Tag Archives: community

One Millionth Tower [Weekend Watch]

Over a billion people around the world now live in high-rise towers, many of which are falling into disrepair. This trailer for a unique documentary video by the National Film Board of Canada looks at how the power of imagination (and technology) can transform a dilapidated high-rise neighbourhood.

As a Canadian and a community advocate, I found this video especially cool, because it showcases a Canadian community — a highrise on Kipling Avenue in suburban Toronto, Canada. The project is a concrete result of a community collaboration between residents, architects, documentarians and animators to re-imagine the particular spaces around these particular highrises.


This is a timely video for all cities, particularly Vancouver.  There has been a noticeable push back in recent years against new condo developments in the city.  One of reasons given for the opposition to more high-rise towers is that they lack community and lead to neighborhood decay.

For Vancouver tocontinue to be livable (and hopefully become more lovable), we need to find ways to accommodate more people while enhancing our local community ties. Hopefully this project will given tower advocates and opponents alike some ideas to begin a dialogue.  I know it gave me some food for thought!

Long time readers of this site may recall a post on Arcade Fire’s Wilderness Downtown, another immersive video experience.   Videos like these are revolutionizing film as we know it by making the viewer a participant in the action. For their cutting edge efforts, both videos were selected by Google as Chrome Experiments.

For more information or to interact with the full experience, including viewing the full 6 minute documentary, visit the One Millionth Tower site.

 

[HT to Urban Times for the find]

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Here Comes the Neighborhood [Weekend Watch]

Watching this video reminded me of the powerful connection between street art and neighborhood placemaking. It gave me all sorts of ideas on how a renewed focus of street art could help continue transform both Vancouver’s and Phoenix’s alleyways.

To be sure a lot of work has already been along these lines in both cities (notably Calle 16 in Phoenix), but it is always good to be pushed forward by outside examples.

HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a Short-Form Docu-series exploring the power of Public Art and innovation to uplift and revitalize urban communities. The Pilot Season revolves around the Arts District of Wynwood Miami, featuring an array of internationally acclaimed and locally respected Street Artists, Graffiti Writers and Muralists.

In 2009, Urban Visionary and Placemaker Tony Goldman partnered with Jeffrey Deitch (Deitch Projects Soho and now director of MoCa Los Angeles) to create the Wynwood Walls.What began with a series of parking lots, loading docks, and drab rundown factory buildings, became a curation of high caliber murals from Futura, Shepard Fairey, OS Gemeos, Kenny Scharf and others. The Walls opened for Art Basel 2009, and now two years later the collection has expanded to include over thirty artists from around the world, becoming a “Town Center” in a district that has grown into one of the largest concentrations of commissioned murals in the World.

This year Artists, many of whom have not shown work in the United States before, were selected by Tony Goldman, Goldman Projects Arts Manager Meghan Coleman and Art Consultant Medvin Sobio of the Visual Arts Collective Viejas Del Mercado. 33third Los Angeles, Mid City Arts, and Montana Cans worked together to provide paint for the project’s ambitious expansion.

HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD explores a unique juncture in history as a new community emerges and evolves. A progressive urban revitalization campaign is examined in the first person, using this year’s new Artists and their commissions as a lens to explore a neighborhood in transition. The Series is framed by colorful overview and concluding episodes, providing the scope of past, present and future. Each episode is accented by images from legendary Documentary Photographer Martha Cooper, who has been capturing The Walls since they began in 2009. Her Photographs will also appear in a Special Edition Art Book “The Wynwood Walls and Doors” set to be released at Art
Basel 2011.

For more information on the artists and history of the Wynwood Walls visit thewynwoodwalls.com

Episodes of HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD will digitally premiere for free in the weeks leading up to Art Basel. You are invited and encouraged to share, blog, “like” tweet and tumble this content freely and enthusiastically. Your interest and support is deeply appreciated. To learn more and to view the episodes as they are released, please visit the official site HCTN.tv and the VIMEO PAGE, or contact us directly at INFO@hctn.tv

HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Directed By: Jenner Furst
Produced By: Ben Solomon
Supervising Producers: Julia Willoughby Nason & Daniel B. Levin

Created By: Jenner Furst & Tony Goldman
Executive Producer: Tony Goldman

A CINEMART Production
In Association With Goldman Projects
Coordinating Producer: Meghan Coleman
Consulting Producer: Medvin Sobio

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Here Comes the Neighborhood [Weekend Watch]
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Why I Remember

memorialhall 11 2011 Why I Remember

Memorial Hall at the National War Museum in Ottawa

Whether you call it Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, November 11th has always be a profound day for me. From the age of ten, as a Navy League cadet, through high school as a Air Cadet and into my university years at Royal Military College, I took part in ceremonies in cities across Canada. While it wasn’t always easy to get up and stand outside (particularly on a cold Ottawa day), I always felt honoured to take part.

But for me, the true power of the day didn’t occur during the two minutes of silence at 11 o’clock as we remembered the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country during times of war, conflict and peace. Rather it can afterwards at the Legion halls as I shared a hot chocolate—or a whiskey—with the men and women who have sacrificed for our country. Hearing their stories first-hand gave me appreciation of their experiences.

Their ‘war stories’ were not the stereotypical glorification of battles. They didn’t even talk much about what they endured, or about the brothers and sisters they lost. Often times their most interesting stories didn’t occur on the battlefield, but years afterwards as the returned home, raised families and followed their careers, and continued serving their communities.For these veterans, war wasn’t something to be either glorified or forgotten, but to be learned from and applied in other ares of their lives.

Thus, it wasn’t the details of their experiences that have stuck with me, but rather the power of the human will and spirit they reflected. When they returned home, these veterans would have had every right to walk away and say “I’ve served my country; time for somebody else to step up.”  The veterans I remember most didn’t use their service as an excuse. They use it as a launching pad to continue serving their community. They used their stories to create awareness; they used their leadership skills to coach sports, lead community groups, or run for office; they used their tenacity to start businesses to provide services and create jobs.

Whenever I have been defeated, or endured set back, I don’t dwell on what I have lost. Rather, I reflect on what I have learned from veterans and focus on how I can use the negative experience to strengthen my next endeavour. On the flip side, when I have enjoyed success, I  remember that we are never done serving our communities and begin looking for the next opportunity to engage.  This is why I remember.  Not to glorify war, or celebrate sacrifice, but to strengthen myself and my resolve to improve my community.

So today, after you spend time remembering  the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country, why not head over to you local Legion? When you are they, buy a veteran a coffee or whiskey and chat for a while. You’ll not only learn more about them and their experiences, you will learn more about what humans—including yourself—are capable.

 

Why I Remember
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Community Led Consultations in Marpole

Originally posted in Spacing Vancouver on August 1, 2011.

 

Meet Marpole

250px Vancouver Marpole Community Led Consultations in MarpoleYou don’t often hear much about Marpole. It is a family oriented neighbourhood  in south Vancouver nestled between the east and west sides of the city. The community is home to a diverse residential community of young families, seniors, business professionals and newcomers to Canada. While its reputation as a quiet, serene place has attracted many residents, it has also its downside. Many long-time residents note that while Marpole is an enjoyable place to live, it is also known as ‘the forgotten community’.

Meet Jo-Anne

Jo%20Website%20Photo2.jpg.opt118x155o0,0s118x155 Community Led Consultations in MarpoleJo-Anne Pringle is aiming to change this. A Vancouver native, Jo-Anne is a relative newcomer to Marpole. She moved into the neighbourhood with her husband and two young children in 2007. Before that, they lived in a condominium near Science World.  As a result, she has witnessed both the benefits and drawbacks that density can bring to a community. Jo-Anne is also familiar with the development community. She worked for two high-profile development companies in Vancouver before starting her own business in 2006. Jo-Anne isn’t your typical community activist. In fact, Jo-Anne eschews the word activist. She prefers ‘engaged community member.’ Jo-Anne believes that not only is she a part of her Marpole community, but the community is a part of her.

Meet MARA

220px Marpole banner Community Led Consultations in MarpoleLike Jo-Anne, the Marpole Area Residents Association (MARA) isn’t your typical neighbourhood association. MARA was founded in June 2010 in reaction to the developments proposed at the intersection of Marine and Cambie. Jo-Anne met two other concerned residents at an open house for a rezoning application. Together they recognized that Marpole residents needed a voice in the process and formed MARA on the spot. Unlike many neighbourhood associations who take an ‘us vs them’ attitude towards development, MARA is supportive of development and density in the community. They recognize that the city is changing. Rather than try to stop it, they want a say in how it occurs.

Density Done Right

Where other neighbourhood groups would see storm clouds when developers arrive in their area, MARA sees a silver lining. Rather than looking at the coming developments as another tear in their community fabric, MARA sees a way to mend the planning mistakes of the past and begin revitalizing their community. But to realize this silver lining requires a community approach.

Where’s The Plan?

Marpole residents have good reason to worry about development in their community; especially those related to transportation infrastructure, like the recently completed Canada Line SkyTrain extension. The last time a major transportation infrastructure investment came to Marpole—the opening of the Oak Street Bridge in 1957—the neighbourhood was cut in half. This devastated the business districts in the community. While the Canada Line is a very different type of infrastructure, its impact on traffic and retail patterns will be just as dramatic. The change is especially worrisome in Marpole because it comes without a current plan. While community plans in other neighbourhoods have helped guide recent developments, proposals in Marpole remain piece-meal and fragmented. The existing community plan was last updated in 1979, making it the oldest in the city—and older than many of its residents! Even without the developments predicted for the neighbourhood, the plan is in desperate need of an update.

A Community Led Approach

1242634676 PJ5Xv L Community Led Consultations in Marpole

MARA recognizes that there will only be one chance to get the developments at Marine and Cambie right. The final outcome will impact generations to come—just as the Oak Street Bridge continues to shape the community over 50 years after it’s completion. So when the city wouldn’t host a focus group on the proposed developments, MARA stepped up and mounted a community consultation on their own. This consultation included a focus group to explore options, three former city planners and a local architect. The focus group resulted in a brochure outlining viable alternatives to the proposed development. The group also developed a detailed community survey that was sent to 1,150 residents in both English and Chinese. To help explain their alternatives and the survey, MARA held their own community open house in early May.

Early Successes

Jo-Anne admits that they won’t win every battle. But by being invited to the table they will be able to influence and press for improvements. This is not only throughout the current rezoning process, but in future public hearings and later stages of the development process. She also hopes to build a strong foundation for community involvement in future development proposals. Screen shot 2011 07 13 at 11.15.10 PM Community Led Consultations in MarpoleWhile MARA hasn’t been able to get the City to require that developers make changes in response to their proposals, Vancouver Planning Director Brent Toderian has noted that MARA’s alternatives ‘had merit.’  A more tangible success was getting the area around Cambie and Marine named  ’Marine Landing‘ by the City during the Cambie Corridor plan. Previously there was no cohesive vision for this intersection despite that fact that there were three developments on three separate corners proposed for the intersection, each impacting the other and the surrounding community. By giving the area a name, MARA has helped shape the discussion towards a cohesive development vision for the area. MARA also was able to get the architecture of a proposed building changed to be more in line with the tastes of the neighbourhood. This conciliatory approach has put MARA at odds with other neighbourhood groups and even some residents, who argue that MARA is selling out. Overall, however, Marpole residents have been supportive of the tack the Alliance is taking. “Out of the hundreds of emails and messages I’ve received, only two were opposed to our approach,” noted Jo-Anne. Because of their approach, MARA is recognizedas an honest broker between the community, the city and various developers. This bodes well for input into future developments.

Lessons Learned

While it is too early to judge the ultimate success of MARA’s approach, there are some lessons to be drawn from it:

  • To City Hall: MARA recognizes that Vancouver is growing and changing, and that it is selfish to not want new neighbours. However, for change to be acceptable, a community plan is needed before developments are proposed. Such a plan provides a common reference for both the community and the developers. It allows a cooperative approach to enhancing density in and near existing neighbourhoods.
  • To other community groups: Jo-Anne notes that you can’t just criticize developers and oppose proposals outright. You need to propose practical alternatives based on community inputs. Ideally this would come from a community plan, but in it’s abscence find a way to create your own through focus groups and surveys. Look at what you are willing to accept, not just in terms of a single building’s height, but the overall impact to the community including community amenities, street life and community connections.
  • To everybody: Be nice! If you can’t come to the tangle with a positive attitude, then don’t come. A successful community requires working with a variety of stakeholders, whether it be community residents, city planners, developers, architects or engineers. Being standoff-ish may earn you some personal satisfaction, but it rarely leads to a better outcome for the community.

Next Steps

There will be a public hearing on the rezoning of one of the Marine Gateway properties (8440 Cambie Street) on Tuesday, July 19 at 6 pm at City Hall, Third Floor, Council Chamber. More information is available on the City of Vancouver website. More Information For more information on MARA and their proposals for Marine and Cambie check out the following links:

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Friday 5: Articles for Urbanists [July 30th-Aug 5th]

Here is my weekly installment of news and views for urbanists:

  • tech and the city Friday 5: Articles for Urbanists [July 30th Aug 5th]Tech And The City: The digitization and dispersion of the public-participation process is in such demand that some cities have created positions for technology chiefs to oversee the systems that connect the government to its people. (design mind)

 

 

 

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Jane Jacobs—Neighborhoods in Action

A great video produced by the Active Living Network (a project of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). It features an interview with the urban goddess herself.  The clip explores the role of the built environment in physical activity and public health.  It’s 9 minutes and 46 seconds VERY well spent).

I love her support for skateboarding as an important of youth physical activity.  Lots of good aphorisms at the end as well.

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Where’s Vancouver’s Public Square?

Vancouver Lacks a Public Square

This week, I have recapped Spacing’s visit to Vancouver as part of their cross-Canada road show to promote their first national magazine issues and announce the launch of Spacing Vancouver. During the discussion that occurred at the launch, a lively discussion occurred on Vancouver’s lack of a public square. This discuss also touched on the implications of the lack of a permanent gathering space for public celebrations, riots and protests.

wts webbanner 650 420x176 Wheres Vancouvers Public Square?

Source: Vancouver Public Space Network

The Importance of Public Squares

Public squares are the heart of many cities. They offer a central place for accessible, year-round activity. This included daily activities such as meeting a friend for lunch, people watching or playing chess. It also includes more irregular events such as community celebrations and political rallies. Not only are public squares importance engines of culture and the local economy, they play a vital role in fostering community connections and quality of life.

No Place to Party…

event pride5 Wheres Vancouvers Public Square?

Unlike most other cities of it’s size (and indeed most cities), Vancouver lacks a large public square for public gatherings. Lacking a permanent public square, Vancouver often resorts to closing of streets when we want to celebrate. This occurred both during the 2010 Olympic games and more recently during the Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup run. Other street based public events include Car Free Festivals throughout the City in June and VIVA Vancouver weekend celebrations on Granville Street during the summer. Additionally, there are annual parades such as Pride, St Patrick’s Day and Santa Claus.

…or Protest

2063337687 0891c974e3 Wheres Vancouvers Public Square?

Source: dooq on Flickr

While Vancouver seems to make do for public celebrations, that is only one purpose of a public square. We still lack a place that acts as a centre point for civic life in the city. Sure, it’s easy to close a street for occasional events and celebrations such as the Olympics, parades or sporting events. It is more problematic giving up a street for a longer time than an evening or day. Yet more problematic is gathering which aren’t preplanned, such as the impromptu mourning of the death of a national icon.

What is most troublesome, however, is a lack of a gathering space for events that may not have the blessing of our governments such as political protests.

A Long Lingering Issue

This is not a new issue. Vancouverites have been talking about a lack of a center point for civic life for decades. I can distinctly remember the commentary that surround the APEC protests in 1994. More recently, the Vancouver Public Space Network held a held a “Where’s the Square?” Design Competition in 2009 with over 50 entries,

Should We Repurpose WAC Bennet Place?

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BC Centennial Fountain. Source: @pkdon50 on Flickr

One of the most talked about locations for a public square in Vancouver is the open space on north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. This site has received renewed attention lately with the expansion of Robson Square on the South side of the Gallery (and next to one of the top public spaces in the city.) this idea would require relocating the fountain in middle—a gift to the City by Premier W.A.C. Bennett in 1966 to celebrate Canada’s upcoming Centennial.

While this space has it’s merits, it also has it’s drawbacks:

  • First is the relocation of the fountain itself. I agree that it’s location is problematic, even if the plaza wasn’t turned into a public square. It is, however, an icon of our provincial and national heritage—something that is lacking in Vancouver.
  • The size of the square is comparatively small, especially for large gatherings. I’m not sure that the square could hold the tens of thousands of people who could turn out for a G20 or WTO type protest.
  • The hardscaping that would be required to hold large crowds as well as lighting and sound requirements for broadcasts, etc would leave the square feeling desolate much of the year. While Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto was named one of Canada’s best public spaces in recognition of its role as Toronto’s gathering space, the fact it remains largest empty much of the year. it only reaches it’s full potential during celebrations, protests and over Christmas when a skating rink is opened.

There is no doubt that WAC Bennet Place needs improving. It would be a great place for a food truck rodeo, a future home to Viva Vancouver celebrations and perhaps a downtown Vancouver farmer’s and crafter’ s market. These type of uses occur more often and are better suited to the smaller size of the site.

What About City Hall?

p1050750zz3 Wheres Vancouvers Public Square?

Source: SFUVancouver on skyscraperpage.com

My preferred space for a public square in Vancouver is the north side of Vancouver City Hall. Yes, it would also need some hardscaping, is located outside the ‘heart of the city,’ and is not that much bigger that WAC Bennet Place. It also has several strengths:

  • It is the heart of civic life in the city. I have always found it strange that a creative place like the Art Gallery has become the de facto public square in Vancouver. Having a public square next to the city’s center of government makes much more sense to me, especially as a venue for political protests.
  • It’s is located closer to the geographic center of the city and is easily accessible from multi directions and multi modes of travel, including the recently opened Canada Line. Indeed, this is one of the reason this site was chosen in the first place. City Hall was built in 1936—Vancouver’s Jubilee—a few years after the amalgamation of Vancouver, Point Grey and South Vancouver. Residents of the newly merged Point Grey and South Vancouver were leery of City Hall being in the heart of ‘old’ Vancouver.
  • The sloping landscape of the north lawn makes a natural amphitheater for public gatherings
  • While a community demonstration garden was recently installed, the parcel of land remains lightly used most of the time, not surprising as it is outside the downtown core. Some hardscaping to accommodate crowds may actually enhance the space as a plaza for city hall and nearby employees. It could also act as a community square for the Fairview and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods and the Cambie corridor.

The Best of Both Worlds?

After reflecting a while of the location of a public square in Vancouver and going back and forth between the Art Gallery and City Hall, I came to a realization. Why can;t both become important gathering places? WAC Bennet Place could be used for celebrations and special events such as future playoff runs, while City Hall could be used for more civic oriented events and public protests.

Final Thoughts

The lack of a public square is a notable absence inVancouver’s urban fabric. However, it hasn’t stopped Vancouver from being a city full of celebrations, protests or riots. The city has hosted global celebrations such as Expo 86 and the Olympic, local festivities such as Celebration of Light, and large scale protests such as APEC 97 all without a dedicated large-scale public square.

As discussed at the Spacing event, a public space requires more than just infrastructure. Good public spaces they need continuing effort, investment and iterations. As the top 10 lists (and the overall top 100 list) show, good public spaces evolve over time in response to how people interact with them.

Such interactions are often time different that what initially envisioned or anticipated, and will change over time with changing social demographics, norms and technologies. Meanwhile, public spaces that were created for specific events, such as Jack Poole Plaza—home to the Olympic torch—often fail as public spaces after the initial event. Any plans for a public square in Vancouver will do well to recognize this reality.

Related articles
Wheres Vancouvers Public Square?
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The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver

Since arriving in Vancouver, I’ve been impressed by the amount of events and activities related to both urbanism and social media that the city offers.  Over the past six weeks I’ve often been double booked and had to make tough choices of what to attend on any given night.

To help keep track of what I’m up to, and to inform my readers of what is going on around town, I thought I’d start a weekly—or at least semi-regular feature—highlighting what is going on during the week ahead. Ironically, as summer has officially begun things are slowing down a bit. As a result these posts may be a bit light until September.

Monday, June 27

“Social Media: From chit-chat to election winner—What next?”

social media waste of time The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver

Join host and moderator Andrew Wilkinson and special guest speakers for two hours of conversation about social media.

Location: Kafka Coffee House, 2525 Main St (just south of Broadway) Please note that parking in the lot across the street from Kafka is better than street parking.
Time: 8:00 to 10:00 PM (sharp!)
Cost: Free, but RSVP recommended

Note: This is one of those night I have a conflict, so I may be a bit late.

Tuesday June 28

Spacing Road Show VANCOUVER

national issue roadshow new The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver

On Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 the cross-Canada Spacing Road Show rolls into Vancouver to celebrate the launch of Spacing magazine‘s first national issue. The event brings together a panel of four local urbanists: Erick Villagomez (Spacing Vancouver’s editor), Gord Price (SFU City Centre), Erin O’Melinn (Vancouver Public Space Network, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition), and Alyssa Schwan (Designer) for a  discussion about the best contemporary public spaces in Vancovuer and how the growing transportation needs of city will affect public spaces and the future design of urban landscape.

Location: Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC
Time: 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 (gets you a copy of the new national issue of Spacing magazine)
More information: Matthew Blackett: matt@spacing.ca

Vancouver Community Conversation

BoyOnBike larger The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in VancouverJoin a Community Conversation hosted by the Vancouver Foundation. The discussion will focus on how a strong sense of belonging and social connections can strengthen neighbourhood ties and help build a more vibrant Vancouver. This is a chance to connect with other Vancouver residents and organizations and participate to a conversation on issues like affordability and sense of belonging in your community.

Location: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street.
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
More information/RSVP: http://vancouverconversation.eventbrite.com/

Note, as I can only be in one place at the same time, I will be attending the Spacing event. If you plan on attending the Community Conversation, I’d love to hear how it goes!

Wednesday, June 29

Bike Share Open House

Screen shot 2011 06 17 at 7.40.47 PM The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver

As I posted last week, The City of Vancouver is currently exploring whether to start a self-serve public bicycle system on our streets. To learn more about public bicycle systems and offer your opinion, the city is hosting two open houses this week.  i will be attending the one on Wednesday.

Location: Library Square – Promenade, 350 West Georgia Street (map)
Time: 7am – 2pm

There will also be an open house on  Thursday, June 30 from 11 am to 8 pm at Pendulum Gallery, 885 West Georgia Street.

Friday, July 1

canada flags 550x316 The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver

Photo: Canada Place Corporation

Canada Day

There is a lot going around town on Friday, and I haven’t quite solidified my plans. I will likely check out Canada Day on Granville Island for part of the day. If the weather permits I’ll also stop by Kits Beach for part of the day.

More Canada Day activities are listed on the Inside Vancouver blog.

The Week Ahead: Urbanism and Social Media Events in Vancouver
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