Canada's metropolitan centres need new federal arrangements, not just new cash.
Prime Minister Paul Martin promised Canada's cities a "new deal", recognizing that they do not possess the resources necessary to confront the many new challenges currently before them. But his one-size-fits-all approach, consisting of a goods and services tax rebate for municipalities with the promise of a share of the gas tax to come, ignores the fact that many of the issues facing cities need to be addressed at a regional rather than a local level. Even more importantly, it ignores the fact that while many urban regions are bursting at the seams, many others are in serious decline. University of Toronto professor Larry Bourne says that rather than just throwing money at municipalities without any regard for the consequences, Canada's federal government desperately needs to develop a coherent urban policy.
Thanks to Geoffrey Singer
FULL STORY: Urban Canada has two faces
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.