A dynamic new concept in place-making and sustainable living is taking hold of our cities. Its roots are in the multi-generational village that's long been the historical norm, but make no mistake, this ain't your great-grandparents' lifestyle. "Urban magnets" are all about 21st-century living sophisticated, connected, authentic city spaces designed to enhance human interaction in a very real, totally approachable way.
And when it comes to urban magnets, it's tough to find a more passionate supporter than Alan Boniface, principal of the Vancouver-based architectural firm DIALOG. He was a driving force behind the development of Granville Island now the second most visited attraction in Canada (beaten only by the Niagara Falls). He was the person who reimagined CBC's bunker-like downtown HQ as an engaging public plaza and community hub, and he's globally recognized for his outside-the-box thinking in urban planning.
Here he shares his insights with REW.ca.
Q: What's the difference between an urban magnet and other city spaces or neighbourhoods?
A: In the simplest terms, an urban magnet is an area with a theme that brings people together to participate in activities that they enjoy. Food, health and wellness, even skateboarding, are all examples of magnets. They're active, real, and focused on things people love about their neighbourhood the activities that make a neighbourhood tick.
Then, within the theme are five subcategories: retail (commerce, in other words); production, which could be as simple as baking bread; education; programming of events that mark and celebrate who we are; and finally, unique urban forms, or architecture.
Q: How common are these centres?
A: We've looked around the world, and there are very few. The Distillery District in Toronto is one fairly good example there's the teaching of dance plus the festivals and food. Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver has some of the basics food, retail and a lively, engaging streetscape with diverse architecture.
But true urban magnets are rare. That's one of the reasons Granville Island is such a unique environment it has three dominant themes: food, marine and arts. But it also has all five of the subcategories: a vibrant retail scene, multiple types of production, a rich program of events and festival, architectural diversity, and two major education facilities Emily Carr and the Pacific Culinary Institute. Usually finding a single theme with one or two of those subcategories is rare. We have never found another place where three key components and all five subcategories are present.
Q: Developments labeling themselves as "masterplanned communities" seem to be popping up everywhere. Often they have a focus on shopping, so does that make them urban magnets?
A: Not necessarily. Urban magnets are about complexity and diversity. If you look at a development like Morgan Crossing, it has a lot of stores and engaging streetscapes, but they tend to be the standard big-box retailers, not the small, traditional West Coast independents. And it still treats cars the same way parking on the street outside the shops.
Compare that with Granville Island, which was always meant to have cars, but cars were never meant to be dominant. When we proposed a design without curbs and sidewalks, many people were shocked. But today, when you're walking there, as a pedestrian you're aware that a car could be beside you at any moment. And as a driver, you're aware a pedestrian could step in front of you at any moment, so the congestion actually helps slow everything down. And let's face it, most people would never have thought you could have a thriving public market next to a cement plant.
Q: Granville Island has both public and private components. Is this cooperative design important to creating true urban magnets?
A: It's of paramount importance. Another excellent Vancouver example would when we turned the CBC building inside out a number of years ago. Originally, the entire space, especially the front entry, was an unattractive, rather strange layout. Now look at it. It's an energized, public space that inviting, engaging and used frequently for public events and concerts.
Q: What about the bottom line though? Are there tangible benefits for the consumer?
A: There is definitely an economic upside that creates value. Look at the way people embraced the Crosstown Arts [mixed-used vertical urban village] project in Memphis. Its combination of arts, food and health and wellness allowed it to continue strong right through the US recession. People are attracted to animated spaces because they enliven the human spirit. And that's integral to the definition of a true urban magnet.
