GC 2020
657 results found
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Pedestrian countdown signals
Burnaby has introduced many of these on city streets, while Vancouver still has very few. Especially at pedestrian controlled intersections it is important to know how long the wait will be (and whether the button is working or not).
3 votesCity crews installed its first pedestrian countdown signal at Main and Hastings earlier this year, and could install more if this trial is successful.
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Sidewalks for walking, not advertising
Advertising boards and sandwich boards impede pedestrian flow and are unsafe for those with visual impairments. Stricter policing of sidewalk use is needed.
4 votes -
More passenger ferries
We are not making enough use of our waterways for passenger transport. SeaBus is a success not only with commuters but also tourists. Water connections between downtown Vancouver and places like West Vancouver, Kitsilano, UBC, Deep Cove, and Port Moody should be explored.
14 votes -
Car-free Sundays for Stanley Park in the summer
Far more pedestrians and cyclists use Stanley Park in the summertime than drivers. Sundays should be car-free.
5 votes -
Street lights for the sidewalks, not just roads
Many of our streets are brightly lit at night while the sidewalks remain dark. Especially in areas with many seniors, like the West End, this discourages people from going out at night. Bring back street lights - for pedestrians - in our neighbourhoods.
2 votesPedestrian safety is a top priority. The Greenest City work will include directions to identify and address deficiencies in the network (e.g. missing sidewalks or curb ramps, need for improved pedestrian lighting).
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Bring back the #1 Fairview Beltline route
Until the 1950s, the #1 Fairview Beltline streetcar ran along Main St, W Broadway, Granville, and Hastings in a big loop, connecting downtown with Vancouver's second biggest employment centre, the Broadway corridor. Crowding on many bus routes out of downtown would be alleviated if a frequent Beltline streetcar were brought back. It would also help businesses along Hastings, Main, and W Broadway.
14 votes -
Allow building awnings to extend to edge of sidewalks
The bus waiting area in front of the Bay on W Georgia has a great overhang that extends to the edge of the sidewalk, allowing people to stay dry. New buildings should be permitted to extend awnings up to the edge of the sidewalk to better protect transit users and pedestrians from rain and wind. Most of the awnings in the city are half the size they should be and are not connected with each other.
8 votes -
Introduce shared streets
Granville Island is the closest thing we have in Vancouver to a shared street, where pedestrians, bikes, and cars are free to mix at low speeds. Side streets in Yaletown, Gastown, and other areas would benefit from this concept. New Road in Brighton is but one of many examples.
5 votesThe Draft Greenest City Action plan will include directions to explore pedestrian-only and pedestrian-priority streets in the downtown core. Potential locations will be identified at a later date (e.g. as part of the transportation plan update).
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Reduce or eliminate one-way streets
The City has already done a great job in converting some one-way streets in Yaletown and Gastown to two-way. On one-way streets, vehicle speeds are higher, neighbourhood accessibility is reduced, gasoline is wasted, and pedestrian traffic is discouraged. It's time to convert some additional one-way streets.
4 votes -
Neighbourhood drop-off areas for dog waste
There are so many dogs in the City now that the waste could be separated + composted or otherwise dealt with. Also options to plastic bags...
4 votes -
Create scramble intersections at major intersections
A scramble intersection allows pedestrians to cross in every direction at the same time. Vancouver used to have them in some downtown locations, but they were phased out. Toronto now has one at Yonge & Dundas.
Let's bring them back - Burrard & W Georgia? Main and Hastings? Cambie and W Broadway? Many possibilities.
18 votesGreat idea!
The City has been interested in scramble intersections for some time, and staff are currently exploring different locations where they might be suitable. High pedestrian volumes are an important criteria, although there are other considerations as well.
Those interested in learning more about pedestrian volumes downtown and throughout the city might want to check out the City’s 2001-2002 Pedestrian study (http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/pedstudy/). -
City of Vancouver should divest itself of Easypark
Vancouver is makes it too cheap to park one's car downtown. A maximum charge of $10.50 per day at city-owned Easypark lots doesn't discourage those with vehicles from driving, especially families. And as a non-profit, Easypark doesn't help the City's finances.
Sell the lots and use the funds for greener initiatives.
4 votes -
Empower apartment residents to hang their laundry to dry
Many strata and co-op buildings prohibit drying laundry on balconies or outside. Hanging to dry uses far less energy than using a dryer. Pass a by-law: prohibit the prohibition!
43 votesFalls under occupant engagement in energy conservation
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Stop making pedestrians push buttons at intersections with traffic lights
Pedestrians should not have to push the walk button at intersections with traffic lights, especially busy locations. Cambie and W Broadway is a prime example of this. Why is Vancouver making walking more of a hassle?
9 votes -
Reduce speed limit to 30 kph within downtown core
In terms of street capacity, 30-39 kph is the optimal speed range. As well, pedestrians hit at 48 kph are are NINE times more likely to die than if struck at 32 kph. Streets will function better and be safer for pedestrians at lower speeds.
2 votes -
Grow local supply chains
For Vancouver to be a sustainable city locally-owned businesses mustbe able to source locally. This is especially true of light manufacturing (clothing, utensiles ...), food, local stories. We should be moving information around the world (bits) but physical supply chains should be grounded in the local economy. Let's look for the subsidies and tax incentives that act against local supply chains (most of these are federal and provincial, but let's look at the city as well). A great service would be an open social directory of local suppliers!
34 votesRecommendations for greening existing businesses include recommendations to support building of local supply chains. This idea is included in the draft Greenest City Action Plan
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2 votes
This is a good idea for framing our ongoing engagement campaigns
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Create green collar jobs for local residents, especially low threshold opportunities
Use the principles of community economic development to create job opportunities for those with barriers to employment, including incentives for green businesses that provide local employment and procurement of local goods
7 votes -
Free parking for scooters and motorcycles!
Create free parking for scooters and motorcycles, especially in congested areas like Downtown! It just makes sense: Two-wheeled vehicles take up less space on the road and are more fuel-efficient than cars. We just need safe, affordable and accessible parking.
Vote to support free scooter and motorbike parking!!!
13 votes -
Make one floor of every condo a "farm floor" with vegetable garden. Feed the city from the city
Local food production in your own apartment building. A designated "farm floor" could be in the basement of the building where the underground parking is/was. Powered by solar panels on the roof.
10 votesA variety of urban agriculture opportunities are being incorporated into major developments.
