To follow up on the issues explored in the previous few posts about the Cambie Village area's function within Vancouver in the past and present, I raise a few parting questions about the area's potential function in the city.
As higher-density nodes appear around the Canada Line stations and perhaps along the Cambie Village strip as well, Cambie street could eventually function to as a centre of retail, services and culture. It could connect surrounding areas (rather than act as a border between them), drawing people from other parts of the city with an interesting street life. However, Cambie's uncompromised status as a major traffic artery will pose a challenge towards use as a neighbourhood centre in the way that Commercial Drive now functions.
What do you think will define the Cambie Village area in the near future? That future is almost here, but its features remain shadowy for now.
3 comments:
I remember hearing someone talk about how the area was going to become an extension of Yaletown (okay, I did earlier on another post, but someone else too). I think that's a bit extreme, but not completely insane, so maybe that will characterize some of the street. I think you really touched upon something interesting by mentioning the role of an artirial like Cambie vs community oriented role of Commercial. With small independent stores, Cambie probably served the same role as Commercial, due to it's relative lack of big box stores. This probably wasn't seen to be the best use of space for the road, so we can see the beginnings of Cambie's commercial transformation from community oriented area to city-wide destination. Otherwise, there'd be no point in building the line, because it wouldn't have enough traffic to justify its construction.
Now we can see big box stores like Best Buy and Canadian Tire that have already moved in. Soon there will be a Whole Foods, Save On Foods and Winners along Cambie between the 'Olympic Village' and 'Broadway-City Hall' stops. The new big box stores will be anchoring large condo developments that are marketed as 'live-work-shop' destinations. Though I do have to question the ability of someone to be able to live or shop at many of those stores, while working at them. I'm sure if possible we'll be seeing even more development along these lines, especially north of King Edward Avenue.
As it is this is the only section that has been significantly transformed. Though I'd imagine the small businesses near Oakridge, outside the mall along Cambie, have been suffering as well. And I've even noticed a significant drop off in traffic at the mall. So, for that neighbourhood I suspect a similar series of developments to the Fairview area will go up within the next 10 or so years. There may even be an expansion of Oakridge Centre. Apparently the City is thinking about upgrading the Oakridge Branch Library, so that tells you about their thinking of increasing density in that area.
Hi Vanessa,
My name is Joan Chang and I'm with the Early Edition at CBC radio. We're talking to people about their Cambie Street experiences and I'd love to get in touch with you. Please email me at changj@vancouver.cbc.ca.
Cheers,
Joan
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