What makes a good public space and why are they important? This is a question that has consistently been on my mind since I started working on the Downtown Public Realm project with the VPSN. The project is geared toward developing an inventory of public spaces in the downtown area as a way to identify what a working public space looks like and to address any shortcomings.

What I have concluded is that there is no definitive definition of a good public space as they come in many different shapes and sizes. Some spaces have been carefully designed by the city with signage and amenities that make it an obvious place for people to gather. Some spaces are more informal and have morphed into a public space organically over time simply because of certain qualities that have attracted a niche group of people. Either way, there is no doubt that public spaces contribute to the livability of this city as they foster feelings of interconnectedness and bring about increased social activity.

A Snapshot of some of Vancouver’s Favourite Public Spaces

• Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s most iconic and beloved public spaces. It offers a perfect balance between free entertainment and commercial activity. While strolling through the streets of Granville Island one can enjoy live entertainment, public seating areas that offer breathtaking views of Vancouver’s beautiful landscape, as well as a plethora of shopping and restaurants for the discerning foodie or the tourist that is looking for good food mixed with a dynamic atmosphere. People can literally find enjoyment on every square inch of Granville Island, thereby making it a unique mix of formal public spaces and informal areas that attract large gatherings of people.
•  The False Creek Seawall is a beautifully paved pathway that offers gorgeous views of the city as well as all the amenities that make it a functional and enjoyable public space. Whether you are walking, running or cycling along the seawall, the cherry blossoms, green space and plethora of seating options along the way make this one of the best places to be in Vancouver.
•  Olympic Village is one of Vancouver’s newest additions to the inventory of public spaces. With its unique architecture, ample supply of restaurants and bars, pedestrian friendly zones, green space and numerous amenities, Olympic Village is undoubtedly one of the city’s most popular public spaces.

Dynamic Public Spaces: Vancouver’s Parklets

Public Spaces do not need to be large and complex to add to the vibrancy of city life. Parklets are mini plazas that are created simply by extending a platform over a parking space at the level of the sidewalk. Benches, chairs, tables and landscaping can be added to the space to enhance the functionality and sense of welcoming. The beauty of the parklet lies in its simplicity; it is a public space in the most minimal sense of the word but is just as enjoyable as some of the more well-established spaces in Vancouver. While the parklets are sponsored by private entities, the space must remain a free area for any member of the public to use. I would argue that parklets are some of the most inclusive public spaces and unequivocally contribute to the social fabric of a neighbourhood by providing a quaint area to sit and relax amidst the commercial activity. Parklets are the most cost-effective way to invest in public life and I personally would like to see more of them in Vancouver.

Here are the locations of the parklets in Vancouver to date:

• Urban Pasture: 1000 block Robson Street. The space boasts long curved benches on a wood deck with beautiful landscaping. It is a unique place to sit down in the centre of one of Vancouver’s busiest shopping strips.
• Commercial Drive Parklet: 1938 Commercial Drive. The space allows you to enjoy the eccentric commercial drive while sitting on steel and wood tables and benches.
• Parallel Park: East 14^th Avenue and Main Street. This parklet offers cubed tables and cedar seats.
• French Quarter: East 21^st Avenue and Main Street.
• Hot Tubs: East 44^th Avenue and Fraser Street. This unique space mimics a hot tub with its circular seating area. (pictured above)

Public Opinion

Vancouverites, I am now extending this question out to you: what are your favourite public spaces and what types of spaces do you want to see more of? The VPSN will be holding a few community engagement events (stay tuned) which will aim to gain public input on public spaces in the hopes of enhancing the city with more aesthetically pleasing areas that contribute to the inclusivity and social well-being of Vancouver.

It’s not Lions Gate Bridge traffic or Massey Tunnel backups that everyone is talking about these days; it’s the five car traffic jam atop a 20 foot high cedar stump that is attracting attention. I’m referring to the Trans Am Totem Pole; The Vancouver Biennale’s latest addition to the bi-annual public art exhibition.

A bit of background on The Vancouver Biennale: it is a charitable, not for profit organization that attempts to foster community engagement, social action and education through the creation of unique pieces of art in public spaces. The goal of The Vancouver Biennale goes hand in hand with the VPSN as it advocates that good public art is integral for the creation of liveable and culturally inspired communities with a deep sense of inter-connectedness. It attempts to create a space where people of different ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds can come together and identify with the piece in some way.

This particular piece was completed by local artist Marcus Bowcott, who uses the sculpture to allude to the transformation of the False Creek area from a First Nations community to an industrial center to a densely populated neighborhood defined by traffic and high-rises. He argues that Vancouver has moved further away from a connection to its natural landscape and more towards a consumer culture. Whether you see this piece as a quirky new addition to Vancouver’s art inventory or merely an eye sore, there is no doubt that it will continue to be a topic of discussion and will serve as a platform to engage the community on the issues of consumerism and sustainable development in Vancouver.

The timing of the piece could not be more perfect in my opinion as we are currently in the midst of a Transit Referendum. The Transit Referendum is giving Vancouverites the opportunity to say yes to more sustainable ways of growing and developing the social, economic and physical landscape of Vancouver. The Trans Am Totem Pole touches on the struggle between the need to continue the development of Vancouver into a metropolitan center and the social and ecological concerns that come with this development. Bowcott said there was a reason he chose the intersection of where Pacific Boulevard meets Quebec Street at the end of False Creek as “this site now is this major transit hub: we’ve got these stadiums for spectacle; we’ve got the SkyTrain; we’ve got the viaduct; we’ve got condo towers. It’s about this mobile culture and it’s a throwaway culture. It raises ecological concerns.” The Transit Referendum and the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan are two salient planning initiatives in Vancouver right now that aim to promote a more sustainable and liveable future for Vancouver. This piece will hopefully draw attention to these two initiatives and encourage Vancouverites to become engaged in the policy making process that will decide what kind of future we want for Vancouver. 

Starting March 16, the fate of the livability of the city resides directly in the hands of Vancouver residents who will be asked to mail in their vote on a The Mayors Council Transportation and Transit Plan which proposes 0.5% increase in provincial sales tax. Vancouver residents are voting yes to an investment in public life; a less congested, healthier, greener and more sustainable future for Vancouverites. Vancouver’s growing population is unequivocally linked to a growing demand for rapid transportation so a yes vote ensures that the infrastructure is in place to respond to these changes.

Say Yes to less congestion and more accessibility:

Time is a major opportunity cost associated with congested cities. The Mayors Council Transportation and Transit Plan promises a 20 % reduction in congestion thereby freeing up 20-30 minutes per day for drivers and transit users. Voting yes will ensure that Vancouver enjoys the following investments in transportation:

• 25% increase in bus service across the region
• 200 more kilometres of B-line routes
• More frequent all-day and peak hour service
• 50% more Seabus service
• 80 % more Nightbus service
• Upgrades to the Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines
• 2,700 kilometres of bikeways
• Better connections to transit through pedestrian improvements
• Maintaining and upgrading Major Road Networks

Say Yes to better public health:

Less congestion equates to less fatalities and injuries as a result of car collisions. Furthermore, a decrease in the amount of cars on the road gets Vancouver one step closer to reducing its carbon footprint by reducing the amount of pollution emitted into the atmosphere, thereby improving the quality of the air that we breathe in. A yes vote also fills in the gaps in the current cycling network which yields a greater number of safe cycle paths and bikeways. The new transportation plan also plans to improve cycle and walkway access to transit routes thereby incentivizing the option to use transit instead of driving. Lower commute times and an increase in walking and cycling routes inevitably catalyzes improvements in public health by increasing physical activity and decreasing the chronic diseases associated with inactivity and stress.

Both Patricia Daly, the Chief Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and Victoria Lee, the interim Chief Medical Health Officer for Fraser Health Authority, have officially endorsed a Yes vote in the referendum.

Say Yes to a stronger economy:

High capacity rapid transit is needed to capitalize on the economic potential of the city. More specifically, the Broadway Corridor is the second largest business and innovation center in British Columbia and therefore an increase in transportation routes will help unlock the economic growth potential of this area. The Broadway Corridor accounts for one quarter of all metro- Vancouver’s tech jobs and 40 percent of all health care jobs. The corridor connects UBC, the largest academic institution in the province, with Downtown and other key business centers. An increase in rapid transportation will enable innovation and top talent to move efficiently around the region.

What you can do for the Transit Referendum:

If you are a registered voter in BC, you will receive a mail-in ballot starting on March 16 and have until May 29, 2015 to mail in your answer to the following provincially approved question:

“Do you support a new 0.5% Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax, to be dedicated to the Mayors’ Transportation and Transit Plan?”

If you are among those who are not currently registered to vote, you can call 1-800-661-8683 or click here to ensure you are ready to vote in the referendum.