That's the question the Vancouver Planning Commission has been tossing around with the public for the last year or so, as they prepare a "Change Charter" for City Hall.
"Most of Vancouver's built form -- the buildings, roads and man-made public spaces -- is relatively new. Few of the small collection of buildings constructed around the time of Vancouver's birth remain today. Most have been adapted for modern re-use.
It is hard to imagine how most of our modern-day buildings might be adapted over time to meet future needs. For example, can you imagine the many highrises that sit atop townhouse-wrapped podiums in Vancouver's downtown south being transformed into buildings that might accommodate light technical manufacturing or even educational institutional uses 100 years from now?
The way we design and construct buildings today, it is hard to imagine those structures will still be standing a century from now.
One possible direction that Vancouver could head in addressing the widespread concern about housing affordability and choice is to rethink the form and layout of Vancouver's single-family neighbourhoods and their limited building types to adapt to the growing need for change."
FULL STORY: Keeping a bit of the past for the future
A Roundtable Discussion on the Future of Cities
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been shortage of opinions on the coming evolution of cities. It’s time to check in with the debate.
A 20-Year To-Do List for Cities
Predicting the future of challenges facing cities isn't very hard when the future is already staring cities right in the face.
WeWork's Real Estate Arm Launches 'Future Cities' Initiative
Another buzzy tech company with roots in the real estate market has designs on the "smart cities" revolution.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)