Vancouver Public Space Network » 10 years of VPSN

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #6: PARK(ing) Day

VPSN — Wed, 25 May 2016 18:54:51 +0000

This month, the VPSN is celebrating its 10th birthday! For a decade, our network of volunteers have been championing the importance of public space with advocacy, education and outreach, to make Vancouver a better city to live in. Celebrate with us on May 28th in one of our favourite public spaces, Robson Square, where we’ll be showcasing a sampling of 10 projects that we’ve done over the last 10 years.

Topic: A fun-spirited parking space intervention.
When: Every September

What? Who says you can’t make your own park? PARK(ing) Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks. Sometimes, we take over a whole parking lot, as in 2015 when a film was screened at the Easy Park lot at 300-block Hastings St. This awesome day symbolically repurposes parking spaces for different purposes like mini parks and plazas.

Did you know? Parking Day is a grassroots initiative that started in San Francisco in 2005. It’s easy for anyone to celebrate: just reserve and transform a parking spot in your neighbourhood.

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #5: Manifesto

VPSN — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:43:20 +0000

Manifesto

Topic: Advocacy
When: 2008, 2011, 2014

What? Public space is not just parks and streets, it’s about the entirety of civic and public life, including the city hall activities, policy and politics that affect us all. The VPSN creates a document to coincide with every civic election to share ideas and recommendations for how public space could be improved in the city.

Did you know? You can share your own thoughts and ideas about city issues with City Council by emailing: mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca.

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #4: Active Fiction

VPSN — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:54:13 +0000

Active Fiction

Topic: A mashup of public space, art, literary fiction & walking tours
When: 2014, 2015, 2016

What? Have you ever wanted to take a walk through a novel? In Vancouver you can! The Active Fiction Project creates short, fictional, stories set in a local neighbourhood that feature you, the reader, as the protagonist. The self-guided stories are ‘hidden’ in public spaces for readers to discover by walking, or biking, through the same neighbourhood in which the story unfolds.

Did you know? The Active Fiction Project made its debut as a Jane’s Walk in 2014.

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #3: SkyTrain & Transit Parties

VPSN — Sun, 22 May 2016 06:44:26 +0000

SkyTrain & Transit Parties

Topic: Transit as public space
When: Halloween Skytrain party annually 2005-2015; Pirate Party on the Seabus in 2008 and 2010.

What? What happens if you take hundreds of people in kooky and creepy costumes, invite them all on a SkyTrain (or SeaBus!) together, add a DJ and a 1000-watt sound system? One of the best all-ages parties in the city! And, a fun, unexpected sensory jolt to onlookers and plain old commuters. To celebrate public transit, we thought we’d make use of it in a fun, unexpected way. The VPSN held its 10th annual transit party in 2015, with the values of respect for all, fun for all, and humour at its core.

Did you know? At one of these parties in 2007, a bearded man in a white robe and golden halo crowdsurfed on Skytrain car # 777. For reals.

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #2: PS I Love You

VPSN — Sat, 21 May 2016 03:36:41 +0000

PS (Public Space) I Love You

Topic: A Public Space Photo Scavenger Hunt
When: 2013

What? How well do you know the city? The challenge: to solve 57 riddles that lead 30 teams of city lovers to pieces of public art, iconic intersections, the best viewpoints and hidden gems across the entire city. The motley photos that were snapped and shared that day show what makes Vancouver’s public realm really unique–and that folks know how to have a good time in public space! See them all on Instagram: #psluv604

Did you know? Check out photos on the #vanpublicsquare tag on Instagram for Vancouverites’ favourite public squares, as submitted to a recent contest by the City of Vancouver!

VPSN celebrates 10 years! Project Profile #1: Last Candidate Standing

VPSN — Fri, 20 May 2016 07:05:31 +0000

Last Candidate Standing

Theme: Democratic spaces
When: 2014, 2011, 2008

What? A spectacle of democracy where each mayoral and city councillor candidate in the Vancouver municipal election is invited to go head to head in a live debate to determine who will be the last one standing. Yes: every candidate is invited, making this a unique event where you can hear opinions from beyond the 3 or 4 dominant parties. A Panel of Inquisition (made up of journalists and other notable luminaries) poses questions from a range of topics near and dear to the city’s heart, and candidates must provide their best answer on the spot, under a spotlight, risking the overpowering tone of a gong if they go over time. Audience members also get to ask some questions.

Did you know? Approximately 80 councillor and mayoral candidates have participated in this debate over the last 3 elections, making it the most inclusive debate in city politics in the last 10 years.

Audience participation strongly suggested.