City Making in Paradise: 9 Decisions that Saved Vancouver
City Making in Paradise
9 Decisions that Saved
Vancouver
Douglas & McIntyre
September 2007
Outline
• Choices and consequences
• The real city and regional governance
• The role of the province
• Conclusions
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Choices and Consequences
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
From Restless Communities to Resilient Places:
Building a Stronger Future for All Canadians
Final Report of the External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities www.infrastructure.gc.ca/eaccc-ccevc/rep-rap/index_e.shtml
Time to Move Ideas into
Action
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Sylvia Hotel 1956
1956
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Sylvia Hotel 1967
1967
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
1972
Sylvia Hotel 1972
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
False Creek North Shore
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
North Side False Creek
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Coal Harbour
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
The Real City and Regional
Governance
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
The Real City
• Where market areas for labour, housing, commerce and daily travel coincide
• Pre-WW II – political and organic city coincided and evolved together
• Post-WW II – disconnect between political and organic city
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Governance in the Real City
• A matrix of decision-making authorities
• Always happens; the question is whether authorities are aligned or not
• Alignment is improved by existence of widely accepted plans
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
The Role of the Province
• >90 % of the province still owned by the crown
• >90 % had no local government before 1967 – colonial administration
• Local government as the creation of the people rather than the creature of the province
• Province as enabler
• Regional districts - “DIY Regional Government”
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Good Examples of Provincial Role
• Agricultural Land Reserve
• Municipal Finance Authority
• BC Assessment Authority
• Growth Strategies Act
• GVTA
• Fraser Basin Council
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Not So Good Examples
• Bill 9 – Elimination of regional planning and cancellation of regional plans (1983)
• Bill 55 – Taxation of railway lands
• Bill 75 – Major projects legislation
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
The Role of the UBCM
• “All in one tent”
• “One of the most influential forces in provincial politics”
• Cooperation with local government is an article of faith for provincial officials, and UBCM is the broker
• The legacy of Richard Taylor
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Leadership in the Real City
• Widely distributed
• Leaders play different roles over time
• Future orientation
• Validated by active citizenry
• Strengthened by widely accepted plans
• Supported by wise provincial engagement
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
Conclusions
• Every short-term choice has long-term consequences
• Effective regional governance is key to sustainability
• Leadership and plans are key to effective regional governance
• The province must be an active and supportive partner-making it so is a key priority for local government
City Making in Paradise - 9
Decisions that Saved Vancouver
City Making in Paradise
9 Decisions that Saved
Vancouver
Douglas & McIntyre
September 2007
