Kelly Sinoski and Michael Vinkin Lee detail the strategies identified in Vancouver's new plan to deal with expected increases in the effects of climate change, from street flooding and damaged forests to heat-related illnesses.
While Vancouver may not be being doing an exemplary job of planning to manage its growth to 2050, the city seems to be making progress in planning for the potential impacts of climate change, "which is expected to bring more
intense rain and windstorms, hotter and drier summers and rising sea
levels, affecting the city's economic prosperity and livability."
Detailed in Vancouver's new climate change "adaptation" strategy, which is scheduled to go to the city's council for approval this week, "the actions range from a coastal flood risk assessment to a backup power
policy, water conservation actions and a comprehensive urban forest
management plan," report Sinoski and Lee.
Coun. Andrea Reimer "is confident the proposal will pass Tuesday," write Sinoski and Lee, "But she admitted that she would have greater confidence in a unanimous vote if the wording of the motion was a little different."
"If you didn't put the word climate change in and you just said it was a
risk management framework for projected weather events, I suspect it
would unanimously pass," she said. "But my observation has been that
climate change can tend to inspire some political, more partisan, and
more ideological approaches [to voting]."
Thanks to Brent Toderian
FULL STORY: Vancouver plans to face climate change head-on

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
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie