Gastown Public Spaces Plan

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Intersection of Water Street and Cambie street with Gastown steamclock in background

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.

What's happening

The Water Street Pedestrian Zone returns every Sunday from June 15 to August 31.

We're supporting another summer of excitement in Gastown by testing public space and transportation changes that will help shape future upgrades and programming in the neighbourhood.

In February 2025, Council approved an approach, developed in collaboration with the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS), which will test:

  • Public space enhancements on Water Street
  • Two-way Cordova Street
  • Sunday pedestrian zone (10 am to 6 pm)

How to get involved

What we learn this summer, along with last summer’s pilot, will inform ongoing work on the Gastown Public Spaces Plan and guide long-term investments in the area.

Visit us at our pop-ups this summer in the Water Street Pedestrian Zone to learn more and provide feedback:

  • Sunday, July 20 from 12 pm to 2 pm
  • Sunday, August 24 from 2 pm to 4 pm

Staff will be reporting back to Council on the summer pilot later this fall. Take our survey by August 31, 2025.

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.

What's happening

The Water Street Pedestrian Zone returns every Sunday from June 15 to August 31.

We're supporting another summer of excitement in Gastown by testing public space and transportation changes that will help shape future upgrades and programming in the neighbourhood.

In February 2025, Council approved an approach, developed in collaboration with the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS), which will test:

  • Public space enhancements on Water Street
  • Two-way Cordova Street
  • Sunday pedestrian zone (10 am to 6 pm)

How to get involved

What we learn this summer, along with last summer’s pilot, will inform ongoing work on the Gastown Public Spaces Plan and guide long-term investments in the area.

Visit us at our pop-ups this summer in the Water Street Pedestrian Zone to learn more and provide feedback:

  • Sunday, July 20 from 12 pm to 2 pm
  • Sunday, August 24 from 2 pm to 4 pm

Staff will be reporting back to Council on the summer pilot later this fall. Take our survey by August 31, 2025.

  • Share your feedback about the 2025 Gastown Summer Pilot

    This summer we are testing public space and transportation changes that will help shape future upgrades and programming in Gastown.

    Take our survey and share your experience of the neighbourhood changes. Your input will help us understand people’s experience of the public space and transportation changes in Gastown this summer. It will also help inform future planning and investments.  

    This survey will be open until end of day August 31.

    Take Survey
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  • This survey is now closed. Thank you for your input. All of the feedback and data gathered from this summer's pilot will be analyzed by staff and these learnings will be presented to Council later this fall.

    Share your feedback about the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone

    The Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot is a chance to learn about the experience of pedestrianizing Water Street. This summer, City staff will learn through: 

    Studies and observations  

    • Traffic changes (vehicle, bike, walking, transit)  
    • Public life observations and site visits   
    • Economic impact study (consumer spending trends and point of sales data)  
    Listening to feedback  
    • Shape Your City survey (this survey)  
    • Intercept survey   
    • Business-specific survey   
    • Design workshop   
    • 311 cases and emails   
    • Door knocking to check-in with storefronts   
    • Community pop-ups 

    What we learn will help shape a long-term vision for pedestrianizing Water Street, as part of the Gastown Public Spaces Plan. It will also help to plan future pedestrian zones. 

    This survey will be open until end of day September 2. 

    Share Share your feedback about the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone on Facebook Share Share your feedback about the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone on Twitter Share Share your feedback about the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone on Linkedin Email Share your feedback about the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone link
Page last updated: 16 Jul 2025, 08:51 AM