Beasley turns to consulting, McAfee retires to volunteer work
John Bermingham
Province
Larry Beasley, 57, looks forward to ‘advising cities in many parts of the world.’ Photograph by : Ric Ernst, The Province
The pair of city planners who helped make the Vancouver skyline famous around the world are retiring.
Larry Beasley and Ann McAfee, co-directors of planning at the City of Vancouver since 1994, will be leaving after Vancouver hosts the World Urban Forum in June.
Beasley, 57, is best known for designing the “Living First Strategy,” which transformed downtown with highrise condo towers.
He was also the main planner behind the Coal Harbour project, as well as Southeast False Creek and the Gastown/Chinatown heritage incentives program.
“It really had to do with my personal plans,” said Beasley yesterday. “It’s a good time for me to be able to jump into something else, and still know that I’ve probably got 10 years of very interesting work ahead of me.”
Beasley now chairs the urban design committee of the National Capital Commission in Ottawa and is an adjunct planning professor at the University of B.C.
“I’m right now advising cities in many parts of the world,” said Beasley. “I’m now going to expand that activity. I could be doing about three times more than I actually do.”
Beasley said he would also like to work on new projects in B.C.
McAfee, who turns 65 at the end of the month, was Vancouver’s first housing planner. Her social-
housing strategy helped to attract millions of dollars for neighbourhoods like the Downtown Eastside.
She also helped manage long-range public-planning initiatives such as CityPlan, Community Visions and Neighbourhood Centres.
“I don’t feel 65,” mused McAfee yesterday. “But, chronologically, I am. That’s why I’m leaving at this time.”
McAfee intends to write a book about planning in Vancouver.
She will also continue with international volunteer work for the Canadian government in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
“Instead of Doctors Without Borders, it’s Planners Without Borders,” she said.
McAfee feels the city is in great shape for the future, because city councils down through the years have supported innovations in planning.
“I think it’s on very solid foundations,” she said.
Mayor Sam Sullivan said in a statement: “We are sad to see them retire, as these two planners have played a decisive role in creating the remarkable city that we enjoy today.
“Their vision, tenacity and thoughtful advice has helped Vancouver achieve the status as one of the world’s most livable cities.”
City manager Judy Rogers has decided to combine the two co-director positions into a single director of planning.
“There will be no interruption in the top-quality planning services provided by this vital city department,” Rogers said.
© The Vancouver Province 2006