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.


