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1707 articles
Urban DesignThe Green City Blueprint: Vancouver’s Innovative Approach to Sustainability in Urban Design
Vancouver stands at the forefront of1 sustainable urban development, implementing innovative solutions to address environmental challenges. The city’s approach encompasses green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and community engagement. With projected population growth of over a million new residents in the coming decade, Vancouver is reimagining its regional transportation and urban design to create an affordable and […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignFuture-Proofing Vancouver: How Urban Design Adapts to Climate Change Challenges
As the percentage of the global population living in cities continues to climb1, urban design and planning have become critical tools for addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Vancouver, a vibrant and forward-thinking city, is at the forefront of this movement, implementing innovative solutions to create a resilient and sustainable urban environment. Urban […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignBeyond the Glass Towers: Human-Centred Urban Design in Vancouver
Vancouver, a pioneer in high-density urban development, is evolving beyond its well-known ‘Vancouverism’ model1. The city’s urban landscape is diversifying, with a focus on luxury housing and a tech-fueled office boom. A record 3.96 million square feet of office space is under construction downtown, with 65% of buildings planned for 2022-2023 already leased, primarily by […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignSkyline Meets Shoreline: Urban Design Lessons from Vancouver’s Waterfront
Vancouver’s waterfront transformation offers invaluable urban design lessons, showcasing innovative solutions for sustainable urban development and public spaces1. The city’s central waterfront, developed by Farrells and Arup, aims to recraft the relationship between the downtown core and harbour with a human-centric extension1. This vision explores how emerging transport trends could energise the area, transforming it […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver’s Urban Planning Legacy: The Evolution of Eco-Friendly Design
Vancouver’s urban planning legacy is characterised by a unique approach known as ‘Vancouverism’. This concept combines high-density residential areas with mixed-use developments, emphasising public transit, green spaces, and view corridors1. The city’s transformation began in the late 1980s, driven by a recession-induced shift towards high-density residential development. Vancouver’s planning approach has since become a global […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignFrom High-Rises to Hidden Trails: Exploring Vancouver’s Multifaceted Urban Design
Vancouver, a city renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and progressive urban planning, is a veritable tapestry of architectural marvels and sustainable design. As one navigates through its streets, the skyline is punctuated by towering glass-and-steel skyscrapers, while hidden amongst the urban fabric lie tranquil greenways and trails that seamlessly blend the built environment with […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver's Urban Design Revolution: Balancing Growth with Green Spaces
Vancouver, a thriving Canadian city, has emerged as a global leader in urban design, seamlessly blending rapid urbanisation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. As the city grapples with the challenges of population growth and the pressing need to address climate change, its urban planners and designers are spearheading a revolution that is redefining the […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignLiveability Redefined: How Urban Design Shapes Community in Vancouver
As Vancouver faces a significant urban transformation, driven by the implementation of Bill 47 in June 2024, the city has an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the nature of urban living. This legislation, which mandates the reworking of city planning to accommodate more residents on less land, has paved the way for a shift towards multiplex […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignDesigning for Density: How Vancouver Leads the Way in Liveable Cities
Vancouver has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, balancing urban density with sustainability and quality of life1. The city’s approach to urban planning, known as Vancouverism, focuses on creating a city of neighbourhoods where people can work, play, and shop1. This philosophy has resulted in a unique cityscape that combines high-rise […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignVancouver’s Urban Forest: Integrating Nature into City Life
Vancouver’s Urban Forest Strategy provides tools for growing and maintaining a healthy, resilient urban forest for future generations1. The city’s approach integrates nature into everyday life, creating thriving natural areas. Vancouver residents can witness the magic of seeing salmon in local streams, whales in the harbour, and eagles overhead. The urban forest comprises all trees […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignThe Rise of Vancouverism: A Model for Sustainable Urban Design
Vancouverism has emerged as a unique urban strategy, captivating the global stage as a model for sustainable development. This hybrid approach, blending influences from metropolises like New York and Hong Kong, has rewritten the narrative of urban planning1. With over thirty years of civic service experience, including fifteen years as co-chief planner in Vancouver, Larry […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
PodcastsS3, E20: The Nature of Our Cities with Dr. Nadina Galle, Part 3
The Nature of Our Cities with Dr. Nadina Galle, Part 3 “Urban nature isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a daily lifeline for biodiversity, human health, and climate resilience.” – Host, Jackie De Burca LISTEN BELOW Welcome to the third episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle, ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author […]
Dr. Nadina Galle · 11/19/2024
Urban DesignThe Future is Vertical: Urban Design Trends in High-Density Living
The Future is Vertical: Urban Design Trends in High-Density Living Urbanisation is transforming cities worldwide as populations grow and land becomes scarce. High-density residential design has become a focal point in urban housing development, prioritising efficient land use while addressing sustainability, affordability, and community engagement challenges1. Throughout history, cities have adapted to growing populations by […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignUrban Design in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges and Innovations
Urban Design in the Face of Climate Change: Challenges and Innovations Urban design and planning are critical tools for addressing climate change, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation involves reducing carbon emissions through principles of New Urbanism, while adaptation is localised and varies by community1. Urban design influences behaviour, potentially reducing carbon emissions […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignNature in the Metropolis: Blending Green Spaces into Urban Design
As urban populations continue to surge, cities worldwide face mounting challenges such as air pollution, urban heat islands, and a lack of communal spaces. However, the strategic integration of natural elements into urban planning represents a transformative response, serving as nature’s remedy to these pressing issues. By blending green spaces seamlessly into the fabric of […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignLighting the Way: How Urban Design Shapes Nightlife and Safety in Cities
From the dimly lit streets of medieval cities to the dazzling metropolitan landscapes of today, urban design has played a pivotal role in shaping the nightlife and safety of our cities. In the late 17th century, public lighting consumed 15% of the police budget in Paris, showcasing the significant allocation of resources towards lighting for […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignThe Walkable City: How Urban Design Enhances Community and Connectivity
Urban design is undergoing a transformative shift, moving away from car-dominated planning towards the creation of walkable cities that enhance quality of life. The Arup Group’s report, “Cities Alive: Towards a Walking World,” highlights 50 substantial benefits of increased walkability across social, environmental, economic, and political domains1. This report analyses research and trends in city […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignTimeless Cities: How Urban Design Preserves History While Embracing Change
The essence of a city lies not just in its modern architecture or bustling streets, but in the intricate tapestry of its urban fabric. This fabric, woven with threads of history, culture, and innovation, shapes the character and identity of a place. Urban design plays a crucial role in preserving the past while adapting to […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignThe Art of Density: Balancing Growth and Liveability in Urban Design
Urban density has a profound impact on the socioeconomic conditions of a city, influencing factors such as accessibility, social diversity, affordability, and economic vitality. In recent years, urban planners and designers have sought to strike a balance between accommodating growth and fostering liveable communities, exploring innovative approaches to1 enhance the quality of life for city […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignPlaygrounds for All Ages: Redefining Urban Spaces for Recreation and Wellness
Playgrounds have evolved from their origins as early 20th-century “play gardens” to become inclusive spaces catering to individuals of all ages. Visionaries like Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel recognised the profound impact of play on children’s holistic development1. Today, modern playgrounds foster creativity, social skills, and physical well-being, serving as hubs for community connection and […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024
Urban DesignDesigning for Diversity: How Inclusive Urban Spaces Shape Societies
Cities are increasingly recognised as hubs for inclusive and sustainable urban growth, with culture, art, and design playing crucial roles. The New Urban Agenda emphasises the need for urban areas to promote social cohesion, resilience, and liveability by embedding these elements into planning and governance processes1. Cultural diversity contributes to the economic vitality and social […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/18/2024