Its birth rate declining, Canada is facing an unprecedented drop in school enrollments, leading to a wave of closures.
"[A] cross-Canada wave of [school] closings...promises to devastate small communities and throw the country's youngest students into turmoil.
Every province except Alberta is struggling with long-term declines in enrolment as the population ages and birth rates remain among the lowest in the world. At least 53 schools closed in Canada this year, but advocates say that's just the beginning. British Columbia and Saskatchewan lead the way, as they have for years, accounting for 19 and nine closings, respectively.
Canada is experiencing steady long-term decline in enrolment. The number of school-aged children dropped to 5.2 million in 2005-06, down 3 per cent from 1999. Local school authorities and experts in most provinces say the decline will continue through 2013 and beyond.
With little national debate, the country is walking into an irreversible process that will leave dozens of communities in tatters."
FULL STORY: School's out forever

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)