Vancouverism

by Larry Beasley

Until the 1980s, Vancouver was a typical mid-sized North American city. But after the city hosted Expo 86, something extraordinary happened. This otherwise unremarkable urban centre was transformed into an inspiring world-class city celebrated for its livability, sustainability, and competitiveness. This book tells the story of the urban planning phenomenon called “Vancouverism” and the philosophy and practice behind it. Writing from an insider’s perspective, Larry Beasley, a former chief planner of Vancouver, traces the principles that inspired Vancouverism and the policy framework developed to implement it. A prologue, written by Frances Bula, outlines the political and urban history of Vancouver up until the 1980s. The text is also beautifully illustrated by the author with 200 colour photographs depicting not only the city’s vibrancy but also the principles of Vancouverism in action.

Genres: Nonfiction, Urban Planning, Urbanism, Canada, Architecture, Design, Urban

424 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2020

Reviews

[Mitch Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a much different take than many of those who have graciously offered their candid reviews of Beasley’s Vancouverism. I did not find it overly or unfairly sunny, distorted by rose coloured glasses. I thought it was an honest and candid record of Beasley’s experience in creating the great city of Vancouver. He offered criticisms and admitted to shortfalls when appropriate, but overall supplied a fantastic and in depth explanation and analysis of planners’ thought processes, intentions and ambitions. I came out of it with a greater appreciation for the city I already love.

Also contrary to some other reviews, my one, perhaps harsh and unfair criticism, is that Beasley’s final chapter seemed half-baked and timid. While he offered his utopian vision for Vancouver and provided important questions in need of answers, it lacked detail and confidence in his thoughts on Vancouverism moving forward. I would have liked more.

Overall, a fantastic read and easy for anyone hesitant to dive into nonfiction.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. The author is unfortunately too verbose about framing up ideas and facts - introductions, where they fit in context, how they feel about them, etc - at the cost of the ideas themselves. The tower-and-podium section is a great example of this: fascinating result of architectural iteration, research, closed feedback loops and design, presented with cursory detail about that process of discovery and a whole lot of fluff paragraphs. The end result is, well, a slog.

All that said, the book itself is gorgeous, with pictures and captions well curated and there are many great nuggets of information buried in the rambling paragraphs. Vancouver rocks and it was a treat learning why and how from a first hand perspective.

[Rowan Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing look into why Vancouver is the way it is. It is well written, and you can feel the love the writer has for the city, buts it is often painful how dismissive he is of the issues that have arisen in Vancouver. Dont think the writer truly understands how brutal this city can be to those who cannot afford the luxury soulless communities he created.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book for me to read without being critical. It reads a bit too sunny and self-promoting and to talk about the proposed freeway without mentioning Hogan's Alley feels like Beasley is hiding a past he would rather not even acknowledge.

I did like Chapter 10: New Interactions and Lessons Learned
It captures Beasley at his best. He is a bit more self-critical here, but he can't shake that style of positivity that makes him sound like a promoter. Most of the book separates the promotion and reflection, but here it is combined, and therefore captures his worldview best. The inherent contradiction between desiring to be a world class city, but grappling with a housing crises made worse by a worldwide demand, can be seen here. That mix of hope and pride and regret, feels like the real Vancouverism to me.

On a broader level, I think this book is so positive that it borders on being a utopian illusion. But a good read to understand the Vancouver planner mindset.

[a.m. kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into urban development within Vancouver during the period it started to become what it is today. Nice use of pictures to break up the text.

The book is very much from the viewpoint of an insider who is proud of their life work, though I would have liked a bit more insight into how some of the decisions made in the 80s and 90s precipitated the affordability crisis, intention or not. In particular I was curious to hear more about the thinking behind the mega events of Expo 86 and the 2010 Olympics and their impact on residents, though the author states the focus of the book is principally 1986-2006.

The parts about neighborhoods were the most interesting to me but the entire of the book focuses too much just on the downtown peninsula. Would have liked a bit more info on architecture.

Overall, a perspective I don't normally encounter, and an interesting look into the thinking of planners at the time.

[Adrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute masterpiece. It is a must read for anyone interested or active in the real estate industry in Vancouver. Beasley takes us through a nostalgic in-the-trenches journey of Vancouver’s emergence as a global city, highlighting key principles behind what made Vancouver one of the most livable cities in the world. For anyone interested in urban studies and community planning, this book is also a must read as a case study and lessons learned. As Beasley wisely points out, cities are never a finished product, and so he leaves us with a list of emerging challenges to solve in the next generation.

[Lawrence Carrington]

Had to return to the library
Might resume reading some day. Page 95

[Raymond Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting case study if you are interested in the topic. Overall well done, but was a bit on the verbose side.

[Servabo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vancouver is just one huge urban sprawl. All the glass buildings look the same with their shoe box sizes units. Sigh, what a time to be alive (*ToT)