Alberta Street Blue-Green Systems and Columbia Park Renewal

Alberta Street and Columbia Park form a connected blue-green corridor in Vancouver, integrating rainwater management, urban forest, and public space into a unified ecological system. 

Developed for the City of Vancouver, the project reimagines streets and parks as part of a continuous landscape that supports climate adaptation, biodiversity, and everyday community life. PWL led the design development of the Alberta Street Blue-Green System and the renewal of Columbia Park, establishing a district-scale approach informed by the City’s Rain City Strategy, Cambie Corridor Plan, and broader climate and biodiversity goals. 

The design captures and conveys rainwater through a network of green infrastructure, including bioswales, permeable surfaces, and habitat-rich planting. These systems respond to local hydrological conditions—addressing combined sewer overflow reduction, South Hill watershed constraints, and the need for sewer separation paired with surface water treatment—while mimicking natural water cycles. 

Continuous tree canopy expansion and planting strategies support pollinators, birds, and urban wildlife, strengthening ecological connections from Little Mountain to the Fraser River. 

Parks and streets are designed as an integrated public realm, linking neighbourhoods through walkable routes, accessible green spaces, and opportunities for recreation and gathering. This approach supports urban cooling and positions ecological systems as a core element of neighbourhood structure and growth. 

Developed through close collaboration with Park Board, Engineering, and community members, the project establishes a cohesive framework for connecting blue-green infrastructure across the city, aligning environmental performance with public space and capital delivery.