Quote:
Originally Posted by SFUVancouver
I disagree. I think that the problem with under-performing retail areas is insufficient nearby population density, not the presence of continuous retail. We can disagree, but that's my opinion.
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If you have continuous single-street retail down a very long corridor, the population thins out in many areas, especially in density-fearing Vancouver. Hence the demise of retail along many of our outdated low-density streets.
The reason why Main street around Mt Pleasant is doing well is because the area is a retail node (ie, retail spanning multiple streets), and that in recent times, population has increased around there as higher density residential buildings are approved. Decent public transport plays an important role too. The same rationale applies for W. Broadway/Granville Street and W. Broadway Cambie.
Vancouver's city planning certainly leaves a lot to be desired: low-density streets are usually allowed with lots of retail while high population density neighbourhoods only have limited retail. If you can transplant all the retail on 4th Ave and place them in, say Olympic Village, that would be a way nicer neighbourhood to live, work and explore. Streets like 1st Ave, 2nd Ave, Main and Quebec St should all be lined with retail. The empty space beside Main Street station should be a retail centre, ie. a mall. Similarly, 4th Ave at Kits area should be allowed to grow with way higher density housing around, with 3rd and 5th Avenues in that neighbourhood also established retail streets.
Continuous retail on Cambie street would not fare well at this point in time. It works in Toronto's Yonge street due to many of its retail nodes all along the road. The Cambie corridor lacks that.
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