All this talk (including my last update) surrounding “affordability” and the general property value “up-spiral” in Greater Vancouver, has prompted me to think, not about the present, but more about the future and particularly “what will our region be like in 10 years, and yes, 50 years (for the generations following)?  So, having said that, please forgive my philosophical introspection.  Since this is the North Shore Update, I make no apology for focusing on this neighbourhood.

We’ve discussed affordability but didn’t explore the impact on our people [to be more specific – our families, children, colleagues and friends]. I guess I have just crossed over from technical analysis and impartial interpretation of data, to the more emotionally charged arena of “human impact”.  I trust the opinions expressed here will not elicit excessively strong reaction, but rather be regarded as just that, opinion, and not dogma.
 
To kick off. High demand to live on the North Shore, coupled with (obviously) our finite supply of dwellings, leads to the inevitable economic outcome – higher prices. Is there a solution to this “problem”? [“What, you have a problem?” – says the rest of the world]. Seriously though, other than limiting the ability to buy homes to a) current Canadians, b) blue eyed, right handers or …. the only obvious mitigating factor would seem to be densification. Simply put, picture 85k people currently living in 25 square miles, with, say, approximately 800 sq ft of living space on average per person. What if regulation permitted 150k people to live in that same area, with, say, an average of 600 sq ft per person? End of the world? …or simply a new paradigm? Are we big enough to evolve with the change or “nimby” ourselves into unhappiness? Is the Grouse Woods proposal to OK secondary suites acceptable or the end of civilization as we know it? I throw these questions out, not because I have strong feelings either way, but rather to pose discussion points for dealing with our area’s future. Increased density is a possible solution – are we prepared to let it be explored? I would be thrilled with your opinions on this and/or other solutions which should be considered  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
 

A comment here on a pompous abomination; the term “victims of our own success”. Whose success exactly is our “supernatural British Columbia”?  In the “billion year cycle” does the fact that C has lived here (immigrated) 20 years ago and B’s family 60 years ago, while A is a 5th generation Vancouverite make an iota of difference? X arrives today, ready to pay $1,000,000 for A’s great-granddad’s home. Should that mere 120 years (a blip on the cosmic radar) dictate how X should be treated?
 
While I’m here, I’ll stupidly step into a “local fray”. We elect our local governments (not “we” the folk on the east side of lower Lonsdale or “we” the 35 to 45 year olds in Dundarave) – but “we the people” collectively. If we respect Democracy (note the intended capitalization) we use dialogue to ensure decisions take heed of all points of view and then we abide by the “democratically elected” decision. I’m sorry “Eagleridge Bluffs” but I’m uncomfortable with any NIMBY group challenging in court, democratic decisions when the decision doesn’t fit with that group’s “perfect” world vision.
 
Change is a product of “success” (and often of failure). Let’s be proactive in how we deal with it. Embrace and harness it, but fear it and fight it and it will dominate/ overcome us.