As several major Canadian cities seek to hire new chief urban planners, candidates are facing an emerging set of demographic and political challenges, while some question the role such officials should have in shaping the country's landscape.
John Lorinc and Siri Agrell look at the challenges facing candidates for high profile planning positions in major Canadian cities such as Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver as some fear that amidst the turnover, "the position will be devalued, or submerged in bureaucracy."
The question of the role of chief urban planners is a vital one to address as Canadian cities look to improve livability and sustainability in both suburban and traditionally urban environments. According to Lorinc and Agrell the key question is whether, "fast-growing cities need – or indeed, want – visionary chief
planners? Or do they actually require can-do administrators who have the
contacts and political savvy to deliver change in modern metropolitan
areas?"
Larry Beasley, Vancouver's former co-planning director, is optimistic that the next wave of Canadian planners will be up to the challenge: "The new generation, it's their time to take over," he said. "I think
you're going to see some wonderful new initiatives across the country
over the next few years."
Thanks to Brent Toderian
FULL STORY: Canadian cities trying to redefine what it means to be an urban planner

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.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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