How do we make our existing cities urban?
22nd St Station
Competition
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
2024
Our award-winning proposal introduced a pedestrian-friendly vision for Connaught Heights with access to a healthy, ecological urban landscape that can support increased density through high-quality, diverse housing options—strong landscape and mobility concepts to serve as a framework for a densifying neighbourhood.
The first step is to develop a coherent plan supported by all the interested parties for the 22nd Street Station, including the City of New West, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, TransLink, and BC Hydro. For far too long, the station has failed to be integrated into Metro Vancouver, constrained by the car’s needs. Prioritizing public transportation will improve Connaught Heights and allow public transport to alleviate the endless traffic issues in the area.
THE ENABLING PROJECT: BUILDING THE HUB
The Hub, 2040
2024
2030
2040
Successful transit stations need pedestrian access and efficient public transportation connections. The current configuration of 22nd Street Station has neither. The proposed renovation first involves building a parking garage that can house a new bus loop, accommodate a future terminal with direct access to the Queensborough Bridge, and provide 500 spaces that serve the larger community and anticipate further densification to the south. The new garage consolidates traffic and gives space to pedestrians to ensure a safer, more active station.
Low Density, 2027
Pedestrian Network
Street Typologies
Bike Network
Bus Network
Spaces for People + Spaces for Nature
Main Street, 2035
The Woodlands, 2050
The Vision: A New West Future
Multifunctional Public Amenities: To accommodate increased densities, our public facilities need to be fully utilized. Single-use buildings should be replaced with centres that can accommodate various uses for people of all types.
The Woodlands: Despite the housing crisis, the temptation to prioritize open space for buildings should be resisted. Open space is critical to healthy, dense communities, and any opportunity to add functional open space should be taken.
Engaging the Freeway: Jurisdictional barriers must be removed to allow enhancements around Highway 91a. Further widening will only increase volume, not relieve congestion, and the space around the highway is too valuable to be left to pasture.
The Hub: A new transit hub organized around equitable pedestrian access is at the centre of it all. The hub will be the active heart of the community, providing key services as commuters move to and from work during the day.
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JIM
James Huemoeller