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 Or will that lock in unaffordable, outdated housing?
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?
Are we too safe; have we gone too far with the building code?
Building regulations are in place for many good reasons, including keeping residents and first responders safe. At the end of 2023, the BC Government announced adjustments to the Building Code. They are aiming to “right-size” the code, mostly through seismic and accessibility provisions. But, with ambitious housing supply goals, are the proposed reforms enough or are the years of accrued regulations getting in the way of good and affordable housing design?
The Downtown Eastside Plan (2014) was created to protect low-income residents and other community members by restricting new development and uses not specifically targeting the poor. Many believe the DTES is Vancouver's last authentic and compassionate neighbourhood in the city; others see a neighbourhood in decline. Is it time to rethink the DTES Plan to allow for a greater mix of self-supporting uses, residents and businesses? Or, does the DTES Plan effectively protect a vulnerable population and preserve/work towards a cohesive neighbourhood?
Links to the Plan: