The Globe and Mail
Controversy Precedes Departure of Vancouver Head of Planning
Brian Jackson will retire after stepping down from his position as chief planner for the city of Vancouver.
Toronto Chief Planner Supports Gardiner Expressway Removal
Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat has broken rank from Mayor John Tory on the issue of whether to replace or remove an elevated highway along the city's waterfront. The cost to replace the expressway, $919 million, is more than removing it.
Ontario to Join Quebec in Cap-and-Trade Program
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made a strong case for taking decisive climate change action when she signed an historic agreement to join the Quebec program that trades carbon with California.
Industrial Meets Residential in New Vancouver Zoning
Vancouver created its MX zone as a solution to a persistent challenge for planners—how to retain industrial jobs and affordable housing in downtowns.
Toronto to Narrow its Traffic Lanes
Toronto will begin rolling out a program to narrow traffic lanes on the city's streets. The new lane policy, recently completed, was in the works for the past year.
How Urban Design Begets Happiness
A new book by Charles Montgomery makes the case that many of the best possible outcomes for the built environment require human interaction—whether commuting to work or walking around residential neighborhoods.
Developer Bows in Downtown Toronto Big Box Battle
Torontonians who have been fighting a Walmart in Downtown’s belovedly indie Kensington Market neigbourhood appear to have won their battle against a goliath developer. A revised development proposal features significantly scaled-down retail units.
Condo Developers Respond to Demand for Dog Amenities
As Toronto's condo-boom continues, condo buyers and councillors alike are calling for developments to be designed with canines in mind. Developers are now looking to include amenities like “pet spas” and rooftop 'dog runs' in their developments.
Millennials and Cars: Would If They Could
Recent trends in declining car ownership, along with the Millennial generation’s widely-reported abhorrence for driving, have some wondering if the era of car dominance is over. But what if the decline just comes down to trouble paying the bills?
Fear of "Hyperdensity" Grips Toronto's Leaders
Since it was passed in 2006, Toronto's growth has largely gone according to its Official Plan, with new development clustered in key areas of the city. But the city's chief planner and others fear some areas are in danger of becoming "hyperdense".
Canadian Social Housing Vulnerable as Federal Funding Disappears
Low-income Canadians who depend on subsidized housing will face uncertainty in the coming years as federal funding agreements come to a close. Ottawa has, as of yet, no plans to renew them.
Multiple Choice Referendum to Decide Vancouver's Transit Future
British Columbia will proceed with a public referendum on transit spending for the province. In an interesting wrinkle, Premier Christy Clark says the referendum will offer multiple choices. City leaders are concerned about the possible outcomes.
Could a Gas Tax Hike Pay for Toronto's "Big Move"?
A government-appointed panel has recommended raising Ontario's gas tax to help pay for an ambitious 25-year transit construction plan dubbed the "Big Move". Political opponents were quick to reject the proposal.
Growing Concern over Loss of Canada’s Best Farmland
Amid data showing a dwindling supply of prime Canadian agricultural land, a commencing study seeks to strengthen preservation policies.
Toronto's Problems Are Bigger Than Rob Ford
Sure, having a boorish crack-smoking mayor who refuses to get help or step down is a problem. But Toronto's existential problems are structural, writes Richard Florida. The city's "outmoded growth model and system of governance" threaten its success.
Will Rob Ford Take Toronto Down With Him?
With the news this week that Toronto police have in their possession the video that allegedly shows him smoking crack, Mayor Rob Ford has been thoroughly disgraced. Marcus Gee argues the scandal threatens "the success of Canada’s biggest city."
Were Vancouver's 2010 Olympics Worth the Investment?
A new report says the investments made in hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver were worth it. But could the area have gotten the same benefits without the Games?
How Cities Can Help Get the Kids to Daycare
Erin Anderssen takes a critical look at the role of our cities in the provision of much needed childcare. While municipally-delivered childcare has been successful in Scandinavia, some Canadian cities are left playing with alternative approaches.
Young Candidates Ride Anti-Sprawl Rhetoric to Mayoral Victories in Alberta
On Monday, Calgary elected anti-sprawl crusader Naheed Nenshi to a second term as Mayor. And in Edmonton, 34-year-old Don Iveson, "an up-and-coming hot shot of the same vein of progressive politics", was elected to replace the city's retiring mayor.
The Corner Store: Mark of a "Dynamic Neighbourhood"
In Vancouver, the presence of corner stores indicates diverse, dynamic, and affordable neighborhoods. But is the disappearance of such stores from neighborhoods across the city a sign that residential areas are becoming unbalanced?
Pagination
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.