Dream City: Vancouver And The Global Imagination

by Lance Berelowitz

Vancouver, located at the edge of a continent and the edge of national consciousness, has become the model for post-industrial urbanism. Does it deserve the attention? This provocative new book explores the links between the city’s seductive natural setting, turbulent political history, planning and design culture, and the local and global forces that are reshaping Vancouver’s urban environment at a ferocious pace. Filled with historical and contemporary photographs and maps, Dream City offers compelling insight into how buildings, public spaces, extraordinary landscapes, and civic values have merged to form a uniquely 21st-century city.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Urbanism

276 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2005

Reviews

[a.m. kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated but ages decently. Some cool old photos of the English Bay area and some history of neighbourhood development. Some of the most memorable parts are the musings about a city like Vancouver making the margins the focal point (e.g., the beach as a central gathering place) and some of the pre-2010 Olympics debates on public transit and development.

[Lam Peng · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me awhile back. After reading it, I wonder why so many of the true designers and planners of this great city had been purposely ignored. Is it because the author chose not to highlight them?

Too many voids, thus not a true overview of the leadership that is behind the city we love as Vancouver. Not recommended.

[Niki Lamont · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some interesting material, but chock full of inaccurate information. The book is essentially a starry eyed gloss over of the city

[Julian Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a local, I really enjoyed this book and how it explains Vancouver's organic development bringing its history to light and its modern form greater meaning.