[Editor's Note: This is final Feature looking at the 2012 CAPS Conference that occurred in Vancouver in February.] As mentioned in Part One of this series,  the Canadian Conference of Planning Students (CAPS) Conference converged in Vancouver at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre during early February.  A yearly pilgrimage for hundreds of planning students across Canada, the conference allows young aspiring urbanists the chance to connect and converse on a diversity of issues ranging from sustainable transportation, district energy and social equality. Widely captured under the title, Planning Horizons: The Edge, Future and Potential of Planning, this year’s conference focused on the four key themes:  Inspiring Potential, Championing Creativity, Finding Voices and Widening our Lens.   Urban planning students also found solace in connecting with a large national network of people equally passionate about the state of cities, especially within the Canadian context. This year’s program naturally had a Vancouver focus—with reflections on life in the Downtown East Side, housing affordability, urban design and sustainable development as key theme of the presentations and discussions.  Speakers included former City of Vancouver planning directora Brent Toderian and Larry Beasley, Gordon Price from Simon Fraser University, and Julien Agyeman from Tufts University Boston Medford. Spacing Vancouver's Andrew Cuthbert covered some of their words of wisdom in the first part of this series. A young and captive audience of eager planners listened to the facts and falsities surrounding the future principles and applications of planning.  Climate change, population growth, immigration, aboriginal issues, rural-urban migration patterns and economic stability were highlighted as imperative to the creation of a robust future for cities across Canada and the world. And although the many talks that took place were fascinating, one of the most interesting aspects of the conference was the tours I had the opportunity to attend.

[caption id="attachment_4912" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photo courtesy of Cameron Barker."][/caption] Van Dusen Gardens is an iconic Vancouver destination representing the highest aspirations of West Coast green thumbs and admirers alike. The flowing streams, miniature habitats and unfettered attention to detail have given Vancouverites a quiet city sanctuary for 35 years. Adding to the quietude is a shining new Visitors Centre focused on the illustrious design of nature's own perfection; the Orchid. Perkins & Will Architects of Vancouver provided the design and aesthetic qualities of the ...

Author: Valerie Ceppi (Valerie Photography Inc., 2010) Valerie Ceppi is a passionate and dedicated Vancouver-based photographer who recently launched a book called ‘Beyond the Helmet.’  This photo-book focuses on firefighters in Vancouver and highlights the remarkable respect Valerie carries for the men and women who are involved in this profession. Her creativity and desire to strengthen public knowledge of the sacrifices and commitment firefighters make towards their communities is reflected in the striking black and white photos throughout her book.  Each picture depicts ...

[caption id="attachment_1812" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Norquay Park's rain garden - a wonderful and engaging part of the innovative water management strategy used in the area. Photo courtesy of the City of Vancouver."][/caption] What makes a public park successful? Perhaps we can glimpse and answer this difficult question through looking closely at Norquay Park - one of the few Vancouver parks, along with McAuley Park and Robson Park near Fraser St., abutting the heavily trafficked Kingsway and bordered by Wales Street and Rhodes Street. This parks presents a unique local case where a once neglected piece of green has become a beacon of community engagement and resident-driven design. On July 20, 2011, the transformed park was officially opened with speeches by Lynne Yelich, Minister of Statefor Western Economic Diversification, Vancouver Deputy Mayor Heather Deal, and Park Board Chair Aaron Jasper.  Cake and blue-grass music accompanied a diverse group of neighbourhood residents while government officials championed the success of the park.  Children played near the new clubhouse, pop and hot dogs were sold and seniors gathered together with a common understanding that Norquay Park has become a community node instead of a passive green space with little to offer.  Its success has brought residents travel from as far as Burnaby to use the park following the revitalization.