When redeveloping large pieces of land, such as the Heights District, it’s common for property values throughout the area to increase. This can lead to unintended consequences, which make it harder for the people who live, work and own businesses in the area to stay.

The Heights Equitable Development Plan provides a citywide policy framework to inform how the City responds to existing displacement pressures and includes inclusive development strategies. The plan incorporates anti-displacement strategies and equity into any public investments, including redevelopment by minimizing negative impacts on existing businesses and lower income residents, while also maximizing benefits for the entire community. The plan is to be used as a toolbox, not just for the Heights redevelopment but Citywide. Broadly, the equitable development goals include:

• Provide housing for people and families at all income levels
• Retain and attract locally owned businesses
• Create opportunities for businesses owners from historically marginalized groups
• Support the creation of new businesses, which can meet the needs of local residents
• Offer a variety of employment opportunities that pay a living wage and are accessible to Vancouver residents from a range of educational and professional training backgrounds
• Connect residents to community services and amenities that benefit all ages and income groups

The Equitable Development Plan governs the redevelopment of the Heights District to ensure the goals of the Heights District Plan are met.

A successful 20-minute neighborhood includes streets that provide safe, direct and constant access to destinations for all community members. Whether you walk, bike, roll, drive or take public transit, we want to make it easy for you to get around. We also want public spaces to be open to people of all ages and abilities.

Amenities, such as a civic plaza and a neighborhood park, will support health and well-being through social interaction and physical activity. The district’s design will also emphasize the following:

• Universally accessible public areas and intersections, with curb ramps, level sidewalks and roadways, pavement and striping.
• Safety at intersections, through enhanced traffic signals, roundabouts that reduce vehicle speed, and crosswalks.
• Reduced vehicle delays and traffic conflicts, by way of traffic-signal timing, roundabouts, an added turn lane (in some instances) and sidewalks and bike lanes that are separated from vehicle traffic.
• Improved environmental health and reduced pollution, through the planting of trees for shade and clean air, plus landscaping to collect and clean street water run-off for improved water quality.
• Equitable public investment that will benefit all community members, including investments in infrastructure, facilities and programs for expanding access to affordable housing, jobs, education, healthcare and everyday resources.

Some important features of a 20-minute neighborhood include streets that provide safe, direct, and continuous access to destinations for all ages, abilities and users, whether you walk, bike, roll, drive or take public transit. The image below shows the changes to be made to new and existing streets: 

We are designing the streets in the project area to improve safety and accessibility in several ways, including:

• Wide sidewalks, lighting, and other features, such as benches for ease and comfort
• Bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic for protection
• Shared bike and car in low-speed roadways and roundabouts for efficient passage for all modes of travel 
• Striped crosswalks and intersections for greater visibility 
• Street trees and landscaping for improved air and water quality 
• Traffic signals, roundabouts, and turn lanes for improved traffic flow 

The Grand Loop will be a central feature of the Heights District, looping around the former Tower Mall area, extending to MacArthur Blvd and connecting the district to surrounding areas. Part street and part park, this path will wind through the district and encourage visitors to play, learn and explore. The Loop will feature a strip of parkway with play and creative elements, seating and lots of landscaping. It will also include signs to help you get around and art representing the local culture, history and environment.

The Grand Loop has four distinctive segments based on Vancouver’s natural environment – volcanoes (Volcanology), waterways (Hydrology), trees and plants (Ecology) and rocks and land formations (Geology). Each section will have colorful designs, paving materials in the sidewalk and opportunities for learning, including play equipment, art and/or signage. An example is shown in the image below:

The Civic Plaza will be an informal gathering space, in the heart of the Heights District, surrounded by stores, cafes and restaurants. It will be filled with a variety of features and able to be used in a variety of ways. Features may include:

• A water play area, such as a splash pad
• Flexible street for things like food, vendors, events, and cultural festivals
• Covered/canopy areas
• Open plaza area for concerts, events, and socializing
• Art and artistic elements 
• Several seating options
• Features to improve access for people who use a wheelchair or mobility device 
• Lots of trees for shade 

The neighborhood park will be a place for play, dog walking, strolling, picnicking, cultural events and more. Features may include:

• A large open lawn for relaxing, gathering, and holding community events, such as movies in the park, concerts and cultural festivals 
• A dog park, water and waste supplies for pets 
• Picnic tables, benches and movable seating 
• Water fountains 
• Bike parking 
• Features to improve access for people who use a wheelchair or mobility device