Justin Trudeau is Canada's 23rd prime minister, after his election victory over incumbent Stephen Harper. Trudeau is the son of iconic PM Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and has promised large spending programs to benefit urban areas.
Royson James comments on the urban agenda that contributed to a game-changing election of Liberal Justin Trudeau to the position of prime minister earlier this week in Canada.
James writes: "Certainly, part of the calculus going forward is expectation that the Liberals will be good for cities. Cities — Toronto, Vancouver, parts of Alberta even — were good to Trudeau this election. They’ll be expecting the Liberals to reciprocate the love."
James tells a history of failed urban agendas, dating back to the 90s, when "[c]ampaigns and sustained howling from mayors of all stripes failed to reach the ears of successive prime ministers." That changed in this election, according to James: "the federal parties tripped over themselves to woo the urban voter with promises of infrastructure funding."
"Message finally received," writes James.
As for what the urban agenda Liberals have promised on route to the victory in this election: "The Liberals pledged $19.7 billion over 10 years on 'social infrastructure' targeted at new affordable housing and seniors’ facilities, plus tax breaks to those building affordable rental units."
FULL STORY: Now, Trudeau must live up to his promises to cities: James
Cities Still Absent From Presidential Campaign Politics
Last night's Democratic candidate debate was held in the nation's second largest city, but like previous debates, it left urban issues largely unaddressed.
Smart Cities World Congress Opens its Biggest Event
Organized by Fira de Barcelona at its Gran Via venue, the event is the largest to date, with over 840 exhibiting companies, 700 attending cities and a 31% increase regarding exhibition space, occupying two pavilions for the first time.
Prime Minister Trudeau Extends Carbon Pricing Throughout Canada
A carbon tax-and-dividend plan goes into effect on January 1 in the four Canadian provinces that don't price carbon emissions. Revenues will be rebated to residents, small businesses, and public institutions as Climate Action Incentive payments.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research