faculty, Course, & Students:
Karen Dieleman, Redeemer University, CTS Core Capstone (5-6 students)
Cynthia Lokker, McMaster University, eHealth/HRM 724: Fundamentals of eHealth and the Canadian Health Care System (53 students)
Dr. Zobia Jawed, McMaster University, Master’s Engineering Design Project (2 students)
Deliverables: Primary Research (i.e. conducting surveys and/or collecting data), Secondary Research (i.e. review of literature and finding information from books and online), Business Case, and Developing a Website. End goal would be the recommendation of an electronic solution, however, focus for this term of would be research into what requirements would be needed. Scope of building solution would be anticipated to be too large for a single term.
Location: City-Wide, The Lodges are located in Ward 13 (Wentworth Lodge) and Ward 7 (Macassa Lodge), however, residents and families can come from anywhere across (or outside of) the City.
Redeemer University Project:
Researching communication improvements in Hamilton’s LTC Homes
Students: Sophia Bradbury,Maria Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Hogeterp, Gichan Hong, Chloe Rozema
McMaster University Projects:
Technology for communicating between LTC homes and families.
Students: Aliyah Ahmed, Tanzil Sadid, Christopher Eastick, Marvelyn Oni, Tamara Mohanavathanan
Course: eHealth 724: Fundamentals of eHealth and the Canadian Health Care System
Communication Needs Of Long Term Care Homes and Residents' Loved Ones
Students: Ariba Alam, Bahram Rahman, Vernon Schneider, Ryan Strum, Bahiyyih Schmalenberg
Course: EHEALTH 724:Fundamentals of eHealth and the Canadian Health Care System - HTHRSM 724
An implementation guide to making communication change that sticks.
Students: Sandeep Kumar, Viscardi, Virginia, Serrina Gunanayagam, Macbeth Vaz, Mira Makan
Instructor and Course: Cynthia Lokker, e-Health HRM 724, e-Health Program
