Farmland in British Columbia is being rapidly snapped up by residential developers as land values increase. This pressure is threatening the area's remaining fertile farmland.
"The rising value of B.C. agricultural land is decreasing the amount of available farmland."
"But the rising prices are also placing uneven pressure on area producers. The farmland surrounding Fort St. John and Dawson Creek -- designated as class 2 -- is the most fertile of the region outside of the class 1 land in the Peace Valley. Land becomes less productive toward class 5."
"While land closer to town is fetching a high price for residential living, the less-fertile rural land, which cannot be subdivided into quarter sections, is losing value."
"'The best farmland is divided into quarter sections and is being turned into country estates, and we have class 5 land that's very marginal and the [Agricultural Land Commission] won't allow that land to be subdivided into quarters, when in actuality the land that should be used as the country estates is the poor land further out,' said Larry Peterson, owner of Peace River Farm and Ranch Sales Ltd."
FULL STORY: Land grab puts bounty on fertile farmland
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie