Bing was a true gentleman, an icon, and architect of the highest caliber. He was also an early friend of the VPSN, and helped out with some of our best projects (including the launch of our Where’s the Square? design competition, pictured above).

Bing was always happy to chat about public space and the issues facing the city. We last sat down together earlier this year for a great conversation about Granville Island, Robson Square, and the North Plaza. Bing’s passion and creativity, coupled with his genial smile, was always catalytic and inspiring. He liked to dream boldly, while inviting others to join in the conversation.

We’ll miss you Bing. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the city.

To read more about Bing’s life and work, see articles on the CBC, Globe and Mail, and Vancouver Sun. But better than that, go take a look at the work he and his firm did locally – which includes the Chan Centre for Performing Arts, Sunset Community Centre, and the new Surrey City Centre Library and False Creek Yacht Club. As a young architect, Bing Thom also worked with Arthur Erickson on the design of Robson Square.

The 3.4 hectare park is located on Main Street, between 51st and 53rd. The site is adjacent to John Henderson Elementary School, and includes the striking Bing Thom designed Sunset Community Centre, a Park Board Operations site, an ice rink, a nursery, an off-leash dog park and a playground.

In order to make the array of onsite facilities more cohesive, the latest version of the design introduced an excellent array of new amenities – a program that appears to be much supported by the community. New features include: a new playground, a community garden (something the VPSN was advocating for on this site a number of years ago), a naturalized area that will reference a buried stream via a swale, rain garden, and seating and picnic area.

Also proposed are 160 new trees, a small skate park, and a naturalized forest. The additions to the park will be supported through the installation of more pathways and on-site connections. The new concept would also see the trial closure of Prince Edward Avenue – a move that could be made permanent if it proves successful.

Our only quibble with this exciting redesign? We’d like to see a few more all-weather (rain-proof) features to ensure that the park can be well-utilized in the winter months.

$700,000 of the funding has been allocated for the project in the 2015-2018 Capital Plan, and additional funds will be sought from the 2017 budget with construction dates projected in 2017.

The overall design will improve this popular park and is an excellent use of the space. The VPSN commends the Park Board for approving the project.

For a look at the plan, or for more details, read the Master Plan or check out the Nov 16 report presented to the Park Board.

­By Aateka Shashank, with Wendee Lang

The first round of the City’s “Block 51” consultations took place on Monday and Wednesday of this week. Both events explored the future of Robson Square and the north lawn of the Art Gallery, doing it up with a program of activities that included presentations, slide shows and collaborative drawing exercises. Appropriately enough, the two evenings took place at the VAG – in a room overlooking the south end of the Gallery.

The VPSN was proud to be an event partner for these two events. If you weren’t able to make it out, the following will give you a quick run-down on what you missed.

Monday’s event, subtitled a “A Look Back,” started with opening remarks by Councillor Heather Deal and then featured a screening of the 1973 NFB film, Chairs for Lovers (along with popcorn!). The short film details the efforts of architect and illustrator Stanley King and his pioneering work in participatory urban design – and focuses in part on his work with Robson Square.

But the screening was more than just history, as it served as a means to introduce an older, (but just as energetic) King to the audience. King and the staff at his Co-Design firm have been responsible for some pretty cool work over the past four decades.

(A side note – the film helped to provide some context about the opportunities and challenges that the public wrestled with in helping to create a vision for Robson Square. As a way of showing that some of the discussions that are taking place today aren’t new, check out 15:35, where, standing in the midst of the massive parking lot that sat to the south of the old Law Courts, two of King’s 1973 student designers exchange the following words:

First speaker: We should close off the streets

Second speaker: They’ve done it in Seattle

Third speaker: What about all the cars? I just don’t understand what will happen to the cars…

Following the movie, a panel discussion ensued with Bing Thom, Alan Bell, Nick Milkovich – three members of Arthur Erickson’s original Robson Square design team. The trio took turns reminiscing about some of the planning and design ideas that went into the original concept. Ideas that included:

• Closing the 800-block off to vehicle traffic
• A lively sub-grade area (where today’s ice rink and UBC are) that would feature retail and transit services along side government services
• A large reflective pool on the north end instead of fountain

With the panel discussions complete, the evening switched gears yet again and King was given the floor to review the co-design process. Attendees broke into small groups, each with their own graphic facilitator. Ideas for the possible uses attached to the Block 51 spaces were explored and rendered in full colour.

You can see a few of the vignettes here:

Wednesday’s event was bannered under the heading “A Look Forward.” Councillor Andrea Reimer presented welcoming remarks and the event was MC’d by Vanessa Richards. (Those of you who rocked out at our karaoke kiosk events this past summer will remember Vanessa as our charming karaoke host).

Speakers included:

• John Atkin (who gave an overview of the changing shape of the north plaza);
• Lon Laclaire (the City’s Manager of Strategic Transportation, who presented on Olympic transportation planning and the connection with Robson);
• Jenn Sheel and Krysztina Kassay (City Engineering staff who administer the Viva Vancouver program – and who spoke on their work with the 800-block of Robson)
• Heather Forbes (VPSN Chair – who gave an overview of some of the Network’s activities on Robson Square – and the larger search for a public square in Vancouver)
• Matthew Soules and Joe Dahmen (designers who produced the 2012 Pop Rocks installation that ran along the 800-block)

The evening concluded with another round of drawing, similar to that used with Monday’s participants. And as with the first evening, there was something really cool about seeing the co-design process in action. First and best, it was an approach that energized attendees. Participants were still going strong at 10pm, and probably would have stayed longer had the option been there.

Secondly, it was largely an optimistic exercise. Perhaps it was because there were a good number of younger folks in the room, but the dialogue felt devoid of the cynicism that often colours consultations. And this isn’t to say that the various issues associated with the potential redesign of Robson and the north plaza were omitted from the conversation (they weren’t). It’s just that they weren’t the starting point for the conversation.

Not bad for a couple of greyish fall evenings: some good friendly, collaborative dialogue about two important public spaces. All said and done, the public life that was animated in the various discussions that took place looked pretty darn bright on Monday and Wednesday.

Given the subject matter, doesn’t this square nicely with the future of Block 51?

Coming up…

Next up on the Block 51 consultation program is a survey – which will be made available sometime next week.

You may have read about architect Bing Thom’s proposal for an underground performance space at the north end of the Vancouver Art Gallery. The idea was announced at a press conference on Friday and comes on the heels of Thom’s earlier commentary on the wisdom of the Art Gallery moving from its present location.

(To recap: Thom has opposed the VAG move because he feels that the Gallery’s current site is the best one for the city’s preeminent cultural institution, and that the Georgia Street locationcould be expanded to accomodate the need for additional space – something VAG staff say they’ve ruled out. Additionally, Thom isn’t keen on the move because it comes hand in hand with a call for a new, purpose-built, piece of iconic architecture… something he feels is out of synch with Vancouver’s architectural sensibilities).

Whether or not the performance space idea gets traction remains to be seen. But the concept is interesting — and would certainly help to energize a space that is currently under-utilized and in need of some vitality.

Back in the early part of the 20th century, the square at the north end of what was then the Court House (officially “Centennial Square” since 1967), was an important gathering space in Vancouver. An neatly manicured landscape, with gently curving pathways… leading to a civic building with a front door that opened and closed.

Welcoming the Duke of Connaught to the Court House Grounds – Sept 18, 1912 (CVA)

Much like the south side is now – with the sunny steps facing Robson Street – the north end was also a magnet for political activity. In the 1940’s there were some particularly controversial protests by the pacifist, communitarian-minded Doukhobors that involved members of the community disrobing en-masse on the steps of the Courthouse.

Doukhobors kneeling with their heads down in front of the Courthouse] – May 1944 – CVA 1184-479

Over the years though, successive changes to the surrounding architecture, an increase in autuomotive traffic on Georgia, and various reconfigurations of the landscape itself (including the installation of the Centennial fountain) have led to a space that is lacking the dynamism and energy that it ought to have. The development of Robson Square during the Barrett administration, and the subsequent transformation of the Courthouse into the Art Gallery resulted in further changes. The front doors closed (to protect the art), and additional energy was focused on the south side of the complex.

To be sure, things do happen in the space – including the monthly kick-off of Critical Mass, the annual National Aboriginal Day celebrations, and a semi-regular pot-rally. But it is not an area that encourages gathering of its own accord.

Which brings us back to Thom’s proposal. Having completed the Where’s the Square competition a few years ago, we know that there’s a lot of interest in seeing this space (as well as the whole Robson Square component) energized and redesigned. Perhaps this is the sort of proposal that might help to move this forward. Certainly we were presented with a few during the competition — including one by Hapa Collaborative that ended up as one of two People’s Choice winners.

Vancouver Red Carpet – Hapa Collaborative – Where’s the Square Competition

Of course, just as the Art Gallery’s move suggests big questions – cost, priority, need – so to does Thom’s. But the beauty of his concept – which he produced and tested because he liked the idea – is that it’s a visionary approach to dealing with an important space. As such, it will only serve to enrich the disussion about ‘the Vancouver we want.’

Inside the VAG, the WE:Vancouver installation “examines Vancouver through the extraordinary range of practices, actions and ideas that shape and activate it.” It continues until May 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, outside that closed front door and in earshot the spashing fountain, ideas for a different city are swirling just beneath our feet.

CELEBRATE

• Wednesday, May 4 – Turn V (with us)

ENGAGE

• An Expanded Robson Square – On the Cusp of a (Lost?) Opportunity?
• Structures for Public Expression – Street Politics in Vancouver

VPSN & RELATED EVENTS

• Friday, April 8 – A City of Sustainable Neighbourhoods: how do we get there?
• Saturday, April 16 – VPSN Guerrilla Gardening Planting Event!!
• Tuesday, April 19 – VPSN Transportation Meeting
• Tuesday, May 17 – The next 125 years? An Urban Framework for Vancouver

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• VPSN Leadership Opportunities Available
• Projects That Need a Hand…

OTHER EVENTS

• Sunday, April 10 – Discover Downtown by Bike

CELEBRATE PUBLIC SPACE

Wednesday, May 4 – Turn V (with us)Time flies! In May 2011, the Vancouver Public Space Network turns five whole years old. It seemed like only yesterday we were setting up that first meeting at the Roundhouse!

 Naturally, there’s only one appropriate response to this sort of thing: PARTY TIME!!!

 Please mark your calendars and plan to join us at the Bayside Lounge (Davie and Denman) as we celebrate this very special anniversary. We’ll be sending out a formal invitation very shortly and we’d be honoured if you’d come on out for the occasion.

:: Facebook event page

ENGAGE

An Expanded Robson Square – On the Cusp of a (Lost?) Opportunity

An update on the expansion of Robson Square (with thanks to the many of you who keep asking about it). As you’ll recall, in December of last year City Council passed a motion that directed City staff to look into the creation of “major public square at 800 Robson Street to coincide with Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary.”

Those of you who have had the chance to walk along the recently re-paved and car-free street may have gotten a taste of the possibilities that exist in this space. Imagine – the nice setting of the Art Gallery, buskers, a market, street musicians and more. It’s the perfect place for a gathering space of this sort. And the timing, given the Province’s renovations to the street, is near-perfect.

Sadly, we recently learned that this won’t likely be happening this year. In the course of proposing some summertime programming on the site, we’ve been told by the City that Translink is quite concerned about any closure of the 800-block. Our thoughts? Be strong on this one City! There are lots of ways to tackle the transit challenges that may exist. 

More to the point, we feel that would represent a significant lost opportunity for the city – and that an important opportunity to close the space, or to even extend the temporary closure of the space while consultation and transit planning work takes place – is about to be given up.

If you have a few moments this weekend consider taking 5 minutes to write a short letter copied to Ian Jarvis, Translink CEO [mailto:ian.jarvis@translink.ca] and Mayor Gregor Robertson [mailto:gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca]. Your letters of support for the closure of the 800-block were part of the reason Council voted to support the idea. 

:: VPSN Flickr Set – Robson Square

Structures for Public Expression – Street Politics in Vancouver

It was an interesting time at the Planning and Environment meeting of City Council yesterday. On Wednesday, we published a story on how staff had come up with a plan to regulate political expression involving “any structure object, substance or thing.” Later that day, we issued a joint press release with the BC Civil Liberties Associate, saying that we were opposed to this proposal on a number of grounds.

The tenor of the discussion yesterday – which you can watch here was fascinating. Our read? There was a tone of defensiveness that seemed to pervade much of the dialogue, and the exchange between the small number of speakers that had a chance to present and Council was at times nearly combative. We are quite concerned about this issue. A suggestion that the new proposal is “innovative” and ‘enables’ political expression – as was claimed in the City presentation – shows what we feel is a lack of understanding about why the City recently lost a recent Court of Appeal case on this issue. 

We strongly encourage you to read up on this matter. The session yesterday was reconvened to April 19 to hear from more speakers, so there’s still time for you to have your voice heard.

:: More information – VPSN Blog

VPSN & RELATED EVENTS

Friday, April 8 – A City of Sustainable Neighbourhoods: how do we get there?

The Vancouver City Planning Commission invites you to an evening of exploration and celebration of what the idea of a sustainable neighbourhood means to Vancouver citizens. How can neighbourhoods best contribute to the evolution of a sustainable Vancouver? How can the City help neighbourhoods become more sustainable and livable? The VPSN will be there and making a presentation, what else, public space. The event takes place 7-10pm (Registration: 6:30 pm). Vancouver Public Library Conference Centre (lower level) 350 West Georgia Street, Alice MacKay Room 

Saturday, April 16 – VPSN Guerrilla Gardening Planting Event!!

Fancy a bit of city-greening work? Join us next Saturday at 3pm – 4pm for some top secret planting work. You’ll need to bring supplies if you can! That means round up any shovels, gloves, etc. that you can get your hands on. We could also use some durable plants, so if anyone has any then please bring them or contact us and we can arrange to pick them up. Please bring a $1-5 donation for participation and other supplies. This is an inclusive event – everyone is welcome! Exact location details revealed upon registration.

:: For more information – leita [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

Tuesday, April 19 – VPSN Transportation Meeting

Interested in transportation issues – walking, biking, transit and more? Join the VPSN Transportation team as they meet to strategize on new projects and on-going work. New ideas and new members welcome. Meeting starts at 6:00pm, location TBD.

:: For more information – demian [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

Tuesday, May 17 – The Next 125 years? An Urban Framework for Vancouver

Join us for an evening of big picture thinking. The VPSN is pleased to host a special presentation by Senior Urban Designer Scot Hein and the students of UBC SALA. Hein, together with Professor Patrick Condon, conducted a workshop in the Fall of 2010 that was premised on the creation of a plan for the future of the City. The plan sought to account for projected demographic changes in Vancouver, an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases, emerging best practices, such as district energy, all while connecting the city with the desirable urban systems – such as localized places for all neighborhoods/communities and electrified transportation. Location TBD. More details to follow.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

VPSN Leadership Opportunities Available

Hey – you’ve got the chops don’t you? Passionate about public space, eager to help plan and coordinate projects, mobilize volunteers… make change in the city?

We have a few openings for coordinators right now and we’re looking for sharp, savvy, strategists who are willing to commit beyond one-project activity. 

Our wish list: some game-changers who can help us amp up campaigns around pedestrian issues, cycling and public transit, parks and urban design.

Projects That Need a Hand…

Hornby Bike Activation and Bike Music Festival

The separated lanes are ready for their spring activation. The sun has come out (a little) and we want the cyclists to come out too. Got energy and ideas around getting bums on bikes on Hornby and the other fab downtown lanes? Bike on over here!

Hastings Park Consultation Involvement

One of the city’s biggest parks, and a cultural/historical icon in many ways, the City is looking for input on the paths and greenspaces through Hastings Park. The VPSN is looking for folks that want to take some of the teams’ thoughts on this and interact in the process.

Feeding Vancouver’s Soul

The final phase of our esteemed Where’s the Square Competition, we aim to animate Robson Square to enliven it like the winning submissions from the contest. Centred around local food, urban farming and good old fashioned eating together, we need help pulling off this showcase of successful public plazas.

Newsletter & Blog Editor(s)

We’ve got lots to say, but man! we need someone to make better sense of it (and fix our grammar). Got editor eyes? We want you!

:: For more information – Erin [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday, April 10 – Discover Downtown by Bike

Good times with our friends at the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition. Themed bike route maps will be distributed to visit all sorts of fun shops, attractions, and art through downtown, including promotions from Sun Yat-Sen Gardens and Panz Veggie Restaurant.

Meet at Starbucks at Hornby and Dunsmuir for a free coffee. Gather at 1:00 for take off at 1:30. (Oh, and Aveda will be there giving free hand massages).

:: More information – www.discoverbybike.ca

You may have read about architect Bing Thom’s proposal for an underground performance space at the north end of the Vancouver Art Gallery. The idea was announced at a press conference on Friday and comes on the heels of Thom’s earlier commentary on the wisdom of the Art Gallery moving from its present location.

(To recap: Thom has opposed the VAG move because he feels that the Gallery’s current site is the best one for the city’s preeminent cultural institution, and that the Georgia Street location could be expanded to accomodate the need for additional space – something VAG staff say they’ve ruled out. Additionally, Thom isn’t keen on the move because it comes hand-in-hand with a call for a new, purpose-built, piece of iconic architecture… something he feels is out of synch with Vancouver’s architectural sensibilities).

Whether or not the performance space idea gets traction remains to be seen. But the concept is interesting — and would certainly help to energize a space that is currently under-utilized and in need of some vitality.

Back in the early part of the 20th century, the square at the north end of what was then the Court House (officially “Centennial Square” since 1967), was an important gathering space in Vancouver. Pictures from the era show a neatly manicured landscape, with gently curving pathways… leading to a civic building with a front door that opened and closed.

Welcoming the Duke of Connaught to the Court House Grounds – Sept 18, 1912 (CVA)

Much like the south side is now – with the sunny steps facing Robson Street – the north end was also a space for political activity. In the 1940’s there were some particularly controversial protests by the pacifist, communitarian-minded Doukhobors that involved members of the community disrobing en-masse on the steps of the Courthouse.

Doukhobors kneeling with their heads down in front of the Courthouse] – May 1944 – CVA 1184-479

Over the years though, successive changes to the surrounding architecture, an increase in autuomotive traffic on Georgia, and various reconfigurations of the landscape itself (including the installation of the Centennial fountain) have led to a space that is lacking the dynamism and energy that it ought to have. The development of Robson Square during the Barrett administration, and the subsequent transformation of the Courthouse into the Art Gallery resulted in further changes. The front doors closed (to protect the art), and additional energy was focused on the south side of the complex.

To be sure, things still happen in the space – including the monthly kick-off of Critical Mass, the annual National Aboriginal Day celebrations, and a semi-regular pot-rally. But it is not an area that readily encourages gathering of its own accord.

Which brings us back to Thom’s proposal. Having worked with the VPSN to complete the Where’s the Square? competition a few years ago, it’s clear that there’s a lot of interest in seeing this space (as well as the whole Robson Square component) energized and redesigned. Perhaps this is the sort of proposal that might help to move this forward. Certainly we were presented with a number during the competition — including one by Hapa Collaborative that ended up as one of two People’s Choice winners.

Vancouver Red Carpet – Hapa Collaborative – Where’s the Square Competition

Of course, just as the Art Gallery’s move suggests big questions – cost, priority, need – so too does Thom’s. But the beauty of his concept – which he produced and tested because he liked the idea – is that it’s a visionary approach to dealing with an important space. As such, it will only serve to enrich the disussion about ‘the Vancouver we want.’

Inside the VAG, the WE:Vancouver installation “examines Vancouver through the extraordinary range of practices, actions and ideas that shape and activate it.” It continues until May 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, outside that closed front door and in earshot the spashing fountain, ideas for a different city are swirling just beneath our feet.

For more information see November 14 details or visit the library’s Speak Up Webpages for some excellent public space resources.

Here’s how the VPL is billing the discussion:

“Great cities are renowned for their public spaces. Vancouver is described as one of the most beautiful and best-planned cities in the world.”

This evening’s panel discussion “explores the nature of our public spaces and their relationship to democracy. Are our public spaces increasing or decreasing? What are the important public spaces in Vancouver? Are the private spaces of shopping malls now our most popular gathering spaces? Do public spaces always have to be public squares? What are the trends in public space development in Vancouver and world-wide? What is the impact of “naming opportunities” for our public spaces? What is the relationship between public spaces and democracy?” The panel discussion features urban designer Bruce Haden, architect Bing Thom and VPSN co-founder Andrew Pask. The event takes place at the Central Library (350 Georgia Street) .

For more information (and some excellent public space resources) visit the library’s Speak Up Webpages.