Vancouver, Canada is internationally recognized as one of the world’s most livable cities. This case study describes the role public engagement played in addressing choices Vancouver faced in moving toward becoming a more sustainable city. The study draws from the author’s experience leading Vancouver’s CityPlan process.
Part 1 describes the three phase CityPlan program to establish directions for Vancouver. The first phase (1992-1995) involved more than 100,000 people in considering the choices and consequences of a wide range of strategic directions. The result was CityPlan a Council adopted strategic plan (City of Vancouver 1995). The second phase (1995-2008) continued stakeholder engagement in preparing and implementing a variety of policies based on CityPlan Directions. The third phase involved three planning initiatives in ‘single-family’ neighborhoods designed to increase housing choice and make more efficient use of existing services. Part 2 reflects on the outcomes of CityPlan.
The study concludes that four features of planning processes – including all city responsibilities, broad public engagement commencing with the initial steps of plan making, public involvement in choice making when limited land or funds require tradeoffs between city values, and allocating funds for early implementation – contribute to public support for plans. The study also concludes that plans which are expeditiously implemented through regulation or funding benefit from public support. Phased planning processes which require further plan making prior to implementation can experience approval decay among politicians and citizens.
People and Plans: Vancouver's CityPlan Process. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285601179_People_and_Plans_Vancouver's_CityPlan_Process [accessed Jul 11, 2016].