Urban Design Working Group
The relationship between urban design and the public realm is reciprocal. Not only is good design an important feature of effective, people-friendly, public spaces, but the presence of public amenities - parks, squares, laneways, public art and more - plays an integral role in shaping the city.
The VPSN's Urban Design Working Group works on a variety of issues connecting planning, design and public space. We advocate for the inclusion of quality public amenities as part of planning and development processes, and we work to promote an equitable distribution of all types of public space throughout the city of Vancouver.
Our current initiatives are outlined below.
Transforming Broadway: Creating a Great Street (June-July 2010)
What would it take to make Broadway Avenue, Vancouver's most travelled east-west axis a Great Street? The VPSN is undertaking a series of workshops and consultations to explore ways to enhance the street, turning it from a thoroughfare into a destination. || More...
North East False Creek (NEFC) High Level Planning Process
The VPSN has been involved in advocating for public space and public amenities as part of the NEFC planning process. The NEFC area is a massive tract of undeveloped land between Science World and the former Plaza of Nations site. When redeveloped, the site will comprise a whole new neighbourhood and be home to approximately 7000 people. || More...
Public Realm Report Card
How effective are Vancouver's public spaces? The VPSN has developed an evaluation tool that aims to assess a number of the squares and parks across the city. || More...
Where's the Square? Ideas Design Competition
More than a few people have commented on Vancouver's lack of a substantial public square. In August 2008, the VPSN launched a design ideas competition to stimulate thinking about the shape and location of what a grand plaza might look like. || More...
EcoDensity & Liveability
The VPSN has been following the City's EcoDensity initiatve since it started in late 2006. In addition to our early backgrounder and advocacy work, we held a community workshop in February 2008 entitled EcoDensity, Liveability & the Future of Vancouver's Public Realm. Most recently we have completed an analysis of the City's Third Draft EcoDensity Materials. || More...
Planning & Design Advocacy
The VPSN has produced research backgrounders on several of the substantive planning initaitives taking place in the city - including Housing & Homelessness, the WhiteCaps Stadium proposals and the Sidewalk Patio Review. || More...
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