High-technology and information technology industries represent a growing
component of 'new economy' sector activities. Cities around the world often perceive these
industrial and commercial activities to be high-growth in nature, bringing economic
advantages and benefits to the cities where they are situated within. Concentration of hightechnology
and information technology economic activity in cities has resulted in the
formation of localstrategies and related policy initiatives aimed at attracting these sector
industries into designated areas. Initial problems that ensued revolved around questioning
the legitimacy, effectiveness and appropriateness of implementing these policy initiatives,
which were characteristic of 'induced' development. Impacts on broader issues regarding
the city's space-economy and structure were often not taken into account in these
implemented high-technology led strategies and policies. This thesis responds to these
problems by addressing the planning imperatives of initiating high-technology sector led
development in urban environments.
False Creek Flats was the primary case study examined in this thesis. Due to the
proximity of the False Creek Flats site to Vancouver's metropolitan core, a research
concentration on the inner-city is carried throughout the thesis. The research objectives
and question are aimed at examining challenges posed to planning by following a particular
policy and city initiated development path for high-technology sector concentration in False
Creek Flats. Objectives are focused around the purpose of conducting a policy analysis on
the process and initiatives for high-technology policy formation that occurred over the past
decade in False Creek Flats.
The research methodology consisted of gathering relevant and informing data and
theories through an academic literature review. Information derived from editorial sources
was also utilized to situate issues directly related to the primary case study. City of
Vancouver policies, documents and sources represented a majority of the primary sources
pertaining to the policy analysis of the high-technology framework for False Creek Flats. An
internship conducted with the City of Vancouver Central Area Planning Division contributed
to gaining access to information and planning perspective on the Flats high-technology led
strategy.
The stated imperatives to planning are based on False Creek Flats high-technology
led strategy's classification as a primarily induced development. Imperatives exhibited in
the policy framework formation and details are the importance of the proactive and assertive
stance taken by the City of Vancouver and Planning Department. Flexibility, evolution and
innovation to formulate new planning responses to deal with the problems and opportunities
of implementing high-technology initiatives in the Flats were found to be essential. Planning
implications for this case study include the ability to examine the issues from a broader
perspective to take into account ramifications on existing city policy, structure and function.
These planning elements are going to be critical in maintaining the original guiding
principles, vision and goals for high-technology sector concentration in False Creek Flats.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/13863 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Eng, Kevin |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
Page generated in 0.0024 seconds