"This exhibition is a test case, an idea fragment, for a notion which is presently "under construction" in Vancouver. The Urbanarium Development Society is working on finding a facility for further exploration into the complexities and possibilities of life in the city. We Call this facility the Urbanarium."

From the exhibition catalogue.

Catherine Alkenbrack curated this wide ranging exhibition and forum on urban change while the last buildings from Expo 86 were being raised from the shores of False Creek. The idea was to bring together architects, artists and community planners into a dialogue about Vancouver's future with the hopes of establishing a permanent centre for exploring change in the urban environment. This lofty goal lasted about for about two weeks during the run of the show.

As a kind of model for urban renewal, Urbanarium was held in the soon to be bulldozed old British Columbia Provincial Motor Vehicle Test Station. Art installations and architect concepts were posted around the partially demolished interior and a forum site was set up for a series of public presentations.

A 44 page newsprint catalogure was published to accompany the proceedings with writings by Abraham Rogatnick, Russell Keziere and Martin Lewis. See Henri Robideau's catalogue entry: