Open Streets: Step off the curb and try something new

Imagine if you closed popular Vancouver streets to vehicle traffic, converting roads into giant sidewalks. How would people use all of the extra space?

The City wanted to try it out and started opening streets to pedestrians—creating spaces where people can take their time to explore a street, meet new people and feel a renewed sense of community. Opening streets in this way provides people with more options for healthy activities, and encourages the use of sustainable forms of transportation.

In 2009, the Summer Spaces street closures took place in 4 different neighbourhoods. The Summer Spaces pilot showed that people from across the city were ready to step off of the curb and try something new!

In 2010, the Summer Spaces program expanded to include Rediscover Granville, which took place every weekend from July 3 to September 6. People flocked to the street, and found many inventive ways to use the extra space: relaxing on chairs in the middle of the road, playing badminton, watching the World Cup on jumbo screen, and dancing salsa, it was a very exciting summer!

Help us create more Open Streets in 2011

The success of Rediscover Granville and Summer Spaces shows a demand for more public spaces with activities taking place on a regular basis. The Open Streets program supports several of the walking and public realm strategies that are a part of the Greenest City Action Plan