Gastown Public Spaces Plan
Help us make Gastown’s unique streets, laneways and public spaces more vibrant and people-friendly!
Gastown is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. It is an important heritage district and popular destination in Vancouver. Many of the streets and public spaces in Gastown are in need of repair and rehabilitation, and we are exploring pedestrianizing areas of this neighbourhood to support vibrant public life.
In response to Council direction [PDF, 0.2MB], staff are creating a plan that will guide how to:
- Establish a vibrant, people-focused Gastown with enhanced gathering places, streets, and laneways to support a range of activities.
- Pedestrianize Water Street, seasonally or year-round, starting with a pedestrian pilot in summer 2024.
- Improve the street network, including walking, cycling, transit and vehicle connections and consideration of Cordova as a two-way street.
- Advance Reconciliation with the local Nations and support their visibility on their lands.
- Evolve and deepen the unique heritage feel of the area, including improved street materials and amenities.
- Identify phased project timing and funding.
Read the backgrounder [PDF, 8MB] to learn about why we are making a public spaces plan and the draft objectives.
Read the Gastown Public Spaces Plan Phase 1 Engagement Summary [PDF, 17 MB] to learn more about people’s experiences with Gastown’s public spaces today and how they could be enhanced in the future.
Read the summer 2024 Council Report [PDF, 3 MB] to learn about people's experience of the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone.
Read the 2025 Gastown Pilot Findings [PDF, 25 MB] document to learn about people's experience of the 2025 Gastown pilot.
What's next
In spring 2026, we'll bring the Gastown Public Spaces Plan to Council to guide future renewal and investment in the neighbourhood.
The plan is informed by learnings from both summer pilots, public engagement, ongoing partnerships with local Nations, and early planning and design work completed with the consultant team and the Gastown Business Improvement Society.
The plan will serve as a framework and outline that:
- Establishes a long-term, unified vision for key streets and public spaces to make Gastown more people and pedestrian friendly
- Identifies key directions for public space, transportation, local Nations visibility, heritage, and street materials
- Builds on and refine summer pedestrian zones for the future