The Irish Times

Vancouver City Council's guidelines for high-density housing for families with children specify that it should be located within 800 metres walking distance of an elementary schoool, daycare centre and grocery shopping, and within 400 metres of a playground and public transport stop. The guidelines also say that there should be a sufficient number of family units in a project to give children peers to play with, to encourage a sense of community and to support the provision of adequate amenities for families with children - located and designed to maximise sunlight, especially in winter. "Experience with high-density family projects in Vancouver clearly indicates that satisfaction with common outdoor open space increases as residents have control over its use and as outsiders are effectivedly prevented from entering it uninvited. Gated and locked central courtyards are the preferred design solution."