Vancouverism

Vancouverism is an urban planning and architectural philosophy characterized by a large residential population living in the city centre in mixed-usedevelopments, typically narrow, high-rise residential towers atop a wide, medium-height commercial base. It focuses on the reliance of mass public transit, the creation and maintenance of green spaces, and the preservation of view corridors. Vancouverism originates in its namesake city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and began as a means of addressing the city's expensive housing market while also decreasing the city's car dependency and improving city livability in and around the centre.

Vancouverism consists of rapid and expansive residential and commercial developments, often with direct or close access to mass public transit, typically metro. Generally, the first few floors contain commercial space for business and offices that completely fill the plot, with some single-family townhouses constructed above. A narrow high-rise, or in lower-density areas a mid-rise tower is built above the initial structure, set back from the street; the narrow width allows additional light and air flow between the building to reach more units, and the set-back allows for private spaces such as a pool or green space for residents, and prevents shadows completely blocking the streets.

The philosophy of Vancouverism allows for cities to account for rapidly growing populations by providing housing directly in or near the city centre, as well as helping to provide affordable housing to address high housing costs or a lack of housing. When built around mass public transit, it can allow for cities to further develop such networks, providing higher ridership from residents and workers of the towers.

However, concerns have been raised over the strategy; such sudden and rapid developments, while beneficial for higher income groups, can price out existing residents and contributing to gentrification of a city. Their developments can also suffer from corruption by companies or local officials, possible money-laundering schemes, and lack of transparency and public engagement on such projects. Additionally, these projects can greatly reshape the skyline of an area, with concerns in lower-density residential neighborhoods over the shadows cast by high-rises.