EcoDensity, what is it? Mayor Sam Sullivan's application for trademarking the name has been accepted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. EcoDensity almost seems like an oxy-moron, let me tell you why.
EcoDensity is the premise around increasing the density of urban areas. More tall towers, adding Carriage Homes to properties, and a myriad of schemes to cram more people into smaller spaces. Good idea when we see the effect of urban sprawl, commuter's smog and transit pains. Not such a good idea when our infrastructure barely supports the density we have now.
One of the more controversial events in the news has been the provincial announcement of a Capital Spending Plan for the Greater Vancouver Transit. Vancouver's decisions to retain a small-town culture and feel for the city back in the seventies greatly impacted the decisions for development and planning of a growing city. Hindsight. Here we sit with difficult choices, and sensitive concerns.
EcoDensity is a great idea and one that is long overdue. Proper planning for a real EcoDensity project ought to encompass all aspects of creating many community hubs from which the EcoDensity spoke can centralize around. EcoDensity is not an idea to be focused solely upon real estate and real estate development, it must also be focused on transit, and encouraging business to occupy commercial spaces within EcoDensity hubs.
EcoDensity, in other words, must not simply solve an environmental issue, it must also solve social issues as well. Failure to do so, as we have plenty of evidence to already see, leads to further decline of a projects overall aim and goal the longer it is implemented without the proper infrastructures to support all aspects of living and working together in an urban environment.
With all the emphasis on going green, increasing density for maximum occupation had better start increasing green-spaces --- not paved over with a few trees planted --- for the general public to enjoy. Commercial and residential developments have access to many new green initiatives to further incorporate landscaping into the physical structures of architectural developments. I'm okay with EcoDensity, and environmentalism, as long as we don't forget the needs of people.
Learn more at the City of Vancouver's EcoDensity site.
Find out about TransLink Planning Consultation. We'll see how it survives.
This discussion feels incomplete. What's your take? Register and post a comment in our Discussion Forum, or post a comment on our blog.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Strathcona Activism Vandalism
A recent walk to Union Market discovered a personal open letter addressed to unknown vandals in the Strathcona neighbourhood. Regrettably, the vandals taint the good name of aspiring artists whose efforts go unnoticed for many months and years as they hone their craft and find their market.
Living and working as an Artist in this modern age is no more and no less challenging than it has been at any time throughout history. Certainly, there have been eras and cultures where art is endorsed, encouraged, and appreciated more. Equally, there have been times and places that censored creative self expression, and dictated what is art and what is not art. What defies logic, are so-called Artists denying the very foundation of what most creative people long for – making a living with their art.
Pasted to a nearby light standard, it would appear the same vandals post their opinion as follows:
Additionally, much attention focuses on gentrification: The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people. Were the city and home buyers to ignore the decay of the eastside, in due time there would be more deplorable conditions, rubble, and ruin left along the streets of Strathcona. As it stands, there have been courageous home buyers invest in the repair and renovation of beautiful heritage properties that now preserve a wonderfully unique character created by the working class of a long-ago generation. Many of these home buyers are not the capitalist mongers out to displace anyone. Most home buyers are everyday working people like most of us who have made a decision to take a risk in a decaying neighbourhood, with a decayed house, and the promise of spending large sums of money not yet earned in order to realize a dream. As well, most have worked very hard to get to where they are today.
The problem of affordable housing is not confined to Strathcona, nor unique to Strathcona. Gentrification, rising home costs, and rising rents are not solely the fault of the Culture Crawl. The West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Kits, Gastown, Burnaby, Joyce, New Westminster, and many other neighbourhood communities here, and across Canada, find renters moving in search of more affordable rent. In one particular location in the West End of Vancouver, tenants have gradually been encouraged to move, the building management company invested in renovations and doubled rents. A few tenacious tenants fought and won, the rest packed their bags and looked elsewhere.
Foreign investment is a long-standing reality for the Vancouver marketplace, both in business and in real estate. Many foreigners purchase properties, have children educated here, renting their properties, and securing a future in an ever-changing world climate that creates uncertainty for some. These are methods and tactics individuals use to carve out their own piece of security for the present and the future. Would any of us behave differently given the opportunity and fortunes reversed?
When the locale of Strathcona is considered in relation to all of Vancouver, the immediacy to the downtown core, no bridge to travel over, the quaint heritage of the neighbourhood, the positive publicity provided by architectural tours, history buffs, photographers, the Internet, real estate investment, buying dream homes, and a myriad of influences which also include the migration of a significant portion of the Asian community to Richmond all play a part in escalating prices. Are they truly artificially high in relation to the rest of Vancouver?
Why is it so easy to single out one group and lay the blame at their feet? Speaking with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), it is clear that many factors contribute to rising real estate costs, gentrification, and loss of low-income housing. Some of these factors are foreign investment, the 2010 Olympics, city improvements, policing, transient populations, and market trends themselves. To unfairly blame a Realtor, an artist, or a group of artists simply demonstrates a bitterness and jealousy for the natural evolution of change that one cannot, or does not choose to be a part. Are you in the game, or will you watch with that bitter taste in your mouth from the sidelines?
A final response to the posted note quoted above: When you open the door to consumption; you too might be consumed. No capitalist can cry victim in the brutal and money hungry world they helped to create. These two statements leave this writer wondering what you eat, where you live, what clothes you wear, how you earn your income, and how long you have been a contributing member of our brutal and money hungry world you helped to create? This writer also wonders how this platform is helping you gain a foothold in your own personal and professional agenda?
Living and working as an Artist in this modern age is no more and no less challenging than it has been at any time throughout history. Certainly, there have been eras and cultures where art is endorsed, encouraged, and appreciated more. Equally, there have been times and places that censored creative self expression, and dictated what is art and what is not art. What defies logic, are so-called Artists denying the very foundation of what most creative people long for – making a living with their art.
Pasted to a nearby light standard, it would appear the same vandals post their opinion as follows:
Art is challenging. Art creates social awareness around issues of oppression. Art is beautiful. Art is violent. Real art is not bought and sold b y vultures looking to profit off future fame, hype and speculation. When art becomes business; it takes its seat amongst all other agents of capitalist and cultural imperialism.Nothing is more tragic than the outright labeling of another person's truth, nor the mistaken attribution of blame on a specific segment of the population for a reality that is influenced by many factors. In this case, the Culture Crawl and Artists are being blamed. Even more disturbing is the outright manipulation of words that suggest that no artist is entitled to profit for all of their passion, joy, blood, sweat, and tears that go into their creative pursuits. Every individual is entitled to pursue their craft, their trade, and their work equally. One of the most challenging aspects of an Artist's journey is that of demanding fair value for the effort expended. This is not cultural imperialism, nor agents of capitalism; this is valuing oneself and one's work.
Culture Crawl organizers boast that they have managed to attract over 10,000 people to the neighborhood over the past 11 years. These same participants now complain of higher property taxes and loss of community because of gentrification but somehow absolve themselves as contributors to the problem. They see no connection between accepting City of Vancouver and Business Man dollars to facilitate a safe and pleasant stroll through East Vancouver and the loss of low income housing. Strathcona is now one of the most expensive areas to buy or rent a house in. Culture Crawl has put Strathcona "on the map" and is used as a selling feature by real estate agents.
When you open the door to consumption; you too might be consumed. No capitalist can cry victim in the brutal and money hungry world they helped to create. Boycott Culture Crawl. Art is from your heart not your pocket book.
Additionally, much attention focuses on gentrification: The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people. Were the city and home buyers to ignore the decay of the eastside, in due time there would be more deplorable conditions, rubble, and ruin left along the streets of Strathcona. As it stands, there have been courageous home buyers invest in the repair and renovation of beautiful heritage properties that now preserve a wonderfully unique character created by the working class of a long-ago generation. Many of these home buyers are not the capitalist mongers out to displace anyone. Most home buyers are everyday working people like most of us who have made a decision to take a risk in a decaying neighbourhood, with a decayed house, and the promise of spending large sums of money not yet earned in order to realize a dream. As well, most have worked very hard to get to where they are today.
The problem of affordable housing is not confined to Strathcona, nor unique to Strathcona. Gentrification, rising home costs, and rising rents are not solely the fault of the Culture Crawl. The West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Kits, Gastown, Burnaby, Joyce, New Westminster, and many other neighbourhood communities here, and across Canada, find renters moving in search of more affordable rent. In one particular location in the West End of Vancouver, tenants have gradually been encouraged to move, the building management company invested in renovations and doubled rents. A few tenacious tenants fought and won, the rest packed their bags and looked elsewhere.
Foreign investment is a long-standing reality for the Vancouver marketplace, both in business and in real estate. Many foreigners purchase properties, have children educated here, renting their properties, and securing a future in an ever-changing world climate that creates uncertainty for some. These are methods and tactics individuals use to carve out their own piece of security for the present and the future. Would any of us behave differently given the opportunity and fortunes reversed?
When the locale of Strathcona is considered in relation to all of Vancouver, the immediacy to the downtown core, no bridge to travel over, the quaint heritage of the neighbourhood, the positive publicity provided by architectural tours, history buffs, photographers, the Internet, real estate investment, buying dream homes, and a myriad of influences which also include the migration of a significant portion of the Asian community to Richmond all play a part in escalating prices. Are they truly artificially high in relation to the rest of Vancouver?
Why is it so easy to single out one group and lay the blame at their feet? Speaking with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), it is clear that many factors contribute to rising real estate costs, gentrification, and loss of low-income housing. Some of these factors are foreign investment, the 2010 Olympics, city improvements, policing, transient populations, and market trends themselves. To unfairly blame a Realtor, an artist, or a group of artists simply demonstrates a bitterness and jealousy for the natural evolution of change that one cannot, or does not choose to be a part. Are you in the game, or will you watch with that bitter taste in your mouth from the sidelines?
A final response to the posted note quoted above: When you open the door to consumption; you too might be consumed. No capitalist can cry victim in the brutal and money hungry world they helped to create. These two statements leave this writer wondering what you eat, where you live, what clothes you wear, how you earn your income, and how long you have been a contributing member of our brutal and money hungry world you helped to create? This writer also wonders how this platform is helping you gain a foothold in your own personal and professional agenda?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Strathcona Area City Development
A big vacant chunk of land sits out behind Pacific Central Station. Standing at the corner of Union and Jackson, looking across Prior along Malkin, the fresh grading looked tidy against the litter and overgrowth along the roadside. Curiosity was rewarded with photographs to share and the web search offered city documents. The development plan for 1000 STATION STREET (PHASE 1) – DE405656 – ZONE I-3 has been in the making since it was reviewed by the Development Permit Board, June 2001.
At the edge of the property from Malkin, is a nicely graffiti-decorated sign that has seen better days. The map shows four segments to the plan, cleverly nicknamed Future Block A, Future Block C, and Future Block D. Interestingly, Phase I is Block B, leaving me to wonder why they didn’t name that segment Block A in the first place. Confusing the enemy?
With the four blocks currently slated as high-tech business park – as my cursory read understands – the document also forewarns of the traffic impact on the various existing roadways neighbouring the parcel. Prior Street and Strathcona are mentioned, with the idea of introducing “some flexibility” for the impact of the future. One strategy is to leave a buffer of 7M alongside prior, which will also leave room for a left-hand turn into the park from Prior Street for westbound traffic coming into town.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Strathcona's Crawling Artists' Community
This has been a busy fall season in the lives of many. We've watched Thanksgiving come and go, heard the howling laughter of Halloween fade into the night, saw record numbers Crawl the streets of Strathcona for a lot of Culture at this years Culture Crawl, and enjoyed the Downtown Eastsides Heart of the City Festival thanks to the folks at Vancouver Moving Theatre. And Christmas is just around the corner!!
Live In had the opportunity to speak with Valerie Arntzen, the Culture Crawl's event coordinator for the past nine years, about this years Crawl. Record crowds exceeding 10,000 strong crawled the Strathcona, East Vancouver area to visit 48 venues and almost 300 local resident artists of Strathcona. This is a vibrantly enriched arts community living and working in Strathcona which has elevated the attractiveness of the neighbourhood through the beauty of the art, crafts, and skills. We are truly blessed.
There is much more to say about this subject. Live In wishes to share more about the experiences of the Crawl from an insiders perspective. As well, the Strathcona community is changing, gentrification is spoken of in mixed ways, and the impact on the arts community seems an anomoly needing exploring. Such an incredible gift that enriches our lives and community is to be cherished and protected. At the same time, I suspect some residents might find reason to complain about having 10,000 outsiders roaming their neighbourhood for a local event. Ironically, the success of such events can be a major contributor to increasing popularity of a community as a place to live.
Whatever side of the fence you choose to stand on, remember that choosing sides means someone loses. Live In suggests examining more than one's own view, and seek balance and opportunity that will allow the fence to come down. The answers are in us and right here in our neighbourhood.
We'll chat more soon!
Live In had the opportunity to speak with Valerie Arntzen, the Culture Crawl's event coordinator for the past nine years, about this years Crawl. Record crowds exceeding 10,000 strong crawled the Strathcona, East Vancouver area to visit 48 venues and almost 300 local resident artists of Strathcona. This is a vibrantly enriched arts community living and working in Strathcona which has elevated the attractiveness of the neighbourhood through the beauty of the art, crafts, and skills. We are truly blessed.
There is much more to say about this subject. Live In wishes to share more about the experiences of the Crawl from an insiders perspective. As well, the Strathcona community is changing, gentrification is spoken of in mixed ways, and the impact on the arts community seems an anomoly needing exploring. Such an incredible gift that enriches our lives and community is to be cherished and protected. At the same time, I suspect some residents might find reason to complain about having 10,000 outsiders roaming their neighbourhood for a local event. Ironically, the success of such events can be a major contributor to increasing popularity of a community as a place to live.
Whatever side of the fence you choose to stand on, remember that choosing sides means someone loses. Live In suggests examining more than one's own view, and seek balance and opportunity that will allow the fence to come down. The answers are in us and right here in our neighbourhood.
We'll chat more soon!
Friday, November 9, 2007
CirKids present Cirque de Spa
CirKids is about the circus of storytelling, imagination, and performance. We blend traditional circus arts with athletics, dance and theatre in a safe, collaborative, and very fun program.
This year, CirKids is pleased to present Cirque de Spa, the major fundraiser for the CirKids Annual Spring 2008 performance in Vancouver May 1, 2, 3, & 4.
Invited guests of Cirque de Spa will enjoy an afternoon treating themselves to a variety of spa treatments. Services available will include:
Date: November 18th, 2007
Times: 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm (doors open 11:45am)
Location:Garden Auditorium, PNE grounds (home of CirKids - 2901 East Hastings St.)
The CirKids Annual Spring 2008 Performance will be possible through your participation in Cirque de Spa. The annual performance provide a place for our elite performance troupe to showcase their skills as circus artists. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of the people of the Lower Mainland to help grow performing arts culture.
Thank-you for supporting CirKids!
While attending Cirque de Spa, guests can enjoy refreshments between treatments while enjoying performances by our kids.
This year, CirKids is pleased to present Cirque de Spa, the major fundraiser for the CirKids Annual Spring 2008 performance in Vancouver May 1, 2, 3, & 4.Invited guests of Cirque de Spa will enjoy an afternoon treating themselves to a variety of spa treatments. Services available will include:
- Manicures
- Chair Massage
- Reflexology
- Indian Head Massage
- Make-up Lessons / Makeovers
- and much more!
Date: November 18th, 2007
Times: 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm (doors open 11:45am)
Location:Garden Auditorium, PNE grounds (home of CirKids - 2901 East Hastings St.)
The CirKids Annual Spring 2008 Performance will be possible through your participation in Cirque de Spa. The annual performance provide a place for our elite performance troupe to showcase their skills as circus artists. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of the people of the Lower Mainland to help grow performing arts culture.
Thank-you for supporting CirKids!
While attending Cirque de Spa, guests can enjoy refreshments between treatments while enjoying performances by our kids.
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