Canada

Homes

In Appreciation of Gentle Density

How does one talk about density without frightening people? One term that's floating around is "gentle density," referring to the missing middle between mid-rise and detached homes.

March 12, 2017 - Metro Toronto

North Vancouver Skips Past 'Secondary Suites,' Allows a Third 'Coach House' on Every Lot

While some cities debate secondary units and parking controversies, the city of North Vancouver is allowing three units on every single-family lot in the city—parking requirements not included.

March 7, 2017 - North Shore News

Ottawa Moving Ahead with Second Part of its Light Rail Plan

A new tunnel moving east under the Sir John A. Parkway gets approval from National Capital Commission.

January 31, 2017 - Metro News

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Recalling Canada's Former, Climate Change-Denying Prime Minister

There are similarities between the policy actions of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government and the nascent Trump Administration. The differences in approach between these two examples are also telling.

January 27, 2017 - The Atlantic

Dakota Access Pipeline

Trump Reverses Obama's Rejections of Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines

Fulfilling two campaign promises, President Trump conditionally approved two controversial pipelines to transport oil sands from Alberta and Bakken oil from North Dakota, certain to stir opposition from environmentalists and Native Americans.

January 24, 2017 - USA Today

Seattle Light Rail

Transit Ducks in a Row for 2017

2017 will be a big year for transit openings around North America. What will come in the years to follow has a lot to do with the Trump Administration.

January 16, 2017 - the transport politic

Toronto Little Italy

Disproving the Worst Planning Misconceptions with Numbers

Walkability and density have been studied closely, and now their worth has been quantified and proven, according to Brent Toderian in a piece for Metro Toronto.

January 6, 2017 - Metro Toronto

President Obama Enacts Permanent Drilling Ban Along Arctic and Atlantic Coasts

In a precedent-setting action that supporters call creative and opponents view as abusive, President Obama has declared a permanent drilling ban off the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine and along much of the Alaska coast. But will it last?

December 22, 2016 - The New York Times

Street Snow

Untouched Snow Reveals Street Usage

Those who promote safe streets often complain of streets that are too wide, wasting space and promoting reckless speeds. In chilly Calgary, undisturbed snow shows just how much street area is completely unused.

December 14, 2016 - Sneckdown Calgary

Vancouver Skyline

As Goes Vancouver, So Goes Seattle?

What does Vancouver’s housing market implosion mean for the Seattle area?

December 10, 2016 - Crosscut

Oil Pipeline

Prime Minister Trudeau Approves Huge Expansion of Oil Sands Pipeline

The young prime minister's approval to almost triple the capacity of the Kinder Morgan pipeline comes as a surprise given Trudeau's concern for climate change. He approved another Alberta oil sands pipeline but rejected a third.

December 2, 2016 - The New York Times

DAPL Protests

Land Use Planning for and by Indigenous People

A new book examines the potential for coexistence between indigenous people and the post-development ethos of 21st century planning practice. Canada and Australia provide the case studies, but surely U.S. planners should also heed these lessons.

November 24, 2016 - The Guardian

Library

Professor: Good Planning Starts with Good Judgment

A Calgary researcher pushes for outcome-oriented planning.

October 31, 2016 - Calgary Herald

Toronto Skyline B&W

Help Wanted: Canadian Cities Turn to the Federal Government for Affordable Housing

An organization representing Canadian cities is asking for $12.7 billion to respond to rising housing costs.

October 28, 2016 - Next City

Carbon Tax

Deciding the Price of Canada's Carbon

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau aims to institute a national carbon price in Canada.

October 24, 2016 - The Economist

Flooding

Five Canadian Cities Already Facing Climate Change

The CBC produced an interactive feature about the dangers of climate change in Canada, focusing on five cities threatened by environmental factors like sea-level rise, flooding, and wildfires.

October 10, 2016 - CBC Radio

Justin Trudeau

Trudeau Reveals Huge Plan to Build New Canadian Infrastructure

In an effort to stimulate the Canadian economy and modernize Canada's infrastructure Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a plan to spend $120 billion CAD on infrastructure over the next decade.

October 6, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Before I die

Redefining Success for Younger Generations

A new book by Courtney Martin called "The New Better Off" examines the shift in values among younger generations.

September 19, 2016 - CityLab

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

A Twitter Feed that Sings About Placemaking

"My twitter stream is alive with the sound of placemaking," writes Chuck Wolfe. While preparing for this week's Placemaking Week in Vancouver, he explains the importance of PPS-led programming and hopes for various panels, proceedings and events.

September 12, 2016 - The Huffington Post

Canada Trail

Meet Canada's 'Great Trail'—20,770 Kilometers of Car-Free Trail

It doesn't matter what country you're from, if you like to ride your bike in beautiful places away from cars, you'll be envious of Canada's Great Trail.

September 4, 2016 - MTL Blog

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.