After a lengthy application and recruitment process, two new City advisory groups – the Northeast False Creek Stewardship Group, and the Park Design Advisory Group – sat down for their first meeting in late August. Appointed by the City, these two groups marks a new phase in a consultation process that began many years prior, and which seeks to guide the redevelopment of lands adjacent to Science World, Andy Livingstone Park, Creekside Park, and Rogers Arena.

In total there are 28 members (16 in the Stewardship Group and 12 on the Park Design Advisory Group, or PDAG), representing a range of community interests from mobility and access for those differently abled, to public art, to skateboarding, to Chinese seniors, False Creek residents and more. I represent the Vancouver Public Space Network, and serve as a member of the PDAG. Our task is to provide advice on the design of more than 12 acres of parkland for the neighbourhood (see the Terms of Reference for the Group’s full mandate).

In addition requesting a substantial expression of interest and intent, the application process was designed to bring together a diverse group, with attention to a balancing gender and ethnocultural composition. Diversity is important to note when discussing an area situated in close proximity to Chinatown, the Downtown East Side and the downtown core. As these neighbourhoods continue to rapidly develop, the robustness of this consultation process has the potential to set a precedent for further consultations in the area.

The work of the two groups will carry on until September 2017 (for the Parks Group) and November 2018 (for the Stewardship Group). This timeline is designed to ensure input is developed into the City’s final report and area plan, (intended to be complete next December). During this time, concurrent consultations will occur with various other stakeholder groups and the general public, the results of which will be reported back at our meetings. This engagement process has only just started – with a well-publicized and popular “Planning Party” kick-off event taking place in mid-September. It was great to see all the enthusiasm for this process, and my fellow advisory group members and I are eager to build upon the thoughts of the broader community.

As of yet, our groups have only met twice. The first meeting was an orientation consisting of an overview of area planning history and context (see the City’s backgrounder for more details), as well as a site visit, and interactive mapping. Our second session focused on examining the city’s engagement plan. Our third meeting is set to take place later this week, on October 22.

At our last session, we discussed the factors that will contribute to the new area plan’s success. Some of the ideas focused on process. Many in my group talked about the importance of reaching out to groups traditionally marginalized from engagement processes, ensuring consultation facilitators are well versed in the community’s background and values, and utilizing multi-lingual communication materials. Another key point raised, was ensuring that a variety of voices are heard – and the issue of loud versus quiet voices. We discussed the importance of ensuring balanced input so that groups who are used to having their opinions heard, do not dominate all airtime.

Other ideas zeroed in on content – and various ideas for the vision for Northeast False Creek were identified, including access to nature, programming, social interaction, aesthetics and safety (see the guiding principles here). Alongside concepts of flexible programming, rainproofing, the prioritization of biodiversity and wild landscapes, there were conversations about how the space would be experienced by different groups of users, young, old, differently abled. What would the area smell like? How would it sound? How would it feel?

At our next meeting, we will delve deeper into these issues after hearing presentations from landowners and partaking in a City-led design exercise. Given that the focus of the Park Group is on the creation of important public space, my VPSN colleagues and I are interested to know your priorities for the area. What should we be taking forward to the Park Group? What are the values you would like to see reflected in this redesigned space? What are your favourite places in the surrounding neighbourhoods? How would you like to see the principles there, reflected in Northeast False Creek? Feel free to share your thoughts by email. You can reach me at wendee [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.

For further information of the process to date, please see the October 5 update to City Council.

We continue to support the proposal to remove the viaducts. The most recent technical report produced by City staff – and currently being deliberated by City Council – responds to a number of questions (particularly around road realignment, traffic flow and existing parks and gardens) that had been raised by residents earlier in the process. We think this document does a commendable job of further making the case for taking the viaducts down. Earlier this week, we wrote to Mayor Robertson and members of Council to say as much. The following is an excerpt of our submission.

…The VPSN has supported the removal of the Viaducts since the City first introduced this idea a number of years ago. We have participated on the NEFC Steering Committee, written previous letters of support, and have discussed this issue widely with our membership.

After reviewing the most recent staff report and documentation, we continue to support the removal of the Viaducts on the basis that this move will:

• Remove aging and overbuilt highway infrastructure from our city’s core area
• Enable significant public space improvements
• Better knit together the existing downtown, Strathcona and DTES communities and road networks
• Create new opportunities for urban growth and development that support the goals of compact, walkable neighbourhoods and the creation of new social infrastructure

We are particularly supportive of the further work that has been done to identify potential public space improvements, including:

• Expanded park area in Creekside Park, modifications to Andy Livingston Park, the replacement of existing skatepark facilities, the opportunity to achieve the “Georgia Steps”, and the creation of a Creekside Promenade
• An elevated park area that utilizes components of the Dunsmuir viaduct
• Improvements to active transportation facilities in the area
• Public space programming ideas that reference a range of uses that will appeal to the diverse interests and needs of Vancouver’s residents and visitor base

While we understand that the capital costs of removing the Viaducts will be a cause concern for some, we also understand that the City will be required to spend significant capital dollars regardless of whether or not the Viaducts are removed. (This isn’t a matter of paying or not paying – it’s a matter of when.)

We believe the City is being proactive and has taken the right steps to assess the implications and opportunities associated with removing this aging highway infrastructure. We don’t feel that the Viaducts should ever be upgraded. Simply put, the opportunity to improve the City though the creation of new neighbourhoods, better open space and more social infrastructure is infinitely more compelling.