This opinion piece from the Toronto Star looks at how the organizational operation of Toronto is preventing it from becoming a more urban city.
Writer Christopher Hume bemoans the city's organization, and blames its excessive bureaucracy for enforcing rules and regulations that are encouraging suburbanization rather than urbanization.
"What makes the situation so frustrating is that the failure goes beyond lack of political or social will - there's no shortage of either. Instead the problem lies within the very organization of the city, its bureaucracy and administration. It can be found in rules and regulations as well as attitudes and assumptions that lie so deep they can be hard to recognize and harder still to change."
"There was an excellent example several weeks ago when the city refused to change its policy against laneway housing. The argument was that lanes are unsafe because they're too narrow for fire trucks and garbage trucks. Unbeknownst to Toronto officials it seems, smaller vehicles are used throughout Europe and Asia, where as far as one knows, the rates of death by fire are no higher than ours."
"It's exactly this kind of thinking that keeps Toronto from realizing its potential, and, if not changed, will lead to its decline. It's also the approach that has kept our streets from becoming more suitable for pedestrians."
FULL STORY: Why T.O. isn't on road to better future

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

USDOT Waters Down Self-Driving Car Regulations
The agency is reducing reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles and cars with self-driving features, prompting concern among safety advocates who say transparency is essential to the safe deployment of AV technology.

‘Minnesota Nice’ Isn’t so Nice When You Can’t Find a Place to Live
The Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program can help address the scourge of homelessness among Indigenous people.

NYC Open Streets Organizers Call for City Support
The number of open streets projects has dropped year after year as volunteer groups struggle to fund and staff them.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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