The latest Sean Ruthen book review in Spacing:
With affordable housing in the Metro Vancouver region now a daily topic of discussion, Vancouver Vanishes – Narratives of Demolition and Revival by local novelist Caroline Adderson is a formidable addition to the conversation. Combining several photos of demolished Vancouver homes, the book’s main events are the stories and essay contributions from some of the heritage community’s most outspoken proponents, including Michael Kluckner—who provides an update since he published his similarly titled Vanishing Vancouver a few years back. The editor of the book provides an alarming snapshot of the predicament we presently find ourselves in, while Kluckner gives us a brief history on how we came to be in this predicament.
“We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!”
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/tseliot/1076
“This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.”
Thanqu TSE
I don’t think there would be such an issue if there was more ‘revival’ going on, but most of the demolish/rebuild narrative seems to be simply bigger or more empty, so little new life or worth (and often less life and less ‘worth’) is won in the bargain.
If there indeed was any revival, adding people, vibrancy, life, community, etc going on, I think there would be a lot less to knock.
I look forward to reading this book if only for the contribution from Michael Kluckner. If we had the designation of Living National Treasure he would be worthy. His last book was an opus. As an artist, historian, and architect manqué, his perceptions have enriched our lives.