an innovative approach to governing and planning for the urban future october 15, 2007 the vancouver...

An Innovative Approach to Governing and Planning for the Urban Future

October 15, 2007

THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

• An urban development initiative of the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver

• First focus – Vancouver’s inner city• Promotes innovative and creative

partnerships

THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

• Public disorder, including extensive drug dealing and use, in the city’s historic heart

• A public health crisis caused by epidemic HIV rates and drug overdose deaths

• Economic and business decline

• Issues addressed separately with little coordination

Context

The Community

• Building relationships and strengthening people-based policies

• Developing strategies to achieve common goals with the community and business

• Working to revitalize the inner city through partnerships and collaboration

Working Together

Revitalization without displacing the area’s

people or problems to other neighbourhoods

Objective for the Downtown Eastside

Economic Development/ Employment

Health

Safety

GOALS

•Increase economic developmentand employment opportunities

•Increase public safety

•Improve health of DTES residents

Housing

Integrated Strategic Plan

• Health and Safety Improvements

• Improved Economic Environment

• Better Housing Alternatives

• New Partnerships

• Links to Other Key Initiatives

Creative Projects and Initiatives

Building Community Cohesion

• Diverse groups, structures, and mandates

• Balancing needs

• Building trust amongst partners

• Resources

Challenges and Opportunities

• UN cited first phase of VA as an example of best practice for cities in Canada and abroad

• Used as a successful model for projects in Bangkok, Thailand, and Santiago, Chile

• Significant resourcing and policy challenges as VA entered its second five-year phase with changes in elected governments.

Transferability

• Courage and a willingness to change

• Creating the environment to trust

• Cooperation instead of competition

• Time, commitment and innovation

• Work in progress

Lessons Learned