Quick Read
- New 24/7 bus lanes are planned for East Hastings Street in Vancouver by Spring 2026.
- B.C. home prices could surge by 27% by 2032 if construction delays persist without new supply.
- Major housing projects, including over 450 new rental homes near Surrey’s SkyTrain, are in development.
- Vancouver General Hospital is set for a significant 3.2 million sq. ft. rebuild and expansion.
- Kelowna’s YLW airport recently opened a $108-million terminal expansion to manage record passenger volumes.
VANCOUVER (Azat TV) – Metro Vancouver and wider British Columbia are currently navigating a critical period of urban transformation, marked by a surge of ambitious projects across housing, transit, and public services. Recent reports from Kenneth Chan, the Urbanized Editor for Daily Hive, underscore a comprehensive push to modernize infrastructure and expand residential options, reflecting the region’s dynamic growth and evolving needs.
Chan’s extensive coverage, spanning the last week of January 2026, details numerous initiatives ranging from new transportation corridors and significant residential developments to major public facility upgrades and strategic economic ventures. These developments collectively paint a picture of a region proactively addressing the challenges of rapid population increase and the demand for enhanced urban living.
Catalyzing Connectivity: Transit and Infrastructure Upgrades
Transportation infrastructure is a central focus for the region. Vancouver is set to implement new 24/7 bus lanes on a segment of East Hastings Street, with changes expected by Spring 2026, aiming to improve transit efficiency in a key urban corridor. Concurrently, a four-month detour on 8th Avenue, transforming it into a ‘New Broadway,’ is underway to facilitate ongoing subway construction, a move that has generated both anticipation and concern among local businesses, according to Chan’s reporting.
Further emphasizing transit advancements, TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn recently highlighted the organization’s commitment to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) approach, underscoring ‘certainty and delivery’ in expanding efficient public transport options, particularly referencing the King George Boulevard BRT project. However, the region has also faced infrastructure challenges, notably the Fraser River bridge closure following a vessel strike, which revealed ‘more significant’ damage than initially assessed, complicating repair plans and prompting a precautionary boil water advisory.
Beyond Metro Vancouver, British Columbia’s second busiest airport, Kelowna’s YLW, recently opened a significant $108-million terminal building expansion to accommodate record passenger volumes. In downtown Vancouver, the City is actively seeking federal and provincial loans to demolish the long-debated viaducts, a crucial step to kickstart the 2018-approved Northeast False Creek Plan, which promises to reshape a substantial portion of the city’s waterfront.
Addressing the Housing Crunch: Residential and Commercial Development
The housing market remains a critical concern, with reports indicating that B.C. home prices are at risk of a substantial 27% jump by 2032 if current construction delays persist. Chan highlighted expert warnings that a ‘consistent stream of new supply is vital’ to mitigate this projection. In response, various residential projects are moving forward, such as the City of Surrey’s partnership with a developer on the Scott Road SkyTrain rental project, which is expected to create over 450 new homes.
Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood is also seeing proposed changes, with a condo tower eyed to replace a Burrard Street gas station. Similarly, a 26-storey tower, set to include over 200 rental homes, has been proposed for West Broadway, strategically located near a future SkyTrain station. In the commercial lodging sector, the Listel Hotel redevelopment on Robson Street is slated for completion in 2029, set to welcome a Hyatt brand hotel.
Despite ongoing challenges, forecasts suggest that pent-up demand will drive Canada’s housing recovery in 2026 and 2027, though the recovery is not expected to be uniformly distributed across all markets.
Public Services and Economic Diversification
Public services are also undergoing significant upgrades. Vancouver General Hospital is planning a massive rebuild that will introduce 3.2 million square feet of new space, an expansion expected to make the facility ‘completely unrecognizable’ upon completion. Furthermore, the City of Vancouver’s landfill in Delta, previously slated for closure as early as 2030, has been confirmed to remain operational for another 20 years, ensuring long-term waste management solutions for the region.
Economically, British Columbia is seeing notable activity. Vancouver-based General Fusion is preparing to go public in what is described as a first-of-its-kind fusion energy deal, with proponents declaring that ‘the fusion era is now.’ In another significant transaction, a Taiwanese ride manufacturer has acquired Vancouver-based Flyover for US$78 million, marking a substantial investment in the local entertainment technology sector. Politically, the Surrey First party has confirmed all its City Council candidates well in advance of the upcoming election, signaling their intent to engage in ‘serious discussions with Surrey residents.’
The comprehensive scope of these reported developments, as captured by Kenneth Chan, demonstrates Metro Vancouver and British Columbia’s multifaceted approach to managing growth and enhancing urban resilience. From proactive transit solutions and crucial housing initiatives to significant public service modernizations and strategic economic investments, the region is clearly positioning itself for a future defined by continued expansion and complex urban evolution.