A symposium aimed at property owners, developers and builders will explore solutions for expanding the diversity and supply of housing in 琉璃神社.

It鈥檚 being hosted by Calgary-based developer Mddl and the City of 琉璃神社. Recent provincial changes allow four to six units to be built on thousands of single lots throughout the city鈥檚 core neighbourhoods. 

Mddl co-founder Alkarim Devani told Black Press Media that the seminar provides property owners with information and options they may not have considered. 

鈥淓very middle housing, gentle density or infill starts with the homeowner and a vast majority of the time that homeowner is selling their home. What we鈥檙e trying to say is there is a different way.鈥� 

Devani added bringing together developers, builders, property owners and the community is key.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity for the city to get in a room with industry and collaborate to help unlock more housing.鈥�

Attendees will hear from experts and have the opportunity to ask questions about topics including regulatory changes affecting housing, strategies to support residents and developers, and steps for making infill housing a reality. 

鈥淚f we can share that information, mobilize people to have access to all the information and potentially pursue one of these that鈥檚 the goal,鈥� Devani said.

In 2016 and 2022, the city hosted infill challenge design competitions which produced several designs for the Infill Fast Track initiative launched this summer.

The city has six pre-approved infill housing models for eligible lots. Architects that have submitted fast-track programs will be presenting their designs, and city planners, and members of the Canadian Home Builder's Association of the Central Okanagan, and Urban Development Institute will also attend.

鈥淗aving that community voice and homeowners and aspiring developers in the room is critical,鈥� Devani said. 鈥淭o talk about what is it going to take for this work and what does scale look like.鈥� 

He added that Mddl has been working with the city for the past six months, pointing out it is far ahead of many B.C. municipalities in pursuing infill housing. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 refreshing to work with a group willing to trial things,鈥� Devani said.

Free tickets for the Sept. 10 Infill Housing Symposium, at the Laurel Packing House, are .