The most recent Canadian Census shows that Canada is rapidly urbanizing. Unfortunately, writes Jeffrey Simpson, its systems of government and economic development strategies are stuck in a rural past.
"This week's census told us what we already knew: Canada, the world's second-largest land mass, is an urban country. Actually, Canada is increasingly a suburban country, since the suburbs of the large cities are growing faster than the urban cores.
Beyond suburbia lies what planners call exurbia: cities within striking distance of the big ones, connected to them by highways and sprawl. Taken together, "peripheral municipalities" (the Statistics Canada term) grew by 11 per cent from 2001 to 2006, compared with 4.2 per cent for central cities. Put another way, the periphery grew by about 900,000, central cities by 500,000.
The drift to urban/suburban/exurban areas mocks the electoral system. Legislatures remain weighted toward rural areas or, in the case of Parliament, toward Atlantic Canada (and Saskatchewan), where the population remains steady while other areas grow.
Some day, someone will bring a Charter of Rights argument against the existing electoral maps. They will claim that the maps discriminate (as they clearly do) against urban/suburban voters by according them less representation than equality merits. You might think a court would refuse to hear the case on the ground the issue is political. Under the Charter, courts are wont to rule on just about anything."
FULL STORY: We have seen the future, and it's sprawl and emissions

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie