Constructive Voices
Vancouver Built Environment
Vancouver Built Environment is a selection of articles and podcasts about green building, construction, biodiversity and more in Afghanistan.
BiodiversityLife Within The Maple Leaf by Sandra Simić ©
Life Within The Maple Leaf by Sandra Simić This article by Sandra Simić is a wonderful example of how people can connect to the places around them. When we do this, we are more likely to care for the biodiversity around us. The Morning Star by Alex Janvier, an esteemed Canadian Indigenous artist, captured my […]
Sandra Simić · 5/30/2025
PodcastsS4, E2: Exploring Vancouver's Urban Design with Alexandra Steed
S4, E2: Exploring Vancouver’s Urban Design with Alexandra Steed: author, urban designer, landscape architect & city correspondent Tune into the first exciting episode of the Constructive Voices’ City Correspondents initiative with an enlightening discussion featuring Alexandra Steed. A seasoned landscape architect, author and urban designer, Alexandra shares her insights from her dual practices in London, […]
Alexandra Steed · 1/16/2025
Vancouver Built EnvironmentVancouver Sustainable Architects The Top 46 Firms
Vancouver Sustainable Architects The Top 46 Firms Vancouver is a world leader in green architecture. It’s known for its eco-friendly buildings and new design methods1. The city’s buildings are a big part of reducing greenhouse gases, with a focus on sustainability. Vancouver aims to cut down on carbon emissions from buildings by 40% by 20301. […]
Jackie De Burca · 12/2/2024
Canada Built EnvironmentVancouver Recycled and Reclaimed Materials Trends
In the vibrant city of Vancouver, sustainable home renovations are gaining momentum as residents seek to reduce their environmental impact and create greener living spaces. A key aspect of these eco-friendly renovations is the salvage and reuse of building materials, which not only diverts waste from landfills but also offers economic and environmental benefits1. According […]
Jackie De Burca · 12/1/2024
Canada Built EnvironmentVancouver Top Green Buildings & Their Architects
Vancouver top green buildings Vancouver is a global leader in green and environmentally sustainable buildings. The city’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its diverse range of eco-friendly structures, from innovative visitor centres to cutting-edge research facilities. These buildings showcase resource-efficient construction methods, environmental impact reduction strategies, and long-term cost savings1. Vancouver’s green buildings sector […]
Jackie De Burca · 12/1/2024
Canada Built EnvironmentVancouver Sustainable Building Materials Trends
Vancouver, a city at the forefront of environmental consciousness, is leading the charge in sustainable construction practices. The local construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a renewed focus on reducing environmental impact and creating healthier living spaces for residents1. Key trends shaping the future of housing in Vancouver include the rise of net-zero […]
Jackie De Burca · 12/1/2024
Urban DesignPublic Art and Urban Spaces: How Vancouver Shapes Cultural Identity Through Design
Public Art and Urban Spaces: How Vancouver Shapes Cultural Identity Through Design Vancouver, a vibrant Canadian city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, has long been renowned for its distinctive urban design that seamlessly integrates public art and cultural expression. The city’s unique geography, including its proximity to bodies of water and […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
Urban DesignConnecting the City: Vancouver’s Success with Public Transit and Urban Integration
Vancouver, a vibrant West Coast Canadian city, has long been recognised for its progressive approach to urban planning and transportation. At the heart of this success lies the city’s Transportation 2040 Plan, a comprehensive strategy that has transformed the way residents and visitors move around the metropolis. Approved by the Vancouver City Council in 2012 […]
Jackie De Burca · 11/20/2024
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
Urban DesignVancouver’s Walkable Wonders: Urban Design Secrets Behind a Pedestrian Paradise
Vancouver’s Walkable Wonders: Urban Design Secrets Behind a Pedestrian Paradise Vancouver, the crown jewel of Canada’s Pacific Northwest, has transformed itself into a veritable pedestrian paradise, captivating visitors and residents alike with its meticulously planned urban design. The city’s walkable neighbourhoods, seamlessly integrated with natural wonders, paint a vibrant tapestry of cultural riches and sustainable […]
Jackie De Burca · 10/20/2024
Urban DesignDensity Done Right: What Vancouver Can Teach Other Cities About Urban Living
Density Done Right: What Vancouver Can Teach Other Cities About Urban Living As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of urban sprawl and its detrimental impacts, Vancouver has emerged as a global model for successful high-density development. This coastal Canadian city has demonstrated that it is possible to double urban density while maintaining […]
Jackie De Burca · 10/20/2024