Deconstructing FormShift
March 31, 2009
By Erick Villagomez, re:place magazine
Spring is in the air and slowly, our dreary winter eyes are shedding their grey-stained patina to the exuberant energy and life blooming around us. Wisely, the City of Vancouver and Architectural Institute of British Columbia are looking to capitalize on the spirit of the season through launching their jointly-sponsored FormShift architectural design competition. Read more
Where’s the Square - Speaker Series - The Public Square as an Economic Space
March 31, 2009
By the Vancouver Public Space Network
In many cities public squares (as one component of the public realm) play a key role in the local economy. Consider some of the many dimensions of economic activity that exist within such grand gathering places: public markets, celebratory events and concerts, carnivals, lunch-time vending, tours and tourism activities, busking, cafes and more.
Not only that, but well designed public squares and plazas often prove to be a magnet for stores, services, artists and entertainers who want to locate in or near the action – a fact that, in turn, brings even more people into these central gathering places. The flexible nature of good public squares mean that they act as catalysts for a diverse array of economic activity – much more so than malls or commercial streets.
What if Vancouver had a main public square such as exists in other corners of the globe? What sort of role would this space play on the economic life of our city?
The Vancouver Public Space Network is pleased to present the latest installment of our “Where’s the Square?” Speaker Series. Please join us for a discussion on The Public Square as an Economic Space.
The event starts with presentations by our special guests:
- Trevor Barnes, Economic Geographer, UBC
- Andrea Reimer, Councillor, City of Vancouver
- John Tylee, Vancouver Economic Development Commission
We’ll also be providing time for a Q&A. And along the way, we’ll also be providing an update on our “Where’s the Square?” ideas design competition. It promises to be a great evening, and we hope you’ll be able to be present.
Location: Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, 2325 West 7th Avenue
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Admission: Free
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For more information, please visit our webpage, or email us at info@vancouverpublicspace.ca.
March 31, 2009 Headlines
March 31, 2009
LOCAL
Province’s New Counting Makes Homeless Disappear, Say Critics [The Tyee]
City planners take new look at urban vistas [Globe and Mail]
Metro Vancouver economy to decline in 2009 [Vancouver Sun]
CANADA
Air Canada: $50 Folding Bike Tax [RideTHISBike.com]
INTERNATIONAL
L.A.’s great signage debate [LA Times]
Historical ecologists map a changing landscape [San Francisco Chronicle]
Reinventing America’s Cities: The Time Is Now [NY Times]
300,000 more houses? Where? [The Oregonian]
A Year in Five Minutes: Vancouver 1913
March 30, 2009
A crowd near Boundary Road attending the ceremony to open Kingsway, Oct. 1, 1913. Item # Str P290.2
By Chuck Davis, The History of Vancouver
Photos courtesy of Vancouver Archives
Main event: Port Coquitlam and Port Moody incorporated
On April 18, 1913 the city of Port Coquitlam—population 1,500—celebrated Inauguration Day, marking its incorporation a little over a month earlier (March 7). The first mayor was James Mars. Read more
March 30, 2009 Headlines
March 30, 2009
LOCAL
Up False Creek [Vancouver Magazine]
CANADA
Canada’s winter sports melting away, report warns [Globe and Mail]
INTERNATIONAL
Let Clean Waters Flow [CitiWire]
Lack of light rail risks city’s success:expert [Sydney Morning Herald]
March 29, 2009 Headlines
March 29, 2009
LOCAL
Metro Vancouver database helps residents finds nearby recycling spots [Georgia Straight]
CANADA
Canada goes dark for Earth Hour [Vancouver Sun]
INTERNATIONAL
The Pros of Planting Startups in Smaller Cities [Business Week]
U.N. ‘Climate Change’ Plan Would Likely Shift Trillions to Form New World Economy [Fox News]
Light Fight [The New Yorker]
March 28, 2009 Headlines
March 28, 2009
LOCAL
Japantown’s Neighbourhood Celebration Coming This Sat. [Vancouver Observer]
Vancouver’s Canada Line to open in September [CBC News]
World switches off to save planet in “Earth Hour” [Vancouver Sun]
Vancouver-Richmond SkyTrain line to open ahead of schedule [Vancouver Sun]
Canada Line running by Labour Day: premier [Vancouver Sun]
Downtown dives get a makeover [The Vancouver Courier]
INTERNATIONAL
Solar Power: Eco-Friendly or Environmental Blight? [Time]
Homesteaders in the Hood [Slate]
Taking Cities in Stride [NY Times]
Students Give Up Wheels for Their Own Two Feet [NY Times]
Clash of Subways and Car Culture in Chinese Cities [NY Times]
March 27, 2009 Headlines
March 27, 2009
LOCAL
Vancouver is Canada’s wealthiest city: study [The Province]
Juno bonanza sweeps into Vancouver [The Province]
Even the mighty need helping hands [The Province]
Want One Port Mann Bridge, or a Light Rail Metropolis? [The Tyee]
Why Big Media Is Failing [The Tyee]
City council needs integrity commissioner: report [The Vancouver Courier]
Ease pressure on landfill, report urges [Globe and Mail]
CANADA
Canada’s population estimates [The Daily - Statistics Canada]
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strong>INTERNATIONAL
Feinstein wants desert swath off-limits to solar, wind projects [LA Times]
Cities Deal With a Surge in Shantytowns [NY Times]
CoV Update on Laneway Housing —When might it be allowed in your neighbourhood?
March 26, 2009
By City of Vancouver, Planning Department
The City has been working on amending single family zoning to allow laneway housing. This new housing form will be located in the typical garage area where it maintains backyard open space. As per past City Council direction, it will be limited to 1 ½ storeys, have at least one off-street parking space, and be rental or family only (no stratification will be allowed).
Read more
March 26, 2009 Headlines
March 26, 2009
LOCAL
Mayor Speaks to Sustainability Business Group [Vancouver Observer]
Province steps back from Burnaby prison plan [Globe and Mail]
Integrity commissioner may be too costly [Globe and Mail]
Jenny Kwan urges BC to preserve old Chinese cemetary in New Westminster [Chinese in Vancouver]
CANADA
In Markham, the dream of an urban village that never was [Posted Toronto]
INTERNATIONAL
Is the Housing Crisis Good for the World’s Trees? [Ihabitat]
Japan: Blurring the line between bullets and trains [LA Times]
Sustaining the New Urbanism [New Urban News]
India’s Tata Motors unveils the world’s cheapest car [LA Times]
17th Street Closure Will Be First NYC-style Plaza in San Francisco [StreetsBlog]
