Theses Master's

Exploring the Eradication of Single-Family Zoning and its Ties to the Housing Crisis in Vancouver, Canada

Sutherland, Amalia

The story of real estate in Vancouver is characterized by the influence of foreign investment, triumphed by globalisation, stringent zoning regulations and exclusionary policies, creating one of the least affordable housing markets in the world. Compared to the Canadian average of 16.8%, nearly 28.2% of the population in Vancouver is living in unaffordable housing (Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021).

With continued increases in housing prices and notoriously lagging local incomes, the Vancouver housing market continues to grow further out of reach for most residents. Local government has turned to increasing density requirements with the implementation of several policies highlighting the need for more housing. The most recent edition of policy implementation is with the eradication of single-family zoning and addition of ‘Missing Middle Housing’ in October 2023, to incentivize the creation of a more affordable and adequate housing stock. This research explores the implementation of missing middle as a tactic by the city of Vancouver to address the housing crisis and to explore the perceptions of local experts and residents alike.

Geographic Areas

Files

This item is currently under embargo. It will be available starting 2025-06-01.

More About This Work

Academic Units
Urban Planning
Thesis Advisors
Slater, Thomas S. J.
Degree
M.S., Columbia University
Published Here
July 10, 2024