Unleashing the potential of The Missing Middle will hinge on the economics of land assembly. The pervasive development culture, requiring land assembly, underground parking, presentation center marketing and tendency towards large scale developments begs big questions for this missing housing type.
In the third lecture of this series, we explore the ecological and environmental sustainability dimensions of parks and public spaces in urban environments with two leading experts and a moderated Q&A:
Opening speaker: Melina Scholefield, P. Eng, Manager, Green Infrastructure Implementation, City of Vancouver
Our second lecture of this series delves into spatial distribution, access and equity dimensions of parks and public spaces with two speakers and a moderated Q&A:
Opening Speaker: Aaron Licker on using GIS to investigate cities
Keynote Speaker: Kurt Culbertson on environmental and spatial justice
As the first lecture on our series, we are opening the floor to some of Vancouver's thinkers on the theme of COMMUNITY + VISION:
- Dr Tara Moreau: UBC Botanical Garden
- Jessie Mann: Youth leader
- Ildiko G. Kovacs: engaging children in parks planning
Vienna, one of the world’s most livable cities, has no affordable housing crisis. Four-fifths of new housing is government subsidized. Should Greater Vancouver follow suit?
6:00 Doors Open
6:00 - 7:30 The Vienna Model exhibition + Drinks Bar
7:30 - 9:00 Smart City Debate
Greater Vancouver is gripped by a housing affordability crisis that threatens its economy and livability. What do the three parties pledge to do? Who will earn your vote?
New Democrat Housing Critic MLA David Eby, BC Liberal MLA Sam Sullivan and Green Party Housing Spokesperson David Wong lay out their parties’ positions and answer tough questions.
Should zoning laws be rewritten to protect character homes? Or will that lock in unaffordable, outdated housing?
Which form of housing development supports a stronger community fabric and greater sociability? Do low-rise housing forms make it easier for neighbours to get to know each other and build stronger social connections? Or does being more spread out make it harder to stay connected? Do the higher population densities of condo and rental towers make it easier for residents to form tight social networks? Or does the high-rise form lead to residents being surrounded by people, but all avoiding eye contact in the elevator?
Mass timber is widely touted for it’s potential for speedy, low carbon construction. However, market acceptance in BC remains elusive. Do the risks (cost, supply chain, trades, maintenance etc) outweigh the benefits? Our panel debates the position: “Mass timber is not worth the risk(s)”.
Who should decide what scale and type of development should go into an existing neighbourhood? Should it be the City which has close relationships and an overall perspective of development and housing needs across all neighbourhoods? Or should it be the Province who understands the urgent need for development and sees that many local governments are not doing their part to allow change and growth?