Broken Streets
By Manon Paradis
18 April 2008
I moved to Vancouver, British Columbia over 13 years ago and have been captivated with the Downtown Eastside from the beginning. I started out taking the bus everyday to work gazing out of the window wondering how this neighborhood was so different from the rest of the city.
The 10-block area rests along the waterfront and is the oldest neighborhood in Vancouver, a bustling spot in the 1880's for industrial activity which is still visible in some spots today. The area used to be the city's hotspot where entertainment and shopping was prime location and real estate was owned by city hall, banks, hotels, theatres and department stores. The Downtown Eastside experienced a dramatic change in the 1950's because the streetcars stopped using this major artery known as East Hastings, which lead to less traffic and businesses moving to other places in the city.
While the neighborhood seemed to be taking a turn for the worst the rest of Vancouver was experiencing a shortage in low-income housing, those in need relocated to the Downtown Eastside. Not too long after there was a lack of funding from the federal government towards psychiatric institutions which lead to thousands of patients moving to the Downtown Eastside because it was the only affordable place.
For over 20 years this forgotten neighborhood has been filled with garbage, syringes, dilapidated buildings and broken neon signs. The area is no longer the thriving community it once was and is now lined with pawn shops, bars, clinics, and residential hotels. Many of the residents are addicted to heroin/crack cocaine or suffer a form of mental illness and prostitution is prevalent on most corners. People can be found huddled in groups or alone in dark doorways injecting their fragile bodies with the medicine that feeds their addiction.
Living in Vancouver one cannot help but hear so many stories of this troubled and neglected neighborhood. Most people try to ignore the area or give the excuse that it's a dangerous crime ridden area filled with drugs and addicts. While this area is one of the poorest in Canada it holds some of the richest and important heritage sites in Vancouver. Distinct characteristics are found on every corner block which makes this area more interesting than the manicured landscapes found in the rest of the city.
As gritty as the Downtown Eastside seems to be I am fascinated by it and feel safe. I often find myself visiting the streets walking down the alleyways with camera in hand. The neighborhood holds more charm and honesty than most areas in Vancouver and I personally think it deserves more respect.
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