Benefitting from Mega-projectsLessons from Vancouver

The Cities and Territories of Tomorrow: Tools for Positive ChangeMichael Geller Architect AIBC, FCIP, RPP

Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University, Centre for Sustainable Community Developmentwww.michaelgeller.ca www.gellerworldtravel.blogspot.com

Mega-projects can offer a city many benefits

1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition EXPO 2010 in Shanghai

The Olympics have transformed many cities over the years

Barcelona 1992

Vancouver has held 2 ‘world parties’ over the past 3 decades

A World’s Fair in 1986 Winter Olympics in 2010

EXPO 86: a World’s Fair that introduced Vancouver to the world

How the site looked in 1983 Vancouver today

A number of legacy projects were constructed with future re-use in mind

The Canadian Pavilion became a conference centre and cruise ship terminal

Another pavilion became a science centre (and later Russian pavilion at 2010 Olympics)

We invited the world…and it came…putting Vancouver on the world map!

Vancouver residents were urged to invite their out-of-town friends, relatives, and business associates to come to the fair

McDonalds created ‘McBarge’ for the fair

Unfortunately, for a long time it did not get re-used

EXPO site purchased by Hong Kong’s Li-Ka Shing and converted into new community

2003

False Creek North from the South Shore (Charleson Park)1983

The 2010 Olympics also had an impact on Vancouver

Once again we focussed on inviting the world, planning the reuse of facilities, and future redevelopment of lands adjacent to new

facilities

Reuse of facilities

Media centre became expanded trade and convention centre

Curling rink became community centre

Redevelopment of adjacent lands

Athletes’ Village became a new housing community and catalyst for surrounding development

Speed-skating oval became community sports centre and focal

point for new neighbourhood redevelopment

Howe

The skating oval has been converted to a multi-use facility at the heart of new community

I realize 2018 FIFA Russia is different than a World Expo or Olympics

However, now it’s your turn to invite the world, plan the future use/reuse of your stadium, and plan the new community to be built around the stadium

I hope I have given you something to think about!

Michael Geller Architect AIBC, FCIP, RPPgeller@sfu.ca www.gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com