Environments to thrive in

Goal

Vancouverites have the right to a healthy environment and equitable access to livable environments in which they can thrive.

Targets

Add a biodiversity target and a target related to toxins prevention to the Greenest City Action Plan
Increase neighbourhood Walk Scores

Overview

Healthy urban environments are characterized by complete, compact, and connected communities - including well-planned, sustainable, thriving, and vibrant environments.

Progress we've made so far

Healthy City Dashboard

Check out the latest way to find information about health and well-being in Vancouver. View the status, trends, and graphs of health indicators and export the data to use elsewhere.

Explore the Healthy City Dashboard

Vancouver has a walkscore of 78 out of 100

The most walkable large city in Canada

Vancouver scored 78/100 on the Walkscore ranking, which means that most errands can be accomplished on foot.

Vancouver's walkscore screenshot from https://www.walkscore.com/CA-BC/Vancouver

Source: Walkscore^®

How we measure success

We use a number of data sources to monitor trends in the health of the city. We monitor progress toward Environments to Thrive In using data on neighbourhood walkability.
Neighbourhood walk scores
- 8 of 22 neighbourhoods have Walk Scores below 70
  Source: Walk Score
2015-2018 Priority actions

Steps toward achieving this goal in the first four years of the Healthy City Strategy.
1. Integrate biodiversity and toxins reduction strategies into the Greenest City Action Plan.
  - Results: We will increase biodiversity levels across the city and reduce the number and concentration of toxins.
2. Review active living design best practices that have been successfully used in other jurisdictions (such as NYC Active Living Design Guidelines) and explore their integration into planning and development review processes.
  - Results: We will increase opportunities for physical activity in the built environment.
3. Continue to encourage stronger walking connections through the community planning process, with a priority on areas with the largest concentrations of under-served residents.
  - Results: We will improve opportunities for people to walk to meet their daily needs in their neighbourhoods.
4. Create and enhance wonderful temporary and permanent public places and spaces throughout the city.
  - Results: We will develop strategic direction on the placement, design, and activation of public places in the city.
Success stories

New forms of block parties bring laneway and apartment communities together

In 2016 there were 159 block parties hosted in Vancouver, and the number of applications has steadily increased since 2011.

The first ever West End apartment block party connected residents and neighbours from two apartment buildings.The organizer said: “I received positive feedback during the event and not only from the two apartment buildings but other people who live in the west end that happened to be cycling or walking by. They too joined in for food and listened to music. The only complaint I received was asking why they hadn’t been invited!”

This pilot helped lay the foundation for supporting other apartment buildings to host their own block party and determine what is needed to receive a permit.

Block parties are bringing life to laneways too. Residents of a block along East Broadway livened up the laneway behind their properties with live music, lots of food, and plenty of play spaces for the local children and adults to connect.