Urban Design Panel

The Urban Design Panel (UDP) advises City Council and staff about development proposals or policies, including major development applications, rezoning applications, and other projects of public interest.

As well, the panel helps the Planning Department and City Council create urban design policy, including the design and interrelationship of all physical components of the City.

The panel reviews all civic building projects, including bridges, roads, parks, beautification projects, transit systems, civic buildings, and design competitions.

The UDP does not approve or refuse projects or make policy decisions.

Terms of reference

The Urban Design Panel Bylaw establishes the Panel, and describes its membership and duties.

Function and Authority

Panel meetings are open to public attendance but the meetings are not a forum for public comment. Depending on the type of project process, there are always opportunities for public input. Please note that recording and filming of the panel by the public is not generally allowed. To obtain a copy of the audio recording for a meeting please contact the Meeting Coordinator.

Meeting schedule

Panel meetings are held every two weeks throughout the year. Special meetings are convened when necessary. The meetings are normally held on Wednesdays at 4:00pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room, 1st Floor, City Hall, 453 West 12th Ave. Public attendance is permitted, however, the public may not address the panel.

Meeting procedure

The panel meetings are conducted by the elected chairperson in the following manner:

  • The Development Planner introduces the project to the panel (referring to its location, context, background, scope and response to established bylaws and design guidelines)
  • The applicant is given the opportunity to clarify any aspects of the plan to the panel (no presentation is required of the applicant)
  • The panel members review the project material and provide comments and observations
  • The Chairperson summarizes the comments of the panel
  • The Chairperson presents a motion to either support the project, support the project with recommendations, or recommend resubmission
  • The Chairperson asks city staff if they have any final comments before the vote
  • The Chairperson asks the panel for a mover and a seconder for the motion, calls the vote and announces the result
  • If the motion does not pass, then the chairperson asks a panel member to move another motion, call the vote, and announce the result.

Attendance requirement

Members may miss no more than four consecutive meetings without obtaining leave of absence from the panel. Membership will be terminated following the fourth such absence.

Membership

The panel consists of at least 13 members, representing the following groups:

  • Six members, Architectural Institute of British Columbia
  • Two members, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia
  • Two members, The BC Society of Landscape Architects
  • One member, the development industry, from the Urban Development Institute, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, or the Building Owners' and Managers’ Association
  • One member, Vancouver City Planning Commission
  • One member, practicing professional artist

All members are appointed by Council, and may be reappointed. There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve.

Members of the 2018 Urban Design Panel

6 members from the Architectural Institute of British Columbia

  • Yijin Wen, Architect, Fraser Health Authority
  • Amela Brudar, Architect, GBL Architects
  • Helen Avini Besharat, Architect, Besharat Friars Architects
  • Jim Huffman, Architect, B+H Architects
  • Derek Neale, Architect, NSDA Architects
  • Susan Ockwell, Architect, HCMA Architecture and Design

2 members from the Association of Professional Engineers

  • Marie-France Venneri, Engineer, AME Consulting Mechanical Engineers
  • Grant  Newfield, Engineer, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.

1 member from the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects

  • David Jerke, VDZ + Associates Inc.
  • Colette Parsons, Studio Parsons

1 representative from the Vancouver Planning Commission

  • Leslie Shieh, Take Root

1 member representing the development industry

  • Muneesh Sharma, B  Building Owners' and Managers’ Association

1 member representing art professionals

  • Vacant

Meetings, agendas, and details

Previous minutes

Resources for advisory committee members

Contact the Urban Design Panel

Meeting Coordinator

Kathy Cermeno

Phone: 604-873-7770

udp.info@vancouver.ca