Planning Outline

Project: To determine if a Yurt Village would be an ecologically sustainable solution to temporary and emergency housing needs in Kamloops.

Method: To find information on whether or not this would be an affective and successful use for yurts.

This will be determined by:

• Looking at Kamloops and the TNRD demographics and socio-economic statistics to identify which options most address the needs of the area.
• Contacting a City of Kamloops building inspector to gain an understanding of the zoning regulations which pertain to the proposed options.
• Contacting a TNRD building inspector to gain an understanding of the zoning regulations which pertain to the proposed options.
• Contacting the City of Kamloops Planning Department.
• Speaking with local real estate agents and contractors about which of the proposed options would make the most viable ‘products for sale’.
• Research on internet sites or in books, government publications, journals and magazines, pertinent information on Yurts and their uses past and present. This will include their history, design and assembly as well as current costs and modern design innovations.
• Speaking to local mobile home park owners and motel and resort owners to gather applicable information.
• Contact Yurtco, a BC yurt building company, regarding the proposed options to gain insight and advice to help narrow the topics.
• Using internet sites, academic books, journals or articles to determine the costs of a yurt, and its assembly.
• Contacting YURTCO, a yurt building company, in BC to further determine costs and other applicable information.
• Determine the cost for multiple yurts.
• Research on internet sites or in books, government publications, journals and magazines specific information pertinent to the two options chosen.
• This would include:
  o Information on the current housing in use for the options
  o Information on past and current uses of Yurts
  o Advantages or disadvantages of living in a Yurt
• Using the building code and existing zoning bylaws for Kamloops and /or the TNRD to address the special requirements of each option.
• Contact appropriate government or private agencies to determine applicable funding options.
• Research on internet sites or in books, government publications, journals and magazines to determine if Kamloops is a good environment for this kind of housing.
• Research on internet sites or in books, government publications, journals and magazines to determine the sustainability of yurts for Kamloops.
• This would answer questions such as:
  o Are they durable?
  o What special knowledge is required to build them?
  o Are they eco friendly?
  o How long do they last?
  o What is the maintenance cost?
  o Are replacement parts readily available?
  
  Special Problems:
  
• Is sufficient information available to conduct the research?
• Need a method to determine their market potential.
• How to determine if government and private industry will work together to allow this.
• Will trained professionals and governments agencies give me the necessary information?

Also:

• Who is going to be a primary reader of this report? How much knowledge of this topic will they already have or require?
• Is there any consumer interest for this kind of housing in Kamloops and the Thompson
• Nicola Regional district?
• What about accessibility for a handicapped person?
• Will there be a problem with insulation or heating?
• Will they have access to services such as plumbing and lighting?
• Will they have room for storage?
• Aesthetic appeal?
• Will there be problems with moulding or sun damage?
• Safety and security issues?
• Might changing zoning regulations be to difficult to even consider any of the proposed options?