"I admit I had a lump in my throat, thinking that one day soon this lot would meet a typical Vancouver fate: the bulldozer, followed by a “water feature”, fake brick and faux stone."

The Fourth Horseman at francesbula.com 23 Jun 2011 3:26pm -
“I often find myself walking down and around our beautiful and unique “country” area of the city, known as Southlands. Did it last night, in fact.
The area was, and still is, bucolic, for the most part. Yet, my beloved “Flats”, is changing, fast.
I walked past an “old timer” home down there, one that I knew from my childhood, near where when my parents used to take me pony riding. We’ve all seen them. A modest little two story stucco home, maybe 60 or 70 years old, with architectural touches that qualify it as a Vancouver ‘character’ home for all who love that sort of thing.
Located on a corner lot that is maybe 50′ long but quite narrow, the house takes up perhaps 1/3 of the lot. What distinguishes this house from others nearby that are far “grander”, is the incredible home garden. It has been tended by the same woman, who has lived in that house for at least 30 years.
When I rounded the corner, on my walk down last night, that vast garden was in full, glorious early summer bloom. It was fairly vibrating with plant life, wafting in the gentle breeze. A serious rose garden that is second to none in this city amongst private homes, and long, long, long borders and bed of delphinium, pinks, campanula, and foxglove amongst the flora. A veggie patch rounds out the glorious site.
I stood out in front , on a perfect summer evening, looking at all this sight, and listening to the perfect sound of near silence. I admit I had a lump in my throat, thinking that one day, this lot, so obviously lovingly, stubbornly and meticulously tended by that old lady in the sun hat, would, in all likelihood and in the not-too-distant-future, meet a typical Vancouver fate: the bulldozer, followed by a “water feature”, fake brick and faux stone.”

All cities move on; develop; ‘progress’. Movement is necessary. Change is inevitable and very often for the better.
During a speculative mania, however, large profits are to be made through rapid and ill-conceived development. This alters behaviour, and people change methods, goals, standards. The resultant ‘progress’ is often no advance at all. – vreaa