“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” —Winston Churchill

While Churchill did utter this famous quote about history repeating itself, he also wrote in his memoir that history would not just repeat itself exactly; "because that would be too easy". After all, when living in a historical crisis, the best course of action is not always obvious. Churchill certainly felt this way when making decisions as a WWII leader. This is also what makes urban population trends one of the most interesting subjects, as every situation is brand new.

This trend extends beyond simple geographical trends; it's a narrative of two cities within one. My eyes were opened to an unsettling truth: our urban landscapes reinforce systemic disparities. Marginalized communities have always borne the brunt of disparity by design in urban planning. For instance, access to affordable, adequate, and nutritious food within a walkable distance is far more limited in areas inhabited chiefly by marginalized groups than in wealthier neighbourhoods. Inadequate nutrition may result in less productivity, which is related to performance in school and jobs.

What are the most important situations facing us today? There are many, but one that is not often talked about is how Canada's future will be shaped by the continuing population decline here and elsewhere in the world. Although continuous immigration has balanced out these effects so far, immigrants to Canada disproportionately want to settle in Vancouver, adding pressure to our city's housing supply. For young people growing up in Vancouver, we are both worried that housing is becoming more expensive and concerned that the nation's prosperity is economically dependent on immigration.

Equally important to access to food is education. In underprivileged areas, while many students may not have the option of private schooling, they attend public schools that, despite educators' dedication and hard work, often face challenges like overcrowding and limited resources. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to quality education and the chance to reach their full potential.