The Arbutus Greenway is a north-south transportation corridor that connects people, parks and places from False Creek to the Fraser River. The design envisions a vibrant and dynamic corridor for walking, wheeling, cycling, and a future streetcar line, that passes through eight distinct character zones. This project reimagines a historic rail corridor and provides a high-quality, accessible public space for walking, cycling, as well as space for a future streetcar route. It will be a destination that fosters both movement and rich social interaction – inspired by nature and the stories of the places it connects.
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
- Client
- The City of Vancouver
- Completion
- 2018
- DIALOG Services
- Collaborators
Urban Systems
BC Barrier Free Design
Hemmera
Lucent Quay
Maureen Smith Consulting
PBX Engineering
Landscape Architecture
Planning & Urban Design
In 2016, the City of Vancouver purchased the Arbutus Corridor from the Canadian Pacific Railway company.
The intent was to transform the narrow strip of land into a publicly accessible greenway.
The design concept de-industrializes the rail corridor by providing high-quality, accessible public space for walking and cycling, as well as planning for a future streetcar route.
The Arbutus Greenway will be a journey, and also a destination.
And provide opportunities to connect to larger city and community-building objectives, by strategically orienting public realm and transit infrastructure that ties the City together.
Its transformation stitches together a host of unique neighbourhoods, with pathways, social spaces for community gathering, edible landscapes and ‘wild’ natural spaces.
This multi-modal transportation route crosses Indigenous traditional travel routes creating an opportunity to represent a cultural journey through way-finding and public art.
The greenway encourages movement along the corridor while providing magnetic spaces for rich social interactions and moments to pause and enjoy mountain views.
And is connected from end to end with 8 zones that offer respite and are activated in ways that are specific to their immediate neighbourhood.
Thereby highlighting the various neighbourhoods which it runs through.
The Team
City of Vancouver Vision StatementThe Arbutus Greenway will be a destination which fosters both movement and rich social interaction – inspired by nature and the stories of the places it connects.
It all started with a sketch.
Arbutus Greenway goes through distinct Vancouver neighbourhoods including Kitsilano, Arbutus Ridge, Shaughnessy, Kerrisdale and Marpole. It is divided into eight distinct zones.
Defined by large overhead frames that are enhanced by public art, overhead lighting and weather protection. Electric Alley, which runs from West Broadway to 16th Avenue, is anchored by two plaza areas.
Kerrisdale Pass, which runs from West 37th to 49th Avenue, is centrally located in the largest retail and civic hub on the greenway. A plaza provides a vibrant place for performance, programming, ente
The Marpole Meander, which runs from West 57th Ave to Marine Drive, includes recreation opportunities such as a bike-skills course, ping-pong tables and a giant chess board that provide places to play
The zones connect the city by amplifying and celebrating their own distinct characters.
Each zone onlays the immediate neighbourhoods needs and wants in an authentic way.
The zones connect the city by amplifying and celebrating their own distinct characters.
