Over the years, Granville Island has received much attention from urban planners, developers, architects and Placemakers as a successful model for brownfield redevelopment. Truly successful places—those that appeal to our minds, hearts and souls—offer us a way to connect with [...]]]> This is a guest post by the authors of the People+Place blog.

Granville Island's Wrights Canadian Ropes Ltd building is now the The Public Market / Photo: Lino Siracusa

Over the years, Granville Island has received much attention from urban planners, developers, architects and Placemakers as a successful model for brownfield redevelopment. Truly successful places—those that appeal to our minds, hearts and souls—offer us a way to connect with each other. These places develop organically over time, and are more about emotion than they are about economics and design. Granville Island is one of those special places, created out of necessity and a unique sense of what the community needed at the time.

It is doubtful that Granville Island could be replicated somewhere else today, and further, whether one would want to replicate it in any regard. The island, as it is today, is so much a product of its time, the people who saw a vision for what it could become, and some several unique conditions that allowed it to develop as it did. Nevertheless, many of the elements and processes used in the re-development of Granville Island are applicable to other sites. To better understand the island in its present state, let’s look at how it came to be.

Granville Island originally comprised two sand bars in Vancouver’s False Creek, which were used by local First Nations people as places to meet and to collect shellfish. In 1916, the federally-administered Vancouver Harbour Commission (VHC) built a seawall around the sand bars and created 41 acres of land to be used by industry. The VHC leased parcels of land to tenants who built their factories and mills in post and beam structures clad in corrugated tin. For 40 years, industry thrived on the island while the city of Vancouver grew around it.

Granville Island, circa 1916 (Click to enlarge) / Photo: Lino Siracusa

In the 1960s, many of the industries began to move away due to changing market conditions. Those that remained were dirty. The island became an eyesore while the waters of False Creek became heavily polluted. The public’s sense of the environment was increasing, and they felt that something should be done to clean up the area; both the City of Vancouver and the Federal Government agreed.

The Canadian government transferred the management and redevelopment of the Island to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in 1973. This occurred at a time when CMHC was developing the south shore of False Creek for housing. A group of influential and innovative people was appointed to a new body,  the Granville Island Trust, to assist CMHC in implementing a plan for the future. A budget of $20 million was allocated for the redevelopment.

While the City of Vancouver and the Trust couldn’t initially agree on a vision for the Island, they eventually came to a compromise and a basic concept came together. This vision is articulated in a plan, the Granville Island Reference Document, which still acts as the chief formal agreement between the City and the Federal Government, providing a regulatory framework for the island.

A fundamental principal was that Granville Island would become a “people place” while still remaining reflective of its industrial maritime heritage. The Reference Document establishes some broad guidelines: the island is accessible to everyone, existing buildings are re-used when possible, and space is allocated for a variety of land uses (limiting retail to arts and crafts, maritime products and a pubic market).

However, unlike most land use plans, the Reference Document does not establish any zoning or other criteria for urban works such as street profiles. Nor does it prescribe how the vision shall be implemented. This permissive regulatory framework was acceptable to the City of Vancouver because Granville Island is federal land. If the land was privately owned, city zoning would have applied. This framework, along with the limited government funding for redevelopment, set the stage for Granville Island to develop in a very unique and organic way.

Buildings that once housed Spear and Jackson Saws & the Tyee Machinery Co. are now the False Creek Community Centre / Photo: Lino Siracusa

The redevelopment of Granville Island commenced in 1975 and was essentially completed with the opening of the Public Market in 1979 (though one could argue that its redevelopment still continues in an incremental manner to this day). Another principle that was established at this time was that Granville Island would involve both public and private investment. The cost to implement the vision exceeded the $20 million budgeted by the federal government.

It was determined that the federal funds could best be used for infrastructural projects such as replacing underground services, building new seawalls, roads, street lighting and providing other unifying design elements. Some of these funds were also needed to reacquire industrial leases that were years away from expiration. However, not all leases could be reacquired, as the money available simply wasn’t sufficient. This explains why a concrete plant is still located on the island, mixed in with the Public Market, artisan studios, and other public attractions!

The public sector was invited to bid on development opportunities relating to specific sites. The successful bidders were offered long-term leases. The old post and beam tin clad buildings were turned over to the developers in an as-is condition. Therefore the new tenants had to make significant investments to bring the buildings to code and the projects to market. CMHC imposed strict requirements for design and use of space to ensure that efforts to create a “people place” were not compromised. These design requirements ensure that the industrial maritime heritage is respected. Similarly, building use is strictly controlled by lease agreements so that all activities are harmonious.

Early tenants included those from the public sector (the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, False Creek Community Centre), those from the not-for-profit sector (Arts Club Theatre), and those from the private sector (The Creekhouse, Granville Island Brewery, Bridges Restaurant, Maritime Market, Kid’s Only Market, and the Granville Island Hotel), as well as many independent artisans who occupied CMHC buildings. The diversity of tenants has contributed to the unique experience that we see today on Granville Island.

Triangle Square today functions as a multipurpose space used by the farmers market & street performers. / Photo: Lino Siracusa

What: A gorgeous, covered market that dates to the turn of the 20th century and is a focal point for city life.

Why it Works: The spectacular building has been lovingly renovated and sits in all its glory just steps from the Danube on the Pest side, at the foot of the Liberty [...]]]>

What: A gorgeous, covered market that dates to the turn of the 20th century and is a focal point for city life.

Why it Works: The spectacular building has been lovingly renovated and sits in all its glory just steps from the Danube on the Pest side, at the foot of the Liberty Bridge (itself a lovely structure). Not only is it beautiful, it is completely wheelchair accessible. Plenty of local people shop for their daily fare here undaunted by the hundreds of tourists roaming up and down the aisles. The second floor contains the handicrafts and souvenirs so dear to visitors hearts: embroidery, leather work, hand-carved chess sets, matruska dolls from Russia. The lower level is devoted to food – there are aisles of fresh vegetables, stands of fowl and meat, a couple of shops with wine and liquor. The only problem a guest faces is trying to choose from the salami, strings of red peppers and packets of saffron. Far in the back, a few small farmers come in from the country with honey, peppers and fresh berries in season.

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What: A permanent market on the Amazon River with over 2000 tents.

Why it Works: The Ver-o-peso market is amazing market located on the Amazon River. It is on a very large-scale with more than 2000 tents. It is a historical site, and was recently renewed. Located in the city centre, on the [...]]]>

What: A permanent market on the Amazon River with over 2000 tents.

Why it Works: The Ver-o-peso market is amazing market located on the Amazon River. It is on a very large-scale with more than 2000 tents. It is a historical site, and was recently renewed. Located in the city centre, on the margins of Guajará Bay, it is accessible by the people who come from the nearby islands by boat. The place is full of life, densely occupied with people and products from the Amazon. The fish market, a steel construction imported from Glasgow in 1901, is the most memorable image of the city. The market is open from 4:00am to 15:00pm. People from all social classes use the market. It is where they buy traditional products from the Amazon. The people here are very friendly, although there are a few pick pockets.

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What: A boulevard-like park in the city centre.

Why it Works: Esplanade Park in the centre of Helsinki consists of two active streets – Northern and Southern Esplanade – and a longitudinal, boulevard-like park between them. The park is built on east-west direction, so the sun shines nicely on the park throughout the [...]]]>

What: A boulevard-like park in the city centre.

Why it Works: Esplanade Park in the centre of Helsinki consists of two active streets – Northern and Southern Esplanade – and a longitudinal, boulevard-like park between them. The park is built on east-west direction, so the sun shines nicely on the park throughout the day. The park is centrally located, and can be considered as the borderline between the most active commercial centre and the more peaceful, southern part of the city. At the east, the park ends at a fountain, behind which opens up the view to the market square of Helsinki and the sea. At the western end the Esplanade green space is closed by the Swedish theatre, behind which runs the busiest street in the centre of Helsinki. The theatre building acts as a wall blocking the traffic noise, so the Esplanade Park is at the same time both close to the busy city and a calm resort.

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What: Situated in the heart of Madison, a market whose fame extends well beyond the city.

Why it Works: On Saturdays this market surrounds the Capitol Square. The vendors are friendly Wisconsin growers. On Wednesdays the market is on a street that runs from the Square to the Monona Terrace. The Capitol Square [...]]]>

What: Situated in the heart of Madison, a market whose fame extends well beyond the city.

Why it Works: On Saturdays this market surrounds the Capitol Square. The vendors are friendly Wisconsin growers. On Wednesdays the market is on a street that runs from the Square to the Monona Terrace. The Capitol Square is on the isthmus in Madison. There are parking garages near the market, but many people either walk or bike to the market. Capitol Square is connected to the University of Wisconsin by State street. State Street provides additional shopping – clothing, music, restaurants, etc. – and traffic is restricted to buses and commercial delivery vehicles. Everybody shops here. It is clean and beautiful – summer in Madison, Wisconsin is amazing and green. The setting of the market around the Capitol building is idyllic. During the market the area is really dominated by pedestrians and cyclists. Vendors sell cheese (goat cheese, cheese curds, and more), produce (every apple you can imagine in the fall), flowers, poultry, fish, bread, nuts, jams, honey, and more. The crowd is as diverse as Madison – you will see many families, college students, and even politicians.

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What: Egyptians say “Alexandria is Asafra”: the beach that runs parallel to the city’s main street.

Why it Works: Asafra is a long beach that is shaped in waves so that as you are walking, the road appears to end; yet you are surprised to see another wave still ahead of you. You [...]]]>

What: Egyptians say “Alexandria is Asafra”: the beach that runs parallel to the city’s main street.

Why it Works: Asafra is a long beach that is shaped in waves so that as you are walking, the road appears to end; yet you are surprised to see another wave still ahead of you. You can see the sunset quite clearly from each wave.  Some important buildings like the Alexandria Library are located across from the beach. The interesting thing about Asafra is that although it is a very long and not very fancy or designed, it is always full of life and people all day long until late at night. If you decide to take a walk, you may be surprised to find that you have walked for hours without noticing. Maybe it is the many places to sit down and relax, or the different items you can buy from all the carts that are scattered along the beach. Perhaps it’s the Egyptian people who are full of life and enthusiasm. It’s just a place where you may lose track of time.

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What: Scotland’s principal shopping street, and the heart of Glasgow.

Why it Works: Buchanan Street has been Glasgow’s premier street for the past two centuries and is an integral part of the fabric of Glasgow’s historic city centre. With its richly ornamented Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings as a backdrop, Buchanan Street is [...]]]>

What: Scotland’s principal shopping street, and the heart of Glasgow.

Why it Works: Buchanan Street has been Glasgow’s premier street for the past two centuries and is an integral part of the fabric of Glasgow’s historic city centre. With its richly ornamented Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings as a backdrop, Buchanan Street is Glasgow’s grandest promenade. Along its length it contains numerous shops, two arcades, two major shopping centers, a museum and library, and a design centre. The entrance to the city’s main concert hall both terminates the street’s axis and helps turn the corner into Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow’s other main shopping artery. The street is pedestrianized and attracts numerous visitors. There are several intersecting routes and public spaces, which offer a variety of activities. There are regular displays of street theatre and a monthly farmers market. In 2003 it was voted Scotland’s favorite street in a BBC / CABE poll. In summer 2004 it was awarded a Congress for New Urbanism award for excellence.

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What: A public park known for its views.

Why it Works: Mission Dolores Park is a beautiful eight-square block park nestled on a hillside with broad sweeping views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area skyline to the northeast. Located directly in between famous Castro Street in The Castro, and Valencia Street [...]]]>

What: A public park known for its views.

Why it Works: Mission Dolores Park is a beautiful eight-square block park nestled on a hillside with broad sweeping views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area skyline to the northeast. Located directly in between famous Castro Street in The Castro, and Valencia Street in The Mission, Dolores park is also only a few blocks from bustling Market street. Accessible by light rail on the F and J lines, Dolores Park is also walking distance from the BART, multiple MUNI and bus lines, and the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Dolores park is right in the middle of the cultural and social center of San Francisco. Although the park is quite heavily used on sunny days, the grass is in good shape, and the crowd doesn’t feel like a deterrent. There are benches bordering the park and scattered throughout, but most people prefer to sit on the sloped ground which faces the northeast with beautiful far reaching views on the Bay Area. The park features a few basketball and tennis courts and a playground. There is loads of open space and it is not uncommon to see young people throwing a frisbee, or dogs chasing balls. The park is happily shared by families and twenty and thirty somethings at all hours of the day. The park is surrounded by some of the best cafes the city has to offer and is an excellent place to bring a cup of coffee and a croissant with the morning paper.

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What: A pedestrian-oriented, academic oasis in the midst of the vast Siberian taiga.

Why it Works: Despite the Siberian cold (and Soviet planners), Akademgorodok is a robust pedestrian community. The town is home to dozens of academic institutions and the University of Novosibirsk. What really sets this town apart from others, in terms [...]]]>

Photo: Akademgorodok: Town of Science in Siberia. 1995.

What: A pedestrian-oriented, academic oasis in the midst of the vast Siberian taiga.

Why it Works: Despite the Siberian cold (and Soviet planners), Akademgorodok is a robust pedestrian community. The town is home to dozens of academic institutions and the University of Novosibirsk. What really sets this town apart from others, in terms of public spaces, is its network of well-used pedestrian paths. These trails are the sinewy arteries of this vibrant town. They are an organic part of the landscape. The wide streets are busy twice a day with cars and buses slipping and sliding along the ice. The trails, by contrast, are almost always buzzing with activity. The pedestrian paths also link the town with surrounding destinations: the beach at the Ob Sea, the woods (for berry picking and mushroom gathering), and even nearby villages. Another neat aspect of the trails is that, since there are so many, you can choose from the many different ways to get from point A to point B. Stores, houses, offices and playgrounds are scattered in places, clustered in others, but they are all within walking distance. The paths are not where you plan to meet, they are the places where you run into familiar people by happenstance, which makes meeting friendly faces all the more enjoyable.

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What: A multi-use transfer point for all main lines of mass transit in Tokyo, this station is filled with people from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day of the week.

Why it Works: The Japanese know how to use their valuable space efficiently. This is urban development at its best; you can [...]]]>

What: A multi-use transfer point for all main lines of mass transit in Tokyo, this station is filled with people from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day of the week.

Why it Works: The Japanese know how to use their valuable space efficiently. This is urban development at its best; you can go to one spot in the city and have a gazillion choices of activities to do. There are no dead spaces in this station. Every square foot of real estate has its function, including the locker areas, restrooms, police station, telephone booths, etc. The train station is open to all streets. Imagine a spider web with Shinjuku Station in the middle and Tokyo streets connected radially from it. You can access the station from many parts of the downtown. Wayfinding is easy, because there are signs every 10 feet, and the signs are in Japanese and English. You can do your shopping at the department stores right in the train station, or have a quick dinner at one of the take out soba places, or grab some toiletries at the small drugstores in the station. Shinjuku Station is one of the most common meeting places for people because it is the point where all trains in Tokyo converge, so it is convenient to use as a meeting place.

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What: Over 200 acres of community park, with a shoreline along Lake Huron.

Why it Works: Canatara Park spans almost 85 acres, and sits on the edge of Lake Huron. The people in this area have always loved this park. The land was bought in the 1930′s with money from both the citizens [...]]]>

What: Over 200 acres of community park, with a shoreline along Lake Huron.

Why it Works: Canatara Park spans almost 85 acres, and sits on the edge of Lake Huron. The people in this area have always loved this park. The land was bought in the 1930′s with money from both the citizens of Sarnia and the municipal government. Over the years, the area has been developed, but always with a focus on the area’s environmental character (i.e., native plants, no hindrance to the native animal habitat, no carnival like developments). The park’s green space is phenomenal, and the beach is as well. The sports field consists of about 6 acres and provides facilities for all amateur sports. The park can be accessed from all areas- beach, woods, one roadway that curls through the park- but one must park the cars to access and walk to all areas available. The park is consistently used through all seasons, though at its height in the summertime. Being in Canatara Park reminds us of what nature truly offers us and how we must remain humble in its presence.

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What: A public square in the heart of Merida.

Why it Works: The Plaza Mayor is a major focal point of Merida taking up the size of one full city block and enclosed on four sides by two lane roads. The landscaping is a simple path system through various types of trees and [...]]]>

What: A public square in the heart of Merida.

Why it Works: The Plaza Mayor is a major focal point of Merida taking up the size of one full city block and enclosed on four sides by two lane roads. The landscaping is a simple path system through various types of trees and bushes. There are many benches and low retention walls for sitting. Every Sunday is fair day in Merida. The paths are wide enough to support pedestrian traffic and vendors selling various foods and handicrafts. All roads are shut down within a block radius of the square. The festive atmosphere brings hundreds of local Merideños. There is even live music in the streets at night. People are able to move freely through the square at any time of the day. It often has people walking through after visits to the Cathedral or any of the fine Yucatanese restaurants that border it. At first look, you’ll notice the high amount of people that are circulating through the square. This is a comforting image to someone who is not familiar with the safe and social atmosphere that is present in the streets of Merida.

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What: A mainly pedestrian street lined with cafes, clothing shops, bookstores, restaurants and apartments above the street level.

Why it Works: Istiklal Caddesi is a lively, constantly changing scene. Throughout most of the 20th century, the street was famous for cars speeding down it and pedestrians were unwelcome. Recently, it has been turned [...]]]>

What: A mainly pedestrian street lined with cafes, clothing shops, bookstores, restaurants and apartments above the street level.

Why it Works: Istiklal Caddesi is a lively, constantly changing scene. Throughout most of the 20th century, the street was famous for cars speeding down it and pedestrians were unwelcome. Recently, it has been turned into a pedestrian mall, and has become one of Istanbul’s most fashionable streets. If the main street itself weren’t attractive enough, the stroller can also step into perpendicular passageways that contain shopping galleries, food markets (with stalls for vegetables, fresh fish, and all sorts of unexpected things), or simply beautiful courtyards. This creates a dynamic pedestrian experience filled with choice. The area is easily accessible by bus from the nearby Taksim Square and by foot from several surrounding neighborhoods. There are always clumps of young people forming here, and as in other parts of the city, street vendors make their way through the crowds. Istiklal Caddesi is certainly a meeting place that gets heavy use by both tourists and locals.

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What: A revitalized park at the heart of a small Tennessee town.

Why it Works: Although Pegram Park is small in size it serves as the center of the community for the town and the surrounding county. It hosts numerous events throughout the year, including 4th of July parades, Christmas in the park, [...]]]>

What: A revitalized park at the heart of a small Tennessee town.

Why it Works: Although Pegram Park is small in size it serves as the center of the community for the town and the surrounding county. It hosts numerous events throughout the year, including 4th of July parades, Christmas in the park, little league, easter egg hunts, political forums and music events. It is what “makes” the town of Pegram, which has grown from a small rural town and has turned into a small bedroom community. The first and foremost issue the community is working toward is safety and accessibility for all. The park is a center for community in a county that has very few community hubs. Community partnerships and volunteers have come together to find funding to upgrade the park and maximize its potential. A non-profit partnership group named Friends of Pegram Park made up of volunteers and citizens have designed a master plan based off of community input, have written grants, are fundraising and are working together with local government to implement the plan. The spirit behind this project has certainly made citizens become more politically involved in a time of change for the area.

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What: A thriving market with an incomparable mix of architecture and cultures.

Why it Works: The Zanzibar Old Town Market is a classic Swahili public space, mixing architectural and cultural influences from East Africa, Arabia, Persia, and India. Rather than the open-plan “plaza” of Western societies, descended from the Forum, the heritage of [...]]]>

What: A thriving market with an incomparable mix of architecture and cultures.

Why it Works: The Zanzibar Old Town Market is a classic Swahili public space, mixing architectural and cultural influences from East Africa, Arabia, Persia, and India. Rather than the open-plan “plaza” of Western societies, descended from the Forum, the heritage of the Zanzibar market is the “Casbah” or “bazaar.” Thus, the market winds along dense city streets bracketed by the tall sandstone and white coral-wash mercantile buildings indigenous to the Swahili coast. The market is daily thriving with people seeking supplies for household board, from equatorial fruits to grains, fish, vegetables, and the famous spices. There are several different markets nestled throughout Zanzibar Old Town: some specialize in fresh-caught seafood, others in household wares, used clothes, local and imported cloth, jewlry, crafts, and tourist goods. The market defines civic sociability in a culture with very firm separations between private and public spaces. Zanzibar Old Town Market is a superior public arena because it is busy, industrious, purposeful, and valuable to people in the everyday conduct of life in the town.

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What: A vibrant shopping street with an effective traffic calming system, situated at the summit of Da Du Mountain and next to Dong Hai University.

Why it Works: Art Street in Taichung County is one of the most progressive areas for urban living in [...]]]>

What: A vibrant shopping street with an effective traffic calming system, situated at the summit of Da Du Mountain and next to Dong Hai University.

Why it Works: Art Street in Taichung County is one of the most progressive areas for urban living in Taiwan. The street exemplifies urban planning focused on people-friendly living spaces. The narrow, one-way street with raised, cobbled intersections slows traffic enough to allow people to pleasantly walk along the street, encouraging a pedestrian friendly environment. The focus of the area is a small square, which at ground level is mostly occupied by coffee and gift shops and on the second level features art studios, galleries and small artisan workshops. On sunny days it is a popular meeting place for all the community, young and old. Children play in the square while adults sit on the steps and seats shaded by trees to chat. Local artists, musicians and dance groups often use the square for street performances. The local residents are proud of Art Street and encourage visitors from all around the city and the world.

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What: A park and adventure playground where kids can do everything from build a tree house to learn to cook.

Why it Works: Playgrounds are often a child’s first introduction to public spaces, where youngsters discover the joys and responsibilities of community places. Kolle 37 is an interactive park and clubhouse complex, where [...]]]>

What: A park and adventure playground where kids can do everything from build a tree house to learn to cook.

Why it Works: Playgrounds are often a child’s first introduction to public spaces, where youngsters discover the joys and responsibilities of community places. Kolle 37 is an interactive park and clubhouse complex, where children of all ages, their families, and community members can engage in a variety of activities, from building a tree house to cooking a healthy meal. The word “Abenteuerspielplatz” means ‘adventure playground,’ and the guiding philosophy behind the park is that children should be exposed to the many ‘dangerous’ elements of life—hammers, live animals, fire—in a safe and supervised atmosphere. The park is located directly between a subway station and the neighborhood’s main square, on a tree lined street that has regular foot traffic, many cafes and shops, but relatively little automobile traffic. One of the most pleasant aspects of Kolle 37 is the complete comfort and conviviality that its users demonstrate. Every day a simple meal is cooked and offered to those in the park during the hour just after school lets out, and the meal is often a time when newcomers will share their names and a bit about themselves.

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What: An 11-acre lake surrounded by a rugged landscape of woodlands and dramatic rock outcroppings.

Why it Works: The Meer (Dutch for “lake”) is the idyllic setting of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, one of the Park’s four visitor centers and home to a wide variety of the Central Park Conservancy’s free family [...]]]>

What: An 11-acre lake surrounded by a rugged landscape of woodlands and dramatic rock outcroppings.

Why it Works: The Meer (Dutch for “lake”) is the idyllic setting of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, one of the Park’s four visitor centers and home to a wide variety of the Central Park Conservancy’s free family and community programs. The serene naturalistic landscape of the Meer and stunning views of its picturesque surroundings entice visitors in from nearby Fifth Avenue and 110th Street and encourage them to linger, observe, and explore. Add to this the Dana Discovery Center, built in 1993, and you have the perfect complement to the 65-acre landscape: a focal point for information, amenities, and programs. By far the most popular activity of the Meer is unstructured enjoyment of the landscape: exploring nature, observing wildlife, picnicking and just relaxing along the shoreline. Many visitors consider the restored Harlem Meer one of the Park’s most beautiful landscapes, and great care has been taken in its restoration to encourage visitors to spend time there. Seating along the pathway that sweeps around the outside of the shoreline invites passers-through to sit and stay a while, and enables parents to enjoy the view while monitoring children in one of the perimeter playgrounds. The landscape itself is designed to be inviting and accommodating. The Meer is proof that places which inspire delight and curiosity bring people together.

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What: An open-air food market in downtown Munich.

Why it Works: Roughly the size of a city block, Munich’s Viktualienmarkt has everything you could want, from a number of good bakeries and cheese shops to a horse butcher (if that’s what you’re looking for). The Schlemmermaier sausage stand is great for lunch in the [...]]]>

What: An open-air food market in downtown Munich.

Why it Works: Roughly the size of a city block, Munich’s Viktualienmarkt has everything you could want, from a number of good bakeries and cheese shops to a horse butcher (if that’s what you’re looking for). The Schlemmermaier sausage stand is great for lunch in the summer, perhaps followed by a trip to the beer garden. The soup stand is perfect even on the coldest winter day, preferably followed by a hot honey wine at one of the honey stands. It is accessible by train, subway, bus and streetcar, and very tied into its surroundings. The market is crowded on weekends, and busy all year round.

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What: A unique urban forest in the middle of Vancouver.

Why it Works: Stanley Park is a unique place, not only for its magnificent trees–like giant fir and cedar–which are unusual for an urban park, but also its variety of activities, which make it one of the top destinations in Vancouver for locals and [...]]]>

What: A unique urban forest in the middle of Vancouver.

Why it Works: Stanley Park is a unique place, not only for its magnificent trees–like giant fir and cedar–which are unusual for an urban park, but also its variety of activities, which make it one of the top destinations in Vancouver for locals and visitors alike. The park spans 1,000 acres and includes sandy beaches, swimming pools, lakes and stunning vistas from the sea wall. The large expanse of grassland through the park provides an ideal spot for picnickers, and many groups organize outings and sports activities here: family reunions, groups of friends hanging out, or even company picnics. Only minutes from downtown, it is easily accessible by foot, bike and car. A road meanders through the park taking drivers from downtown to the Lions Gate Bridge, which hosts marathon runs in the summer months. The seawall, which circumnavigates the park, is a great way to take in the scenery on a Sunday afternoon stroll.

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What: An expanse of mosques, rose gardens, pools of sacred carp, tea gardens, and people.

Why it Works: Sanliurfa is a city of contradictions. Beneath the relatively modern, commercial center lies the bazaar district, a mass of market alleys and paths spilling out in all directions, with local merchants hawking anything and everything. Immediately [...]]]>

What: An expanse of mosques, rose gardens, pools of sacred carp, tea gardens, and people.

Why it Works: Sanliurfa is a city of contradictions. Beneath the relatively modern, commercial center lies the bazaar district, a mass of market alleys and paths spilling out in all directions, with local merchants hawking anything and everything. Immediately adjacent to these two areas is yet another extreme – Dergah. One of the most visited pilgrimage areas of Turkey, the Dergah district is a complex of mosques and gardens centered around the birth cave of the Prophet Abraham and the pool of sacred carp. The beautifully landscaped gardens are the most popular place in the city – a perfect respite from the chaos of the bazaar and the bustle of the downtown. Dergah creates a strong identity for the city and is a huge tourist draw, but more importantly, it enhances the surrounding neighborhoods and serves a valuable role in the everyday lives of residents.

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What: Former empty retail fronts now filled with artists’ installations.

Why it Works: Three vacant buildings lining the street on San Fernando and half a dozen more continuing around the corner on South First Street are now filled with artists’ displays and installations. Phantom Galleries was created to both renew the [...]]]>

What: Former empty retail fronts now filled with artists’ installations.

Why it Works: Three vacant buildings lining the street on San Fernando and half a dozen more continuing around the corner on South First Street are now filled with artists’ displays and installations. Phantom Galleries was created to both renew the magic in the daily journey downtown and increase the awareness of the importance of our local artists in the cultural/economic development of San Jose. It’s rare not to pass down either San Fernando or South First Streets while either working or playing downtown. The San Jose Museum is directly across the street on San Fernando, some of our nicest restaurants are either across the street from the Phantom Galleries or just around the corner. Another plus is that the street itself is beautiful and features very clean, wide sidewalks with light rail passing along the historic buildings.

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