June 17, 1951 – October 3, 2021
It is with heartfelt sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of Alan Duncan. Alan has been a significant and respected Member of the BCSLA and CSLA since 1993. Professionally, Alan was both a Registered Landscape Architect and Registered Professional Planner. He was invested into the CSLA College of Fellows in 2003. Induction to the College of Fellows is one of the highest honours the Society bestows on its members. Alan volunteered as the CSLA College of Fellows Chair from 2016 to 2018. He was instrumental in starting the Public Dreams Society and served as the President.
Alan grew up in the Borough of York in Toronto and attended the University of Guelph graduating from the Landscape Architecture Program in 1973. Upon graduation Alan began practicing Landscape Architecture in Charlottetown, PEI; Edmonton, AB; Toronto, ON and then in Vancouver. In 1990, Alan graduated from the UBC School of Community and Regional Planning with a Master of Arts (Planning) with the focus of his thesis being Public Art in Public Places. Alan was a tireless advocate for many important causes and issues of our time.
Alan started working with the City of Vancouver as a Landscape Architect in the Planning Department in 1989 and moved to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation in 2004 where he worked on a wide array of park planning and design initiatives until his retirement as an Environmental Planner in January 2021. Alan was a champion of tree protection, greenways, bird habitats, public art, education and reconciliation. He spearheaded the City of Vancouver’s Bird Strategy. Alan was instrumental in the shaping of the urban fabric of Vancouver with contributions to Public Art policy including the realization of the First Public Art Greenway, contributing to the city’s bicycle access strategy and the ecological restoration of Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park to name but a few. Alan was respected and trusted by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations through his works in Beaver Lake and Stanley Park.
Vancouver truly became Alan’s adopted home living close to the water in Kitsilano, being a bike ride away from his favorite places of friends, food and events. Alan had many happy places but perhaps most dear to him was his cabin on Hollyburn. He loved the quiet contemplation that he gleefully interrupted with his new electric chainsaw. He was looking forward to spending much more time there.
Alan will be deeply missed by the many colleagues and friends who were fortunate to be touched by this kind, considerate man. In true Alan fashion, there will be celebrations of his life. Time and dates for those memorials will be forthcoming
Respectfully Submitted:
Erik Lees, MBCSLA, FCSLA, RPP, CIP
Illarion Gallant, MBCSLA