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Continuity with change : an investigation of the "monster house" issue in Vancouver's westside single-family neighbourhoods

University of British Columbia

Vancouver's westside residents complain to City Hall about large new houses being constructed in their single-family neighbourhoods. To address the residents' concerns and to promote the 'neighbourliness' of new development, Vancouver's planning department has focussed on the manipulation of bulk and siting controls of new houses, however, residents continue to complain. Why have these new controls been ineffective in resolving the concerns of residents? The thesis investigates this problem by surveying residents' attitudes and perceptions regarding the development of large new houses. Three different sources of information are used: 1. literature review 2. comments recorded at public meetings 3. directed home interviews with residents. A 1iterature review of "quality", "neighbourhood", "character", "change", and "continuity" is undertaken to formulate a concept of "continuity with change". Comments recorded at public meetings dealing with the issue of large new houses are analyzed. A questionnaire at the meetings and mapping of the new houses identifies southwest Oakridge as an area highly affected by this new development. Resident interviews are conducted in southwest Oakridge to survey the opinions of residents. The thesis suggests that there are three major issues which concern residents: first, the unaceptable design and general appearance of the new houses. Second, the feeling of helplessness in the face of change. Third, a concern with Asian purchasers of the new houses and the resulting cultural change in the neighbourhood. The thesis concludes that since residents' concerns are not limited to the bulk and siting of large new houses, the new controls introduced by City Hall are insufficient and the following issues must be addressed: (a) the design of the new houses, (b) the context of the new houses and their relationship to the existing streetscape, (c) continuity in landscape design, Id) community participation in managing change, (e) cultural change in the community. Alternatives to the present "outright use" system are discussed with special reference to development controls currently being applied successfully in some neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

Text

2010-09-24

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28679

Planning

University of British Columbia

Graduate