Mayor Marks Earth Day With 30 Days of Sustainability Pledge

Posted inIn the News

Better urban planning & increased density can help save our planet – Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan and Councillor Suzanne Anton today marked Earth Day with a special 30 days of sustainability pledge. Over the next month they will introduce new environmental measures and participate in special events to promote green living.

“Better urban planning and increased density can help save our planet,” said Mayor Sullivan. “Earth Day represents an opportunity to renew our commitment to protecting the environment. We want to encourage all residents, businesses and community organizations to take measures that will reduce their environmental footprint and promoter sustainable development.”

Live Site: Live City

Posted inIn the News

Mayor Sam Sullivan, Councillor Suzanne Anton and Park Board Chair Korina Houghton today updated plans to establish two Live Sites in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The original concept plan was presented to Vancouver City Council in September.

Live Site Announcement, April 16
Live Site Announcement, April 16
Live Site Announcement, April 16
click for images from the Live Site announcement

site-plan01.jpg
site-plan02.jpg

Council has approved an allocation of $5 million to support the development of Vancouver 2010 Live Sites at David Lam Park and the former Bus Depot site on Beatty Street. The sites would be connected via Hamilton and Mainland Streets. The funding is allocated from the $20 million Olympic Legacy Reserve that Council approved by a close vote earlier this year. Today’s progress report includes:

  • Confirmation of $10 million contribution from the Government of Canada
  • Updated Live Site maps
  • Plans to use City of Vancouver’s Salt Water Pump System in False Creek for nightly water/light demonstration during 2010 Games

Download the updated Live Site Maps. Salt water pump will also be tested this morning on site.

Improving Our Founding Neighbourhoods, New Social Housing, More Buses & UBC motion to Council

Posted inSam's Blog

Further to recent progress reports and the Five Goals we have established for our government, I am writing to update you on some recent announcements. In this report we are featuring:

  • $10 million to improve Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona and Japantown
  • New Funding for Housing Projects
  • UBC/Vancouver Integration
  • More Buses for Vancouver

Great Beginnings: Old Streets, New Pride

In February, I submitted a proposal to the provincial government regarding Vancouver’s participation in BC’s 150th anniversary. The goal was to support our Project Civil City goals by recapturing the vibrancy of Vancouver’s founding neighbourhoods – Gastown, Granville, Chinatown, Japantown and Strathcona. The plan is called Great Beginnings: Old Streets, New Pride.

Historic neighbourhood revitalization funding announcement, April 2008

2008 Could Be Record Year for Special Events in Vancouver

Posted inIn the News

Mayor Sam Sullivan and Councillor Elizabeth Ball are recommending City Council approve the 2008 Annual Special Events report later today. In addition to approving a number of ongoing and regular special events for 2008, the report proposes a series of new measures.

“These special events help make Vancouver the vibrant and diverse city it is,” said Mayor Sullivan. “In addition to celebrating inclusion, these events will promote economic development and many will provide an opportunity to showcase our rich arts and culture community. I am confident Council will approve this plan.”

The new measures being proposed in the report include:

  • South Asian music festival desiFEST in Gastown on May 3
  • Westside Cycling Classic in Point Grey on June 1
  • Vancouver BG Triathalon World Championships in West End June 5-8
  • Car Free Day events in Kits Point, on Denman, Cambie & Main Streets for June 15
  • extended route for 2008 Pride Parade
  • Pride Festival street party on August long weekend
  • International Nike Human Race run around False Creek on August 31
  • move date of 2008 Santa Clause Parade to December 7
  • new measures to streamline event approvals

Metro Vancouver residents driving less, taking transit more often

Posted inIn the News

by Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun
Residents of the Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are using more public transit and driving less to get to work, according to the 2006 Census.
In 2006, 67.3 per cent of workers in the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA) drove to work, down almost 5 per cent from the 72.2 per cent who drove to work in 2001.
Those who travelled to work as a passenger in a car increased slightly, from 7.0 per cent in 2001 to 7.1 per cent in 2006.

Earth Hour: Tonight at 8pm

Posted inIn the News

On Friday Mayor Sam Sullivan signed the following proclamation in support of Earth Hour (pdf). The City of Vancouver lists the actions they are taking in recognition of Earth Hour. The list includes:

  • shutting down interior and exterior lights in City Hall, the East Wing and the VanCity Building – except for emergency lights
  • shutting off decorative up-lighting under Burrard and Cambie Bridges Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings
  • turning off lighting for the Olympic Flag and the City Hall clock

Your pledges for Earth Hour

Top seven things Vancouverite pledge to do to take action on climate change (taken from our {4 One Earth I Will} city-wide photo outreach):

  1. Escape the car (“I will ride my bike once a week to work”)
  2. Shut it off (“I will turn off my computer at night”, “I will pull the plug”)
  3. Go local (“I will buy local”)
  4. Eat less meat (“I will not eat gaseous cows”)
  5. Share the word (“I will hunt you down if you don’t go green”)
  6. Go simpl(er) (“I will consume less”)
  7. Reduce water use (“I will put a brick in my toilet”)

Check out all the photos of Vancouverites who made the climate change pledge.