Vancouver has a
housing shortage

See how housing became so unaffordable across the city.

And how re-zoning single family dwellings can fix it.

Mission Statement

On October 17, 2023, the City of Vancouver implemented a new Residential Inclusive Zone (R1-1), which rezoned 9 residential zones (RS zones) originally intended for single family dwellings into the new zoning designation R1-1. The R1-1 zone allows multiplex units up to a maximum of 6 dwelling units and 8 rental dwelling units, depending on the size of the site. With this change, areas previously restricted to single family homes are now eligible to be redeveloped into ‘missing middle’ housing.

The missing middle refers to the lack of medium-density housing in neighbourhoods, particularly in North American cities. In these cities, residential areas are either strictly single-family homes, or high-density condominiums and apartments. However, with the introduction of the new R1-1 zone, permits for medium-density housing such as multiplexes and townhouses can now be granted in areas previously restricted to single family dwellings, increasing the supply of housing. This is a massive change, considering that around half of Vancouver’s land area was previously set aside for single-family homes.

With MetroBooming, users are able to visualize Vancouver's urban expansion from the past and have a glimpse into Vancouver's future by assessing the potential of R1-1. By focusing on specific census tracts, our app enables users to see how neighborhoods developed differently over time. By combining a 3D visualization of Vancouver's development with population and dwelling census characteristics, users can gain a better understanding of the root cause of Vancouver's unaffordability. Moreover, users can simulate the benefits of the new R1-1 zoning by exploring a range of scenarios within the app. This innovative tool allows users to visualize and compare potential outcomes, from the best-case scenario where the number of new housing units is maximized, to scenarios where the status quo remains unchanged.

By visualizing Vancouver's expansion over time, and presenting the future implications of R1-1, MetroBooming gives a unique perspective into Vancouver's development from the past and into future. With this unique lens into urban development, planners and policymakers alike will gain a better understanding of Vancouver's housing crisis, helping them to inspire new ways to promote affordable housing.

Hotspot Map

This map is displaying hot and cold spots for building construction dates. The hot and cold spots are determined by the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic, which tests for statistically significant spatial clusters of high or low values. In a nutshell, orange areas are clusters with a statistically significant amount of newer buildings, and blue areas are clusters with a statistically significant amount of older buildings. From this map, we can visualize how Vancouver has sprawled over time, with development starting in the downtown and expanding out into the south east. In addition, the former industrial areas near False Creek appear orange, demonstrating the more recent redevelopment of this area. More interestingly, the hotspots on the map correlate very well with areas formerly zoned for single-family dwelling units, providing some clues into a potential cause of Vancouver's housing crisis.

Demo Video