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BANNERLINE & Urban
Affairs |
The Vancouver Province, the west coast
metropolitan daily of Southam newspapers, Canada's pre-eminent national
chain, assigned Gary Bannerman to write an "Urban Affairs" column in
1970, and a free rein to travel the country and interview leading
newsmakers: Montreal's legendary Jean Drapeau about World's Fairs,
revitalization of Old Montreal and Olympic games; urbanist Jane Jacobs
and the mayors of many cities. He analyzed the evolution of Toronto's
Yorkville into a stunning national focal point of restaurants, the arts,
and trendy new lifestyles, a prototype of redevelopments that have
enhanced many North American cities. The Urban Affairs column sparked an
interest that has never left.
- Urban Affairs column, Vancouver Province (1970-72)
- Consulting assignments for Canada's Urban Affairs
Minister Robert Andras (1971-73).
- Assisted in the redevelopment of Vancouver's Gastown
from one of Canada's ugliest skid roads into a subject of civic pride
and a major tourist attraction (1970-75). One of seven people honoured
by the City of Vancouver as Freeman of Gastown, recognizing this
achievement.
- Author of a magazine format book Gastown the 107
Years, outlining both the history of the neighbourhood and the modern
renaissance.
- Growing out of the Gastown experience, where a few
dedicated property owners and businesses also benefited the far greater
numbers who refused to help, Bannerman joined those who campaigned for
Business Improvement District legislation in British Columbia. Gastown
became the first in 1988.
- Became a student and admirer of the work of leading
urbanists such as Jane Jacobs and New York's William H. Whyte.
- Interviewed countless numbers of famous city
politicians, planners, transportation experts, urban economists,
researchers and architects over a 20-year broadcast career.
- Consultant to B.C.'s largest BIA, the Downtown
Vancouver Business Improvement Association (1997-present), assisting the
DVBIA with publications and a wide range of specialty assignments.
- Through DVBIA & IDA association, became familiar with
- and a student of - the work of urbanists Dr. George Kelling of New
York ("Fixing Broken Windows") and Dr. Allan Jacobs of San Francisco
("We over design and ruin cities").
- A BANNERLINE-designed program entitled "culture of
communications" earned the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement
Association the top year 2000 award for downtown management, from the
International Downtown Association.
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A Culture of Communications |