Water-Based Transportation

I’ve travelled quite a bit to a whole variety of places around the world, and it continues to boggle my mind that Vancouver and the region does not more adequately utilize the water as a major component of the transportation system.

Sure, we have the Seabus, connecting downtown Vancouver to Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver.  Consider, however, the possibilities of connecting Deep Cove, Port Moody, West Vancouver (Horseshoe bay etc.) to the Waterfront Station in Downtown? Let alone the possibilities to connect elsewhere in the region including Burnaby. 

The example I draw upon was my experience travelling the water-based system in Sydney Australia.  At the Circular Quay station, there are 6 berths where ferries dock and off-load and on-load passengers; there is an adjacent subway system, and is within close proximity to the central bus loop.  This beautiful combination of transportation uses makes Circular Quay one amazing urban adventure with outdoor plazas, waterfront walks, outdoor cafes, and indeed the Iconic Opera House is a short walk away.

Some have criticized the Circular Quay area for the elevated railway that cuts much of the initial access to the water-front.  Sydney is currently reviewing the area and is developing a new plan seeking to remedy this challenge.  All things considered however there are amazing commonalities and significant opportunities between both the Circular Quay area in Sydney and Vancouver’s Waterfront Station area.  Both locations are a nexus of transportation modes (buses, trains, ferries, pedestrians), abut major tourist destinations, and have significant potential for growth and adaptive change.

In Sydney, the ferry system is utilized as much, if not more, than any other form of transit.  It is SO well designed that it has become a significant piece of both their cultural heritage but also their tourist infrastructure.

In comparing Vancouver (and the region) to Sydney (and the region), Vancouver is lacking the densities to truly justify a comprehensive passenger ferry system through and across English Bay.  Future plans and future zoning considerations should take this into account and plan for water-front uses that combine industry, commercial enterprises, and residential development which can foster and support ferry services – Lower Lonsdale is an excellent model to follow. 

Instead of the 1960 era SeaBus, new types of ferries should be considered for any system in Vancouver.  Sydney (and other City’s in Australia) use so-called Fast-Cats which travel quickly but do not kick up significant wake (a major problem with the Seabuses here), are comfortable and relatively inexpensive to operate.

I am convinced that a ferry system can be successful here in Vancouver as it is in Sydney, where it has operated for more than 50 years.  If the various levels of government can cooperate on a ferry system, I am convinced that the initial pieces of a true water-based transit system (ie, Passenger Ferries) could be successfully implemented within 10 years.

Tuesday Planning Funny #1

I’m a planner, and am involved in the profession.  Generally speaking Planner’s are an amusing bunch – we cross all spectrums, and as such, it was a surprise to me that there we SO many planning related funnies around.

So, every Tuesday, where I can remember, I’ll upload yet another planning funny to be shared.  Sources are given where I can, however, many of these have been given to me, e-mailed to me, or found through random internet searches (including Planetizen and the Cyburbia Forums).

James Kunstler – The Tragedy of Suburbia

Both amusing and terrifying at the same time.  While not everyone agrees with Kunstler, you cannot deny his passion and beliefs and ideas.

Planning Suburbia

I came across a few VERY interesting articles online today.

• Urban Sprawl Repair Kit
• Reburbia – Suburban Design Entries

Public Transportation (What Vancouver can learn from Portland)

When I was in Portland last summer, I was amazed, and even enthralled with the level of public transportation and ease of accessibility associated with transit, especially downtown.  The easiest, and most obvious example that Vancouver can utilize and, quite frankly, copy, is the installation of a downtown tram network that criss-crosses much of the downtown, perhaps even replacing traffic and buses on streets such as Granville Street, David Street, and perhaps even Hastings.

A tram / trolley system is something truly lacking in Vancouver (random trivia: at one point in time, Vancouver was second only to San Francisco for having a fully integrated trolley system – these were ultimately replaced by the trolley busses we have now – left overs of the trolley system can be seen in places like the Arbutus Corridor!).   Just look at this article in The Tyee and the accompanying report for more details in comparing Vancouver and Portland regarding trams!  A full report from the UBC

I share the opinion in the article above that Vancouver has significant potential for trolley and tram service since seeing the trams in Portland, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydne, and most recently Calgary.  In short, Vancouver can easily learn from Portland’s (and other) examples of directly integrating major street level transit infrastructure into the urban fabric of the downtown core.  

For example, in my previous post about Public Spaces I mentioned the fact that in Portland, the transit system is clearly connected to the public space.  Moreover, like in many downtowns (unlike Vancouver), transit rides are free or extremely cheap for rides in and around the downtown.

While Vancouver has been toying with the idea of operating a demonstration project between  Granville Island and Science World utilizing an existing (and upgraded) intra-urban track (during the Olympics I believe) it is my belief that this just does not go far enough.  It is therefore highly unfortuneate that despite there being a Downtown Streetcar Project for the City of Vancouver, very few people know about it.  How can it truly be judged if no one is aware of the trial?

In summary, Vancouver can learn from Portland (and other cities) about the value and inherent design aesthetic associated with a Tram or Trolley system installed throughout the downtown core and ultimately, beyond.

While I think of it, I have had the pleasure of meeting a (hopefully future) planner named Paul Hillson, and he has done extensive work researching much of this information and putting together proposals (regionally) and for Vancouver as seen on his website.  Go to his site and have a look around – while I don’t always agree with Paul, you cannot deny his enthusiasm and knack for putting together impressive proposals.

What Vancouver can learn from Portland

There are a great number of people who claim, rightly or wrongly that either Vancouver is better than Portland, or that Portland is better than Vancouver.  I look at it a different way: what can each city offer the other in terms of experience and knowledge to compliment and expand the liveability of both amazing cities?

I was inspired to write this after reading Christine McLaren’s three articles in the series called, not surprisingly, Vancouver vs Portland in the The Tyee this week.  In these articles, she critiques, in many ways, the Vancouver way of doing things in relation to Portland – specific to the development of the creative class, biking infrastructure, and strategies for dealing with homelessness.  She is, quite obviously, a Portland fan and with good reason.

In the interests of full disclosure, I am (more or less) a true Vancouverite with 5 generations of my family being from the West Coast.  Therefore, I admit a clear bias in my discussion.  Indeed, I love Vancouver and at the end of the day, only wish to see it become even more amazing.  The other point of full disclosure is that I have been, physically, to Portland only one time.  However, I have learned a great deal through my research as a city planner (both during my education and as a professional).  

Regardless, I have some thoughts on what Vancouver can truly learn from Portland with respect to Public Spaces, Public Transportation, Biking, and an improved nightlife to support the so-called Creative Class.  And I will address each of these in separate posts over the coming week(s). 

First up, Public Spaces!

Second Up, Public Transportation!

Public Spaces (What Vancouver can learn from Portland)

There is no doubt in my mind that Vancouver can learn from Portland in terms of having clear, identifiable, and functional public spaces. 

Take the Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland.  This space, home to concerts, cultural fairs, and great people watching epitomizes what effective, safe, and enjoyable public space should be with incredible public art, gardens, and stairs for sitting and relaxing. 

Indeed, the APA (American Planning Association) identified it as one of the ‘great places in America’ for 2008.  Dubbed, Portland’s ‘Living Room’ the square is ringed by transit and the requisite Starbucks, is easily accessible by all, and is centrally located in the Portland Business District.  Moreover, and most importantly, it is a ‘programmed‘ space with regular events and functions. 

It is not too large that it feels impersonal, yet it is not too small that it feels cramped.  While I am uncertain of its exact dimensions, I believe that the magic number for a public space to feel comfortable is approximately 50 metres, and the Pioneer Courthouse Square feels more than comfortable, even intimate in the right circumstances.

What about Vancouver?

I ask the rhetorical question then, where is the square?  (Other organizations have asked the same question including the Vancouver Public Space Network - VSPN through their successful ”Where’s the Square” design competition).

In short I do not believe we truly have a public space or square with the same level or quality of the Pioneer Square Courthouse.  Lance Berelowitz argues in his book “Dream City” (and I paraphrase roughly) that Vancouver has relegated its public space to the outside – ie, the Seawall and beaches – and while it is spectacular, it fails to be a true urban plaza or square.

Some also argue that the front of the Vancouver Art Gallery (really the back of the Gallery which faces Georgia Street) is Vancouver’s gathering place.  While it may be home to the countdown clock for the 2010 Winter Olypics, it does not lend itself to being a good public square because it lacks any true public amenity, or performance space, or good sitting area.  Even the fountain that exists there takes away from the space as opposed to enhancing it. 

If it was to succeed as a true public square, significant renovation would be required including, but not limited to the elimination of the fountain, the opening up of the art gallery, installation of both public art and partial enclosure of the space to create that required level of intimacy.  But just maybe, the public square should be placed elsewhere in the City.

So, in conclusion, Vancouver can learn from Portland’s success in developing a true urban plaza, public square, and centre for civic activity.  The lessons to be learned are obvious and need no repeating – indeed I am a firm believer in the premise of R&D (Research and Duplicate in planning parlance).  Portland has had 25 years to work on their square and to get it right; it truly is a ‘Living Room’ for Portland and therefore should be considered an excellent starting ground in developing Vancouver’s next great urban planning achievement, a square to call our own.

Critical Mass / Critical Mess

Some of you may be aware that on the last day of each month, Cyclists in Vancouver (and indeed in city’s around the world), take to the streets in an event called Critical Mass (click here for more details). 

It is my belief however, that the tactics, methods, and attitude of the majority of Critical Mass participants is doing far more harm than good for the sake of furthering bicycle riding in Vancouver.  One of the claims, that Vancouver has done little for cyclists in the recent past is patently false.  There are 300 km of bike paths, off-main street bike routes, and a recently introduced bike-lane on the Burrard Street Bridge.

If cyclists want to be taken seriously, as part of traffic and as an integral part of the transportation system, then the methods and methodologies of their so-called ‘protest’ need to change.  Bikes are considered motor vehicles when they are on the roadway, therefore, the laws must be respected – stopping at red lights, yielding for pedestrians, and obeying the laws of the road. 

Let me give you an example:

My dad and I were out for dinner in the downtown core on a Friday night.  The restaurant we were going to was across Robson Street, and the Critical Mass riders were swarming the street.  When we had the ‘walk’ signal at a stop light, we walked as is our legal right.  I was sworn at, spit at, and ‘clipped’ by several cyclists who felt they were above the law. 

Similarly, in BC there is a law that requires cyclists to wear Bike Helmets, besides the fact that it is the law, wearing a helmet just makes sense.  I see VERY few helmets worn by the Critical Mass cyclists – again, because many of them feel that they are above the law.  Frankly, I think the Police, instead of encouraging people to avoid the downtown core, should be ticketing the cyclists.

I know for a fact, there are cyclists who obey the law, and undertake to ride safely as another vehicle on the road.  Those are the cyclists I support – NOT those cyclists who believe they own the road and deserve special privileges because they choose to ride unsafely and irresponsibly. 

The answer is really quite simple, if Critical Mass wants to gain respectability in the eyes of the public, then they have to obey the rules of the road, ride safely with traffic, stop at stop lights and give way to pedestrians, wear helmets, and be respectful of the others who use the roads.  When that happens (and I have my doubts), then everyone will be better served.

*** – Raul Pacheco has a really interesting post up about the same topic – I encourage you to read it! Click Here. ***

Planning Vancouver – A Thought At A Time…

Well,

Welcome to my little repository of Planning Ideas that will make Vancouver, and the region, and even the Province, just that much better.

I’ve invited a few friends to help me in this endeavour, and more information on them will be coming soon.  All I know is that right now, there are many ideas rattling around in my head, things I’ve seen or experienced in my travels, and ideas heard from others (and credited where I can remember), that should be seriously considered for this incredible City of ours. 

What is Can Plan Van? It is meant as a statement that we CAN Plan Vancouver to be bigger, better, bolder, and more beautiful than ever.

Stay tuned for site updates, a site redesign, and an introduction as to who I am, and who my fellow guest writers are!

In short, this is going to be fun…