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Transforming Vancouver's back lanes and alleyways
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John Paul Catungal. 778.882.6460,
Mark Winston, 604.268.7894
Susan Jamieson-McLarnon, 604.291.5151 Media & PR
John Paul Catungal. 778.882.6460,
Mark Winston, 604.268.7894
Susan Jamieson-McLarnon, 604.291.5151 Media & PR
April 19, 2005
There're over 30 kilometres of back lanes in Vancouver's downtown core and a group of Simon Fraser University students is urging Vancouver to rediscover -- and re-imagine -- its back streets. They call it Vancouver's Second City.
The 20 students, all members of SFU's undergraduate semester in dialogue, have launched a poster campaign to encourage a re-evaluation of how we use alleyways.
In cities like Barcelona, London and Beijing lanes and alleys are often the liveliest of public spaces, filled with small cafés, shops and markets. "Alleyways may be Vancouver's most underdeveloped assets. As our streets get busier, alleyways could become one of the city's most valuable and interesting features," says student John Paul Catungal.
The students offer four sample projects: a Zen alley to celebrate the history of Japan Town, a marketplace or green oasis behind Woodward's and a Tire Alley in a West End laneway transformed for neighbourhood recreation. "But what we really want is for Vancouverites to think about alternative uses for the city's network of back lanes.
The SFU student project -- which includes an idea book, website, second city project, and posters is among 21 submissions selected through the Vancouver City Planning Commission's 21 Places for the 21st Century competition. An exhibition of the winning entries is at the Interurban Gallery, 9 East Hastings St., April 15-30.
The students are part of a unique program developed and led by biological scientist Mark Winston. Based at the university's Vancouver campus, students dedicate a semester to working with each other and members of the community to learn more about the design and sustainability of the city.
-30-
The 20 students, all members of SFU's undergraduate semester in dialogue, have launched a poster campaign to encourage a re-evaluation of how we use alleyways.
In cities like Barcelona, London and Beijing lanes and alleys are often the liveliest of public spaces, filled with small cafés, shops and markets. "Alleyways may be Vancouver's most underdeveloped assets. As our streets get busier, alleyways could become one of the city's most valuable and interesting features," says student John Paul Catungal.
The students offer four sample projects: a Zen alley to celebrate the history of Japan Town, a marketplace or green oasis behind Woodward's and a Tire Alley in a West End laneway transformed for neighbourhood recreation. "But what we really want is for Vancouverites to think about alternative uses for the city's network of back lanes.
The SFU student project -- which includes an idea book, website, second city project, and posters is among 21 submissions selected through the Vancouver City Planning Commission's 21 Places for the 21st Century competition. An exhibition of the winning entries is at the Interurban Gallery, 9 East Hastings St., April 15-30.
The students are part of a unique program developed and led by biological scientist Mark Winston. Based at the university's Vancouver campus, students dedicate a semester to working with each other and members of the community to learn more about the design and sustainability of the city.
-30-