The growth debate in 1990

Arthur Erickson vs. Ray Spaxman and Carole Taylor

Aerial view of Vancouver’s west side, around 1990. City of Vancouver archives

In a recent article in the Vancouver Sun, John Mackie describes how back in 1989, Arthur Erickson tried to persuade city council to plan for a Vancouver of 10 million people by 2050.

At a forum on Marathon Realty’s proposed Coal Harbour development, he told members of Vancouver council the city should nix its “suburban” view and adopt an “urban” one.

“We can’t say stop and put up gates around the city,” said Erickson.

“Vancouver is going to be very concentrated, so density and height are non-issues. … When I listen to what you are saying, I keep thinking you’re talking about New Westminster or West Vancouver. You’re not facing the fact that you do not live in a suburb but a major urban centre.”

There was a subsequent debate:

The population question stirred up so much interest that Design Vancouver put on a debate at the Roundhouse community centre on Feb. 10, 1990.

Erickson was on the pro-density side, alongside housing consultants Patricia Baldwin and Philip Boname.

Vancouver’s former head planner Ray Spaxman was on the “limited growth” side, along with Ald. Carole Taylor and former alderman Walter Hardwick, the father of another city councillor, Colleen Hardwick.

Ray Spaxman, who had served as director of planning from 1973 to 1989:

“To accommodate even four million people, we would have to go to Hope, to the 49th parallel, and 1,000 feet up the mountains,” he said.

Carole Taylor, who would later serve as provincial finance minister:

Ald. Carole Taylor feared unrestrained growth would have a drastic impact on Vancouver’s quality of life.

“One man’s optimum is another woman’s hell,” she said. “Rather than plan for 10 million people, I would rather plan against 10 million. I’m not willing to give up until I absolutely have to give up.”

Via Inge Roecker.