Alley-Oop

Vancouver, British Columbia

Photo Credit: HCMA Architecture + Design

CASE STUDY

Initial Research by: Vincent Rara

Edited by: Samantha Miller & Nicole Brekelmans

Case study compiled in 2019

Project: Alley-Oop

Type of Urban Strategy: Smart Cities 

Type of Project: Alleyway Renewal 

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

Date Designed/Planned: 2015

Construction Completed:  2016

Designer: HCMA Architecture + Design

Alley-Oop is a joint venture started by DVBIA (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association) who were looking to transform underutilized spaces throughout the downtown core. Property owners, businesses and tenants were asked to provide ideas of how the downtown could evolve. A common theme emerged after interviews, and the results highlighted that people want a network of unique pedestrian-friendly spaces. HCMA established the guidelines for future alleyway redevelopment. Alleyways were re-imagined not as thoroughfares, but as destination points that would link pedestrians to businesses at street level. Today, the impact of Alley-Oop is both measurable and ongoing. Deliveries and garbage pickup coexist with popup events and photo-ops. Foot traffic has increased, and more women than men now utilize the space.