Design Charette
To initiate the Official Development Process, ParkLane/WesGroup and the City of Vancouver
organized and eight day design charette in April of 2005. A charette is an urban planning
method designed to incorporate public input into the creation of a community plan. It is a
forum for ideas where, throughout a series of workshops, participants are encouraged to give
immediate feedback to the design team as the plan evolves. The primary feature of the charette
is that it is specifically organized to encourage the participation of everyone who is interested
in the planning of the community including; the public, architects, planners, engineers,
environmental consultants, the landowners and public officials.
The award-wining
urban planning firm of Duany Plater-Zyberk (DPZ) was brought in to lead the design charrette.
Their innovative charrette process and method has been implemented in over 250 new and
existing communities and has been recognized with numerous national design awards. Over the
past 25 years, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company has exerted a major influence on the practice
and direction of urban planning throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and
Australia. For more information on DPZ, click here.
The East Fraserlands charrette took place on the site in a large tent that was transformed
into a working studio and meeting area. Andres Duany of DPZ delivered an introductory
presentation on the first evening of the charrette and provided background to the charrette
process and fundamentals.
During the charrette, a series of drawings and documents were produced and displayed
including coloured plans and perspectives. Pin-up sessions occurred at the middle and end
of the charrette when the charrette team presented their combined efforts to the public for
review and comment.
The end result was the creation of a world-class community plan that formed the basis of the
ParkLane / WesGroup ODP submission.
