2020 Top10 introduction
Our full release on December 31st, 2020
In early September, we made a decision to release two entries on this year’s 2020 list that were especially relevant to the pandemic. They were the threats to Arts and Culture and the threats to local neighbourhood businesses.
On December 31st, 2020, we released the other eight to form the complete 2020 list. Many of these will be in the spotlight in 2021 and beyond. The Broadway Plan and Vancouver Plan will be significant in changing contexts for heritage places across the city as the plans will determine how future development will unfold across the city.
There is tremendous public history and identity tied to St. Paul’s Hospital. Its move and the redevelopment of the site will mean substantial change to the character of the West End. The fate of the architecturally important Burrard Building also remains uncertain. False Creek South makes its third appearance on the list as there remains great uncertainty around the aspects that make this a significant living neighbourhood.
We also wanted to draw attention to some things that tend to be unnoticed by many people and have included an entry each on historic street elements and Postmodern architecture in Vancouver.
The complete 2020 list is:
Arts and Culture
Neighbourhood Businesses
Henry Hudson Wooden Schoolhouse
Holy Rosary Cathedral Complex
St. Paul’s Hospital
False Creek South
Broadway Plan
Historic Street Elements
Vancouver Plan
Postmodern Architecture in Vancouver
Start viewing the 2020 list here, or through the thumbnails below.
Our initial release of two entries on September 7th, 2020
One of our main goals at Heritage Vancouver is to approach heritage in a way that continually engages with the world around us. The events in recent months have significantly changed our worlds. They have put a major health and economic crisis, along with systemic racism and gross inequality, in central focus. This is for many of us, an important historic moment in our lives and it is critical that our programming at Heritage Vancouver be relevant to these issues.
Recently, we released our statement on systemic racism and discrimination. In it, we reflect on our role in a heritage system that creates barriers for people to have their heritage recognized in ways important to them. We will be going through much more learning and unlearning to open our minds to different worldviews and deeper understandings of heritage in order to continually inform our work.
We are also extremely concerned about two serious changes in our city, communities and society as a result of the pandemic. Normally, we release our annual Top10 list to raise awareness for ten places that we believe are vulnerable in the city.
During this unusual and challenging time, we are currently releasing two that are especially relevant at this moment.
These two are significant threats further exacerbated by the pandemic and we feel that they require our immediate attention and action. They are the threats to Arts and Culture, and local neighbourhood businesses.
In preparing these two papers, we are fortunate to have the input of a several stakeholders* directly involved. They have also provided us with some suggestions as to how we can support Arts and Culture and local neighbourhood businesses during this time. Please consider following their suggestions if you can.
*We would like to thank Terry Hunter of Heart of the City Festival, Chris Cheung of the Tyee, Elia Kirby of the Arts Factory, Brenda Leadlay of BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, Patricia Barnes of the Hastings North Business Improvement Association and Amy Robinson of LOCO BC.
We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
