Briscouver and Vanbane – Nov 21

Two of our favourite Australian planners and urbanists are back in town, with new insights and updates. Greg Vann is one of Brisbane’s best known and respected planners, a co-author of the Next Generation Planning Handbook, and former chair of the State’s Transit Oriented Development Taskforce. Warren Rowe recently stepped down after 18 years as Director of Planning, Environment and Transport at the Gold Coast, Queensland’s second biggest city, where he was instrumental in many award-winning projects, most notably the City’s first light rail line. He comes to Vancouver fresh from presenting and running a master class at a TOD conference in Malaysia.

Both come from the Brisbane region in Queensland — an area roughly the population, age and growth rate of Metro Vancouver. So how are they dealing with pressures of growth and the realities of climate change? What new urban forms are working, or not? In particular, what have been the lessons learned from the massive investments in highway infrastructure? Their tolled tunnels have failed to come anywhere close to their predicted traffic. On the other hand, Gold Coast City is currently constructing a light-rail line prior to the Commonwealth Games that promises to transform this car-centric community. You’ll get the latest news.

Our Commonwealth cousins have more to compare and contrast with us, no doubt contributing a few observations about the Vancouver they know well from many previous visits. Learn about our place and their place, with a few lessons from other places along the way.

Organized by SFU Continuing Studies (City Program). Supported by Metro Vancouver.