Search
Help
|
City
of Vancouver Search Help |
| CITY OF VANCOUVER |
|
DTES Revitalization Neighbourhoods Downtown Eastside Download:
|
NeighbourhoodsChinatownVancouver's Chinatown emerged in the 1880's on the edges of False Creek around the intersection of Carrall and Pender Streets. It was a community established and fostered by the many Chinese immigrants who moved to Vancouver (years before the City's incorporation in 1886) to work as labourers in local industries. Chinatown became one of the city's earliest commercial and residential districts, and has weathered racial discrimination, economic hardships and the decline of areas around it, to remain one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in the city.
Chinatown Revitalization
The City of Vancouver is developing a long-term vision for the future of Chinatown and preparing plans to make it happen. The Vancouver Agreement has built on this work by constructing (with contributions from all levels of government, the community and the People's Republic of China) the Chinatown Millennium Gate, and bringing to Shanghai Alley a replica of a 2,200-year old bell, beautifying the walkway and installing nine history-telling panels. The Chinatown Memorial Square, a public work of art commemorating the role of Chinese Canadians in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and in World Wars I and II, was installed at the intersection of Keefer and Columbia Street. New paving stones and improvements have been made to make the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Courtyard a better venue for cultural events. Some 25 community groups worked together to help select the style and colour of 90 new decorative lampposts (funded under the Vancouver Agreement) in Chinatown that were first lit on March 28, 2002.
Chinatown hosts four main annual community events. There are many other performances, demonstrations, parades and festivals throughout the year, including the Chinatown Night Market. Styled after Asian marketplaces where shopping is personal, local and bartering is the name of the game, the Chinatown Night Market is one of Vancouver's summer highlights.
In February 2009, the City of Vancouver and the community-based Proponent Group submitted a nomination package to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada for the consideration of Vancouver's Chinatown as a National Historic Site of Canada. The nomination is being reviewed by the Board assisted by research from Parks Canada. The Board makes its recommendation to the Minister of the Environment, who makes the final decision. Read the nomination package More info: |
||
|
Questions or comments, you can send us an email: info@vancouver.ca |
In the 1950's a highway was proposed to run through the Chinatown area, but the strong public response convinced government to abandon the project. In 1971 the province designated both Gastown and Chinatown as historic districts. Chinatown is not the only Chinese community in the region, but is home to the Chinese Cultural Centre, Museum and Archives and still has a strong identity that is evident in its community vision for the future.
A walkway between the Vancouver Public Library and Chinatown has been
named the 'Silk Road', after the route across Asia that linked Rome to
China. The first phase marked the route with banners and signage. In the
next phase story-telling panels will be installed along the route.
(8.24 MB).