The Regeneration Process of Entertainment Zones and the Business Improvement Area Model: A Comparison Between Toronto and Vancouver

Abstract

This paper examines the regeneration process of two entertainment zones in Canada, both of which involve business improvement areas (BIAs) within the local governing structure. The main objective is to analyse the arrangement of local governance and the corresponding influence on the regeneration strategy in each context. Resultantly, it is clear that local governance structure holds significant impact on project outcome, which in both cases has led to similar regeneration strategies with regard to place-making and economic revitalization. As a recommendation moving forward, the BIA model might be twinned with a sustainability assessment of the site in order to produce a more strategic approach to urban regeneration.

Keywords:

• regeneration process
• local governance
• business improvement areas (BIAs)
• entertainment zones
• Canada

Notes

1 BIDs are the equivalent of BIAs but for the USA, Australia and South Africa.

2 On that point, only the southern part of Granville Street is considered as an entertainment zone.

3 The interview guidelines are available from the author.

4 See Darchen (2013).