Shaping Vancouver 2016: Our Neighbourhoods - What is the Vision for Chinatown?

Chinatown has been one of the enduring neighbourhoods that define Vancouver. Throughout its history it has provided spaces to live, work, shop and gather. Due to its history it has developed a distinguishable character, rich history as well as culturally and architecturally unique buildings. All of this has been recognized through the creation of a part of Chinatown as a National Historic Site.But as development intensifies, there is alarming concern in the community over the impacts of that development. The introduction of new typologies to accommodate density and how that has disrupted the existing fabric of the area have fueled fears over the loss of Chinatown character. These fears have been expressed in film, demonstrations, public talks, letters, and numerous news articles.This discussion looks at this increasing demand for community heritage values to be recognized and protected in the midst of this development. It explores the nature of those community values and how they may be defined. In essence it wishes to ask what exactly is the vision for today’s Chinatown and how it may be achieved. Panelists discuss these points and a general discussion follows.