Part 1
Growing Together
Kitsilano, known to most of us as “Kits,” has long been a neighbourhood of walkable streets, parks, and low-rise apartments. It’s a place where people gather at the beach, shop along West 4th or Broadway, and settle into homes that have steadily filled in over time.
The population has grown from about 36,500 in 1996 to more than 43,000 in 2016, and that growth is expected to continue with new transit connections.
43,000
in 2016
With the new Arbutus Station and bus loop anchoring the end of the Millennium Line extension, big changes are on the horizon. These include new SkyTrain access, a key UBC transit link, and more people, homes, and ways of getting around.
Space is limited, so we’ll need to grow differently.
That means planning for more places to live, better mobility, and services that reflect the changing population.
Through the experience, share what you love about your neighbourhood.
Tell us what you want to see transformed!
Let's plan for growth together
Help us understand your neighbourhood
Part 2
Places to Call Home
Our neighbourhood is where we build our lives. But with housing costs rising and options shrinking, more and more people are finding it hard to stay close to what they know and love.
In Kitsilano, apartments under five storeys are the most common housing type, alongside duplexes and detached houses.
Duplexes and detached houses
Apartments under five storeys
While this creates more “middle housing” than in many parts of Vancouver, mid-rise and affordable options remain limited, and zoning debates continue to shape what gets built.
Prices remain among the highest in the city, with new developments often marketed as luxury condos, making it difficult for many households to afford a place here,
When housing is more flexible and affordable, people can grow with their neighbourhood instead of having to leave it.
The goal is to give people options...
Part 3
Daily Life Around the Corner
Kitsilano isn’t just a place to live—it’s where daily life unfolds. From grocery stores and schools to community centres and local jobs, we all need access to more than just housing. But the way our cities have been built makes that harder than it should be.
For decades, homes, jobs, and services were separated into different parts of town—connected by long commutes and busy roads.
Across Canada, people are having more conversations about how neighbourhoods can better support daily life.
Complete communities happen where more of what we need is close by and easy to access—whether you drive, walk, roll, or take transit.
Kitsilano already has many of the ingredients: a mix of housing, businesses, community services, and cultural diversity. The next step is pulling it all together so people can live, work, and connect more easily in the same neighbourhood.
The cities are rethinking
how they use land...
Part 4
Feeling Safe & Welcome
As Kitsilano becomes more active and connected, it’s important that everyone feels safe and included. Whether walking to the store or visiting a park, feeling secure shapes daily life.
In a busy, changing neighbourhood, safety can mean many things: good lighting, clear sightlines, support services, and welcoming public spaces. It can also mean simply feeling at ease and confident in your surroundings.
Some people have raised concerns about things like drug use, theft, or feeling unsafe in public spaces.
These issues don’t have easy answers—but they’re part of the conversation.
Safety strategies that rely solely on policing often have limited and uneven outcomes
Many communities are exploring different approaches—like thoughtful urban design, harm reduction, and outreach services—to build trust, reduce harm, and create spaces that feel active and welcoming.
Strong communities
focus on...
Part 5
Building Connections
Alongside safety, Kitsilano also needs to support how people move and stay connected—to neighbours, services, and green spaces. That means keeping walkable streets and well-loved parks, while planning for changes like new transit and construction. With Arbutus Station anchoring the Millennium Line and linking to UBC, the neighbourhood is becoming a key regional hub.
Some call this “transit-oriented development”
Designing communities so more of what we need is close by and easy to reach, however we get around.
To make this work, streets need to support more than just drivers—they should work for everyone, however they get around.
That includes wide sidewalks, safe bike lanes, and reliable public transit. With more ways to move, people of all ages and abilities can access what they need without having to rely on a car.
Greener travel also means cleaner air, less traffic, and healthier habits.
Public parks and community spaces play a big role too.
They give people places to relax, gather, and enjoy nature. As more people move in, we’ll need to nurture these spaces too—and make sure they’re safe, inclusive, and built for everyone.
Kitsilano will also need to
plan ahead...
Part 6
Trade-Offs and Tough Choices
Every neighbourhood has to make choices. Sometimes we can’t have everything we want all at once. A great park might need to take space from a parking lot. More neighbours might bring new shops and services—but also more activity. A more walkable community might mean taller buildings or fewer private yards.
These kinds of trade-offs are part of shaping a neighbourhood that works for everyone.
What matters most to you? And where might you be open to change if it meant building a stronger, more connected Kitsilano?
Further Opportunities
Congrats on finishing!
Kitsilano is evolving, and there are many ways to stay
involved in shaping what comes next.
Below are some key projects, plans, and resources that offer
opportunities to follow progress, share your input, or simply
stay informed.
Community poll
The Voice of Kitsilano
See what your neighbours are saying in response to the prompt and add your own perspective. Click agree, disagree, or pass to see and vote on the next response.
Have a new idea or different perspective? Add it below.
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