The Poverty Beneath the Rings

Vancouver is playing host to the Winter Olympics beginning later this week. It's a city admired across North America. But it's also home to a pocket of severe poverty and homelessness.

1 minute read

February 8, 2010, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

The New York Times explores life in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, where drugs and homelessness are pervasive. The area is just a short walk from the site of the Games' opening ceremonies and has been a challenge for local officials as they prepare to host the international event.

"By bidding for the Olympics, Vancouver invited the world to visit. Now city officials are trying to redirect the international news media spotlight from this blighted neighborhood in the shadows of the picturesque North Shore Mountains."

FULL STORY: In the Shadow of the Olympics

Thursday, February 4, 2010 in The New York Times

Community / Economic Development Social / Demographics British Columbia Homelessness Vancouver Olympics Winter Olympics View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

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.