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.

Plaza of Nations - Photo by: Hub☺ - flickr.com/hfiguiere

Next week, the City of Vancouver is hosting three open houses to seek public input on the proposed development of the Plaza of Nations site. Owned by Canadian Metropolitan Properties, this site will be completely transformed in a few years into a high-density mix of condominiums, job space, hotels, retail, restaurants and cafes, marinas, plazas/open space, and the continuation of the much-adored seawall. Two extra-spicy ingredients are also part of CMP’s suggested recipe for the site – a new civic square on the waterfront, and a sports/community centre.

The proposed civic square will be a large public gathering space right on the edge of False Creek with a south-facing orientation to soak up the sun and offer views of the creek. Designed to host events, festivals, and concerts for up to 4,000 people, this space will also be built for the day-to-day use of area residents and visitors who just want a space to relax, grab a bite to eat, or hang out with friends. This plaza has great potential to act as a new space for public celebration and recreation and could become one of Vancouver’s prize jewels on the waterfront.

How would you like to see this space used? What considerations should the developers review when designing this multi-use/flexible plaza?

The proposed sports/community centre, located just west of the civic square, would be a mixed-use centre with an ice rink that would be open to the public when not being used for practice by the Vancouver Canucks. Operated as a unique partnership between the developers and Vancouver Parks Board, the facility would also be home to a sports medical centre, daycare, community recreation space, and restaurants.

There are many points to consider here, such as access, accountability, costing (fees for use), recreational opportunities, and building form. Also, how does the public feel about the potential for corporate naming rights on the centre? This centre, if done well, could become a unique public/private hybrid providing recreational and sports services for a variety of users.

Some other points to ponder when attending this open house:

• Is the density and massing of buildings appropriate for this site?
• Are there any shadowing issues for the proposed gathering spaces?
• Is there enough open space for the number of future residents?
• How will this development be stitched into the existing neighbourhood and other proposed adjacent projects?
• Are the suggested public benefits and community amenities satisfactory?

The project is still in the concept stage, but whatever gets built will have a significant impact on Northeast False Creek and other nearby neighbourhoods. Your feedback and suggestions on all of the above are really important. If you’re interested in learning more about the proposal, or would like to share your opinion on the development, be sure to attend one of the following open houses:

Thursday, June 9, 2011, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., site walking tour 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 11, 2011, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., site walking tour 3 pm
Meeting Room B, Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, Athletes Way, Olympic Village

• substantial residential and commercial development
• a new, large civic plaza to be built where Enterprise Hall sits now, to be designed to host festivals
• and other community events (for up to 4000 people), and also suitable for day-to-day use
• a privately-owned and operated community space which will have a full NHL-sized ice rink for Canucks practice and public skating outside these hours, plus daycare and other community sports/recreation space
• restaurants and cafes
• a continuation of the seawall
• some greenspace, floating promenades, and marinas

Specific details for the CMP proposal, as well as all the visuals and display boards from the open house can be found on the City’s website. There is also an important opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions via a linked survey:

:: www.vancouver.ca/nefc

To better understand the importance of this property, a bit of background on the whole NEFC project is useful. In November 2009, the City of Vancouver Council approved the recommendations noted in the document “Northeast False Creek Directions for the Future” to supplement existing policy and guide future planning in NEFC. There were a number of directions given by Council that define the redevelopment of this area:

• NEFC will see housing for over 7200 new residents upon build-out
• Provide 1.8 million square feet of ‘job space’ – commercial development
• Densities in NEFC will be among the highest in Vancouver with a floor space ratio (FSR) in the range of 6 to 9. As a comparison, the West End ranges from 1.5 to 4 FSR, Downtown South ranges from 3 to 6 FSR and in the Central Business District up to 9 FSR (although predominantly office use).
• Historically, the park ratio of 2.75 acres per thousand residents has been used to develop new public open space. Direction was given to provide only 5 acres of new public open space – 1/3 of the typical amount for the NEFC area.

The Vancouver Public Space Network believes that this proposed deficiency in public open space is unacceptable. The comparable existing North False Creek neighbourhood surrounding David Lam Park has been developed to have the typical 2.75 acres of public open space for each 1000 residents. This neighbourhood is a world-renowned example for livability and urban development, and has won numerous awards for its high quality and plentiful public open spaces. It is incomprehensible that the plan for the NEFC area would propose a drastic departure from this respected urban example and reduce the amount of public space. To remain a desirable place to live, attract people, business and tourists, Vancouver must continue to retain and develop a variety of open spaces to allow for a diverse range of activities and recreational opportunities.

While CMP’s proposal for the Plaza of Nations and surrounding land is commendable with its aim to provide a vibrant, mixed-use, high-density waterfront neighbourhood, it does fall short on a few key components. The current proposal fails to meet several of the City of Vancouver’s criteria;

• City staff have recommended that a total of 80,000 ft2 of public open space be provided on the property
• 67,000 ft2 is proposed in CMP’s plans
• City of Vancouver staff has recently identified an overwhelmingly high demand for public performance space in and around the downtown area
• The current proposal provides a plaza but does not meet the criteria set in the recently-completed Demand Analysis Study for Cultural Performance / Event Spaces

The Vancouver Public Space Network understands that a large public performance space that is managed and owned by the public is critical to providing access to a public plaza that is centrally located and cherished by all. The plaza can be a venue for numerous community celebrations such as the Taiwanese Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and other cultural events. The direct access to the water is essential for this space to provide the flexibility for the largest range of events possible plus retaining visual and physical public access to False Creek.

The public benefit/amenity strategy described in the NEFC development process is limited in range and detail. This is unfortunate because it is clear that Vancouverites, particularly in the downtown peninsula, require more daycare, playground space, sports fields and programmed community activity spaces like the Roundhouse Community Centre. The success of the Roundhouse is an indication that indoor community spaces are needed for downtown residential areas. These are needs that, even in the absence of any residential development in the NEFC area, will only increase in the coming years. With thousands of new residents projected in NEFC these needs will be exacerbated.

The proposed plan has identified a privately owned and managed waterfront practice rink for the Vancouver Canucks. It is suggested that the ice rink would be accessible to the public when the Canucks are not using it. The building would also house daycare spaces as well as public community space for sports and recreation. While there is little doubt that the neighbourhood is hungry for recreational space such as this one, it is difficult to imagine that a private facility designed and built for private interests will serve the public and truly be affordable and accessible to all the residents of Vancouver.

HOW CAN YOU HELP/GET INVOLVED?

For everyone who was not able to attend the open house held this past Wednesday, there is still an opportunity to learn more about the development, and provide your own feedback. The link below will connect you with the City’s website for the NEFC development. In addition to the overall aims for the neighbourhood, all of the display boards from the Dec 8 Open House are available for viewing. There is also an attached survey. For anyone who has an interest, concern, or suggestion for this development, this is your best opportunity to provide feedback!

:: www.vancouver.ca/nefc

The survey will be available until December 20, 2010, so now is your chance to share your own ideas or concerns. The survey is directly linked to the details outlined in the display boards, so make sure you have a close look at them before filling out the online form.

For anyone interested in reading more about the recommendations for the civic plaza outlined in the City’s demand study, you can check out the final report for the Demand Analysis Study for Cultural Performance / Event Spaces at the above link under the column “Project News” on the right-hand side.

As one of the largest pieces of property to be developed along the shores of False Creek, the former Plaza of Nations land not only represents an ideal opportunity to create a waterfront community that is high in density and vibrancy, providing homes and work places for thousands, but also one that is host to a generous offering of attractive open spaces. As part of a waterfront network of open spaces and greenery, the plazas and park spaces created here will be enjoyed by residents of all of Vancouver and tourists alike, not just those living in Northeast False Creek. The City and Canadian Metropolitan Properties have the chance to create one of the most welcoming and livable neighbourhoods in Vancouver – let’s hope that they seize this opportunity, and by using lessons learned from other exemplary neighbourhoods just up the Creek, get it right the first time.