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These promises are not gifts of generosity, but a part of a transactional exchange for consideration on discretionary height and density. The proposal does not meet the revised proposed Chinatown development policies by the city even though the processes ran in an almost parallel time frame. The developer still has a right to build, but the project’s insensitivity to architectural context and social crisis should not be supported by city council.

Urban development is needed as this city grows, but given the historic and current context of this sanctuary neighbourhood, development should be filtered through the principles centred in celebrating and securing the pre-existing people, heritage and culture in the neighbourhood first. In building this “City of Reconciliation,” Vancouver needs to break away from a dark history of exclusion and domination to a higher standard in terms of urban performance in social and cultural inclusion in this “Year of Reconciliation.” Today’s council’s decisions should not produce tomorrow’s grounds for reconciliation.

The city of Vancouver needs a bespoken urbanism that is tailored to what makes Vancouver neighbourhoods livable, sustainable and inclusive in terms of diversity, scale and neighbourliness. Great cities and their neighbourhoods are created slowly over time — this type of city building is not fast and easy, but moderate and deliberate. Rezoning with little regard to social, cultural and economic context and consequences should be rejected. Vancouver needs a new type of city building that celebrates and supports the diverse histories and communities that made this city great. This begins in Chinatown.

Andy Yan is registered professional urban planner and an adjunct professor of urban planning at the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning and Urban Studies at Simon Fraser University.

The hearing for the rezoning of 105 Keefer is restarting at Vancouver City Council Chambers and open for speakers athttp://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/105keefer/index.htm. Alternatively, the public may submit written comments of 1,500 words or less by email topublichearing@vancouver.ca”

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