Vancouver wants to know what you think about public spaces in the downtown core.
On June 28, the city launched the Places for People Downtown program, with the aim of crafting a long-term strategy to create “vibrant, exceptional and memorable” public spaces downtown.
“While downtown Vancouver is home to many popular and lively public spaces, we currently don’t have a comprehensive strategy to guide the planning and delivery of public spaces across the city,” said Gil Kelley, the city’s general manager of planning, urban design and sustainability.
The first stage of the program includes various forms of public consultation, which started with the Wednesday launch, which included a number of information boards set up on Robson Street in front of the art gallery. The display gave members of the public a chance to share ideas for what they would like to see in the city.
“The downtown is growing and changing along with the lifestyles of the population that lives, works and plays there,” Kelley said. “We want to look at the types of spaces people want and need, and develop a more coordinated approach that is centred on people to deliver public spaces and connect it to walking, cycling and transit.”
He said the city will eventually look at expanding the program into other areas of the city, but is starting with the downtown core. The program will focus on public spaces, such as streets, plazas, laneways, public open areas and privately owned public spaces that are part of retail or office buildings.
“We really value public spaces,” said Charles Gauthier, president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. “Public spaces really become important as we densify.”
The program will take about 18 months with the goal of presenting a draft strategy to city council in summer/fall 2018.
Kelley said public consultation will take several forms, including pop up events, walking tours, workshops and questionnaires.
For more information and details on how you can get involved, visit vancouver.ca/placesforpeople.
