Woodgrove is the northern gateway of Nanaimo – why hasn’t it gained greater importance?
As the City of Nanaimo pushes to transform Woodgrove into a complete community, it’s high time to change the face of Woodgrove urban centre.
What does it truly mean to have a complete community? Is it simply about offering various types of housing? Not really, it’s way more than that. It means advocating for a mix of residential, retail, and office spaces, along with amenities, all conveniently located within a 15- to 20-minute walk. Specifically, it’s about activating the urban space to be more vibrant, user-friendly, and inclusive. That’s when it becomes a real gateway. This shift is not just a necessity but an opportunity for the Woodgrove area to thrive as a dynamic community.
Case for mixed-use
Is it time to rethink shopping malls? What if Woodgrove is more than a mall – would you live, work, and thrive there?
Shopping malls began shaping the Canadian retail landscape in the 1960s and 1970s, emerging as single-use spaces designed primarily for commercial activity. However, their development remained limited as urban land was prioritized for other uses, such as industrial and office spaces. With constrained space in city centres, retailers turned to the urban periphery, establishing large-format power centres. Yet, their distribution remains uneven, and their locations present accessibility challenges, making them less universally accessible despite their convenience as one-stop shopping destinations. Meanwhile, small businesses and strip malls have become essential pillars of the local economy, offering accessible goods and services that cater to the needs of the surrounding community.
As commuting choices are heavily influenced by neighbourhood characteristics, featuring medium- to high-density mixed uses reduces dependence on vehicles and encourages walking. Bringing in mixed-use buildings allows multi-functional spaces that support local economies and enrich urban livability.
Transforming Woodgrove into a densified mixed-use development cultivates a more lively and sustainable community.
Importance of placemaking
Placemaking is about creating spaces that bring people together. The concept of three ‘D’s – density, diverse land uses, and user-friendly design – activates the urban space. There are many examples of cities like Vancouver having successfully integrated similar concepts, proving that mixed-use developments contribute to economic resilience and urban sustainability.
A well-designed Woodgrove Centre should feature a pedestrian and bike-friendly streetscape. A perfect example could be Metral Drive, planned using Dutch-inspired concept serving as example of complete street. Green spaces, public art, plazas, markets, open-air gathering spots and cultural amenities will really boost the experience for both residents and visitors. These urban elements when integrated along with the key part of the densified mixed-use development plan will promote community interaction, local economy and urban well-being.
A vision for the future
The City of Nanaimo has a unique opportunity to lead by example. By embracing mixed-use principles and placemaking strategies, Woodgrove Centre can transition from a conventional shopping mall into a thriving urban node. This transformation will set a precedent for future urban developments in Nanaimo and beyond.
In an era when communities are re-thinking the role of public spaces, Nanaimo must seize this moment to create an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable future for Woodgrove urban centre.
Achilles Sophia is a master of community planning student at VIU.
