Understanding development patterns around the 22nd Street and New Westminster SkyTrain Stations

The introduction of SkyTrain into the Greater Vancouver Area has had a significant impact on the land use patterns in the region. However, development patterns have been uneven and have varied from station to station. Some neighbourhoods have intensified and diversified their land uses, while others have only changed minimally since the introduction of rapid transit. This project examines the factors that have influenced the development patterns around the 22nd Street and New Westminster SkyTrain Stations. The intent of the research project is to determine why some places in the Greater Vancouver area have intensified and diversified their lands uses since the introduction of rapid transit while others have not. Nine factors (Land Use Planning, Catalyst Developer, Availability of Developable Land, Community Prioritization, Neighbourhood Perception, Neighbourhood Characteristics, Public Investment, Public Resistance to Land Use Change and Road Infrastructure) have been identified in this research project that have influenced and shaped the development patterns around the New Westminster and 22nd Street SkyTrain Stations. Understanding these factors and the relationships between them will help assist municipal planner and leaders to better understand the processes that influence land use changes around rapid transit stations.