Vancouver is one of the most beautiful and multicultural cities of the world. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean with rising mountains to the north, Vancouver has all amenities of a major city including cultural and sporting events, and world-class shopping and dining. Nature is close everywhere in the City, and it is possible to combine several diverse activities within the same day.

Vancouver’s diverse population consists of people from all around the globe and aboriginal people. As Canada’s gateway to Asia, Vancouver has a long tradition with Asian immigrants and reflects this history through continued economic ties and cultural traditions. Vancouver has the second largest Chinatown in North America and is known for its openness and tolerance of people of all cultures, beliefs and orientations. An early statement of Vancouver’s openness is the inscription on the pedestal of the Lord Stanley statue in Stanley Park: “To the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs for all time”. Nature is never far in Vancouver and is reflected in the environmental consciousness of the citizens. The City has implemented several sustainability focussed policies with the stated goal to become the Greenest City by 2020.

Vancouver has a temperate climate with pleasant temperatures throughout the year. In September, the average high temperature is 19 °C and average low temperature is 11 °C. September weather is usually sunny with occasional rain showers.

Not surprisingly, Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life. The Economist Intelligence Unit acknowledged it as the first city to rank among the top-ten of the world's most livable cities for five consecutive years.

Each year, many tourists and convention delegates visit Vancouver, and we look forward to welcoming the IABSE Symposium delegates here in 2017.