Activating the Edge: Revitalizing the Downtown through the Adaptive Reuse of Front Street Parkade in New Westminster, British Columbia

Abstract

This architectural thesis seeks to examine how the adaptive reuse of an inactive parkade through the creation of a hub for an active lifestyle can facilitate the revitalization of downtown New Westminster, BC. The proposal seeks to develop a strategy for urban connectivity and active programming within the layers of an existing infrastructure. It integrates pedestrian, bicycle, water and public transportation networks reaching an inclusive and diverse activity hub in the downtown core. While the methodology for adaptive reuse is specific to the Front Street Parkade, with a series of subtractions and transformations to create a ‘people place’ for a post-car culture, the proposal raises the possibility of similar interventions elsewhere.