Urbanarium

Density and Design are key levers for creating more affordable housing. As the price of land and construction escalates, we have to be far more creative and judicious about how we design new homes. Taking a page out of Edward Schumacher’s famous 1973 book, this Smart City Talk, a partnership between Urbanarium & Small Housing BC, asks “Is Small Beautiful?”

A panel of creative designers and developers are challenging our design conventions and bending our dated planning rules to deliver homes that better meet environmental, demographic and economic needs.

You are cordially invited to the ADFF:Vancouver kick-off event brought to you by ADFF:Vancouver and Urbanarium.



The Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) is the pre-eminient film festival showcasing the best recent documentaries and short films on architecture and design. Originating in New York City, and now celebrating its 10th year, the ADFF has launched globally in numerous cities including Los Angeles, New Orleans, Washington DC, and Athens, Greece. We are excited to announce ADFF:Vancouver launching in November 2019. 

Imagine Parks and Recreation – What could Vancouver’s parks, public space and recreation opportunities look like in 25 years? How about 100 years? 

In the fifth and final lecture of this series, we are bringing five renowned speakers together in a panel format to explore the ways our parks and public space system create resilience and wellbeing in our communities. Panelists will present their topics, followed by a moderated discussion with the audience. This event will end with a hosted reception in the lobby of UBC Robson Square. 

Should citizens be more empowered to decide what gets built and where in Vancouver? Or is the process already too prone to public pressures, stifling the creativity, knowhow and vision that professional planners are hired to provide?

Vancouver allows a lot of wiggle room in its zoning requirements to be able to negotiate trade-offs with developers. That can spawn public amenities, but sometimes public backlash as well. Time to stop this “spot zoning” and nail down a city-wide plan?

Can market forces provide the range of housing options needed for all of Vancouver’s population? If not, is that a problem? Should the government fill the gaps? Where has this worked, or not?

Is Vancouver and its region too quick or too slow to build towers? Are they good or bad for livability and green aims? Are towers the future or past their prime?

How and where will Vancouver and its region accommodate increased population?

In densifying neighbourhoods, where do issues of fairness, democracy, ecology, and community preservation come into play?

Should any community preservation come into play? Shold any areas be off limits?