City
Vancouver is a World Class City, Right?
Gary Stephen Ross, in an article he wrote on Vancouver that appears in the latest Walrus Magazine, provides a portrait of the many different sides of our city. Now, I was kind of skeptical going into this article, considering it was written by the editor-in-chief of Vancouver Magazine, a local rag I find mostly vapid and overly-glossy (kind of like Vancouver sometimes, actually -- but more on that later). My test of a good magazine is basically this: if I can't tell the difference between what's content and what's an advertisement, back on the rack it goes -- Vancouver Magazine often fails this test. But I digress.
Ross hits on some of the usual points, but one of the most interesting sections in his essay is titled: The World-Class Thing.
Ah, yes, the "world-class thing". By my count, there are two camps of Vancouverites: those that enjoy and propagate the world-class thing, and those that are embarrassed by the world-class thing. Ross brings up a good point in that you can't declare yourself a world-class city, much like you can't declare yourself a genius or insane. It has to come from outside. Otherwise, it's like giving yourself a nickname. Or, put another way, it's like a father buying himself his own "World's Best Dad" t-shirt and then parading it around the office. Basically, it's lame.
However, Ross' own magazine is probably the number one champion of extolling Vancouver's self-promoted nickname. All you have to do is take a look at the special guide to the city they put out which says on the cover something to effect of: Your guide to the world's most livable city. And it's not even just Vancouver -- it's the whole province that falls into the boastful trap. British Columbia: The Best Place on Earth. Really? The best? On earth? Somehow this rings as false as those 400 hot dog carts that announce they serve best hot dogs in the city. Someone's lying here.
Vancouver seems to make up for its fairly small population and young history with buckets of low self-esteem that translate into a sort of awkward combination of outright bragging and bashful egoism. Basically, we're like that guy you used to know who put all his trophies on the living room mantel, invited you over for dinner, and then acted all coy and shy when you pointed them out. "Oh, those? I forgot those were there, but since you asked..."
Have we no shame? Can't we just let our city speak for itself? Do we really need to put all this make-up on and dress it up slutty? I for one would like to see Vancouver un-pop its collar and tone down a bit. We need to stop obsessing about our livability ranking on international surveys that no one cares about except us. Because it's only when Vancouver stops constantly checking its reflection in nearby mirrors that we'll ripen into our own city. Right now there is too much naval-gazing and self-congratulatory high fives.
And, of course, the Olympics fuels this fire to no end. As Vancouver gets ready to show its O face in a week, I wonder what we're going to do when it's over. We will no longer be the Winter Olympic City as that title moves to Sochi for 2014. We will be the infinitely less sexy Former Winter Olympic City, a title we'll share with many other World-Class cities like, you know, Calgary. And I predict a crisis of identity as the international attention evaporates in the blink of an eye. Just as soon as Vancouver is finished pirouetting its grand entrance into the ball, we'll find we're no longer the guest of honour.
I moved into Vancouver in 2003 and so my entire experience with living here has been seen through the Olympic prism. I almost can't imagine what anyone is going to talk about anymore. It's like when George Bush finally left office and all the stand-up comedians suddenly had 75% less material to work with. They adapted, so I suppose we will, too.
But the real test will be whether we let our ego swell until its bursts, or actually grow up. Whether we can escape the trap of constantly comparing ourselves to others, and find our own niche, our own distinctive city-voice, or if instead we will relegate ourselves to an eternity of sideways glances to make sure the world is still looking.
Photo by Johnny Foto in the BR Flickr Pool.
Postscript: an example of this anxious need to compare/contrast ourselves with other "world-class" cities is the two references I've read recently to the intersection at Cambie and Broadway, one saying it is poised to become Vancouver's Yonge and Bloor and another saying it is poised to become Vancouver's Times Square. How about we say it is poised to become Vancouver's Cambie and Broadway? I mean, can't we even have our own intersection?
Discussion
20 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
Great post. I've been wondering myself why all the hyperbole is necessary. I swear it wasn't like this in the 90s, we were just basically the Canadian version of Seattle, and it was just fine. The rise in attitude seems to be pretty closely correlated with the run-up of real estate values in the city starting in 2002. Another thing I've noticed is usually the more rah-rah a person is about Vancouver, the more scared they are of setting food in the USA for fear of being shot on sight. So I kind of get the feeling people aren't as worldly as they like to think, making "best place" comparisons rather suspect.
That said, sunny days like this are sweet!
"Whether we can escape the trap of constantly comparing ourselves to others..
I believe that was the point of the story. Before you can compare yourself to other cities, you would have actually had to have gone to the other city to check it out, and most Vancouverites have not, thus the irony.
I've been here 5 years, really trying to immerse myself into what makes Vancouver a great city. The only time I ever hear anyone discussing if Vancouver is a world class city is on articles and blogs mocking these imaginary people having this discussion. News flash buddy, you are just writing about yourself and others in your profession. *No* one else is talking about it.
Broadway and Cambie is the new Yonge and Bloor? Or the new Times Square? Jesus, the people out there are delusional. Nice article, by the way.
Great post. Couldn't agree with you more as I find myself on the embarrassed side too often in this town.
I don't live in Vancouver but I spend quite a bit time here and have for several years now. Additionally, I have travelled extensively around the world. For you locals who are concerned that Vancouver does not live up to its world class promotion, let me assure that, yes, indeed, it does. Vancouver is world class and sets a standard all its own.
Thank you so much for posting this. This is something that's been on my mind for a while, and I really don't understand why this "world class city" thing keeps popping up. Why can't we just be a unique city? A one-of-a-kind city that can take good ideas without losing our identity? "World class" means nothing when it comes to affordability, liveability, a welcoming sense of community or anything like that.
The World Class thing has always irked me too. I think the proliferation of this idiotic phrase lies with the media more than citizens themselves. In the 3 years I've lived here I've only heard one person actually use the "World Class" designation in earnest. With that said, the vast majority of people I associate with aren't native Vancouverites, so perhaps my perspective is skewed.
My real beef is with how this "we're the best" attitude manifests itself in a complete refusal to critique ourselves and our city. A good example, in my opinion, is the blog Vancouver is Awesome. While I very much support the idea of extolling the many virtues of our city, the editors seem totally unwilling to entertain any content that isn't congratulatory. Yes yes, the blog is called Vancouver is Awesome, I understand. That doesn't mean every post has to be a giant circle jerk. They recently posted a picture of Gordon Campbell on some Olympic zipline. The comments on the post were turned off from the get-go. Why? Are you terrified someone might slander the honorable Mr.Campbell? Soil the precious utopian worldview you've manufactured?
If you love the place you live, don't you think it valuable to look at events/people/experiences through a critical lens? Evaluate your shortcomings and flaws in hope to improve. Hmmmm?
Why hasn't anyone mentioned our fabulous license plates "THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH"?
RB:
Why hasn't anyone mentioned our fabulous license plates "THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH"?
Didn't I mention that very slogan?
I'm glad to see posters up with the old BC slogan: Super, Natural British Columbia
It's way less presumptuous and is kind of clever.
I'm a born and raised Vancouverite, and I can't imagine any Vancouverite other than marketers actually using the phrase "world class city." These marketers and tour operators have fooled us all into believing this is the usual conversation around town-- they've done a good job then.
Like "part-timer" commented, the times that I HAVE heard Vancouver praised like this by "real" people (ie not typed words in glossy magazines), is from foreign visitors who perhaps do meet our criteria to have that perspective. I've travelled a lot and on my travels, the people I meet tend to get either excited or envious when I say I'm from Vancouver. It seems that Vancouver has recently become a top destination for many people overseas. Some young people have told me they dream of living and work here-- it's become the latest hip backpacking or working holiday destination. I'm always flattered by it and yes, slightly embarrassed in a bashful "oh, this old dress?" kinda way, but it has made me realize that yes, people do consider us world-class, and in my experience they're frequently not the locals.
Compared to Denver, Calcutta or freaking Tel Aviv we're world class city - no doubt about it.
Nicely done Jake! I sincerely hope all this Olympic hoopla leaves the city for the better. If nothing else, I'm sure the games will spur on more thoughtful observers like yourself. Never a bad thing.
Erin:
I'm a born and raised Vancouverite, and I can't imagine any Vancouverite other than marketers actually using the phrase "world class city." These marketers and tour operators have fooled us all into believing this is the usual conversation around town-- they've done a good job then.
Like "part-timer" commented, the times that I HAVE heard Vancouver praised like this by "real" people (ie not typed words in glossy magazines), is from foreign visitors who perhaps do meet our criteria to have that perspective. I've travelled a lot and on my travels, the people I meet tend to get either excited or envious when I say I'm from Vancouver. It seems that Vancouver has recently become a top destination for many people overseas. Some young people have told me they dream of living and work here-- it's become the latest hip backpacking or working holiday destination. I'm always flattered by it and yes, slightly embarrassed in a bashful "oh, this old dress?" kinda way, but it has made me realize that yes, people do consider us world-class, and in my experience they're frequently not the locals.
so so true. Same here. Born and raised a vancouverite and I dont think i've ever had that conversation with locals. Almost any city/country would self-promote to attract tourists
OK Vancouver, you are a World Class City. Do you feel better now?
It's called marketing.
I've been in Vancouver for a year now, having lived in a number of other cities (London, Dublin, Munich, San Francisco) and have consistently been taken aback by the vehemence of peoples attitudes in/towards the city. As noted by Geoff there is a complete inability to objectively look at the place. Any sort of critiquing tends to be at best poo-pooed, but in some cases I've had my hometown or nationality attacked for having the temerity to comment on Vancouver's awesomeness.
In my opinion its a nice, small city with a big homeless problem. Vancouver has little within itself that is world class, however proximity to the mountains and sea, fantastic climate and lowish crime make it a desirable place to live, no arguments here. But the worst thing about Vancouver is having to listen to consistent bleating about Vancouver's greatness - the words "World Class" may not be necessarily used but there is a pervasive "We're better than everywhere else, why wouldn't you want to be here?" attitude. Its close to enough to turn me off the place completely.
Yeah it's just the marketing, and it works... for the masses. This city is setup for the outdoorsman who seldom ventures onto thoughtful sites like this one. So unfortunately this will largely fall on deaf ears.
I was born and raised in Vancouver .... anyone who travels knows that this chest beating about Vancouver being the best place in the world is "Crap". It rains 6 to 9 months of the year.... continuously. It can be very depressing but when the sun comes out it does feel like the best place in the world. That being said, someone living in a damp cave for this length of time would find Calgary the best place to live in the world on a nice day. (Nothing against Calgary ... every city has it's pros and cons) I do not really like where the city has gone... it is a speculators city, addresses for many new owners, home to few of them. Ever look at the city skyline at night? Either people live in perpetual darkness or nobody is home... I think it is the latter. This city is has gotten very strange, expensive with salaries on the average that do not match... hey, kind of like a resort town. That's it, Vancouver has become a quasi resort town..that would explain all the marketing and chest beating..got to keep up the hype. The only people that actually make enough money to live here are the realtors which live off the people dropping big money from wherever. Sigh... Now I know how the natives felt. All I can say to people is, "live" in Vancouver a full year, not just drop in when it is luckily not raining, ... then make your judgement... it may just be a beautiful place to visit. You would surprised how many people move back to where they came from. For me, I am sitting on the fence, can't make up my mind if the beautiful scenery and outdoors is enough to keep me as a permanent resident here .. maybe when the real estate market dumps, like it will, and all the rock star realtors find another city to package, hype and sell, I may stay.
Meanwhile, interesting watch ... hey it's sunny outside, what a beautiful city.
Oh Yes, Great article... bang on!