About

With a penchant for exploring the many corners of the urban landscape, both locally and abroad, I’ve developed a keen sense of how certain urban design elements make cities vibrant and livable. From Brasilia, London, and Tokyo, to Beijing, Sydney, and my hometown of Vancouver, I have experienced, firsthand, what it feels like to move through many cities by foot, bike, car, and public transit. My years spent in the school of urban planning and design gave me a new appreciation to the functioning of cities as well as a unique perspective on the built form.

My interest in the field of urban planning developed from my insatiable quest for learning about the historical development and growth of the City of Vancouver. I was fascinated to learn about how the settlement grew from its humble beginnings, known back then as Gastown, to what would later become Granville Townsite, to what would ultimately become the world-class city we know as Vancouver today. Known for its high quality of life and cost of living to match, the urban design language of greenways, public transit, public spaces, and mixed-use developments, collectively known as Vancouverism, became an exportable model for replication in other cities around the world. I, for one, am extremely proud of what we have accomplished.

My insatiable quest for knowledge had naturally led me to read many books on the subject. Larry Beasley’s book, aptly titled Vancouverism, is a must-read as well as Jan Gehl’s Cities for People, to which the name of this site is a nod to. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the influence Jane Jacobs has had on me with several insightful readings: The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Dark Age Ahead, The Economy of Cities and The Question of Separatism. Other books in my possession include Charles Montgomery’s Happy City, Chuck Davis’ History of Metropolitan Vancouver, and books by Richard Florida, Jeff Specks, and Douglas Coupland.

Influential movies in my collection include City Reflections, Citizen Jane, Radiant City, The Human Scale, Urbanized, The End of Suburbia, The Pruitt-Igoe Myth, and City Dreamers. There are also countless YouTube channels I subscribe to, including Canadian Urban Institute, City Beautiful, Not Just Bikes, Oh The Urbanity!, RMTransit, SFU Public Square, Smart Density, Streetfilms, and Urbanarium Vancouver.

In my spare time, I enjoy going on various walking tours led by people and organisations around the city, Jane’s Walk being one of several, as well as leading walks myself for friends and delegates. I also enjoy attending panel discussions with topics ranging from decolonisation, Smart Cities, and the missing middle, to Vancouver heritage, sustainability, and the environment, put on by Urbanarium, Heritage Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, and others. I also enjoy playing an active role in shaping my city by participating in design jams and other public engagement opportunities. There’s always something to learn and do!

If it wasn’t apparent by now, I’m a proud Vancouverite and love to talk about urban issues, Frequent Transit Networks, bike lanes, history, and Transit Oriented Developments. I’m proud of the fact that TransLink was voted best public transit system in North America in 2019 and that YVR was voted best airport in North America in 2021 for 12 consecutive years! We have a lot going for us for such a small boutique city in one of the most well-respected countries in the world. I share my passion and excitement with you here.

Edwin Yee
Vancouver Urbanist + Civic Historian