This year’s Leaders Study Program on Urban Innovations took place in Vancouver which is among the world’s most livable & green cities.The city’s extraordinary success meant that the city’s name itself has come to be known worldwide for a new model for urban living. “Vancouverism” is an exemplary model of planning, sustainability, architecture and engineering. The New York Times explained this phenomenon , “Vancouverism is characterized by tall, but widely separated, slender towers, interspersed with low-rise buildings, public spaces, small parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and facades to minimize the impact of a high-density population.” “Vancouverism” is now synonymous with tower-podium urban form and human scale architecture interspersed with green space.The city’s much admired urban form is seen as an ideal mix of the tall high density buildings seen in Asia sewn together with the walkability and human scale architecture of Europe.
A walk tour on Vancouverism : A Model city with Larry Beasley , Father of Vancouverism & Former Director of City Planning, Vancouver City Government.
We explored Inner-City, False Creek area and learnt about the design of Vancouver-style, tall, skinny high-rise towers set on high street retail / townhouse. This session highlighted history and principles of the transformation of Vancouver.
Excited to start Urban Leader's Program 2018 in #Vancouver. We are so lucky to have Larry Beasley @LBeasleyyvr often called Father of Vancouverism talk to us about the city's transformation. #theurbanvision #urbanleaders pic.twitter.com/qNnLgBaOkN
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
“We had to make the new inner city so delicious that we could entice people to live in higher density residences” :@LBeasleyyvr #Vancouver #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/XAhg9pgX7m
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Visit to Vancouver City Hall
We met with Vancouver City Hall where we explored –
. City-wide planning principles/financing growth
·Housing Vancouver highlights
· Greenest City highlights
Honoured to be hosted by the City Hall of Vancouver to get a introduction on the city's urban planning policies #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/GbYIbbrYa2
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Chris Clibbon, Planner, City of Vancouver shared the major events that shaped the City . pic.twitter.com/8x5uqWload
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Honoured to be hosted by the City Hall of Vancouver to get a introduction on the city's urban planning policies #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/GbYIbbrYa2 Follow us on Twitter for detailed updates https://t.co/GbYIbbrYa2
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
#Vancouver by numbers! #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/RBkQILzUaV
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Financing the City : #Vancouver City uses developer contributions towards community amenities #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/rjth3GWEDj
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Financing the City- Vancouver gets development contributions from developers to deliver social amenities such as child care facilities, social housing, parks , cultural facilities , public spaces etc . #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/5bsHBTTbd0
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Jessie Singer, Planner at City of Vancouver on strategies towards creating more affordable housing #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/DLLfoiTFrp
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Patrick Enright, City of Vancouver presents the Greenest City Action Plan #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/f6KvDWgEvP
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Zero carbon zero waste and healthy ecosystem comprise the greenest city framework #vancouver #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/5zqiniR78q
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Greenest City Framework #Vancouver #theurbanvision #urbanleaders pic.twitter.com/6bW5xzMJac
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Thank you #Vancouver and City Hall for hosting us. What a great honour. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/5S3sSApIt0
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Presenting to the Vancouver City Hall on India's Urbanization #Urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/rpSmq9VVdp
— Prathima Manohar (@prathimamanohar) August 28, 2018
The HybridCity : Making of Vancouverism with Trevor Boddy , Urbanist & Architecture Critic
World renown Architecture Critic Trevor Boddy showcases the hyper hybrid nature of development in #Vancouver #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/dgjj4gMewE
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 27, 2018
Hyper Hybrid Mixed Use developments is a key feature of Vancouverism: Trevor Boddy #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/Yy8yucX3gL
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Vancouver Architecture Boat Cruise & reception
We wrapped up Day 1 of our #urbanleaders program studying model world cities with the annual ritual of a boat cruise admiring the city's skyline from the water. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/3d9QExinRt
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Public Spaces : Places for People with Andrew Pask, Urban Planner , Vancouver Metro Government & Founder – Vancouver Public Space Network
We studied strategies towards vibrant and memorable public spaces from plazas to parklets, and laneway art to public squares
Day 2 of #Urbanleaders begins with Andrew Pask from @vpsn and a fascinating walk through a diverse range of public spaces from main civic plaza , alleyways to privately owned public space. Public Spaces are key to the lovable city #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/Zml9Kc4PO9
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Andrew Pask @vpsn talks to us about the awe inspiring Robson Square which is one of worlds great public spaces with a diversity of experiences and #Vancouver's civic space for democracy and debate . #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/O1GKiDfAbo
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Climate Resilience & Green Icons : Green Infrastructure
Rain City Strategy Green Roofs , Rain Streets& Gardens at Olympic Waterfront with Vancouver Metro Government’s Climate Resilience team Wendy De Hong & Melina Scholefield.
Melina Scholefield and Wendy de Hoog of city of Vancouver share components of green infrastructure from green streets & landscape , passive design of buildings to nature based engineering for climate resilience .#urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/GBrtzTCfVI
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Tree are a crucial green infrastructure to manage rains and urban heat island effect . They are increasingly crucial to manage urban flooding as trees are natures pumps.- Wendy de Hoog & Melina Scholefield #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/XEDkYsHPBe
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
“We want to shift the understanding for people to value water resources" – Wendy de Hoog & Melina Scholefield #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver #urbanleaders pic.twitter.com/7UwIaRIFTE
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
One of the best strategies to maintain the water pumped in the soil and keep the moist in the air is the strategic plantation and trees – Wendy de Hoog & Melina Scholefield #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/m3cHEjJthY
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Melina Scholefield, the manager of the Green Infrastructure branch highlights the eco-swales which are nature based engineering to clean , collect and harvest surface water. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/zWeKfKRC3C
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 28, 2018
Vancouver’s Granville Island: Setting the standard for urban design
We meet with Dale Mclaganan, Chairman , Granville Island Trust
Lunch at the stunning Granville island Hotel which transformed from a industrial wasteland to an creative urban district. #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/ZSzOezjY3g
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
Dale McClanaghan Chairman of Granville Island shared how Granville Island transforms from a neglected urban industrial site into one of Canada's most visited public markets and Arts Districts .#urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/WFVlw9zIZF
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
Granville Island wanted to encourage local creative entrepreneurs so as a leasing strategy they forbid franchised retailers – there are no chain retailers like starbucks on Granville Island – Dale McClanaghan , Chairman #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/tiqG8Jzshp
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
Granville Island – Urban Authenticity is a key reason for its success . Local hidden gem of artists , craftsmen , local chefs, live music / artisans make this market unique and a fascinating destination .#urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/jnmVtjkisl
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
The Granville island has also maintained a balance between profitable retail operations and cross-subsidized arts and crafts enterprises —thtr chair Dale McClanaghan calls the “Robin Hood” approach to real estate leasing. #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/N38hJeRGBw
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
New design typologies for high-rise living .
Renown Vancouver Architect Arno Mattis shares the evolution of high rise designs in the city.
Leading Vancouver Architect Arno Mattis talking to us about the Human Scale oriented and extreme mixed use High Rise typology that is the foundation of Vancouverism #urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/IjKjLeRg4V
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 29, 2018
Downtown Vancouver Architecture Walk
Day 3 : #urbanleaders get a tour of #Vancouver 's landmark architecture with Architecture Centre of British Columbia. #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/we0lqWbMFE
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Emerging Satellite Cities – From Strip Malls to High Density Urbanism & Common Wealth
Bob Ransford , Developer & Writer talks to us about the transformation of emerging satellite city Surrey.
New urbanist developer @BobRansford shows us the transformation of Surrey from low density suburban city with strip malls to a high density transit oriented development corridor. We visit their civic plaza & development with office, residences, college and hotel. #urbanleaders pic.twitter.com/XGmT3AEu7e
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Wellness & Health in buildings
Ryan Bragg, Principal of Perkins Will walks us through Transit Oriented Development Marine Gateway and highlights the sustainable passive design tactics and healthy building initiatives. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/exmFJpLVwO
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Our lunch location this afternoon 😍#theurbanvision #urbanleaders #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/JIcsirceYs
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Kathy Wardle, Associate Principal Architect talks to us about the Living Building and healthy building systems . #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/3mCpFTEdr4
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Ideas for City Transformation & Urban Innovations
We were all very thrilled to meet Charles & Mitchell @thehappycity to learn about how to create happy and healthy places . Animated discussions on happiness and design followed .. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/6DKWkOIUr8
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Charles Gauthier from @downtownvan presents the innovative model for local urban change – Business Improvement Districts. Local Action at neighbourhood scale can stir a livable city pic.twitter.com/ANBsApegb0
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Nastaran Moradinejad , Principal of PFS STUDIO presenting a series of urban interventions towards humane and sustainable urban places. #urbanleaders #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/ZkhNd7zK8z
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
Pete Atkinson
Principal of
Human Studio Architecture + Urban Design made a interactive presentation on Vancouver and highlighted the need for enabling a more socially inclusive city .#urbanleaders #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/OBP1MGm5XG— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 30, 2018
The Green City
#Urbanleaders Program – Jennie Moore, Dean , British Columbia Institute of Technology takes us on a walk tour to share principles of a eco-city. #theurbanvision #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/s5KCyZGfCB
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 31, 2018
Round Table : Real Estate trends in Vancouver & opportunities for Indo Canadian Collaboration
Roundtable on real estate opportunities in Vancouver and Indo Canadian Collaboration with Tony Quatrain, CBRE , IOM Property Group and Lotus Capital Corp. #urbanleaders#theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/eHkoXimZCz
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 31, 2018
Westbanks headquarters where #alexandermcqueen and architecture models coexist . #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision pic.twitter.com/yjkLpO0XgK
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 31, 2018
Final closing luncheon of this year's #urbanleaders #Vancouver #theurbanvision. Thank you for the great time! We loved #Vancouver! pic.twitter.com/iDaPHJHa8m
— The Urban Vision (@theurbanvision) August 31, 2018