It hasn't always been like this, but in recent years, Vancouver has attracted international talent to design some of its splashiest new projects.
"International architects are leaving their marks on Vancouver’s evolving skyline in a way that is in stark contrast to the urban landscape at the dawn of the century," according to an article by Glen Korstrom.
Bjarke Ingels, Harry Gugger, Ole Scheeren, and Kengo Kuma are mong the international cast of architecture characters who have designed projects for Vancouver in recent years.
They all followed Norman Foster, who designed the Jameson House at 826 West Hastings Street for Jameson Development Corp. in 2004, thus opening the "floodgates" for offshore talent.
Korstrom credits the city's ability to attract international design talent to the initial work of Brent Toderian, who took the job of chief planner for the City of Vancouver in 2006. According to Korstrom, and Toderian who is quoted in the article, "Toderian started speaking out against what he saw as being a bland sameness among many of Vancouver’s buildings."
The article also provides some of the design and planning backstory for the creations of the starchitects.
FULL STORY: Starchitects redrawing Vancouver skyline
Vancouver Approves New Metro 2050 Regional Plan
The region around Vancouver in British Columbia has a new 30-year regional plan.
Vancouver Set To Finalize Broadway Rezoning Plan
A plan to increase density along the city's 'Second Downtown' promises to bring badly needed housing to the corridor as the Broadway subway line nears completion.
Draft Los Angeles River Master Plan Revealed
A new draft Los Angeles Master Plan, created by Frank Gehry's firm, lays out a more active, natural vision for the river, in addition to addressing concerns about displacement in communities along the river corridor.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie