Research Proposal

Summary Statement of Proposed Project

The Downtown core of the City of Kamloops is the hub of the city. I believe it can be more vibrant, with a feeling of community. This project is intended to study neighbourhoods that were built with new urbanism concepts, garden city concepts, and live-work concepts, and find out how to apply these ideas to downtown Kamloops. Official Community plans are guidelines that are by no means strict. Can a new OCP be developed where zones have guidelines that must be strictly adhered to?

Purpose

To study the viability of live-work areas, buildings and zoning in Kamloops.

To propose a new zoning by-law be created for live-work buildings and areas.

To turn the city core into a vibrant, bustling centre, where live and work come together, and the neighbourhood doesn’t go to sleep at 5 pm.

To develop a new Official Community Plan for the downtown core that has strict regulations so desired feel, uses, functions, buildings and amenities are accomplished.

Goals and Objectives of the Project

I would like to compose a new OCP for the downtown core. A plan where each individual building and green space in a certain zone must follow detailed, strict, criteria for facilities, activities and functions, rather than an overall guideline of how the community should be planned.

To bring the city core to life, Can tax incentives be put in place to keep shops open after 5 pm? Can a deal be struck with rocky mountaineer tours to keep tourists in the city core where shopping and eating will take place? Where would the ideal locations for the new live work zoning be? Can tax incentives be put in place to encourage developers and investors to develop the new zoning?

Methodology and Analytical Approach

1. Research the official community plan, as well as the North Shore, and Downtown community plans. Study the steps that have been taken, as well as the future plan for revitalization of neighbourhoods in Kamloops. Compose a new OCP for the Downtown core, concentrating on individual buildings, amenities, and green spaces.

2. Research academic sources in the topics of sustainable city planning, new urbanism, containment, and garden cities. Research case studies of other successful city plans, garden cities, and new urban neighbourhoods.

3. Why is it good to use space for multiple uses, and what can the city do to incorporate more of this in the city plans?

4. Does designing more densely really make a neighbourhood centre more efficient?

5. What steps can be taken to revive the core of Kamloops above the measures that have already been taken?

6. Is it a good idea to design cities with a priority to people, rather than vehicles?

7. Determine the pros and cons of live-work zoning and buildings in Kamloops.

8. To develop a new live-work zone and include it in a new proposed OCP for the downtown core.

9. Determine a forecast of what the city core would be like with this new plan in place.

rendering by: C. Breitkreitz, C. Bayne, and B. Fawdry

This is my idea of a possible block in Kamloops zoned in the new proposed live/work zone. The combination of light industrial, commercial and residential builds a community where people don't have to even cross the block for daily needs including work.

Photo By: Curt Breitkreitz

OUTLINE


Project:

Downtown and community core revitalization, and sustainable community planning. Why should we plan more densely, with mixed uses and live-work areas.

Method:

1. Research the official community plan, as well as the North Shore, and Downtown community plans. Study the steps that have been taken, as well as the future plan for revitalization of neighborhoods in Kamloops.

2. Research academic sources in the topics of sustainable city planning, new urbanism, containment, as well as case studies of other succesful city plans.

3. Why is it good to use space for multiple uses, and what can the city do to incorporate more of this in the city plans?

4. Does designing more densely really make a neighborhood centre more efficient.

5. What steps can be taken to revive the core of Kamloops above the measures that have already been taken.

6. Is it a good idea to design cities with a priority to people, rather than vehicles?

7. Determine the pros and cons of live-work zoning and buildings in Kamloops.

8. To determine if there is zoning in Kamloops for live-work buildings, and good locations within the city that could be zoned to allow this

9. Determine a forecast of what the city core would be like with more zoning for live-work areas.

10. Would live-work buildings contribute to sustainable neighbourhood plans in Kamloops.


Special Problems:

1. Kamloops has a huge area to population ratio. The sparse population could cause problems for city core revitalization or live-work areas.

2. There has been a mini boom in Kamloops in the last few years. Construction in the city might not conform to the plans intended to accomodate for this.

Academic Sources:

1. British Columbia Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1994). State of Sustainability
2. Akundi, A. J., Artibise, A., Jodre, T. E., Mumphrey Jr., K. M., & Wagner, F. W. (2005). Revitalizing the City.
3. Talen, E. (2005). New Urbanism and American Planning
4. Kirdar, U. (1997). Cities Fit for People
5. Haughton, G., & Hunter, C. (1994) Sustainable Cities.
6. Benello, C., Swann, R., & Turnbull, S. (1997). Building Sustainable Communities.
7. Urban Land Institute (2006). Creating Walking Places: Compact Mixed-Use Solutions.
8. Teaford, J. C. (2006). The Metropolitan Revolution.
9. Rusk, D. (1995). Cities Without Suburbs.
10. Jacobs, J. (1993). The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
11. Jonas, A., & Wilson, D., (1999). The Urban Growth Machine: Critical Perspectives Two Decades Later.
12. Ladner, J., (2001). The New Urban Leaders.
13. Florida, R. (2002). The Rise of the Creative Class: And How it's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life.