British Columbia

New WTO Rules Could Threaten City Planning

A new WTO proposal on domestic deregulation could have a significant impact on the ability of planning departments to undertake zoning and land use planning activities, restrict signage, and create guidelines and other design-related criteria. Ellen Gould and Andrew Pask examine the implications, using their city of Vancouver as an example.

10 July 2008 - 5:00am

B.C. Carbon Tax Kicks In

British Columbia's carbon tax went into action this week, raising the price of fossil fuels by just over two cents. Despite some tax concessions in other areas, many drivers remain opposed to the carbon tax.

2 July 2008 - 1:00pm

The Globe & Mail

Vancouverism on Exhibition

An unusual art installation in Trafalgar Square draws attention to Vancouverism: Westcoast Architecture and City Building, an exhibition about the city's achievements in urban development, engineering and architecture.

24 June 2008 - 12:00pm

The Vancouver Sun

Toronto Looks West

This column from the Toronto Star argues that Toronto needs to take at least a few lessons from Vancouver if it wants to improve its planning.

18 June 2008 - 11:00am

The Toronto Star

'EcoDensity' Comes Through in Vancouver

A major rezoning plan has been approved in Vancouver, including the toughest environmental standards in North America.

13 June 2008 - 7:00am

The Vancouver Sun

Controversial Public Art Piece Given the Boot

Vancouverites send a sculpture packing, stirring up a debate over the role of public art.

13 June 2008 - 5:00am

The Canadian Press

Too Many Condos, Not Enough Jobs

Planners in Vancouver are moving to curb booming residential growth to expand commercial development downtown. 'It's all good to walk and bike to work, but if you don't have offices for people to go to, that makes things rather difficult.'

11 June 2008 - 6:00am

The Vancouver Sun

12 Kilometers of Subway, or 175 of Trams?

Vancouver has plans to spend nearly $3 billion on a 12-km stretch of subway. But a recent study shows that same amount of money could be used to create a tram system covering more than 175 km in the city.

6 June 2008 - 7:00am

The Tyee

Duany Plans For 'Urban Agriculture' in B.C.

Andres Duany led a recent charrette in Tsawwassen, B.C., resulting in a unique plan focused on walkability and local agriculture.

21 May 2008 - 2:00pm

Delta Optimist

Is New Urbanism A 'Last Gasp' Attempt to Reform Suburbanism?

Plans to bring New Urbanist designs into British Columbia will do little to stem suburban sprawl, according to this column from the Globe and Mail.

21 May 2008 - 10:00am

The Globe & Mail

»

2 comments

A Realtor's Solution For Creating Affordalble Housing

An influential Vancouver Realtor has proposed a density bonus scheme that he says would get developers to provide more housing affordable to first-time buyers.

15 May 2008 - 1:00pm

The Province

Victoria Follows Portland in Putting 'Housing First'

This video from CBC looks at how Victoria, British Columbia, plans to mimic the efforts of Portland, Oregon, to reduce homelessness by taking a "housing first" approach.

28 April 2008 - 5:00am

CBC News: The National

Gonna Green Me A Condo

From construction to infrastructure to social marketing, the Dockside Green condominiums in Victoria B.C. is becoming recognized as the greenest in Canada.

23 April 2008 - 2:00pm

The Globe & Mail

Is Vancouver Ready For EcoDensity?

Already praised for its efforts at encouraging residential density in its urban core, Vancouver's mayor is pushing for a new EcoDensity charter that would push for higher densities citywide. But even in Vancouver, residents are wary of more density.

14 April 2008 - 5:00am

Georgia Straight