Our placemaking projects aim to enhance, animate, and bring life to downtown’s public realm, from streets and laneways to parks and plazas
Placemaking is both a process and an outcome that works to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share. The DVBIA defines placemaking as a people-centred approach to improving outdoor public spaces. We strive to make downtown a more welcoming, inclusive, and attractive destination for all to enjoy.
Our public space improvements can range from temporary activations to permanent installations and public art. We work with various stakeholders and local partners to implement projects, including local artists, community organizations, private property owners, and the City of Vancouver, just to name a few. Successful placemaking transforms spaces into areas where people of all ages and abilities can come together and be part of the community.
Our Placemaking and Public Spaces projects range in complexity and scale but can generally fit within the following five categories
and Knowledge Sharing
Current Placemaking Projects
Below are some of the projects the Placemaking team has recently worked on. Hover on an image to read about the project.
Downtown Street Banners
Every other year, we work with local artists and refresh the street banners along the Hastings West, Alberni, and Granville Retail District.
Bute-Alberni Popup Plaza
In collaboration with the City of Vancouver, we transformed this average street block into a vibrant pop-up public plaza.
Healthy Hands Stations
We partnered with FortisBC to design and install publicly accessible hand sanitizer stations at two of our main public spaces.
Temporary Patio Fund
The DVBIA created a support fund for restaurants in our district who were applying for the Temporary Expedited Patio Program.
Temporary Storefront Murals
Twenty-four temporary murals were painted throughout downtown Vancouver to enhance boarded-up stores and support local artists in mid-April.
Bee Positive!
We added playful, positive reminders to our hanging baskets to hopefully bring a smile to people’s faces as they pass by. These whimsical bee signs included: Bee Kind, Bee Creative, Bee Yourself, You’re BEE-utiful, and Why Bee Rude?
Earth Justice Mural
As part of the Burrard Arts Foundation’s Surface Series rotating public art program, we co-sponsored Shepard Fairey’s first mural in Vancouver – a 20-storey, 10,000 square foot mural titled Earth Justice.
Public Space Picnic Tables
In response to all festivals and events being cancelled on the square, we implemented public picnic tables on šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square.
Alberni Parklet
In partnership with the City of Vancouver and working with Urban Fare on Alberni, we introduced a new Parklet along the Alberni Retail district in 2018.
Fleurs De Villes Noel
We worked with Fleurs de Villes to bring one of their bespoke flower events to downtown Vancouver. Fleurs de Villes showcases talented local florists who create unique floral installations.
Seawall Sounds
Every Friday and Saturday in August, from 3 pm-6 pm at four locations along the seawall. Enjoy the views and listen to some local musicians as you stroll from Harbour Concourse Plaza to Jack Poole Plaza.
Planter Art Wraps
Partnering with Oxford Properties Group and SFU School for the Contemporary Arts, we helped add some visual interest and some colour to the concrete planters at Oceanic Plaza.
Key Initiatives
Perch Program
Laneways
Our Partners
Art Vancouver
Arterra Wines
Big Bold Beautiful Banner Company
Blast Media
Bonnis Properties
BULetters
Burrard Group
Cadillac Fairview
Chali-Rosso Art Gallery
City of Vancouver
CityHive
Common Thread
Concord Pacific
Deka-Lite Canada
Dwell Property
EartHand Gleaners Society
Easy Park
Embers
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Fleurs de Villes
Florenco Commercial Landscapers
Fortis BC
Fresh Air Cinema
Goodbye Graffiti
Great Canadian Picnic Table Company
HCMA Architecture + Design
Hives for Humanity
Hogan’s Alley Society
Les Clefs d’Or Canada
Liz Calvin Mosaics
Makemobile
Nelson Square
Opera Opulenza
Outfront JC Decaux
Oxford Properties
Peterson
Pop Queen Cardio
Popcorn in the Park
Public Disco
QuadReal Property Group
Robson Street Business Association
Second City Print Solutions
SFU Downtown
SFU School for the Contemporary Art
Stanley Park Ecological Society
Star Illuminations
Tangible Interaction
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
Vancouver Civic Theatres
Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver Heritage Foundation
Vintage & Handmade Society
Warrington PCI