– The VPSN Team

Exploring Gastown Public Spaces – Monday, November 27

Recently, we had a chance to support the City of Vancouver’s efforts to “Reimagine Gastown Streets” by exploring a number of the neighbourhood’s key public spaces. For us, this is all part of a larger body of advocacy and placemaking work that we’ve done around Blood Alley, the Waterfront Hub, and Alexander Street (to name a few of our projects).

Coming up next Monday, November 27 at 6:00pm, we’ll be holding a small ideas jam with our team to look at developing a comprehensive set of recommendations that we can use in our advocacy work around Gastown.

If you’re interested in joining, please let us know. Email info@vancouverpublicspace.ca for more details.

“Public Space Day” at City Council – Wednesday, November 29

Speaking of advocacy… City staff will be presenting a number of updates to Council next week, including reports on Plaza Stewardship, Special Events, the Viva Vancouver (public space activation) program, Bute & Robson Plaza, and an update on the Places for People work involving the City’s downtown public spaces.

The VPSN will be reviewing all of these reports over the next few days, and we’d encourage you to do the same. And hey, you should let Council know your thoughts. More often than not, City Council only hears from people who don’t like a particular initiative… but we think there’s lots in these programs and initiatives that’s worthy of general comment and commendation! Consider informing the discussion by sharing your feedback!

:: Check out the Council Agenda (contains links to individual reports)
:: Share your thoughts – email mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca

Community Dialogue – Downtown Parks & Recreation – Wednesday, November 29

How would you like the Park Board to provide recreation, such as arts, culture, spaces and facilities, in the downtown core of Vancouver? The Vancouver Park Board is developing Vancouver’s Playbook, a new master plan to guide the delivery of vibrant parks and recreation over the next 25 years. This coming Wednesday, they’ll be holding a dialogue on the future of downtown parks and recreation facilities. The event takes place 6:30 – 9:00pm, at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. It’s free, but registration is encouraged.

:: Register for Park Board – VanPlay Community Dialogue: Downtown
:: More Info: www.vancouver.ca/vanplay

Places for People Downtown – Public Space Makers – Wednesday, December 6

As part of the Lumiere Festival, the City of Vancouver is hosting a Pecha Kucha-style discussion that looks at how our public spaces function. In particular, the event asks What kind of public spaces do we need in Downtown Vancouver? How can we better support the idea of creating public life in a rainy city?

The event takes place at Jim Deva Plaza (Bute and Davie), 6:00-8:30pm. The VPSN’s Paola Qualizza will be one of a number of presenters – so be sure to check out this exciting event!

Five More Public-Space Related Projects that Need Your Input

The City of Vancouver is in the midst of a number of public-space related initiatives that you may be interested in. Though described in a recent media release as “transportation” projects, the initiatives in question will all have the potential to enhance city streets and neighbourhoods in a number of different ways. Projects include upgrades to the Georgia Gateway, improvements to the Cambie Bridge, the North East False Creek Area Plan, the Alexander Bikeway, and Mobility Pricing.
There are various consultation opportunities under way, and while some of the open house opportunities have passed, there are other ways to share your feedback.

:: Read More – Get Involved: New and ongoing public space initiatives need your input

Recap: Arbutus Greenway Design Jam

October 27–29, 2017 saw the Arbutus Greenway Design Jam, an all-weekend event where 100 Vancouverites met to generate ideas for the permanent greenway. Residents discussed how to enhance biodiversity and access to nature in the city, provide spaces for play and learning at all ages, increase opportunities for public art, and honour the layered history and culture of the area.

Naomi Wittes Reichstein, Arbutus Greenway Project Lead for the VPSN, was there. You can read her write-up on our blog.

:: Read More – Building our city at the Arbutus Greenway Design Jam

Gift Ideas for the Public Space Aficionado. Your ideas?

Every few years we public a list of cool gift ideas for lovers of public space. There’s always an exciting mix of things to be found – and some of the best ideas come from readers like yourself.

If you’ve got something you think we should add to this year’s list, please email us at info@vancouverpublicspace.ca.

Volunteer Opportunities?

Interested in lending a hand with our public space work? Our next volunteer orientation session takes place on Tuesday, December 5 at 6pm. Location details are being finalized, but if you’d like to attend please email volunteer@vancouverpublicspace.ca.

Photo credit: Rain Urbanism, by Matthew Soules

There are various consultation opportunities under way, including events taking place this coming weekend.

Excerpted and edited from the City of Vancouver Information Bulletin (November 14, 2017)

Five transportation-related projects you should provide feedback on this fall

Throughout November, the City of Vancouver is inviting the public to provide feedback on a range of transportation-related projects that will help alleviate congestion, make streets safer, create better places for people, and address the changing needs of our streets.

1. Northeast False Creek – Northeast False Creek will be a destination for people from all over Vancouver. With the area plan for Northeast False Creek now in its final stages, the public is welcomed to a pop-up shop to see how community consultation over the past 18 months has shaped the future of the area and learn about how the new transportation network would function. The Pop-up Shop is located at 511 W Broadway (at Cambie), and staff will be on hand at the following dates and times:

• Saturday, November 18, 11 am – 5 pm
• Monday, November 20, 11 am – 5 pm
• Tuesday, November 21, 11 am – 5 pm
• Wednesday, November 22, 3 – 9 pm

:: For more information on the NEFC Area Plan: vancouver.ca/nefc

2. Cambie Bridge - Over the past decade, walking and cycling volumes have grown steadily on Cambie Bridge. While there is a dedicated sidewalk for pedestrians on the west side of the bridge, there is no dedicated path for people cycling – and currently bike and pedestrian traffic share the eastside pathway – a situation that is becoming increasingly challenging. To resolve this, the City is considering an option to add a new interim southbound protected bike lane on the west side.

You can provide feedback into the interim option by:

• Emailing cambiebridge@vancouver.ca
• Attend an open house: Thursday, November 30, 2-8pm, 511 West Broadway, west of Cambie Street

:: For more information on the Cambie Bridge project: vancouver.ca/cambiebridge

3. Georgia Gateway West – The City is beginning a transportation planning process for Georgia Street, between Chilco St and Nicola St, to explore how to make Georgia a complete street that is safe, efficient, and welcoming for people of all ages, abilities, using different modes of travel. What are your experiences of Georgia Street and what could make the street safer and more welcoming?

Things kick off this Saturday with a walkshop and open house. During the walking tour, City staff will provide an overview of the project, explore challenges and opportunities at key locations, and discuss insights from your experience. The tour lasts from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at Northeast Corner of W. Georgia St. & Denman St (Devonian Harbour Park). Space is limited, so please register to reserve a spot: vancouver.ca/georgiagatewaywest

The Open House takes place 1:30 to 4:30pm at Coal Harbour Community Centre (480 Broughton Street). You can meet with project staff and share your insights and experience about this area.
You can also share your thoughts, insights, concerns, and ideas online on your own time in a TALK Vancouver survey, or contact georgiagatewaywest@vancouver.ca

:: For more information or to participate in the survey visit: vancouver.ca/georgiagatewaywest
4. Alexander Bikeway – The City is planning updates to Alexander Street to make it safer and more comfortable for cyclists of all ages and abilities by slowing traffic. This will help address a major gap in the cycling network by creating better cycling connections between Gastown, Strathcona, and beyond.

You can provide feedback by:

• Emailing: BikeUpgrades@vancouver.ca
• Attending an open house: Tuesday, November 21, 2-8pm at the Vancouver Japanese Language School , 487 Alexander St

:: For more information on the Alexandra Bikeway Project: vancouver.ca/spotimprovements

5. Mobility Pricing - “It’s Time” for Metro Vancouver to have their say on how we use and pay for transportation throughout the region to reduce congestion, promote fairness and support investment in our roads and transit system. The “It’s Time” project is looking at how Metro Vancouver’s transportation system can be improved through decongestion charges, where users pay their fair share of the road services they use.

Share what you think needs to be addressed from a Vancouver perspective, and help build a tailored approach to alleviating congestion in Metro Vancouver.

:: For more information on Mobility Pricing, or to provide input: itstimemv.ca/have-your-say

First up, the POP (Power of Placemaking) Crawl – a self-guided exploration of new and emergent placemaking initiatives in the downtown. Then, at 7pm, join us for our VPSN Time + Place 10-year Anniversary Party at the Pendulum Gallery.

It’s a great day for public space exploration, and a fantastic evening to have a party. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

POP (Power of Placemaking) Crawl (5-8pm)

Join us for Vancouver’s first #POPCrawl – a create your own adventure exploration of Vancouver downtown public space.

This free event will kick off at the #POPCrawl Launch Party from 5PM to 6:30PM at the 800 Block of Robson Street with food trucks, music, surprise activities and more.

Grab a #POPCrawl Passport and venture out to discover downtown Vancouver’s public spaces like you’ve never seen them before. Each site will have something exciting for you to enjoy, as our Community Partners will ensure there is a surprise activation waiting for you!

Can’t make it to the Launch Party? No problem, swing by any of our sites to pick up your #POPCrawl Passport and start your journey there. Most sites will be activated from 5-8PM, some running a bit longer. Refer to the online map for more details for each site.

More information – POP Crawl webpage.

VPSN Time and Place: 10-year Anniversary Party (7-10pm)

Hey everybody, guess what? The Vancouver Public Space Network turns 10 this year!

To mark the occasion we are throwing a kick-ass party in one of downtown Vancouver’s most temporal public spaces. You’re invited! Help us to celebrate a decade of placemaking, public space advocacy and urban shenanigans.

THEME: “Time and Place”
LOCATION: Pendulum Gallery, 885 W Georgia (at Hornby)

To realize the theme of “time and place,” we’ll be transforming the Pendulum Gallery with a series of installations and animation “stations.” What’s on order? Lots!

• Our VPSN memory wall
• A city-history movie theatre
• Music courtesy of VPSN -alum and local celeb DJ Simon
• A city-themed market (featuring awesome local artisans + one international guest!)
• “Design the city” interactive art project
• Large format games
• A fortune teller
• A place of sublime portraiture
• A public square + benchlet prototype
• Food and drink (including a cash bar with local beer + wine)
• Expo 86 “An Unofficial History” display
• and lots of other activities, including some very special guests

The Time + Place Party is being held at the Pendulum Gallery (HSBC Building Lobby) – 885 W Georgia Street. The event is free.

To RSVP – VPSN Time + Place Eventbrite Page

Other Placemaking and Public Space Events

• Northeast False Creek Planning Launch, 5-9pm, Plaza of Nations
• Keys to the Streets – Sunset Serenade, 6-8pm, Spyglass Dock
• Active Fiction – Various locations, Riley Park, now through September 18. The Active Fiction Project creates short, fictional, stories set in a Vancouver 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.