British Columbia

While Vancouver's downtown residential population has exploded, the housing boom has crowded out commercial office space, to the detriment of the city's economy.

The father of New Urbanism takes on avant-garde architects and environmentalists as he talks about his latest project in Vancouver, Canada.

The city of Victoria, British Columbia, is evaluating a European designed public urinal to cope with the problem of night time public urination.

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.

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.

CBC's "BC This Week" leads off with a 7 minute interview with Vancouver's new lead planner.

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'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.

A new report by the Vancouver Foundation gives the city high marks for livability, but identifies housing and poverty as persistent challenges.

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.

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.

Tofino, a resort community on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is experiencing a severe water shortage due to its rapid development.

The city, which has gained attention for its downtown development strategies, is getting a new planning boss.

With residential development booming, Vancouver officials are concerned that the downtown is losing its commercial vitality.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Cost-consciousness and a narrow field of design firms may mean that the Vancouver Winter Olympics will produce a weak architectural legacy.

The two planners who oversaw highly successful growth in Vancouver for 20 years are calling it quits.