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Background to the Downtown Transportation Plan

For more than half a century the City of Vancouver has focused on creating an economically vital, active and liveable downtown. In the 1940s and 1950s, the focus was on adjusting to increased auto use. However, it was apparent half a century ago that, while road access was important for commerce, attempting to satisfy all demands for road space would require trade-offs with the objective of a liveable downtown. Plans for downtown expressways were formulated in the 1960s but were cancelled as a result of the disruption they would have created. Building rapid transit to the downtown peninsula then became paramount to maintaining suitable access.

The Central Area Plan (1991) scaled back potential office development to balance future transportation demand and supply. It also sought to develop housing close to the downtown commercial core. This underpins Vancouver's Living First policy. The City of Vancouver Transportation Plan (1997) established the following transportation priorities: pedestrians, bicycling, transit, goods movement and then private automobiles. These priorities guided the Downtown Transportation Plan.

Over 76,000 residents lived downtown in 2001, a 62% increase from 1991. A conservative projection for 2021 is for 100,000 residents. Employment is also expected to grow substantially from 132,000 jobs in 1996 to almost 175,000 by 2021, a 30% increase. Accommodating growth without adding traffic lanes to the existing bridges and roads is the major challenge facing transportation planning downtown.

Meeting the Challenge is Important to the Downtown Economy

If downtown Vancouver is to remain vibrant, adequate road space must be available for goods movement and commercial customers. A robust transit system gives commuters and customers alternatives. Bike lanes and improved walking environments promote more sustainable choices. Trucks have no alternative. Lack of easy access for trucks may cause downtown to suffer commercially. Transportation is as much about the economy as it is about commuting and liveability. The Downtown Transportation Plan is reviewing goods delivery, customer service facilities and policies, including the use of commercial lanes.

Goal of the Downtown Transportation Plan

Our goal is to improve access to downtown homes and businesses while enhancing the unique attraction of downtown Vancouver. Our strategies to achieve this goal are:

1. Promote a walkable downtown - "Pedestrians First Policy"

2. Create a network of downtown bike lanes

3. Develop an easy-to-use network of downtown transit routes that serve the existing and emerging neighbourhoods

4. Implement safe and sustainable traffic management and goods movement practices.

Additional Background Material

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