We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Chinatown Story Map on our website! In collaboration with UBC ACAM 320J 2024 cohort students Cheng Chi and Rea Chatterjee, the digital mapping tool is a collective community storytelling project where anyone can build onto the story with their own experiences, reflections and dreams as a larger story of Chinatown is tied together. This map visualizes the ongoing history of Chinatown as full of many stories- continuous, dynamic and alive.

View the Map Here!

The Chinatown Story Map takes place and is imagined on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ  (Tsleil-Waututh) lands. Initially launched as a physical workshop at Current Symposium in Summer 2023 and inspired by Vanessa Lee’s 2016 Our Chinatown Maps project at Unit/Pitt, this counter-mapping project aims to challenge the ways in which maps and borders have been used as colonial tools to further settler colonial logics and divide marginalized communities. Although faced with segregation, migration, displacement, violence and racist policy- Chinatown is a community with a tradition of resistance, mutual aid and solidarity building. This community map aims to understand and imagine Chinatown as a place beyond imposed borders which divide. Instead we aim to build understanding of place through everyday experiences, how we are in relationship with one another, and the imaginations of futures to centre collective wants and needs.

The Chinatown Story Map is designed to capture the essence of Chinatown through its vibrant histories, cultures, and the dreams people have for its future. It’s more than a map—it’s a living, breathing narrative that allows you to:

• Engage with the interactive map.
• Explore stories contributed by the community.
• Contribute YOUR own stories to weave into this collective tapestry!

Themes of the Chinatown Story Map

Through our research and community interviews, three key themes emerged:

• Grief and Loss: Reflecting on what is no longer, has been left behind and the ongoing challenges faced.
• Community and Connection: Celebrating the enduring ties that make Chinatown such an important and cherished place.
• Dreams and Futures: Imagining what Chinatown could become, driven by the hopes and aspirations.

These themes guide users to experience Chinatown as an interconnected space where past, present, and future coexist. From community centers to seniors’ stories, youth initiatives, mahjong nights, and the stories of meat mongers, the map is a testament to the enduring spirit and complexity of Chinatown.

Why It Matters

The Chinatown Story Map is not just about documenting history; it’s about creating a shared vision for the community. By highlighting the voices and stories of the community, the map preserves the richness of Chinatown’s past while paving the way for a vibrant, inclusive future. It’s a tool for reflection, connection, and action.

Add Your Story to the Map

We invite you to share your own Chinatown story and become part of this collective project. Click here to contribute your story and build this vibrant tapestry of memories and dreams.

Let’s celebrate the heart of Chinatown together—its people, its stories, and its boundless possibilities!

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