In January, a Council motion was introduced by Councillors Elizabeth Ball and Melissa DeGenova which called for focussed attention on the City’s pedestrian curb ramp program. This is the portion of the City’s budget that funds curb cuts and related improvements for older or sub-standard sidewalks and intersections. The motion, in particular, calls on staff to figure out ways to fund and complete needed improvements to the “approximately 6,000 locations throughout the City where they are still required.”

On one hand, it’s a commendable request, because making our walking infrastructure safer and more accessible for all residents is key to supporting a range of the City’s goals around health, sustainability and transportation.

Of course, the motion also implies some decisions around funding priorities – because 6,000 intersections (assuming they are of equal necessity) will cost a fair bit. So this means some significant funding will be required (in this case the motion points to the City’s 2019 capital budget… along – it is suggested – with “additional funding that could be leveraged from the Federal and Provincial governments, non-profit foundations, and corporate and community partners.”)

Setting the question of dollars aside, we feel the motion, with its call for a greater focus on pedestrian infrastructure, has merit. We also feel that it could be strengthened by being broader in its application. Yes, curb cuts are needed… but there’s actually an array of other pedestrian-focused improvements that are also equally important – so let’s not focus on just one. In fact, we think the motion could be expanded so that it directs staff to develop a Pedestrian Strategy similar to the sort that has guided civic policy and infrastructure investment in a number of cities.

We wrote a letter to Council on the matter back in January. The motion is being considered this coming February 21. Here’s an excerpt of what we said.

… Vancouver is overdue for the sort of comprehensive Pedestrian Strategy and investment plan that has successfully guided similar important investments in the cycling network. Currently, the City has a Pedestrian Safety Study that has focused on some critical hotspots in pedestrian areas; however, more is needed.

To that end, this motion suggests the potential identification of the nature and costs associated with one type of important pedestrian improvement (namely, curb cuts). This could also be an important way to advance city-wide discussion, policy framing, and investment in an array of pedestrian infrastructure improvements, including:

• Installation of missing sidewalks
• Key areas for curb bulges and raised crosswalks
• Sidewalk repair/edge grinding
• Clearer separation of shared pedestrian and bike paths
• Pedestrian safety improvements
• Other key types of pedestrian infrastructure (including seating, water fountains, etc.)

These and other pedestrian-focused considerations could then be rolled into the sort of Pedestrian or Walking Strategy that you find in cities such as Copenhagen, Berlin, Bristol, Calgary and Toronto. In each of these examples, a higher-level Transportation Policy has resulted in a more detailed policy document and action plan that aims to promote the overall walkability of the city. We feel that the City is part way there with Transportation 2040, and that its now time to take things to this next level.

We therefore offer our support for the recommendations of the motion that seek to daylight the overall situation and costs associated with curb cuts; however, we feel the motion should be broadened to encourage a more comprehensive identification of issues and opportunities for the pedestrian environment.

UPDATE: On February 21, 2018, Council deliberated on this motion. It passed unanimously, with no amendments. So, for the moment, no Pedestrian or Walking strategy. Whole the motion is a step ahead, we will continue to advocate for a more comprehensive approach that responds to the full array of pedestrian issues that require attention.

With spring here, Vancouver residents have emerged from hibernation or descended from snowy mountain peaks to rediscover their city. Cherry blossoms, which did a remarkably good job at withstanding the elements, were the first major public space attraction for many. Yet soon, warm weather and sunny skies will draw Vancouverites to any number of the many beaches that grace our shoreline. It may be their (somewhat) natural context, the hedonistic activities that they are known for or their location along the city’s urban periphery, but Vancouver’s beaches are often under-recognized as important public spaces.

These beaches are hardly the only much-loved public spaces that are overlooked, however. Inspired by warmer weather and as a salute to Vancouver’s beaches, let’s tip our hats to five unusual, overlooked or (once) illegal public spaces from around the world:

Islands Brygge Harbour Bath: In Copenhagen, residents and visitors can cool off with a dip in a public swimming pool in the city’s harbour. While the area was formerly for heavy industry, the water (tested daily) is now clean enough to swim in: a testament to Copenhagen’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

At the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, Copenhagen. Photo: webjay under Creative Commons 

Urban rock climbing in Stockholm: Not all public spaces are horizontal! Along the Danvikstull Canal in central Stockholm, climbers have free access to a 25-metre rock wall. It might not be the most accessible public space, but it’s certainly well used. Don’t look down!

Burnside Skate Park in Portland: In 1990, tired of rain and security guards shutting down their sessions, a group of skateboarders built a small, unsanctioned skate park under Burnside Bridge. Twenty-five years later, the space is legendary in the skate community and a template for skate parks under bridges in cities around the world.

Skateboarding under the Burnside Bridge, Portland. Photo: straightedge217 under Creative Commons

The Gum Wall: An “installation” that activates a space, Seattle’s Gum Wall is located in an alley near the famous Pike Place Market. It was cleaned in 2015, but visitors quickly began re-establishing the famous wall.

Gum Wall, Pike Place, Seattle. Photo: Caleb Phillips under Creative Commons

Eisbach River surfing: In Munich, surfers can catch a natural wave without ever leaving the city. A practice once illegal but fiercely protected by local surfers, surfing on the river is now sanctioned by the city. Beginners beware, though: while it may be open, it definitely isn’t easy!

There are many more unusual and well-loved public spaces out there. What are yours?

Top photo: Surfers on the artificial river Eisbach in Englischer Garten in Munich. Photo: Patrick Stahl under Creative Commons

All photos under Creative Commons license

When I first moved to Copenhagen in August, I went to a street food market at the harbour to have dinner with some friends. I immediately got a great first impression of my new city. There were hundreds of people sitting by the canals eating dinner and drinking beer, enjoying the nice weather. However, quality public spaces like these are not only limited to the touristy central areas of Copenhagen. Green spaces, as well as concrete plazas are scattered all throughout the city. In fact, it is municipal policy in Copenhagen that 90% of citizens be within a fifteen minute walk of a park,beach, or harbour bath. (Harbour baths are just like they sound – aquatic facilities located along the city’s main harbour area).

My favourite place in Copenhagen is right across the street from my place in the Nørrebro district, northwest from the city centre. It is an urban park called Superkilen, designed by the Danish artists’ group Superflex and opened in 2012. In one stretch of about 750 meters there is a red square, a black area, and a green park with a bike path running through its entirety. I bicycle through this area everyday to get to school and despite the sometimes cold and rainy weather, there are consistently people of all ages gathered there enjoying the space.

The great thing about it is that space was not created just for the sake of having a public space; it is lively with unique objects from around the world scattered around it including swings from Iraq, a boxing ring from Thailand, and a fountain from Morroco. The different objects in the park are meant to reflect the diversity of the 50+ nationalities living in Nørrebro.

Copenhagen is often seen as a model city in urban planning and from my short time here I understand why. Superkilen is just one example of the many fantastic public spaces in the city. Perhaps decision makers in cities around the world, including Vancouver could learn something from Copenhagen.

To learn more about Superkilen, you can check out Superflex’s page with more information and photographs.

Got a favourite public space that you’d like to see profiled? Or perhaps a few ‘field notes’ and photos from your travels? Send them to info [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.