Exploring Vancouverism

Author: Howard Rotberg (Canadian Values Press, 2008)

Vancouverites tend to like to hear good news about our city, which I suppose is only natural. We like to be rated as the most livable city by The Economist and we are eager to show off to the rest of the world when the Olympics come to town in 2010. In Exploring Vancouverism: The Political Culture of Lotus Land, Howard Rotberg thinks we have spent too much time on esthetics, too much effort on patting ourselves on the back and have forgotten or neglected to tackle the truly important issues.

This book comes at an important time as our economy slows and the same developers that had eager potential buyers lined up outside sales offices overnight are now offering liquidation sales and free perks, such as cars, to desperately get some money in. This is a pivotal point in our history when we can take a breath and take stock of what Vancouver has become in the boom period of the past eight years or so. Rotberg argues that we have wasted our time on high-rise condos, glamorous convention centres, misguided transit planning and the Olympic Games to the detriment of our own citizens.

The condo craze is of particular interest to Rotberg, who points out that we have turned real estate into a sexed-up desire to the point where we are so caught up in emotions when it comes to buying that we forget about logic. Looking at any condo brochure that focusses on lavish interior design more than the layout and livability of the space, it is true that the developers and realtors have been selling dreams and lifestyles instead of homes for a while now. That, however, is just the beginning of the problem as Rotberg sees it.

One of the main issues is that Vancouver has been such a draw to investors or workers with higher-than-average salaries, that affordable housing has been all but forgotten. How can we claim to be a great city when we ignore the needs of most of the workers in the city and make living in downtown only available to a select few who can afford it?

He points out that more of our efforts go towards density for the sake of density itself, as if that is enough to solve problems such as affordability.

Although many of Rotberg’s arguements are quite subjective, he admits this and makes no apologies for it. But he is an astute observer and as he is someone who is heavily involved in building affordable housing in Ontario (where he travels to once a month) he is in a good position to see how Vancouver’s policies measure up with other cities - and it’s not good news. In Exploring Vancouverism Rotberg points out measures that other North American cities have taken to make affordable housing more of a priority. For instance, giving incentives to developers to make affordable units a part of a larger development. What’s most interesting and yet upsetting at the same time is how simple and logical most of Rotberg’s suggestions are, yet how Vancouver’s policy-makers have taken us down a different path.

Since Rotberg does take a subjective view on many aspects of Vancouver and what he sees as the priorities of Vancouverites, there are probably some things in this book that many may take issue with or reject. I definitely disagree with his view that a low participation in organized religion is part of the problem of Vancouverites who, as he argues, tend to worship nature and beauty as more important than the well-being of other people. I can appreciate his stance, but wholeheartedly disagree that an atheist, agnostic or someone with a weak religious faith is someone who is ego-centric and uncaring towards other people. However, the overall arguement in the book is strong and still stands up even if I find issue with a finer point here and there.

Rotberg analyzes several aspects of the Vancouver culture in a fairly quick and easy read that covers a lot of ground in a succinct fashion. It’s a must-read for our local government officials, but should really be enjoyed by anyone who wants to look at the real Vancouver beyond the esthetics and the hype. Vancouver has many problems, with a lack of affordable housing ranking high on the list, and a book like this is essential to remind us that no matter how many foreigners are impressed by what they see when they come for a visit, what’s most important is what the city offers all of its citizens - not just the ones with the big pay cheques.

Rotberg describes a Vancouver that is shallow, narcissistic and more obsessed with apperances to the outside world than with solving the problems of its most vulnerable citizens. It is not a pretty picture, but it is the reality we have created. Now the challenge comes at a time when investors aren’t as quick to snatch up overpriced condos and we have an opportunity to turn our attention to more pressing concerns. If nothing else, Rotberg’s book adds an important voice to the debate of where our priorities should now be.

By Leszek Apouchtine

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Leszek Apouchtine is one of the founding editors at re:place. His day job is in the print industry and he also works as a freelance writer.