Canada
Architect Hopes To Spread 'Pedestrianizaton'
The transformation of Copenhagen from a car-choked thoroughfare to a lively, pedestrian center began in 1962 with the closing of the Strøget, and folks walked and biked in record numbers. Now architect Jan Gehl hopes to spread this new urban culture.
Cities are Gas Guzzlers, Too
Like the major automakers, cities have been warned for years that they need to rein in sprawl and become more energy-efficient; and having neglected these warnings must now restructure how they operate, says Jack Diamond of the Globe and Mail.
Fall of Canada's Federal Govt. May be Good for Housing, Infrastructure
A constitutional crisis brewing in Canada may see the ruling Conservative Party defeated next week in favour of a coalition government. Their priorities may be more city-friendly.
Planner Confesses Love for Driving
It's hard to give up driving, even when you're professionally committed to sustainable transportation.
Smaller Cities Better For Small Business
Entrepreneurs do better in smaller cities than larger ones, according to a new study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
Wal-Mart as Engine for Local Economies?
Some Canadian communities are seeing their local economies thriving despite -- or is it because of? -- the presence of Wal-Mart.
Road Closures, Pedestrianization Key to Successful Urbanization
Chris Turner looks at successful car-free pedestrianization and bicycle planning in Copenhagen and Melbourne and wonders why Canada's sprawling, frigid cities can't adopt these ideas as well.
Canadians Reject 'Green Shift' at the Polls
Canadians went to the polls yesterday and re-elected Stephen Harper's Conservative Party -- which downplayed environmental issues -- while rejecting the "Green Shift" carbon tax plan of the Liberal Party.
Can 'Ecological Economics' Put an Accurate Price on Ecosystems?
Canada's wide open spaces and clean cities are misleading: its arable land could fit in Montana and most of its dirty manufacturing has moved to Asia. A more accurate economic model is required to account for Canadians' ecological footprint.
Canada's Tories Fail to Sway Urban Voters
The Conservative Party may have won Canada's federal election yesterday, but did so without much support from major cities. With few urban MPs in the Conservative cabinet, how will the incoming parliament deal with issues facing cities?
Urban Planners, Butt Out!
The authors of one study assert that vibrant cities can't be engineered by the application of "nuanced criteria"; however, this has very much become the paradigm of urban planning.
Tight Bond Market Hurting Canadian Infrastructure Projects
The municipal bond market is drying up, which is causing Canadian cities to rethink their budgeting for infrastructure projects.
Economic Crisis Putting Condo Projects at Risk
In the current economic situation, condo developers are finding it increasingly difficult to secure financing.
Big Boxes Heading Downtown
With growth controls making suburban properties less attractive and wealth becoming concentrated in older centres, Canada's big box retailers are looking downtown for new locations.
Carbon Tax Too Little, Too Late
With a federal election now underway in Canada, the focus should be on new, green infrastructure, not a national carbon tax, argues Tom Kent.
What Will the Future Look Like?
That's the question the Vancouver Planning Commission has been tossing around with the public for the last year or so, as they prepare a "Change Charter" for City Hall.
Railroad at the Top of the World
On Canada's arctic Baffin Island, engineers are preparing to construct the world's most northerly railway, a 143 kilometer line across permafrost to transport iron ore to Europe.
School Closures Hurting Canadian Communities
Its birth rate declining, Canada is facing an unprecedented drop in school enrollments, leading to a wave of closures.
The Smartest Cities
A recent study has named the "smartest" cities in Canada.
Canada's Missing Historic Preservation Program
Despite a large amount of historic amenities, Canada has no countrywide programs for preserving the nation's built heritage. Many say one is long overdue.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
