Vancouver’s Upcoming Development Projects
Oakridge Centre Project Team
Despite delays to project timelines due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols, Vancouver’s developmental committees have been actively planning and carrying out numerous projects.
General Community Development:
Since 2019, the Broadway Plan has been working towards general advancement where the Broadway Subway Project will be located. A draft plan is to be completed this coming March, and the Subway Project, which is to be connected to the millennium line, is expected to be completed by 2025. The growth of this community will be surveyed and studied by the Social and Cultural Integrated Impact Assessment Study (SCIIA) for future plans. The resulting development could take around 30 years.
The Cambie Corridor Plan aims for general developmental progress new housing units and occupations, of communities surrounding the Canada Line. Plans within this project have been in effect since 2018. Carrying out this plan could take around 30 years in total.
Ever since the redesignation of purposes in East Fraser Lands zones in the late 2000’s, plans have been developed since 2016 for a new community in the area, spanning from Kerr St. to Boundary Rd. Over the next 25 years, parks, schools, and other public spaces and services are to be constructed. The project’s construction is expected to be half-complete by 2025.
Because of its major influence on Vancouver’s economy, the False Creek Flats Plan, which began in 2017, strives to develop the False Creek community socioeconomically by increasing employment, creating public services and active areas, and creating support programs for businesses to grow. Changes to come include the New St. Paul’s Hospital.
The False Creek South neighbourhood is a waterfront neighbourhood between the Cambie and Burrard bridges. Over the coming years, the False Creek South is to be developed by making the community more economically and environmentally friendly through affordable housing units and increased green space. Carrying out plans could take around 20 years.
Since 2016, plans have been made for the development of the Heather Lands via constructional advancement. Properties in the area are to be altered to change the densities of housing units, building heights, and overall “character.”
The Jericho Lands, an area owned by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, is currently in the process of drafting concepts and creating policies for the development of the Jericho communities. Since 2019, sessions have taken place for discussions regarding the development with Indigenous members of the communities. The progress of the Jericho Lands is expected to take around 20-30 years.
The Langara Gardens Policy Planning Program, originally approved in 2013 and adopted in 2018, is directed towards the economic and environmental development of the Langara Gardens for residents in the community.
Planning for the Little Mountain Site Planning Program began in 2012. Since then, the plan has been further developed for the rezoning (redesignation of districts) of the Little Mountain. The application for the planning was approved in 2016. Future development plans will occur with individual buildings in the community.
The Mount Pleasant Industrial Area plan is targeted towards the economic and job growth of the Mount Pleasant community. Its ideal location for housing and proximity to public services and spaces makes it an essential community for the economy. The plan consists of zoning or dividing the Mount Pleasant community into districts for economic advancement.
The Northeast False Creek is an undeveloped piece of land. The long-term plan is to develop the land into a community by creating housing units.
Recently, the Oakridge Transit Centre site was an undeveloped piece of land that applied for repurposing. Its new layout will include housing units, retail space, and recreational park space. The new community is expected to be completed in 10-12 years.
Development plans for Southeast False Creek began in 2003. Ideally, the community would progress while maintaining its environmental reputation through “efficient energy solutions, high-performance green buildings, and easy transit access” (City of Vancouver).
Central Waterfront Hub Framework:
Planning for the Central Waterfront Hub Framework began as early as the 1970s, and the project has been in effect since the late 2000s. This plan aims to grow the Central Waterfront Hub as a trade station for Downtown Waterfront. This project is long-term and has no timeline.
Chinatown Transformation:
Chinatown has always been a major hub for culture and community in Vancouver, serving as a residence for immigrants since the 1800s. The Chinatown Transformation project aims to strengthen Chinatown’s cultural identity through various community projects. Within the transformation project, there are two major organizational committees: the Legacy Stewardship Group (LSG) and the Chinatown Transformation Team (CTT). The LSG, established in 2017, is composed of 35 overseeing members who report on and guide community projects, and will create a Cultural Heritage Asset Management Plan (CHAMP) for Chinatown. The CTT, established in 2018, will likewise create a CHAMP for Chinatown. Both groups strive to advance Chinatown via social and constructional means throughout the future. The groups’ duties have included data collection, cleanups, and overseeing cultural events and projects.
New St. Paul’s Hospital:
St. Paul’s Hospital, currently located on Burrard St, is relocating to the False Creek Flats. Originally founded in 1894, relocation of St. Paul’s will ensure that patients will be cared for properly according to the Ministry of Health’s new health care model. Benefits will include more care space for patients, housing units for employees, and various research, retail and cultural facilities. Planning began in 2016, construction began in 2021, and the project is expected to be completed by 2027. The overall cost is expected to be around $2 billion.
Oakridge Centre:
Oakridge Centre is currently in the process of being renewed. Redeveloping the mall will provide conveniently located shops for consumers, new housing units, and places for recreational activity, including outdoor parks, a community centre, and a public library. Planning began in 2007, construction began in late 2019 and is expected to be completed between 2024 to 2027; the overall cost will be around $5 billion.