Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2009
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45153 |
| _version_ | 1826188893011050496 |
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| author | Loewus, Sabra Elysia |
| author2 | Langley Keyes. |
| author_facet | Langley Keyes. Loewus, Sabra Elysia |
| author_sort | Loewus, Sabra Elysia |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T08:06:39Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/45153 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T08:06:39Z |
| publishDate | 2009 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/451532019-04-09T16:42:18Z Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities Loewus, Sabra Elysia Langley Keyes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Urban Studies and Planning. Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008. This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Page 159 blank. Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-158). Across North America, downtowns are experiencing revitalization and population growth, as "urban pioneers" are making their homes in city centers. While downtowns are typically thought of as places for empty nesters and young, single professionals, some North American cities are experiencing recent growth in families moving downtown, despite its tradeoffs, and others are working to attract families with children to their downtowns. With an increasing number of families living in central city neighborhoods, cities are presented with unique opportunities and challenges. Initiatives to make cities more family-friendly for residents of all backgrounds and income levels will help attract and retain families downtown, as well as contribute to healthy, thriving cities overall. Using Vancouver, BC as a case study, this thesis explores urban livability in general and with specific reference to Vancouver's family-oriented downtown as one component of livability. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities and has been a pioneer city in embracing family-friendly urban living, beginning its efforts several decades ago, while many other cities have only recently begun to address issues of livability. This thesis investigates how Vancouver has accommodated families living downtown and what elements have contributed to its world-renowned status as a model city. However, the story of this perceived "urban utopia" is not complete without consideration of the dilemmas that have come hand-in-hand with Vancouver's success, such as increasing housing prices that are unaffordable to many. These challenges reveal potential implications for other cities hoping to emulate the "Vancouver Model." (cont.) Lessons learned consider under what circumstances the elements attributable to Vancouver's "success" are applicable and realizable in other cities in North America, with a focus on Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. Recommendations are offered for both how Vancouver can improve and other cities can create more family-friendly urban environments, while avoiding the pitfalls that have come with Vancouver's success. As the case of Vancouver has demonstrated, downtown living is a complex issue and perceived successes can create powerful externalities that may diminish the city's achievements in the long-term if challenges are not properly addressed. by Sabra Elysia Loewus. M.C.P. 2009-04-29T14:47:10Z 2009-04-29T14:47:10Z 2008 2008 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45153 316866868 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 159 p. application/pdf n-cn-bc Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Urban Studies and Planning. Loewus, Sabra Elysia Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title | Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title_full | Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title_fullStr | Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title_short | Downtown living: for families? : the Vancouver, BC urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| title_sort | downtown living for families the vancouver bc urban livability experience and lessons for other cities |
| topic | Urban Studies and Planning. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45153 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT loewussabraelysia downtownlivingforfamiliesthevancouverbcurbanlivabilityexperienceandlessonsforothercities |