Introduction
Welcome to the online exhibit of the finalists of
the 21 Places for the 21st Century ideas competition, sponsored
by the Vancouver City Planning Commission. In it, you’ll
find the ideas of 21 groups and individuals who live, work, or
study in the City of Vancouver and who (according to our judges)
submitted creative, whimsical, funny, innovative, engaging, fanciful,
wonderful, zany, sustainable, provocative, and delightful ideas
to improve and enhance public spaces in Vancouver.
View
the Finalists' submissions here.
View
the exhibit opening here.
Why an Ideas Competition?
The 21 Places competition was an effort by the Vancouver City
Planning Commission to increase awareness of the public realm
in the City of Vancouver and of its importance to our sense of
our place in the world and our quality of life. The competition
was designed to involve Vancouverites from all walks of life.
Submissions were encouraged – and received – from
children, students, and community members as well as professionals
in urban planning and architecture.
The aim of the competition was to generate a dialogue
among Vancouverites about the best, most creative ways to make
Vancouver’s public realm a more appealing and welcoming
place to be.
How did it work?
Participants in the 21 Places competition were encouraged
to choose a favourite public place or site, and then propose a
change or improvement to it. Changes could be abstract or concrete;
permanent, temporary, or seasonal. Selected public spaces could
be large or small, as could the changes. Ideas for activities
or programmes to be offered in a public place were also welcome.
What happens next?
The 21 finalists are on exhibit at the Interurban
Gallery from 15 to 30 April 2005 and their ideas will be featured
in a self-guided walking tour of Vancouver.
What is the Public Realm?
Broadly speaking, the public realm
is simply all the places in the city where people go. This includes
existing or potential public spaces or sites,
including parks, school yards, public squares, streets, traffic
circles, plazas, ravines, water edges, bus loops, boulevards,
sidewalks, greenways,
and those “in-between” spaces that don’t really
even have names.
What do the selected entrants receive?
The 21 winners will:
- have the opportunity to present their ideas to local decision-makers (City Council, Parks Board, etc.) who may be able to implement them
- have their idea included in a brochure with a self-guided walking tour of the 21 winners
- have their entry on display in the Interurban Gallery in April 2005
- have their work featured on the Vancouver City Planning Commission Alternative Futures website
- be recognised in the local media.
*Note: The Vancouver City Planning Commission can make no guarantee that the winning ideas will be implemented.
What were the judges looking
for?
Entries were judged based on the IDEA presented, NOT on artistic
skills.
The judges looked for evidence of some of the following:
- imagination
- ingenuity
- functionality
- usefulness
- attractiveness
- sustainability
- accessibility
- inclusiveness
- multicultural awareness
- an environment inviting to a range of age groups
- opportunities for public events
Contact:
If you still have questions or would like more information on
the 21 Places for the 21st Century ideas competition, contact
VCPC, or call
604-873-7477.
For media inquiries, please contact Kelly Morrison, or call 604-831-0975.
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