In the spirit of our mission, we engage in community initiatives that are meaningful and impactful.
Chinatown Plaza Reimagined
Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association and Chinatown BIA are working with the City of Vancouver to transform Chinatown Plaza into a vibrant space that celebrates our culture and fosters prosperity. It follows Vancouver Council’s decision to establish a Chinatown Cultural District, and to make much better use of city-owned properties.
The Plaza
Chinatown Plaza’s 1995 opening marked a victory for local merchants. Featuring a retail concourse, street-level shops, offices, healthcare, a 1,000-seat Chinese restaurant, and parkade, it remains a distinct presence in Chinatown. Strong advocacy by VCMA members, community allies, and business leaders made this amenity possible.
Today’s Challenge
The Plaza’s shine has faded, with empty stores and declining visitors. This city-owned property holds so much untapped potential to support the local economy and community. The hope is to revive it as a ‘magnet’ again, drawing people in with unique experiences, food, and cultural businesses that enrich Chinatown.
Work in Progress
We are working closely with food and retail businesses in Chinatown to gather ideas and insights that will shape a compelling vision for a reimagined Chinatown Plaza. To guide this process, a Working Group was formed with members from the VCMA and Chinatown BIA. Through drop-in sessions and an online survey, we also connected with the broader community, whose input help refine and strengthen our vision.
Stay tuned for updates on this important initiative!
Created by Dunefield | Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Albert Lam | Photo and video: Brenda Xiong | Additional images: Jim Wong-Chu, Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Rob Kruyt, Ben Geisberg, Haeccity, Kayla Isomura and René Pierre | This work was made possible by funding contributions of the City of Vancouver through the Special Enterprise Program, and of Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund.
由 Dunefield 創作 | Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Albert Lam | 攝影和錄像：Brenda Xiong | 額外圖片：朱藹信、Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Rob Kruyt、Ben Geisberg、Haeccity、Kayla Isomura 和 René Pierre | 這個項目是由溫哥華市政府通過特殊企業計劃，和卑詩文化遺產協會轄下的文化遺產基金提供資助而得以完成。