THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

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THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT
THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT
An Innovative Approach to Governing and Planning
for the Urban Future October 15, 2007
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THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT
THE VANCOUVER AGREEMENT

• An urban development initiative of the
  governments of Canada, British Columbia and
  Vancouver
• First focus Vancouvers inner city
• Promotes innovative and creative partnerships

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Context

• Public disorder, including extensive drug dealing
  and use, in the citys historic heart
• A public health crisis caused by epidemic HIV
  rates and drug overdose deaths
• Economic and business decline
• Issues addressed separately with little
  coordination

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The Community
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Working Together

• Building relationships and strengthening
  people-based policies
• Developing strategies to achieve common goals
  with the community and business
• Working to revitalize the inner city through
  partnerships and collaboration

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Objective for the Downtown Eastside

• Revitalization without displacing the areas
  people or problems to other neighbourhoods

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Integrated Strategic Plan
Economic Development/ Employment

• GOALS
• Increase economic development
• and employment opportunities
• Increase public safety
• Improve health of DTES residents

Health
Housing
Safety
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Creative Projects and Initiatives

• Health and Safety Improvements
• Improved Economic Environment
• Better Housing Alternatives
• New Partnerships
• Links to Other Key Initiatives

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Building Community Cohesion
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Challenges and Opportunities

• Diverse groups, structures, and mandates
• Balancing needs
• Building trust amongst partners
• Resources

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Transferability

• UN cited first phase of VA as an example of best
  practice for cities in Canada and abroad
• Used as a successful model for projects in
  Bangkok, Thailand, and Santiago, Chile
• Significant resourcing and policy challenges as
  VA entered its second five-year phase with
  changes in elected governments.

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Lessons Learned

• Courage and a willingness to change
• Creating the environment to trust
• Cooperation instead of competition
• Time, commitment and innovation
• Work in progress