ABSTRACT
Consistently considered one of the more livable cities in the world, Vancouver is also ranked as one of the least affordable. The desirability of its social and physical assets drawing residents both nationally and internationally has resulted in high housing costs which are disenfranchising middle and low-income residents, especially young families and youth who are just forming households. This chapter will outline the conundrum in emphasizing livability factors that do not address the needs of the entire population. The city is increasingly becoming a divided city, with large swatches of affluence surrounding abject poverty. The chapter will conclude with thoughts on how to redefine livability to include factors that address the whole population and the policy implications of this redefinition.
