Municipal officials of the 1960s and 1970s declared a major urban renewal project that required demolishment of historic neighborhoods for the construction of elevated highways. When founded in the late 1880s as a port and railroad center, Vancouver was a Victorian-style urban village and residents were adamant on keeping it that way. During the 1970s, the West End of Vancouver experienced a developmental surge of apartment buildings. Most of downtown Vancouver’s building structures were designed in tower-podium styles and shadowed by narrow towers. These structures were influenced by European landscapes that planners hoped to duplicate since they encouraged street-level activity and were tailored to pedestrians.
Vancouver’s development encountered a fundamental turning point during the 1980s after hosting Expo ’86 in False Creek North, a world’s fair that celebrated the city’s centennial. (For more information on Expo ‘86, see Waterfront section) Once the Expo ended, the location was available for potential development of a new urban neighborhood. A plan was formed for the vacant property to adjoin compact developments surrounding green parks instead of the properties lining the waterfront. The plan would result in better connected buildings and most importantly, would reinforce a shared amenity. [1]
In 2010, the Winter Olympics took place in Vancouver. This provided the city with the opportunity to construct a complex that would incorporate energy reduction techniques and sustainability systems that could later serve residential and commercial purposes. [1]
Vancouverism
In urban terms, a city is considered “livable” if it contains areas within close proximity to commercial zones and nature, another words, it is diverse and complex. “Vancouversim” is a style of urban planning and architectural sensation that has been recognized as the model for central city revitalization and fits the standards of livability. Vancouverism promotes public transportation, creation and maintenance of green park spaces, and emphasizes preserving view corridors. The city’s buildings have been designed to provide maximum access to light and air. Vancouver strives to minimize freeway construction, pedestrianize communities, and improve the character of the city. The mix use of buildings is unique to Vancouver: apartments are built on top of stores and universities above shopping centers. [2]
Vancouversim was established under the circumstances that it be shaped through a discretionary planning process. Discretionary planning permits automatic consent of small developments that obey building codes, unlike larger projects that are prone to rigorous design critique by the city’s planning department. After public opposition of the freeway development, Project 200, residents called for the Elector’s Action Movement (TEAM), which executed strict design regulations. One development highly supported by TEAM is South False Creek due to its ideal urban practice. The neighborhood contains advanced infrastructure, energy reduction systems, high-performance buildings, and easy access to public transit. [3] (For more information on False Creek, see Waterfront section)
Urban Planning Objectives
Due to the success of its value-based development methods, Vancouver is internationally known as one of the best places to live. Vancouver’s urban planning focuses on the interconnectedness of neighborhoods, building a city where people can easily perform their everyday tasks, and having high-density residential neighborhoods. [1] It is beneficial to build a livable and sustainable city because it encourages residents to choose eco-friendly modes of transportation. Also, it facilitates superior urban design that produces a striking, efficient, and safe city. An intriguing characteristic of Vancouver is the breathtaking views of the mountains and harbor visible from practically any location within the city. [4] The views are possible to admire from any standpoint due to the attentive planning and design the city has implemented.
Temporary Green City?
A major concern for the city is whether or not it will be able to uphold its ambitious vision. It is questionable whether or not Vancouverites will continue to be compliant of the principles intended to be advantageous to them and the city. The government has faced much hostility in their efforts to build inner-city bike paths and transform lower-density neighborhoods into high-density districts. Vancouver has plans to redevelop several of its neighborhoods and commercial districts and hopes residents will continue their support and commitment. [5]
Current Projects
Sitting on the eastside of downtown, is Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. Ranked as the third largest Chinatown in North America by population, it has been vital to the growth of Vancouver both culturally and economically. Culturally, it has brought in waves of Chinese immigrants, which has created authentic Chinese markets and festivals, and is becoming a great tourism attraction. The combination of newly settled immigrants and increased tourism has produced a generous amount of financial benefits, which has significantly helped the economy. [9]
However, over the past few years there has been a downhill trend in the growth of Chinatown due to the Chinese population scattering across different neighborhoods throughout Vancouver. This has led to failing businesses and a decline in the Chinese identity within the city. The issue has also resulted in a decline in tourism. Indeed, a revitalization of Chinatown was needed and in 2008, programs were approved by the Vancouver City Council to support the plans to revive the town. [9]
One of these programs involved a project called the Great Beginnings. The first stage of the project was approved in late 2008 and was not only aimed at Chinatown, but several other neighborhoods as well. One of its purposes was to improve streets, building fronts, and public spaces. This was accomplished by cleaning up graffiti, expanding streets, and restoring awnings and buildings. Another attribute of the Great Beginnings project was to enhance the community through cultural activities and art by building murals, gardens, and carrying out Chinese traditions within the community. [9]
Another major project aimed to catapult Chinatown back to the growing cultural attraction it once was, is the Downtown Eastside Plan. Although this plan concentrates on downtown and the eastside in general, its effects will ultimately rebuild Chinatown. A couple of the principles this plan deals with are neighborhood development and heritage preservation. The plan will try to improve some of the older and more distinct neighborhoods, while maintaining the diverse character they hold. It will also build up parks and businesses within the neighborhoods to improve the local economy. In order to keep the culture alive, the plan will protect the cultural assets of the neighborhoods as well as celebrate the local arts. [10]
The revitalization of Chinatown will undoubtedly help contribute to the progression of Vancouver. With the Mayor, council, and several committees on board, funding for future and present projects will be achievable.
Urban Design Awards
Vancouver is home to some of the most stunning, architecturally distinctive buildings. The city strives to create a memorable experience for all visitors and enrich the daily lives of residents by carefully considering the design of public spaces and buildings and creating overall picturesque structures.
In 2014, Vancouver held its first Urban Design Awards to celebrate the remarkable architecture and ingenious urban design. The awards plan to be presented every other year to honor the innovators that contribute to the beauty of the city. Projects that exhibit brilliant design and implement far-sighted ideas will be recognized and awarded. [5]
Recipients:
The Cloister House
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2082630/thumbs/o-CLOISTER-HOUSE-VANCOUVER-570.jpg
Cloister House
The Cloister House emphasized sustainability and over 90% of the original building’s material was skillfully repurposed into the construction of the new house. Since the house is located on a busy street in central Vancouver, the client requested that the designer ensure the end product would give a sense of seclusion. The hilltop house was contrived for a woman whose grandchildren visit frequently, as is evident by the steel slide installed along the staircase inside which later can be used as a stair lift. Steel covers most of the home’s concrete walls and fortunately, steel and reinforced concrete profuse energy conservation. The selection of materials provide a hyper-clean environment which was crucial for the client’s asthma. [6]
The secondary materials, torched wood and galvanized steel, make the house boldly contemporary. The fir planks were re-charred, making them dark and durable, and were then mounted over the front-room window wall. A skillfully designed spine wall passes from the front of the house to the rear. The Cloister house undoubtedly governs exceptional, playful, and sustainable urban design elements. [5]
Monad
http://www.viewpictures.co.uk/ImageThumbs/NLEH-0005-0021/3/NLEH-0005-0021_Monad_Vancouver_Canada_Architect__LWPAC_2012_Exterior.jpg
The Monad Project is located on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano and is the prime model of design innovation and desirable living. It demonstrates sustainability, affordability, compactness, interconnectedness, efficiency, clever spatial arrangements, and overall livability. The modular housing structure was designed so as to evolve and conform to the community’s shifting needs. It entails natural cross ventilation, low operating costs, abundance of light, and accommodates various home sizes. The structure contains a geothermal/solar in-floor radiant heating and cooling system. [7]
Monad has been the first to implement different urban techniques in Vancouver such as:
- Multi-story off-site prefabrication using fully engineered wood frame modular construction
- Creating an economic parking elevator, which presents new opportunities in basement design
- Combining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold, Passive House, and Living Building standards, which radically plummets energy consumption
- Building four urban homes on the standard 33 by 10 foot lot size of a single family home [7]
The Cactus Club Cafe, English Bay
http://www.actonostry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CCEB_image16aa.jpg
Cactus Club Café, English Bay
The Cactus Club Café was designed with the goal of earning a LEED Gold Certification. The certification is comprised of assessments for the creation, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. Some of the Café’s eco-friendly qualities include:
- An energy efficient green roof
- An organic herb garden
- Rainwater irrigation
- Waterless urinals
- A heating and air conditioning system that operates on a heat recovery method where the heat from the kitchen is filtered and recycled to heat the restaurant
- More than half of all the wood is FSC (Forrest Stewardship Council of Canada) certified [8]
1. Punter, J. (2003). The Vancouver Achievement: Urban Planning and Design.
Vancouver, BC: University of Washington Press.
2. Berelowitz, L., (2010). Dream City: Vancouver and the Global Imagination.
Madeira Park, BC: Douglas & McIntyre.
3. Boddy, T. (2004). New Urbanism: “The Vancouver Model” [Speaking of
Places]. Places, 16(2), 14. Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/0ns9f0b0
4. Andersson, D.E., & Andersson, A.E., & Mellander C., (2013). Handbook of
Creative Cities. Williston, VT: Edward Elgar Publishing.
5. City of Vancouver: Urban Planning, sustainable zoning, and development.
Accessed February 8, 2015. http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/planning-zoningdevelopment.aspx
6. (2015) Cloister House. Retrieved from
http://measured.ca/projects/cloisterhouse/
7. (2011, February 17). A factory-made modern home., Retrieved from
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/real-estate/a-factory-made-modern-home/article566869/
8. (2015, March). Cactus club café [Web log post]. Retrieved from
http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use/
9. (2015). A guide to Chinatown. Retrieved from
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/activitiesattractions/attractions/chinatown-guide/
10. (2014). Downtown eastside local area plan. Retrieved from
http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/downtown-eastside-plan.pdf
11. [Cloister House]. Retrieved March 4, 2015
from http://measured.ca/projects/cloisterhouse/
12. [Untitled illustration of Monad]. Retrieved March 7, 2015 from
http://www.viewpictures.co.uk/Details.aspx?ID=183634&TypeID=1
13. [Cactus Club at English Bay]. Retrieved March 7, 2015 from
http://www.actonostry.ca/projects/cceb/
No comments:
Post a Comment