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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.
This summer we tested public space and transportation changes in Gastown that will help shape future upgrades and programming in the neighbourhood including:
Public space enhancements on Water Street
Two-way Cordova Street
Sunday pedestrian zone (10 am to 6 pm) from June 15 to August 31
Thank you to those that provided feedback on this summer’s pilot! What we learned this summer, along with last summer’s pilot, will inform ongoing work on theGastown Public Spaces Planand guide long-term investments in the area.
Staff will be reporting back to Council on the summer pilot later this fall/winter.
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.
This summer we tested public space and transportation changes in Gastown that will help shape future upgrades and programming in the neighbourhood including:
Public space enhancements on Water Street
Two-way Cordova Street
Sunday pedestrian zone (10 am to 6 pm) from June 15 to August 31
Thank you to those that provided feedback on this summer’s pilot! What we learned this summer, along with last summer’s pilot, will inform ongoing work on theGastown Public Spaces Planand guide long-term investments in the area.
Staff will be reporting back to Council on the summer pilot later this fall/winter.
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 September 7.
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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.
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 andobservations
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.
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Page last updated: 08 Sep 2025, 08:53 AM
Project timeline
Council motion: A People-Focused Gastown
Gastown Public Spaces Plan has finished this stage