Streetcars returning to North America
February 3, 2010
With new low-floor and catenary-free models at the forefront of a revolution in streetcar technology, the time is ripe for streetcars to make a full-fledged comeback in North America. A conversation with Steve Hall, General Manager of Bombardier’s Vancouver office.
By John Calimente, re:place Magazine
Are gas stations becoming an endangered species?
December 10, 2009
This piece investigates the phenomenon of closing and abandoned gas stations over the past decade, and asks whether this is part of a larger trend.
By John Calimente, re:place magazine
Pedestrians need their share of the road
August 20, 2009
The needs of pedestrians need to be considered along with cyclists.
By Jayalath (Jay) Ameresekere
Photos by Leszek Apouchtine
Planners and Engineers have, in the past, tended to be more concerned with the ease and comfort of the motorist to the detriment of other road users. This trend seems to have changed over the years and today we find greater attention being paid to non- motorized transport, mainly the bicycle. Bicycle lanes have become almost an integral part of road planning and it is easy to understand how this came into being. Cycling as a mode of transport is backed by environmentalists as it does not ‘pollute’ in the way a motorcar does, by physicians as it is a very beneficial physical exercise and by cycling enthusiasts. It has even been transformed into an international competitive sport. In the city of Vancouver, I have observed numerous signs displaying figures of a motor car and a bicycle with the caption “Share the road”. While this kind of sharing is to be commended, I was intrigued by the omission of the pedestrian from this sign; after all, the pedestrian is the first user of the road, having been a road user even before the wheel was invented. Read more
Canada Line craziness: An adventure on the rails
August 17, 2009
Thousands wait outside Waterfront Station for a free ride on the Canada Line.
Article and photos by Leszek Apouchtine, re:place magazine
The first day of the Canada Line saw thousands of people line up at many stations, while other stations sat practically empty. Read more
A Year in Five Minutes: Vancouver 1932
August 17, 2009
Opening of the Burrard Bridge, July 1, 1932. Photograph by Stuart Thomson. Item # CVA 99-2656.
By Chuck Davis, The History of Vancouver
Photos courtesy of Vancouver Archives
The Main Events: The Burrard Bridge; the CPR Tunnel
The Great Depression had settled like a sodden shroud on the city. Thousands of us were on relief (34,000 at the peak), and hundreds more were riding the rods into town on every freight train. (The author’s father was one of them.) The Sun’s Alan Morley counted 1,250 men in the breadline at First United Church. The city’s relief cost for the 1931-1932 year was more than $1.3 million. In October the province would establish relief camps for single unemployed men . . . of which there were many. (More than 6,000 by 1934.) Read more
This summer belongs to the bike
June 18, 2009
Montreal-owned Bixi sets up a bike-sharing demonstration at Science World over the weekend.
Article and photos by Leszek Apouchtine, re:place magazine
With city council recently approving a slew of bike-friendly initiatives, it would appear that cycling in Vancouver is about to get a whole lot easier. There is reason for optimism among the city’s bicycle enthusaists that cycling is becoming a viable option for more Metro Vancouverites. Read more
CoV Central Waterfront Hub Open House
March 5, 2009
By the City of Vancouver Planning Dept.
The City of Vancouver is finalizing a Framework to guide future development of the Central Waterfront Hub area around Waterfront Station.
The Framework sets out an exciting vision for a world-class transportation interchange and dynamic extension of the downtown
waterfront. Review and comment on the draft Framework at one of our open houses. City and TransLink staff will be present to hear your feedback.
Open House Dates:
- Thursday March 5, 3pm - 7pm at Waterfront Station
- Saturday, March 7, 10am - 2pm at Central Public Library Atrium
We look forward to seeing you there.
***
You can get background information on the initiative here. Open house materials will be posted to the website soon.
UBC Study Shows Trams the Greenest Way to Go
December 15, 2008
By UBC Design Centre for Sustainability
It’s not surprising that a Ford Explorer is not the most sustainable form of transit, but who knew that there are also drawbacks to the bus and Skytrain?
A chance to shape the future of UBC Farm
November 20, 2008
By Mark Pickersgill
On Saturday November 22, The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm will be hosting a design workshop looking at the future of the UBC Farm. Read more
PRICE TAGS 106 – Vaughan
November 19, 2008
By Gordon Price, www.pricetags.ca
It’s been three months since the last Price Tags – so I’m making it up with a colossal issue.
Explore with me the staggering landscape of the 905 Belt – a hostile place for anyone on foot, so vast that it is near impossible to grasp and intimidating to traverse. And that’s just the Vaughan Corporate Centre.
