Until the 1980s, Vancouver was a typical midsized North American city. But after the city hosted Expo 86, something extraordinary happened. This otherwise unremarkable urban centre was transformed into an inspiring world-class city celebrated for its liveability, sustainability, and competitiveness. This book tells the story of the urban planning phenomenon called "Vancouverism" and the philosophy and practice behind it. Writing from an insider's perspective, Larry Beasley, a former chief planner of Vancouver, traces the principles that inspired Vancouverism and the policy framework developed to implement it. A prologue, written by Frances Bula, outlines the political and urban history of Vancouver up until the 1980s. The text is also beautifully illustrated by the author with two hundred color photographs depicting not only the city's vibrancy but also the principles of Vancouverism in action.