Course:GEOG350/2024/The History of Public Spaces in Vancouver

Introduction

Vancouver is one of the most thriving cities across the globe, there are many beautiful places across all of Vancouver, including both public and private spaces. We can think of buildings and landmarks such as Stanley Park, The Vancouver Art Gallery, and many more. However, what exactly is the historical importance of these places and how have they contributed to Vancouver and the development of Vancouver, as a place?

Throughout the course, we have been looking through a geographical lens of what makes a place, and how places have their own culture, identity, and things of that nature. However, places cannot be attributed to just one category, there are many categories of places and ways in which we can understand them. We are going to be looking at two of those subcategories which are public and private spaces. However, in order to understand the nature of public and private spaces, we must first understand what they are.

A good way to gain an understanding about what private spaces are spaces that are similar to your home, or large corporately owned buildings by investment firms or places that restrict access to others. On the other hand, we have public spaces, these spaces are available to use for all people, we can think of these areas as public parks and sidewalks, these places are inclusive of everybody. However, the distinction between public and private spaces remains to the imagination of individuals. Borgeault argues this in her article where she talks about how public workplaces, hospitals in specific, have seen public working areas turn into private zones. People create these imagined borders within their environments resulting in divides between workers such as midwives and physicians, the final result of this is workplace strife. (cite)

With all this being said, what might the importance of these spaces be in the city of Vancouver, or what major trends might they highlight? Well when looking at Cartungal’s article about the HIV/AIDs pandemic we can see how the usage of public spaces as a place of protest brought awareness to the campaign. Many similar events of this nature have taken place in Vancouver over a multitude of years. Thus we hope to gain an understanding of Vancouver’s history, and how public and private spaces can result in spatial inequality, and how public and private spaces have constituted to Vancouver’s development as a place

Overview of issue/focus

As mentioned in the introduction public and private spaces are intertwined, however, they are also their own separate entities. We see the use of public spaces when analyzing Cartungal’s article. In the context of public spaces, we are aiming to see how public spaces in Vancouver such as Robson Square, Vancouver City Hall, and other public spaces have been constituted to change in Vancouver. We will measure this change by looking at economic changes that may have happened due to protests or activism within public spaces, or whether political changes may have happened due to activism within public spaces and finally by looking at demographic changes. By understanding the multidimensional framework of public spaces as places of gathering, peaceful protests and daily use for many individuals it will help to gain an understanding of the city of Vancouver.

As mentioned before, public spaces are important for developing an understanding of how Vancouver as a place has developed in terms of culture, economics, and politics. However, what are the consequences when public spaces start to intersect with private spaces, or when public spaces are privatized, and what happens to the people that use these public spaces? Well, throughout this paper we will delve into topics regarding this, and how it results in spatial inequality. We will look at workplaces within Vancouver and how spatial inequality might occur within them due to roles of employees, as well as looking at affordable housing issues and protests in order to understand the consequences of spatial inequality.

Why exactly is spatial inequality important to understand within the context of Vancouver? The use of public spaces as places of protest can be attested due to spatial inequality, whether that be to promote awareness worldwide, or to promote awareness for local events. In 2007 protests were organized along Main Street, a public space in order to raise awareness for individuals displaced from their homes due to gentrification. However, problems such as displacement have been occurring for a long time within Vancouver as housing prices increase and the government continues to privatize land. Therefore by understanding how public land is being privatized by the government in the name of gentrification, we can begin to understand the problems of the intersectionality between public and private spaces.

Public spaces, however, can help to combat problems of gentrification, or inequality, we can see this through protests about the Northern Gateway pipeline which occurred in front of a Vancouver hotel with over 1000 individuals in order to combat the pipeline going through Indigenous land. We will delve more into the logistics in our Case study. However, by taking note of how protests in public spaces constitute to changes within Vancouver we can only then start understanding Vancouver as a place.

The use of public spaces as places of gathering, discussion, and protest are not just local to Vancouver, or even Canada. Places such as America, Japan, and India also use public spaces in order to raise awareness for particular problems that their countries may face. These problems pertain to gentrification, colonization, and inequality. In order to combat spatial inequality public spaces are a great frontier.

Balochistan in Pakistan is a great example of the use of public spaces in order to combat spatial inequality. So what exactly happened in Gwadar Port? Let’s first start off by introducing the main purpose of the activism within Pakistan, which is the Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative led by China increased Pakistan’s GDP by 20% From this we can see how Pakistan as a country was able to gain economically from this investment, however, when looking through the lens of a geographer we might be able to find some implications. With this money what might be happening to cities within Pakistan? Could this result in quick gentrification with a Chinese agenda happening? In Balochistan an area that is considered underdeveloped in Pakistan, there was a recent breakout of protests in order to combat gentrification, and change of the local dynamic due to the Belt and Road Initiative. However, these protests in public spaces have resulted in the use of military force to quell them thus pushing along the gentrification. From this we can see how spatial inequality is occurring in Pakistan and how public spaces are being privatized in the nature of profit. We can get a story of the development narrative of Pakistan from this and start to understand how the development of specific locals have changed due to the Belt and Road Initiative and analyzing public places that were used for protest against it.

From this example, it is easy to see that public spaces are a good way to understand and visualize how locals develop and change whether that be economically, politically, or demographically. We can also see how spatial inequality occurs due to the privatization of public land, and the negative consequences of this.

Case Study of the issue

Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities across all of Canada or even in the world. With a diverse number of backgrounds, there are multitudes of locals that exist within every neighborhood, block, and workplace within Vancouver. However, even with the diverse population of Vancouver, and the city's aims to support inclusivity there have still been problems. One of the frontiers of these problems has been public places.

The first public space that we will delve into is in front of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, where protesting took place in order to combat the HIV/AIDS mistreatment of individuals, and the mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. The protest gained notoriety for its ideologies in order to combat AIDS-phobic discourses. At the time the government held quite conservative ideologies which resulted in the discrimination of those who were of a queer sexuality or had HIV/AIDS. Thus protesting broke out in a public space, this protest disrupted the mainstream line of politics and rejected the social norms around sexuality. Cartungal’s paper demonstrates the use of public spaces in order to protest and bring awareness to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and it shows us a result. The result was that the dominant narrative around being conservative was being re-considered, this also laid the groundwork for more movements surrounding the queer community and other marginalized communities to have spatial equality within Vancouver. From this, we can take a step back to view the change of policies that took place on a political level to create a more inclusive Vancouver. This demonstrates one of the multidimensional properties of public spaces within Vancouver and how it can result in change.

Indigenous communities within Vancouver have faced discrimination and spatial inequality in many ways. We can look back to colonial Canada, and how there were treaties that were extremely unequal and resulted in European colonizers taking advantage of the Indigenous people and their land. This has resulted in a system of spatial inequality. However, one case in particular that we will be diving into is the case of the Northern Gateway and Trans Mountain pipelines that run through Indigenous land.

To paint the picture the Northern Gateway and Trans Mountain pipeline aimed to transport oil around the Great Bear Rainforest en route to the Pacific Ocean, if a spill occurred it would have been detrimental to the local killer whale population and the environment in general. The aim of this project was obviously rooted in economic development. However, many Indigenous activists and environmental specialists heavily opposed this movement. The result was the movement to public spaces in order to have their voices heard. There were difficulties with this though as public spaces such as streets could now be seen as private real estate that the government who was funding this project owned. However, nonetheless with multiple demonstrations in public spaces concerning this project voices were starting to be heard. The privatization of public spaces was somewhat toppled.

The project held meetings in places such as the Sheraton Wall Centre, Westin Bayshore Hotel, and areas similar to this. These meetings were conducted by board members of the companies and the government who were involved with the project. The hearings lacked representation from the land the project was going through resulting in discrimination towards these people and reaffirming the idea of spatial inequality. These were supposed to be public hearings for the project, however, in reality, they were private hearings meant for only those who could afford to be there.

With protests taking place in public spaces, the result was the public discontent growing quite large which could not be overlooked. This lead to court processes, in which Indigenous political constituency took effect, and emphasized the need for the preservation of human rights, and the need to get rid of the discourse of colonialism. However, the court hearings were not easy, although courts are meant to be public spaces free of discrimination and support equality the first few hearings did not go according to this. The trials escalated to the Supreme Court of Canada. Here there was more spatial equality as they accepted the oral traditions and such of the Indigenous people. The trials ended in October of 2014 with the result being the halt of the project. In 2016 the project was abolished due to failing to consult with the Indigenous people who owned the land.

From this case here we can see how the privatization of public spaces can result in spatial inequality. The result was the use of public spaces as a place of protest for the Indigenous people. From the use of public spaces as a place of protest it resulted in escalation to the supreme court. The result we can see from this was changes of policies that have helped to shape Vancouver into a more inclusive place. We can also see how this case has helped to create spatial equality for Indigenous people as they were able to have their voices heard and policies were changed due to protest in public spaces.

In this case, protests in public spaces have significantly influenced Vancouver's policies, particularly regarding the inclusion of uniformed police in LGBTQ+ Pride parades. The pivotal moment came in 2016 when Black Lives Matter (BLM) Vancouver called for the exclusion of uniformed police from the city's Pride parade. This call was rooted in the historical and ongoing tensions between marginalized communities and law enforcement, highlighting how the presence of police in such events could retraumatize and marginalize those who have experienced police brutality and discrimination.

The BLM Vancouver protests catalyzed a broader discussion within the city's LGBTQ+ community and among parade organizers about the inclusivity and safety of Pride events. In response, the Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) eventually decided to prohibit uniformed police officers from marching in the parade, starting from the 2018 event. Instead, officers were given the option to participate in plain clothes, emphasizing a compromise aimed at balancing the visibility of supportive police officers and the comfort of marginalized community members​​.

This policy change is reflective of a larger trend where public protests lead to policy revisions. The 2016 sit-in by BLM Toronto during their Pride parade sparked similar actions across other Canadian cities, including Vancouver. These protests underscored the need for Pride parades to remain true to their roots as a form of resistance against oppression and highlighted the intersectional nature of struggles within the LGBTQ+ community​​.

Lesson learned

The exploration of public and private spaces in Vancouver reveals a multifaceted understanding of how these spaces contribute to the city's development and identity. Through examining public landmarks like Stanley Park and the Vancouver Art Gallery, alongside private areas such as corporate buildings and residential zones, we gain insights into the interplay between public access and private ownership. The historical and contemporary significance of these spaces highlights the role they play in shaping cultural, economic, and political landscapes.

Public spaces in Vancouver, such as Robson Square and Vancouver City Hall, have been pivotal in fostering community engagement and activism. These areas serve as venues for protests and gatherings, enabling citizens to voice their concerns and advocate for change. The impact of public protests, such as those during the HIV/AIDS pandemic, underscores the power of public spaces in raising awareness and influencing policy. These events demonstrate how public spaces act as platforms for democratic participation and social mobilization.

Conversely, the privatization of public spaces raises concerns about spatial inequality. The encroachment of private interests into public areas can lead to the displacement of marginalized communities and restrict access to essential services. The example of protests against gentrification along Main Street in Vancouver illustrates the adverse effects of privatization on vulnerable populations. As housing prices rise and land becomes increasingly privatized, the displacement of long-time residents exacerbates social inequities.

The intersection of public and private spaces extends beyond Vancouver, offering valuable lessons for other urban contexts. In Pakistan's Balochistan region, protests against the Belt and Road Initiative highlight similar dynamics of spatial inequality. The privatization of public land for economic development projects, often backed by powerful external entities, can lead to the marginalization of local communities. The use of public spaces for protests in Balochistan mirrors the experiences in Vancouver, emphasizing the global relevance of these issues.

One key lesson is the importance of preserving public spaces as inclusive areas for civic engagement. Public spaces must remain accessible to all, allowing diverse voices to be heard and fostering a sense of community. This inclusivity is essential for maintaining social cohesion and ensuring that urban development benefits all residents, not just the privileged few. Policymakers and urban planners should prioritize the protection of public spaces and resist the pressures of privatization that threaten to erode these communal assets.

Furthermore, the role of public spaces in driving political and social change cannot be understated. Cities around the world can draw inspiration from Vancouver's experiences in using public spaces as platforms for activism. By safeguarding these spaces and supporting grassroots movements, urban areas can promote more equitable and democratic societies.

In conclusion, the study of public and private spaces in Vancouver provides a comprehensive understanding of their impact on urban development. The lessons learned from Vancouver's experiences are applicable to other urban contexts, highlighting the need to balance private interests with public access, address spatial inequalities, and harness the power of public spaces for positive change. By fostering inclusive and equitable urban environments, cities can ensure that all residents have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to their communities.

References

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