A Stroll Down Memory Lane (Way)

The laneway house, as it’s come to be known in Vancouver, is a modern revival of an old idea. It evokes a time when families shared not just meals but walls, when grandparents lived a stone’s throw from their grandchildren, and when neighbourhoods were built on more than proximity. In 2009, Vancouver formalized this enduring idea with the introduction of “laneway homes”, inviting homeowners to transform underutilized spaces into modern, functional dwellings. 

But this wasn’t Vancouver’s invention. Secondary units have existed in countless forms across North America for decades. From “Casitas” in California to “Ohana Units” in Hawaii, the trend of creating housing within housing has steadily gained momentum. These are all forms of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs—a term that has become central to the conversation about how we live now.

The Quiet Revolution of ADUs

ADUs are the unsung heroes of modern urban planning. They take many forms—converted basements, backyard studios, a well-placed “bump out”, or reimagined interiors that divide a floor plan. However, the philosophy behind them is consistent: finding ways to make existing spaces work harder and smarter for the people who call them home. 

Whatever you call them, ADUs respond to universal challenges—affordability, accessibility, and flexibility—while reflecting the unique needs of their communities.

For communities, the impact is equally profound; adding density in a way that feels organic rather than imposed. They’re a human-scale answer to the sprawling developments that often dominate housing debates.

Rethinking the Boundaries of Home

The laneway program in Vancouver marked a philosophical shift in how the City thinks about space. It invited residents to reimagine their properties not as fixed entities but as evolving opportunities. 

By transforming underutilized spaces into dynamic opportunities, the program challenged long-held ideas about property and zoning, encouraging residents to see their homes as part of a larger, interconnected ecosystem. Density became a task that could be accomplished on a household level, not just by imposing towers that shadow our existing homes and neighbourhoods. This shift wasn’t merely bureaucratic; it invited a fundamental rethinking of how cities grow and adapt.

Bill 44 builds on this legacy, taking on the principles of flexibility and equity at a provincial level. By easing restrictions on multiplexes and expanding the potential for laneway housing, the legislation underscores the urgent need to reevaluate who benefits from single-family zoning and why. This is not just about creating more housing units; it’s about redefining what it means to belong to a community.

While the government sets the stage with policies like Bill 44, the success of these initiatives hinges on homeowners embracing a new mindset. For families, this means seeing their properties not as static monuments but as evolving spaces that can meet changing needs. For communities, it’s a call to value inclusivity and adaptability as much as aesthetics or tradition.

A New Chapter in Urban Living

What started as a modest backyard experiment has grown into a transformative movement. ADUs represent a shift not just in how we build but in how we think about home itself. They challenge us to reconsider the spaces we occupy and to innovate within the available and underutilized resources in order to preserve and nourish the communities we love. 

Laneway homes remind us that sometimes the biggest changes start with the smallest spaces. And that’s a story worth celebrating.