British Columbia
Vancouver: No Shangri-La After All?
A new report suggests that Vancouver, widely regarded as the world's "most livable" city, is facing a growing population of working poor, inaccessibly expensive housing, and increasing social inequities among minority groups.
High Rise Granny Flats Help Families Afford New Condos
Income from rental suites incorporated to a new condominium project in Vancouver offer mortgage help to families and affordable housing for young singles and seniors.
Interview With Vancouver's New Planning Chief
CBC's "BC This Week" leads off with a 7 minute interview with Vancouver's new lead planner.
Columnist Wants Honesty From Planners, Not A T-Shirt
Urbanism critic Trevor Boddy of Toronto's Globe and Mail is upset with the city planners who significantly changed their plans for his neighborhood without public input. He says the town hall meeting before the decision was all fluff.
Vancouver Report Card Details Areas For Improvement
Vancouver's report card has just been issued, and while the Canadian city has received high marks in such areas as desirability and ethnic diversity, the city is on the verge of failing in terms of its homelessness and housing affordability.
Vancouver Receives Mixed Report Card
A new report by the Vancouver Foundation gives the city high marks for livability, but identifies housing and poverty as persistent challenges.
A Clash Over Sustainable Design For Vancouver Olympics
Planners and developers are clashing over the design of Vancouver's Olympic village for the 2010 games. Some say the developers haven't gone far enough to achieve the 3 E's of sustainability.
Canadian Courts Challenge The Criminalization Of Homelessness
Cities across the U.S. and Canada have implemented bylaws making it illegal to sleep in public places. Now British Columbia's Supreme Court is considering a court case challenging such laws as violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canadian Resort Town Faces Severe Water Shortage
Tofino, a resort community on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is experiencing a severe water shortage due to its rapid development.
Vancouver To Get New Planning Director
The city, which has gained attention for its downtown development strategies, is getting a new planning boss.
When Downtown Becomes Too 'Livable'
With residential development booming, Vancouver officials are concerned that the downtown is losing its commercial vitality.
Smart Growth Key To British Columbians' Health Advantage
BC has about half the obesity rate of the Northwest states, a one-third lower car-crash fatality rate, and its residents live an average of two years longer. Why?
Report Links High Car Crash Fatalities To Sprawl
The Cascadia Scorecard documents an emerging body of research indicating that car-centered urban design contributes to a high death and injury toll from car crashes and a high obesity rate, among other ills.
Why Not Tell The Truth About Rising Gas Prices?
The policy director of Climate Solutions (based in Washington state and British Columbia) opines that rising gas prices have beneficial effects on the environment, and consumers need to be given the truth so as to make real changes in lifestyle.
'Interventionist' Planning Credited for Vancouver's Success
Vancouver's "Living First" strategy, which emphasizes downtown living, as well as careful attention to designing the downtown skyline, has made it one of North America's most livable cities.
Uninspired Architecture For 2010 Winter Games?
Cost-consciousness and a narrow field of design firms may mean that the Vancouver Winter Olympics will produce a weak architectural legacy.
Vancouver's Top Planners Retire
The two planners who oversaw highly successful growth in Vancouver for 20 years are calling it quits.
Regional Parking Tax Faces Business Opposition In Vancouver
TransLink, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, plans to tax businesses per square meter of parking space in order to help pay for a $1.9 billion, three-year improvement plan.
Vancouver Housing Least Affordable In Canada
The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey finds Vancouver housing to be 'severely unaffordable', and 15th worst worldwide.
Adventures In Intercultural Vancouver
How Chinese New Year in Vancouver symbolizes the emergence of a new, unique civic culture.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
