As Vancouver weighs the importance of density in the city, some say the debate needs a refresh.
"An element of skepticism has entered the debate about the value of density. Given our urban trajectory over the past four decades, this is as startling as not liking snow on Grouse Mountain, or refusing an invitation to dim sum."
"What's worse, the grumbling is not coming from dwellers in downtown's condo forest who are about to lose their last remaining view to yet another tower, but from residents of long standing in some of our lowest density neighbourhoods, on both Eastside and Westside."
"EcoDensity is getting whacked as a mere developer's ploy, in part because of mischievous 11th hour add-ons to its draft policies, such as counselors Suzanne Anton's proposal to lift building height limits in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside, permitting a calamitous march of towers through our most historic areas."
"Maybe Vancouver's pro-density urban ethos of the past few decades was too good to last."
"Almost monthly, I host architects and city planners from around the world on tours of our fast-changing city. My guests, especially the Americans, are amazed Vancouver has not seen more community resistance to our radical tests of how many people can live happily together on one city clock. My urbanist colleagues too often see their own residents (and opportunistic politicians) still advocating variations on suburbia - low-density, non-diverse, car-oriented neighbourhoods that waste land, energy and quality of life."
FULL STORY: The density debate needs to be reinvigorated

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont