Ontario

'Great Green Living Room' Proposed for Toronto's Central Waterfront

The winners of a design competition to overhaul a popular tourist destination in Toronto have been announced. Now comes the hard part.

April 16, 2015 - National Post

Not 'The One' and Done—Toronto Amidst a Skyscraper Building Boom

Toronto has been the hottest scene In North America for skyscrapers in recent years, leading to comparisons to New York of the 1920s. Here's a look at a new wave of expected skyscrapers in Toronto.

March 17, 2015 - Urban Toronto

Crude-by-Rail's New Workhorse No Better than the Old Workhorse

The new oil tank cars were supposed to be key to preventing the fiery explosions associated with oil-train derailments. However, four recent explosions since Feb. 14, with two occurring last Thursday and Saturday, all involved the new tankers.

March 10, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

Cause of Crude-by-Rail Explosions Identified

The Wall Street Journal's senior energy reporter, Russell Gold, is interviewed on NPR about the February 16 derailment and explosion in West Virginia of an oil-train hauling 109 tanker cars of Bakken crude from North Dakota.

March 6, 2015 - NPR

Canada to Hold Shippers, Railways Fully Accountable for Oil-Train Derailments

Since the July 2013 derailment and explosion of an oil train in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec* killed 47, Canada has contributed C$155 million toward the rebuilding effort because the railroad's insurance was insufficient.

February 24, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

On the Professional Benefits of Tactical Urbanism

An installment from Spacing's "Cities for People" series makes the case for tactical urbanism as a supplement to professional practice.

January 29, 2015 - Spacing

The Dramatic Evolution of Toronto's Skyline

An image comparing the present day with Toronto from only 13 years ago has some comparing the Canadian city to New York in the 1920s.

January 20, 2015 - National Post

Kids Crossing the Street

How to Promote a Kid-Friendly, Walkable City

Jennifer Keesmaat, chief planner and executive director for the city of Toronto, shares tips for how to create safe, fun environments for children.

January 7, 2015 - Active for Life

Toronto's New Building Code Adds Height for Wood-Framed Buildings

The beginning of 2015 saw changes to Toronto's building code that will allow wood construction up to six stories. Supporters of the code change see multiple potential benefits from the code change.

January 5, 2015 - Metro News

Parking Meter Revenues Donated to Santa Claus Fund for Low Income Families

A small town in Northern Ontario, Canada, annually gives its parking meter revenues over a two-week period to a fund providing aid for low income families over the holidays.

December 4, 2014 - The Kapuskasing Times

Food Deserts Won't be Quenched by Mobile Markets

While mobile food markets can bring healthy produce to neighborhoods without grocery stores, their current model for driving food around cities is not financially sustainable.

December 4, 2014 - Fast Co.Exist

Toronto to Narrow its Traffic Lanes

Toronto will begin rolling out a program to narrow traffic lanes on the city's streets. The new lane policy, recently completed, was in the works for the past year.

November 28, 2014 - The Globe and Mail

Great Lakes Leaders Call for Drinking Water Protections

In light of August's drinking water catastrophe in Toledo, Ohio, Great Lakes mayors gathered this week to call for policy action to protect water resources round the Great Lakes.

September 25, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Ottawa Transitway ROW

Ottawa Offers Lessons in Transitioning from BRT to Light Rail

Nour Aoude examines the planning efforts behind Ottawa's new Confederation light rail line, which will replace sections of the over-used Transitway bus rapid transit line.

August 31, 2014 - Global Site Plans

Chicago Metra Rail Struggles with High Rates of Suicide

Chicago's Metra commuter rail service has a big problem on its hands: Distressed people are resorting to using train tracks to end their lives at a higher rate than in other major cities. Would partnering with a suicide-hotline agency stem the tide?

August 30, 2014 - Governing

Toronto GO Transit

How Toronto is Making its Commuter Rail More Like Rapid Transit

Fifteen years in the making, Toronto is finally seeing increased ridership of its main commuter rail system, GO Transit, by changing its model from primarily serving suburban commuters to providing "all-day regional transit service."

July 30, 2014 - the transport politic

Examining the Ottawa Cycling Plan for Lessons of Suburban Biking Success

An article by Nour Aoude begins with the premise: "Leaving suburbs out of the biking conversation risks turning biking into a privilege of the few who can afford to live in dense, downtown neighbourhoods."

July 22, 2014 - Global Site Plans

The Shard London

How Tall is Too Tall?

What is the best height to promote good urban living? It needs to be high to attain necessary density but not so high that it detracts from the quality of life, particularly for existing residents. In short, what is the Goldilocks height level?

April 26, 2014 - The Guardian

Charrettes

Engage; Don’t Rage: Use a Design Charrette to Negotiate Your Next Development Proposal

Despite the investments required of a design charrette, Robert Freedman makes the case that the process can save time and money on complex projects by way of three primary benefits.

April 24, 2014 - Robert Freedman

Toronto Asks Its 'Hidden Experts' How to Improve Transit

Laura Kane listens to the ideas of three of Toronto’s ‘hidden’ transit experts – those who have spent their careers on it's front-lines. A streetcar driver, repair worker, and a transit app developer share their pragmatic insights.

March 17, 2014 - The Toronto Star

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.