THE GREENING OF WEST 4TH AVENUE
(Streetscape)

Kitsilano, Vancouver, 2004 (with Kostyniuk Planning + Design)

"STREETSCAPE
A Vision for Kitsilano
West 4th Avenue"
    ~  Jim Kostyniuk

West 4th Avenue is many things—a city street, a traffic artery, a shopping area, a business community and a residential community. West 4th Avenue is, in fact, a ‘Main Street’—both of Kitsilano and of Vancouver as a whole—and the success of such a street is dependent upon a multitude of factors, not the least of which is the design of the physical environment. This ‘streetscape’ design goes beyond the visual aesthetics of the area to include such issues as how effectively the traffic flows on the street, whether or not there are enough parking spaces for customers, and how comfortably pedestrians can walk along the sidewalks. In an urban area such as Kitsilano, the streets, sidewalks, street parking, street furniture, signage, lighting, street trees, landscaping, and back lanes are all part of the ‘public realm.’

The effective design and development of this public space is one of the most dynamic ways of influencing the overall quality of an area and establishing its unique identity. By providing guidelines and strategies for public space, a good plan will assist in directing an area’s future development. This Streetscape Concept Plan outlines a vision for the future development of the public environment of the Kitsilano West 4th Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA).

The Concept Plan is not an in-depth study of the history or analysis of the urban form of the area, nor is it a plan for the development of the private property within the area. It is intended to provide guidelines and general recommendations for streetscape improvements within the public realm—a framework for improvements which can be implemented as funding becomes available.

Streetscape Concept Plan prepared by Broadway Architects (Rob Sieniuc + Associates) and Kostyniuk Planning + Design