Contributions
Researcher
Visual Designer
Exhibition Designer
Contributions
Researcher
Visual Designer
Exhibition Designer
Team
Nicholas Cheung
Team
Nicholas Cheung
Timeline
13 weeks
Jan - April 2024
Timeline
13 weeks
Jan - April 2024
speculative design
speculative design
An alternative Vancouver Chinatown through counterfactual critical design where the community reclaims their Chinese identities using the anti-freeway protests as the turning point.
An alternative Vancouver Chinatown through counterfactual critical design where the community reclaims their Chinese identities using the anti-freeway protests as the turning point.
REIMAGINE VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
REIMAGINE VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
REIMAGINE VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
Despite the many hardships that Chinatown community has faced such as discrimination and racist acts from the city of Vancouver during the early modernist urbanism era, it played a vital role in shaping the overall essence of Vancouver by leading the protests against the construction of a freeway. This act ultimately saved Vancouver from becoming a
car-centric city instead of the walkable city we know of today.
Despite the many hardships that Chinatown community has faced such as discrimination and racist acts from the city of Vancouver during the early modernist urbanism era, it played a vital role in shaping the overall essence of Vancouver by leading the protests against the construction of a freeway. This act ultimately saved Vancouver from becoming a
car-centric city instead of the walkable city we know of today.
the main pivot point we used for this project
the main pivot point we used for this project
why should we save Chinatown from losing its recognition
why should we save Chinatown from losing its recognition
The purpose of this project is to creating conversations within the community of Vancouver about Chinatown. Through the community’s strength, resilience, and community-building efforts, Chinatown plays a central role for rich emotional, spiritual, linguistic and cultural space.
The purpose of this project is to creating conversations within the community of Vancouver about Chinatown. Through the community’s strength, resilience, and community-building efforts, Chinatown plays a central role for rich emotional, spiritual, linguistic and cultural space.
Chinatown’s value
Chinatown’s value
Chinatown’s value
VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
VANCOUVER CHINATOWN
FREEWAY PROJECT PROPOSAL
FREEWAY PROJECT
PROPOSAL
FREEWAY PROJECT PROPOSAL
In 1948, Vancouver’s city council started the Redevelopment Plan to modernize the city. In the 1960s, the freeway project was introduced, which would subsequently bulldoze Chinatown, Strathcona, Hogan’s Alley and Gastown.
Fortunately, the Vancouver Chinatown Association as well as the Chinese Benevolent Association began protesting in 1967 to stop the construction of the freeway.
In 1948, Vancouver’s city council started the Redevelopment Plan to modernize the city. In the 1960s, the freeway project was introduced, which would subsequently bulldoze Chinatown, Strathcona, Hogan’s Alley and Gastown.
Fortunately, the Vancouver Chinatown Association as well as the Chinese Benevolent Association began protesting in 1967 to stop the construction of the freeway.
where Chinatown is located
where Chinatown is located
proposed freeway plan (1948)
proposed freeway plan (1948)
What if the anti-freeway protest is the moment in history that the Chinese individuals within Vancouver’s Chinatown reclaim their Asian identities?
What if the anti-freeway protest is the moment in history that the Chinese individuals within Vancouver’s Chinatown reclaim their Asian identities?
By exploring the concept of the “counterfactual” in critical design, we decided to create an Alternative Reality where we depict Chinatown now.
By exploring the concept of the “counterfactual” in critical design, we decided to create an Alternative Reality where we depict Chinatown now.
an event/assumption that neither occurred or didn’t take hold in reality
an event/assumption that neither occurred or didn’t take hold in reality
an event/assumption that neither occurred or didn’t take hold in reality
Michael Franklin Harcourt became the mayor of Vancouver
Michael Franklin Harcourt became the mayor of Vancouver
During his position, he recognized Chinatown’s contribution in helping to put a stop on the freeway project.
Made July 1st as “Chinatown Celebration” to rewrite the history of “Humiliation Day” due to Chinese Exclusion Act 1923
Applied Vancouver Chinatown to UNESCO as a Living Heritage Site
Reversed the sign law to bring back the life of Chinatown.
During his position, he recognized Chinatown’s contribution in helping to put a stop on the freeway project.
Made July 1st as “Chinatown Celebration” to rewrite the history of “Humiliation Day” due to Chinese Exclusion Act 1923
Applied Vancouver Chinatown to UNESCO as a Living Heritage Site
Reversed the sign law to bring back the life of Chinatown.
1980-1986
1980-1986
official Chinatown recognition document from Harcourt’s office
official Chinatown recognition document from Harcourt’s office
Vancouver Sun newspaper about the anti-freeway protest
Vancouver Sun newspaper about the anti-freeway protest
1990
1990
After 7 years of UNESCO application process, Vancouver Chinatown was recognized as a Living Heritage Culture.
After 7 years of UNESCO application process, Vancouver Chinatown was recognized as a Living Heritage Culture.
Chinatown’s UNESCO Living Heritage Culture plaque
Chinatown’s UNESCO Living Heritage Culture plaque
After 10 years of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Culture recognition, Chinatown associations and Chinese Immersion Schools collaborated on a new symbol for Chinatown, a plum blossom.
After 10 years of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Culture recognition, Chinatown associations and Chinese Immersion Schools collaborated on a new symbol for Chinatown, a plum blossom.
After 10 years of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Culture recognition, Chinatown associations and Chinese Immersion Schools collaborated on a new symbol for Chinatown, a plum blossom.
2000
2000
Chinatown’s plum blossom plaque for the community’s perseverance, strength, endurance and resilience
Chinatown’s plum blossom plaque for the community’s perseverance, strength, endurance and resilience
our reimagined Chinatown with East Pender Street Market, Chinese Immersion schools, the continuous construction of neon signs, multiple Hong Kong restaurants and a livable Chinese community.
our reimagined Chinatown with East Pender Street Market, Chinese Immersion schools, the continuous construction of neon signs, multiple Hong Kong restaurants and a livable Chinese community.
plum blossom symbol passed down through generations through pins, jewelries, art, etc.
plum blossom symbol passed down through generations through pins, jewelries, art, etc.
sample neon signs in Chinatown
sample neon signs in Chinatown
After 10 years of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Culture recognition, Chinatown associations and Chinese Immersion Schools collaborated on a ne
After 10 years of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Culture recognition, Chinatown associations and Chinese Immersion Schools collaborated on a ne
2024
2024
OUR REALITY
OUR REALITY
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
Throughout this project, we were able to use all our design skills to help a community we are both passionate about. To know that this project was able to impact multiple individuals in SIAT has given us hope for the future of Chinatown.
Throughout this project, we were able to use all our design skills to help a community we are both passionate about. To know that this project was able to impact multiple individuals in SIAT has given us hope for the future of Chinatown.
We both know this project has a long way to go and could help impact the Chinatown community on a more granular scale, so we would like to continue working on this after our graduation.
We both know this project has a long way to go and could help impact the Chinatown community on a more granular scale, so we would like to continue working on this after our graduation.
various moments of us throughout the project
various moments of us throughout the project
RATIONALES
Dr. Gillian Russell (IAT499 Instructor)
Dr. Ron Wakkary (Project’s mentor)
Craig Badke (IAT499 guest crit)
Our families and friends, and the Chinatown community
Dr. Gillian Russell (IAT499 Instructor)
Dr. Ron Wakkary (Project’s mentor)
Craig Badke (IAT499 guest crit)
Our families and friends, and the Chinatown community
If you are interested and could see the potential in growing this project with us, please contact me!
If you are interested and could see the potential in growing this project with us, please contact me!