GEOG 376 Project

	Recent Immigrant Settlement in the GVRD (2001 Census) and Planning for a New Service Center
HOME ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION METHODS DISCUSSION CONCLUSION REFERENCES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	ABSTRACT The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is one of Canada’s fastest growing centres and the home to an increasing number of foreign immigrants. New immigrants arriving in Canada demand various support services. These include; emotional support, language programs, local community information, job-searching assistance, health care support (applying for Care Cards), and professional re-qualification. This project set out to utilize GIS and Canada 2001 census data to consider recent immigrant settlement trends in order to propose a new Immigrant Service Centre location. In the GIS analysis we targeted immigrants who speak only their native language or limited English, who have settled in the GVRD within 5 years. Academic achievement and wealth characteristics were not considered, as research shows that they do not generally lower the demand for services (1). We identified a location for a new service centre based on recent immigant settlement trends, the locations of existing service centres and the major transit routes providing public access to the proposed service centre location. Interactive Map with existing immigrant service centres (RED) and proposed service centre (BLUE). (1). Research shows that engineer degree holders have difficulties in re-qualifying themselves as professionals. Their academic achievements, professional training and related work experiences are not accepted in Canada. Lacking information about re-qualifying, they end up being taxi drivers, waiters or cashiers. Thus they are underemployed and Canada has a severe under-utilization of workers. (Geddie, 2002)
GEOG 376 Advanced Issues in GIS - Group Project
By Jay Piggott (57103053) and Hiu Kwan WAI (12004032) Nov 2005

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is one of Canada’s fastest growing centres and the home to an increasing number of foreign immigrants. New immigrants arriving in Canada demand various support services. These include; emotional support, language programs, local community information, job-searching assistance, health care support (applying for Care Cards), and professional re-qualification. This project set out to utilize GIS and Canada 2001 census data to consider recent immigrant settlement trends in order to propose a new Immigrant Service Centre location.

In the GIS analysis we targeted immigrants who speak only their native language or limited English, who have settled in the GVRD within 5 years. Academic achievement and wealth characteristics were not considered, as research shows that they do not generally lower the demand for services (1). We identified a location for a new service centre based on recent immigant settlement trends, the locations of existing service centres and the major transit routes providing public access to the proposed service centre location.

Interactive Map with existing immigrant service centres (RED) and proposed service centre (BLUE).

(1). Research shows that engineer degree holders have difficulties in re-qualifying themselves as professionals. Their academic achievements, professional training and related work experiences are not accepted in Canada. Lacking information about re-qualifying, they end up being taxi drivers, waiters or cashiers. Thus they are underemployed and Canada has a severe under-utilization of workers. (Geddie, 2002)