From left to right, Hanzalah Majid, Sanbo Zou, Sydney Hsieh, Kaylen Gill, Aria Sanya, Ace Valdez, and Matthew Chen. Photo by Kelly Yeung

 

The Vancouver Special is produced and published by a passionate and dedicated collective of students a part of UBC CAPACity. UBC CAPACity is a University of British Columbia student-led initiative that aims to bring together undergraduate students interested in just and equitable city planning and its various branches.

Editor-in-Chief

Leading the editorial board is the Editor-in-Chief, who oversees the overall vision, coordination, and timeline of the journal. Key objectives and initiatives are designed and conveyed by the Editor-in-Chief to maintain steadfast commitments to the growth of the journal. They provide editors with clear and supportive direction to ensure the timely and efficient production of each issue.

Sanbo Zou
Editor-in-Chief

Having grown up moving between Beijing and Montreal, Sanbo has always explored how cities layer terrains of power, memory, and belonging across borders. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief, she drew inspiration from the people and communities around her, who continue to be an endless source of creativity and hope. Now in her fourth and final year of Urban Studies, she has come to cherish the small moments that make urban life feel deeply human, and believes in the power of creative platforms to foster that warmth.

Managing Editor

The Managing Director carefully assists the Editor-in-Chief in organising and managing the affairs of the editorial board. They help ensure the logistical needs of the journal are met by procuring the necessary funding and resources, assessing the viability of timelines, and actively communicating with partners such as the university community, faculty staff, and other institutional bodies.

Matthew Chen
Managing Director

Matthew is a final-year student double-majoring in Urban Studies and International Relations. As the Managing Editor, he is incredibly happy and proud to be a part of this inaugural issue that encapsulates his passion for urban planning. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and climbing Vancouver’s local North Shore mountains, chasing sunsets at Spanish Banks, and watching every type of sport possible.

Technical Editors

Works included in the published issue of the journal are carefully chosen and reviewed by our Technical Editors. Each submission is evaluated by the editors to ensure the vision, theme, and standards of the journal is appropriately met to produce a captivating and cohesive publication. These editors help realize and safeguard the ideas and ambitions of each submitting author has for their pieces by closely communicating with them during the editorial process.

Hanzalah Majid
Technical Editor

Drawn to the constantly evolving realm of urban discourse, Hanzalah is in his second year currently majoring in Urban Studies with a minor in Economics. Hanz enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, dancing, painting, cooking, and cold plunges outside of academic life. He can often be found playing spikeball at various spots around campus and the wider city.

Aria Sanya
Technical Editor

Aria is a first-year hoping to major in Urban Studies. She is a technical editor at CAPACity, reviewing and editing submissions for the journal. In her free time, she likes long walks by the beach, small white dogs, making monthly playlists, and working towards her goal of watching 100 movies each year.

Kaylen Gill
Technical Editor

Kaylen is in her last year of study, with a major in Human Geography and minor in Urban Studies. Kaylen is a technical editor at UBC CAPACity and is proud to be a member of the founding team for The Vancouver Special. She enjoys creative and crazy hobbies, including crochet, knitting, scrapbooking, baking, and doing nails.

Layout Editors

The creative vision of the journal is largely fulfilled by the work of the Layout Editors, who are responsible for the visual identity of the journal. They produce and implement the artistic elements throughout the journal to accentuate the established themes and motifs of each issue. They coordinate with all editors to aesthetically apply the vision and objectives of both the author and the journal for each journal submission.

Sydney Hsieh
Layout Editor

Sydney is a first-year student intending to major in Urban Studies and minor in Commerce. She enjoys graphic design, creating everything from bold brand identities and logo designs to painting her favorite Academicism and Romantic artworks or scenery. In her free time, she loves café hopping, trying Japanese restaurants, exploring beaches and parks, and catching sunsets around UBC.

Ace Valdez
Layout Editor

Ace is a second-year student majoring in Cellular and Physiological Sciences. Beyond his academic work, much of his pastimes come from his enthusiasm for cities and planning. Whenever he finds the time, Ace enjoys drawing and 3D modelling cityscapes, with his most recent project inspired by New England.