City Highlights 07: Vancouver

North America’s Green Metropolis

Lifestyle and business meet in Vancouver, a green, urban metropolis renowned for its liveability and ethnically diverse culture. It is the city with the 3rd largest tech growth in North America as well as the 3rd largest Film & TV production hub. It is home to the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation Peoples, and a total of 2.6 million people live in its greater area. Year after year, Vancouver has been ranked as one of the best cities to live in the world.

Ideas & Innovation

Vancouverism

Vancouverism is the city’s urban planning philosophy. It means a deep respect for nature combined with an active, urban lifestyle. The city spreads across open, public spaces, recreational areas, and walkable streets facilitated by sustainable forms of transportation. Larry Beasley, the father of Vancouverism, calls this urban mix a “delicious density.”

The Greenest City in the World

Vancouver launched the Greenest City action plan in 2009 with the goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020. The city has since then implemented the greenest building code in North America and guaranteed all buildings constructed after 2020 are carbon neutral. Vancouver also restored over 25 hectares of natural areas, increased green transportation by 50%, and planted over 150,000 trees. Does this qualify Vancouver as the greatest, I mean, greenest city in the world?

Arts & Culture

Clockwise from left: Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam Band, Khelsilem, council chairperson for the Squamish Nation, and Chief Jen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. PC Tanya Goehring.

First Nations

Vancouver has the 3rd largest urban Indigenous population in Canada. The city is located on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Their cultures are deeply rooted in the earth, encoded with wise teachings, symbols of a lost language. Check out this animated map for a visualization of the change in the Vancouver territory over time.

The Musqueam Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation are #1 in Vancouver Magazine's 2022 Power 50 List.

Vancouver Summer

Plan your visit around one of these great not-to-miss events:

July 22—The Squamish Constellation festival is a heart-opening experience of music, art and community.
July 27—Vancouver's Celebration of Light is one of the city's signature summer events with fireworks like you've never experienced before.
July 31—Be your authentic self at this year's Vancouver Pride Parade.
Aug. 7—Expect international flavors, traditional cuisine, and exceptional hospitality at Brewery and the Beast Fest.
Aug. 20—The PNE Fair is back and ready to share its agricultural knowledge alongside live bands, thrilling rides, and all-you-can-eat treats.
Sept. 9—TEDxYouth@SunsetBeach returns to Vancouver with The Changing World as part of TED’s Canada tour.
Sept. 22—The Vancouver International Film Festival celebrates its 41st edition with over 120 features and 80 shorts. Through Oct. 9
Through Sept. 24—Bard on the Beach brings the best of Shakespeare to Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park.
Through Oct. 22—Beaded Nostalgia explores the use of contemporary beadwork as a connection to the past at Bill Reid Gallery.
Check out this map of the Vancouver Bienniale's ongoing public space exhibitions around the city, including work by OSGEMEOS from Brazil.