West End commercial streets

A total of 1,093 people responded to the Davie Village: Space for People public survey. Most either fully supported the design or liked most elements.

We heard from a representative sample of local residents*. Respondents who identified as Indigenous made up 2.5% of public survey responses, which is proportionate to the West End population. Additionally, 40% of public survey respondents identified as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Support varied across different groups

• Young people were more likely to support the proposed design than older respondents.
• 77% of respondents who identified as 2SLGBTQ+ supported the proposed design.
• Visitors** to Davie Village expressed the highest levels of support for the design (75%) followed by local residents (65%).
• Among indigenous respondents, the level of support was slightly lower, at 63%.
• For respondents who had a disability, overall support dropped to 53%.

Read a short summary of what we heard about the proposed design (PDF, 5MB).

*With 825 respondents self-identifying as residents living in Davie Village or within a 5-minute walk, we are confident that the results reflect the views of those living in or near Davie Village.

**Visitors are defined as survey respondents who don’t live or work [in Davie Village], but they were interested in the proposed design (254 respondents, 23%)

Today, 65% of people access Davie Village by walking, and a further 21% take transit to get there.

For people walking, the proposed design includes:

• wider and more accessible sidewalks on Davie Street;
• safer, more predictable, and shorter ways to cross the street; and

Half of survey respondents commented on the additional walking space provided, and the majority of these were supportive. Space to Stroll was often mentioned alongside support for other design elements, such as greenery and public seating.

Communities had mixed views on consolidation of transit stops

For transit riders, the design proposes removing some bus stops between Jervis and Thurlow streets, to support bus stop balancing work by TransLink.

Overall, 38-42% support this approach, 24-31% disagree with it, with views varying depending on the bus stop. Opposition to the removal of the Thurlow Street stops is stronger than the Jervis Street stops.

Respondents over the age of 70, who did not identify as having a disability, were most likely to oppose this proposed change.

Read what we heard about Space to Stroll in the proposed design (PDF, 22MB).

The wider sidewalks create more space to sit and eat together. Business-operated patios can be next to buildings, rather than next to the curb, helping make them more accessible.

Patios were frequently mentioned as a positive outcome of the proposed design. 92% of comments about patios were supportive of this approach.

The proposed design reallocates existing curbside vehicle parking space to allow for wider sidewalks. The vehicle spots that remain can be used more intensively for pick-up and drop-off, and to create more accessible parking spots.

Vehicle parking was raised frequently in written responses, particularly among respondents who didn’t support the design. However, two thirds of respondents told us their needs could be met: either with the number of vehicle stopping spots proposed, or, with even fewer.

Read what we heard about space for dining, pick-up, drop-off and accessible parking in the proposed design (PDF, 22MB).

The proposed design increases the number of public benches and creates a shared seating area. The benches are located at regular intervals so there are places for everyone to stop and rest. The shared seating area replaces the existing public parklet, near the intersection with Thurlow Street.

Overall, we heard support for this approach.

• About half of survey respondents felt the proposed design included enough public benches. About one quarter disagreed.
• Few shared strong feelings about where benches are located.
• About one quarter felt one shared seating area was enough. About half disagreed.

Concerns around social issues were shared by some survey respondents and businesses. To address this, we are working with business and community stakeholders to adjust bench numbers and locations, so that new benches can feel as welcoming as possible.

Read what we heard about design proposals that can help make Davie Village more welcoming and vibrant (PDF, 22MB).

Davie Village is a place that brings people together, hosts diverse businesses, welcomes visitors and plays a significant role for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Through 2023 engagement, we heard support for wider sidewalks, space to stroll, improved patios, healthier trees and a better transit experience on Davie St (between Burrard St and Jervis St).

Check out our draft design for Davie Street that:

• provides more space to stroll
• supports local businesses
• creates a more welcoming and vibrant street

Get involved!

Learn more about the project by:

• Taking our survey
• Attending an open house event:
  • Barclay Manor - 1447 Barclay St: Friday, February 23, 1:30-3:30 pm
  • Gordon Neighbourhood House - 1019 Broughton St: Saturday, February 24, 1:30-3:30 pm
  • Matchstick Cafe - 1305 Davie St: Tuesday, February 27, 5:30-7:30 pm
• Visiting our interactive webpage

Your feedback is important to help us understand if this design gets the balance right, and can support changing community and business needs.

Let us know what you think by Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Davie Village: Espacio para la gente

Estamos explorando cambios en los espacios públicos y de tránsito peatonal como parte de nuestro compromiso de poner en práctica el Plan de la Comunidad de West End. Los posibles cambios están destinados a mejorar la accesibilidad peatonal, fortalecer la vida pública y apoyar a las empresas locales.

En 2023, solicitamos la opinión de las empresas y del público sobre las calles comerciales de West End y ahora estamos empezando a implementar lo que escuchamos durante el proceso, empezando por Davie Village. Nos enteramos del gran interés que existe en mejorar la experiencia de caminar y usar el transporte público, a la vez que se tienen en cuenta las necesidades de los vehículos locales en las calles comerciales de West End. En Davie Village, hubo un amplio apoyo en favor de aceras más anchas, espacio para pasear, terrazas mejoradas, árboles más sanos y una mejora del transporte público.

Davie Street es una importante calle comercial. Ofrece oportunidades para que los lugareños y los visitantes compren, trabajen y disfruten en el West End. Estamos considerando cambios en las aceras y en el espacio vial a lo largo de la calle Davie, entre las calles Burrard y Jervis. Estos cambios podrían contribuir a que Davie Village funcione mejor para las empresas, los residentes y los visitantes.

Davie Village: فضایی برای مردم

در راستای بخشی از وظایف خود در اجرای طرح "جامعه محلی West End"، ما در جستجوی ایجاد تغییر در فضای پیاده روی وعمومی هستیم. هدف این تغییرات بالقوه بهبود قابلیت پیاده‌روی در این منطقه، تقویت زندگی عمومی وحمایت از کسب‌وکارهای محلی است.

در سال ۲۰۲۳، کسب‌وکارها و عموم مردم در خیابان‌‌های تجاریWest End را با این طرح آشنا کردیم و اکنون می خواهیم آنچه را که در طول این فرایند شنیده ایم به اجرا در آوریم و از Davie Village آغاز می‌کنیم.

شنیده ها حاکی از اشتیاق بسیار در خصوص بهبود تجربه حمل‌ونقل و پیاده‌روی و در عین حال نیاز به تردد خودروهای محلی در خیابان‌های تجاری West End بود و حمایت گسترده‌ای برای ایجاد پیاده‌روهای وسیع‌تر، فضایی برای قدم زدن، بهبود فضاهای باز تجاری (patios)، با وجود درختان شاداب‌تر و تجربه حمل‌ونقل بهتر در Davie Village، شد.

خيابان Davie یک خیابان‌ مهم تجاری است. این خیابان در West End، به محلی‌ها و بازدیدکنندگان فرصت خرید، کار و بازی می‌دهد. در نظر داریم درطول خیابان Davie، بین خیابان‌های Burrard و Jervis، در فضای پیاده‌رو و سواره‌ تغییراتی ایجاد کنیم. این تغییرات به بهبود شرایط کسب‌وکارها، ساکنان و بازدیدکنندگان در Davie Village کمک شایانی خواهد کرد.

Most of the 403 respondents to the West End commercial streets survey provided feedback on Davie Village.

We heard that Davie Village’s community feel is loved by many. Reponses included references to:

• Its unique restaurants, stores and bars
• The distinct sense of place
• Its reputation for inclusivity and diversity

There’s a strong desire for places to sit and socialize:

• Make space to spend time with public seating
• Create more room to dine outside on patios

Walking and transit should be prioritized:

• Make space to stroll with wider sidewalks and mid-block crossings
• Make transit more reliable with faster and more frequent buses

We also heard that cleanliness and public safety are a concern to some.

Read the Davie Village report (PDF, 1MB) for more information.

We heard from West End residents and the business community in our 2023 public engagement on West End commercial streets (Davie, Robson and Denman). The engagement saw:

• 405 surveys completed
• 498 visitors at four pop-up community events, shared with Bute Greenway phase 2 (External Link)
• 29 Ideas received via Shape Your City
• 1,767 responses to open-ended survey questions

We heard that transportation opportunities should:

• Prioritize space for people through wider sidewalks and safer crossing opportunities
• Make transit more reliable and comfortable
• Improve active transportation

Public space opportunities should:

• Make more space for public seating and dining
• Add new trees and rainwater management features, with near-unanimous support for “greening”
• Celebrate what the commercial streets have to offer, focusing on what makes each one special

We also heard that changes should support local businesses and customers. Public spaces should be kept clean, well-loved and desirable over the long term.

For more information on what we heard, read the executive summary (PDF, 2MB) or read the full report (PDF, 7MB).

We are exploring walking and public space changes as part of our commitment to deliver on the West End Community Plan. Potential changes aim to improve walkability, strengthen public life and support local businesses.

The West End commercial streets are vibrant centres for locals and visitors to shop, work and play. In line with the Community Plan, we are directing investment towards these commercial streets, to support them as distinctive destinations. In Spring 2023, we gathered feedback from community members and businesses about key priorities for these streets.

We are connecting with the West End Business Improvement Association (WEBIA), Davie Village businesses, and other stakeholders throughout spring and summer 2023.

We will provide updates on our progress in Davie Village and information on how to get involved into 2024.

Other planning projects in the coming years will explore potential changes in Robson and Denman villages.

Visit our interactive webpage to find out more about these and other walking and public space priorities.