A decade of parklets in Vancouver
Since 2012, I have studied tactical urbanism both academically and professionally shortly after the first parklet opened to the public in 2011. Parklets are extensions of sidewalks typically repurposing parking spaces for walking and gathering, often located on or off commercial streets.
# of parklets per year
Parklet timeline and my roles
2011 - 2013: Pilot Projects
2012 - 2014: MLA Grad Student Researcher, University of Guelph
2013 - 2016: Pilot Program
2013 - 2014: Parklet Designer, PWL Partnership Landscape Architects
2016 - 2020: Official Program
2016 - 2020: Program Manager and Design Lead, City of Vancouver
2020 - Present: Expanded Program*
2020 - 2021: Engineer of Record, City of Vancouver
*to include social services in response to COVID-19 pandemic
In June 2013, the City of Vancouver launched its stand-alone Parklet Pilot Program. The parklet application and design process was examined using an action research case study method for one of the first parklets to be built under the program by PWL Partnership. San Francisco and Vancouver parklets were mapped and compared. Findings reveal that parklets begin as business sponsored projects and over time evolve into community partnerships. Recommendations have been developed for emerging and established programs across North America.
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PARK(ing) Day
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Parklet Case Study
I led the first parklet project under the City of Vancouver's pilot program as both an MLA graduate student at University of Guelph and intern at PWL Partnership Landscape Architects. The pilot was one of several case studies in my thesis with grant funding support from the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation and Museum of Vancouver.
Action research on the design and build of the French Quarter Parklet influenced the project goals, design, construction scheduling, and material choices. Yet community dialogue and the initiative of other parklet stakeholders had also shaped the parklet process.
The parklet form and function was tested through a PARK(ing) Day install to help inform the iterative design process before becoming a semi-permanent structure and more recently was fully integrated with a side street plaza during the pandemic.
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Modular Designs
In transitioning away from pilots, I developed a kit-of-parts as program manager to adapt to the surrounding built environment through modularity, in partnership with the City of Vancouver’s Manufacturing Services team. Platform modules were designed in-house and implemented citywide as 1.8m (6’) wide, typically occupying the parking lane. These platforms were often paired with custom designed benches and bike corrals (movable seating optional), as well as prefabricated planters and umbrellas.
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Social Services
Building off of the kit-of-parts, the modular designs developed from the parklet program were further utilized during the pandemic for social service providers. Over a dozen parklets were delivered to the Downtown Eastside for the first time, initially providing spaces to eat during the acute response and has evolved into community-led partnerships.