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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

🚨 MEMBER SURVEY 🚨 This summer, Downtown Van partnered with the @cityofvancouver.bsky.social to transform five blocks of Granville Street into a people-first corridor for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Granville Street Pedestrian Zone was extended through September 7.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Was Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extention until the end of summer a SUCCESS? I wasnt shy with my answers in this CBc Radio inteview I did this past week, especially around the way we talk about costs vs value. Give it a listen & share, its only 7 minutes. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

People and flower shops and Restaurant booths on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver as part of the pedestrian zone initially put in place during the World Cup and then extend subsequently extended by Vancouver City Council for seven weeks until the end of the summer.

People sitting and enjoying free cartoons, and then later in the day live sports, on Granville Street

Games, chalk and hula hoops on Granville Street. Simple and inexpensive things to enliven the street often work very well.

People walking and playing games like cornhole on the street.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The crowds showed up for the second-last week of the Granville Pedestrian Zone!😀 The Dutch Market BC was a major success, Granville Flea Market, & International Dog Day filled the zone. Only ONE WEEK LEFT to experience the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone! Learn more: www.dtvan.ca/gpz

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Given the unusual timing & challenges, Vancouver’s Granville Street pedestrian zone 7-Week extension since the World Cup ended is one of the most important street transformation pilots in North America. The public support for the street has been remarkable. This week/weekend is the last. Come see.

People walking along the pedestrian Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver this past weekend during the Dutch Street Market.

All sorts of activities on Granville Street, including simple games like cornhole toss. Constantly in use. Simple things like games and chalk work very well, especially with kids and families, but also with adults!

Area assigned for kids to play mini-soccer on the street.

The ability of the street to attract kids and families was a specific goal for the extension, and a specific success that we’ve seen realized.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

That’s a wrap on Summer Movie Nights 🎬🤝 5 Weeks of great movies, family-friendly activities, and full crowds. Big thanks to our amazing sponsors: Amazon, Amex, Bentall Centre, Plug Vancouver, & Global BC 😀 🎥Bohdan Lee

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Today, we welcome the Province’s decision not to proceed with the proposed Overdose Prevention Site at 900 Helmcken Street. We thank municipal and provincial officials, including the Ministry of Health, MLA Terry Yung, and Mayor and Council, for listening to our community’s concerns.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

All on GPZ recently! The VSO Granville All Stars, dance workshops, and giveaways with local businesses. We also brought the fun with the Felix Cartal pop-up, BC Lions inflatable toss, and a Love Island-inspired weekend packed with themed events. More info for the week www.dtvan.ca/events/granv...

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Felix Cartal said it himself: Vancouver is NOT a “no fun city!” 📢 Last night was proof that when we all work together, we can execute some really cool things in the heart of downtown Vancouver on a random Wednesday night. That was EPIC. THANK YOU FOR COMING! ✨

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Felix Cartal looks pretty good on Granville Street 🔥

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Pop-up Felix Cartal DJ show on the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone tonight in downtown Vancouver. The excited crowd is still gathering on the pedestrian street after being given just 2 hours notice! Just 1 more way the brand/perception of Granville Street is being permanently changed this summer.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

FELIX CARTAL 7 PM TONIGHT 900 BLOCK OF GRANVILLE

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Highlights of the Granville Pedestrian Zone this weekend: 💪 Our first-ever outdoor workout with Barry’s 🌸 Scented sachet-making workshop with Ollie & Co 🏃‍♀️ 250+ runners from 01 Run Club taking over the street Next up: Love Island Weekend! 🌴

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Everyone crushed the Barry’s class on the Granville Pedestrian Zone today! 💪

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TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc. (TUW) @toderianuw.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

There’s LOTS of valuable discussion in this @downtownvan.bsky.social podcast with @brenttoderian.bsky.social on downtowns and pedestrian streets. Perhaps the MOST valuable is the blunt messaging on the “five elephants in the room” that can kill a pedestrian street even when it’s a really good idea!

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Everyone crushed the Barry’s workout on the Granville Pedestrian Zone today! 💪

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

🚨 UPCOMING TEMPORARY CLOSURE AT sθәqәlxenәm ts'exwts'áxwi7 (RAINBOW) PARK 🚨 There will be a Musqueam Community Day event happening on August 13 from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM with the park closed to the public. Learn more: www.dtvan.ca/events/musqu...

dtvan.ca

Musqueam Community Day | Downtown Van

Musqueam Community Day at sθәqәlxenәm ts'exwts'áxwi7 on August 13, 2026.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

If you’re fighting to make your downtown more successful — and especially if your city is having a debate about whether or not to pedestrianize a commercial street — give my podcast interview with @downtownvan.bsky.social a watch. And then please help share it. It’s an important discussion.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Week three of the Granville Pedestrian Zone extension and still going strong with a full lineup of activities that invited people of all ages to take part! 🌞🎶 But there’s still more to experience! Full weekly schedule here: dtvan.ca/events/granv...

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

WATCH: If you’re interested in turning streets for cars into places for people, aka “pedestrian streets” (a VERY limiting term), watch my new podcast interview with @downtownvan.bsky.social. Discusses Vancouver’s pedestrianized Granville Street that I’ve been helping with, but relevant to ANY city.

youtube.com

Brent Toderian: Could Granville Street Stay Pedestrianized?

YouTube video by Hey, Downtown Van!

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

August is National Downtown Month, and there's no better time to celebrate everything that makes downtown Vancouver such a vibrant place to live, work and visit. Here are 5 things that make downtown Vancouver so special: www.dtvan.ca/national-dow...

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Learn more and register for your free tour! www.dtvan.ca/events/free-...

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Week 2 of the Granville Pedestrian Zone extension is officially in the books, and we're just getting started! There's still plenty to look forward to, with more live performances, exciting programming, and free activations coming to Granville Street in the weeks ahead. www.dtvan.ca/events/granv...

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

🚨FREE MULLET CUTS ON GRANVILLE🚨 Five Star Fades will be on the 900 Block of Granville this Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30 PM to give out free mullet cuts in honour of the BELMONT CAMELI LOOKALIKE contest!!

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

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Toon Dreessen @toondreessen.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Public art, seating and events make public spaces exciting; they fill #PlacesForPeople with joy, forging community and creating memories.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Super fun & FREE photobooth opportunity on Granville today 📸

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

To create a truly great people-place, it starts with removing the vehicles, to make room for everything else a GREAT STREET can offer. But that’s not NEARLY enough — it’s not just what you remove, it’s WHAT YOU ADD! Things that are magnetic, that attract people, and entice them to stay a long time.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

BABY RAVE (for kids at heart of ALL AGES) just getting started here on Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestian Zone RIGHT NOW till 3pm! Kids and families, come on down, and then stick around and explore all the games and installations on the street!

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Today, we hosted another lunchtime giveaway on the Granville Pedestrian Zone with Chao Mami Express, handing out free salad rolls and mini beverages. We love doing these giveaways as while they can be fleeting (or as long as it takes to hand out 200+ salad rolls), they can make a big impact.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

WEEK TWO of Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extension has more live music/events, more seating (2nd banana bench!), PLENTY of people, & the arrival today of new music-creating installations. STILL just the beginning! CHECK OUT the weekend live line-up (dj’ed soccer tourney, BABY RAVE!)

The music-making pink cowboy boot being installed

The music making “whale tail“ being installed

The second banana bench installed down the street by popular demand, since the first banana bench was possibly the most popular single object on the street during the World Cup.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

🚨 UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURES 🚨 The lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon race weekend will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Learn more: www.seawheeze.com

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

TOMORROW! Chao Mami Express will be popping up on the Granville Pedestrian Zone to hand out free salad rolls + mini iced coffees! 🤩 🗓️ Friday July 31 | 12-2 PM (while quantities last) 📍800 Block of Granville

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

New installations going up on the Granville Pedestrian Zone today... 👀👀

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Join us for a FREE Baby Rave on Granville Street this Saturday! Despite the name, this party is perfect for kids of all ages 🪩 Expect a live dj, bubble-filled fun, interactive games and giveaways while supplies last. 📅 Saturday, August 1 | 11 AM – 3 PM 📍 700 - 900 Block of Granville

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Never forget, you can double the number of people in a pedestrian street or people-place in two different ways — by doubling the number of people who come (which is harder), or by doubling the length of time that people stay (easier, but we too often get this wrong). Make streets magnetic places.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The former Hudson's Bay parkade is set to be transformed into a landmark multi-tower development featuring Western Canada's tallest building, BC's largest hotel, and a world-class public observation deck. Learn more: dailyhive.com/vancouver/ho...

dailyhive.com

Western Canada's tallest tower approved by Vancouver City Council | Daily Hive | Urbanized

Vancouver City Council has approved Holborn Group's project to redevelop the Hudson's Bay parkade into Western Canada's tallest tower.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

TODAY at 12 PM! The Slo Coffee cart will be popping up at the 900 Block of Granville to hand out FREE drinks! There will be: ☕️ 100x cold brews 🥭 100x Hibiscus Mango Iced Teas Stop by while supplies last!

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

So was WEEK 1 of Vancouver’s Pedestrian Zone post-World Cup extension a SUCCESS? Absolutely! It was a week of transition/turn-over, setting realistic expectations for a sustainable people-street, and rolling out new ideas. And people came, especially kids! A strong start to build on, & more coming!

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

As some of the Granville Street Pedestrian installations put in for the World Cup are being taken down, new ones are starting to be put up, and are immediately popular. New flowers, planting and pavement painting are being added too, and the street will keep evolving throughout the 7-week extension.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

🚨 UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE 🚨 This Saturday, July 25, the @cityofvancouver.bsky.social will be conducting road repairs. W Pender St from Thurlow St to Burrard St will be closed from 6 AM-6 PM.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Free matcha slushys today as well from 12-2 PM in front of The Pearl!

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Get your matcha fix at the Granville Pedestrian Zone! 🍵✨ cafeclub. will be handing out their iconic White Chocolate Matcha Slushies FREE while supplies last on Wednesday, July 22, from 12–2 PM on the 800 block of Granville St.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

NEW: “People were talking about being inspired by Granville Street. People were talking about never having seen it like this.” By FAR the most thorough article on the history, details, massive success, and BIG challenge to come. Thanks @dailyhivevancouver.bsky.social & @iamkennethchan.bsky.social.

dailyhive.com

After five unforgettable FIFA World Cup weeks, Granville Street faces its next test | Daily Hive | Urbanized

After weeks of celebrations during the FIFA World Cup, Downtown Vancouver's Granville Street Pedestrian Zone is entering its next phase.

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Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Our Director of Operations, Joshua Davidson, spoke with @justinmcelroy.bsky.social about the extension of the Granville Pedestrian Zone and how we'll be using the grant funding to bring even more programming and activations to Granville Street this summer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QC...

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Day ONE of the Granville Street pedestrian zone extension, early Monday morning before the new activations and games are even installed, and people were already arriving to check out the street. Lots of kids! If you’re downtown, come for a stroll, lunch, or bring your work meeting to the street!

People sitting and walking on Granville street early Monday morning.

Kids and families playing the soccer games

Kids climbing on the now iconic banana bench

People signing the big board with their fav World Cup memories, and what they’d like to see on the Street for the rest of the summer.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

The 7-WEEK EXTENSION of the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone in Downtown Vancouver starts MONDAY! Come check out what’s CHANGED. The #WorldCup is ending, but the GREAT STREET is just beginning! Remember, exploring and interacting with a people-place — just BEING there — helps the street succeed!

Image of the Granville Street pedestrian zone upcoming events, with people climbing on the banana-shaped bench in the background. For the period between July 18 and 24th, 2026, the week after the #FIFA World Cup ends.

List of events, everything that’s happening on Granville Street for that week, including a Mandala painting art workshop, live music, DJ set, baby rave, Country Sunday, salsa dancing, free flowers, free cotton candy, free ice cream, etc.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Important news — the patio TVs allowed on Granville Street for #WorldCup games will stay for the 7-week pedestrian street extension. Whitecaps MLS & Vancouver Rise games? Bluejays games? Vancouver Canadians baseball too? ANY team, all summer. Get your jersey on and “Watch the Game on Granville.”

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