A Public Square: The Debate
There’s a lot of different opinions on the very idea and location of a public square for Vancouver, much less what is currently occurring in one. Luke Brocki explores the idea and the issues in openfile.
Here are my quotes:
… (Gordon Price) quickly casts doubt on the successes of any plan that includes taking trolley buses off Robson Street. He’d rather see officials navigate the jurisdiction puzzle (the gallery sits on provincial land leased to the city) to remove the fountain from the north side of the art gallery plaza. That would create more open space for people to gather in a place Mr. Price says is no accidental choice for protests.
“It has to be on the way to something. That’s one of the key reasons the art gallery steps work. That gives you an audience, if you’re a busker, or a demonstrator, or have something to sell, or just want to watch people,” says Mr. Price. “The second big point, a public square should not be designed just for those rare occasions when you’re having big public moments, whether they’re a celebration or a demonstration. Most of the time the square is going to be empty of any organized activity, so programming is as important as the space itself. One of the successes of Portland’s Pioneer [Courthouse] Square is that it’s constantly being programmed.”
Gord, what are your thoughts on the fact that the Robson side of the art gallery is where all the people-watching opportunities are? Doesn’t Whyte say that is the biggest draw for a public space – other people? The Georgia side seems to only be used for protests & gatherings. My guess is because the Georgia side is dominated by cars – Georgia is a street for cars, not people. If you want to hold a conversation & watch pedestrians flow by, you have to be on the Robson side. No matter how nice we make the Georgia side – I worry it just doesn’t have the pedestrian traffic/other people to make it a successful plaza.
Bingo. The good news is that there’s plenty of space on the Robson side if anyone ever works up the courage to reassess how the modernist layout saps all vitality out of the space. Nothing like big holes in the middle of what would otherwise be plazas to squeeze everyone back up against traffic (and wow do those sidewalks ever feel narrow now, another reason for me to avoid the street).
Speaking of which, putting the buses back are one thing. Putting the cars and trucks back is completely different, and really should have been thought through properly.
Most of the best global squares are penned in, it’s just not possible to do on either side of the courthouse. I think the Art Gallery suffices because it’s the best we have and no other reason.
I don’t think a dedicated square at the Larwill park site would work, nor will the public ever migrant to Jack Poole Plaza. The Plaza at the OV would be perfect if it weren’t for it’s location. The only hope I have for a true square is in the current location of Granville Square. It’ll have to wait for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Hub site sometime in the next decade. All the bones are there for it to be a special place if we plan for it.