Wicked Messy Problems
- Kristen Shima
- Sep 6, 2025
- 1 min read

My specialization is 'wicked messy problems' and working through them with communities. Each community has them, and Airdrie is not alone. So, how do we solve or minimize them?
There are community development frameworks and inspiration for creating measurable impact by working together as a community. Using these practical strategies will assist in fostering sustainable, resilient, and equitable city building. In applying these principles of sustainable community development to "wicked" problems, it emphasizes place-based decision-making and the integration of cultural, economic, social, and ecological factors.
So we have some issues... rapid growth, lack of affordable housing, small business supports, transit accessibility, lack of infrastructure, healthcare access, and more. My approach is rooted in systems thinking and collaboration - building “collaboratories” where residents, businesses, and stakeholders work together to find solutions. I believe the answers live within our community and its people, and by working collectively, we can create sustainable, people-powered change.



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