Vancouver's Urbanarium debates ask 'difficult questions' about city's future

The first in a series of unusualhousing debateskicks off inVancouverWednesday, as urban development experts tryto tackle some of the most polarizing issues in the city.

The Urbanarium City Debates have been organized by the Urbanarium, a non-profit group made up of academics, city planners and citizens, in partnership withUBC.

The firstdebatesuggests adding density to allneighbourhoods.

OrganizerLeslie VanDuzersays public debates are a good way to really hear all angles to a problemand hopefully change some minds.

"If people are not open minded enough to be persuaded of another point of view, we're stuck," said VanDuzer.

At each debate, teams of experts argue competing visions for solving what organizers callMetro Vancouver's biggest challenges.

Audience members vote before and after each debate, with a prize awarded to the team which changes the most people's minds.

Some of the city's most recognized names will be at Wednesday's sold-outdebate at the Museum of Vancouver, including former mayor Sam Sullivan and former planner Brent Toderien.

Van Duzer says she'slooking forward to a heated exchange.

"I am personally hoping that people will be fairly aggressive in really asking some difficult questions of one another where they disagree."

A second debate onFeb. 3 at UBCRobson Square Theatre will focus on whether to build fewer high rises, withfour further(as yet undefined)debates scheduled before summer.