Amenity versus Affordability?

From the Downtown Vancouver Association:

“It’s time for some deep self-reflection about who we are in Downtown Vancouver, and what we expect,” says Graham McGarva, chair of the Urban Development and Transportation Committee of the DVA, and Principal of VIA Architecture.

What are our expectations for and assumptions abut amenities in Downtown Vancouver? What aspects of amenities could be re-examined in order to improve the livability of the city?

The Affordability / Amenity Equation: Current Realities

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
7:30 – 9:00 a.m – NOTE MORNING TIME
BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver
DVA Members:  $10/forum or $25/series

Future DVA Members:  $25/forum or ($70/series)

Tickets:             Register on-line at www.thedva.com or by phone to 604-468-7382

In recent years, tension has crept into the affordability / amenity equation. “While the amenities of Downtown Vancouver are incredibly attractive, the price to be paid for them has increased sharply,” McGarva says. “Housing prices are rising beyond the reach of average income earners. And for those in need of supportive or subsidized housing, the situation is dire.”

But instead of focusing on real estate prices, this dialogue series will focus on our expectations for amenities, and how those expectations impact the quality of life in Downtown Vancouver.

Series Overview

Part 1 of the series will assess our current realities. The main question will be: What are the affordability/amenity challenges affecting our average-income residents?

Panelists for this first discussion will be:

Geoff Meggs, Vancouver City Councillor

Gordon Price, Director of The City Program at Simon Fraser University

Jennifer Podmore Russell, Senior Manager in Financial Advisory at Deloitte Touche in Vancouver

.

Part 2 of the series will identity priorities for action in each of the following categories: Live; Work; Play; Learn. This event is set for April 24, 2012.

Part 3 of the series will focus on action planning. Based on the priorities identified from Part 2, speakers suggest tangible actions that will help improve the lives of the average income earners in Downtown Vancouver. This event is set for May 29, 2012.