British Columbia

British Columbia

Analysis: Vancouver Housing Affordability Worsens Despite Foreign Buyer Tax

The trends in the Vancouver housing market have reverted back to normal, after a foreign buyers tax that went into effect in 2016 had an initial effect on parts of the market.

November 14, 2017 - CBC News

New York City WiFi

100 LED 'Information Kiosks' on Their Way to Philadelphia Sidewalks

All the details on the new information kiosks expected to hit Philadelphia streets—80 on Center City and University City sidewalks and 20 more in other parts of the city.

October 26, 2017 - Philadelphia Inquirrer

Vancouver

Op-Ed: Vancouver Needs a Land Value Tax

Labor leaders argue that curbing real estate speculation is Vancouver's best chance at lowering housing costs.

October 25, 2017 - The Vancouver Sun

Vancouver Skyline

Major Changes Coming to British Columbia's Carbon Tax

The government of British Columbia, put in power this year with the help of the BC Green Party, is shoring up its climate change action resume.

September 30, 2017 - Sightline Institute

Seattle Sailboats

Could Seattle Be the U.S. Vancouver?

Seattle appears to be following the Vancouver, B.C. model by increasing population and residential density while investing in transit. If it works, traffic congestion will not deteriorate, and vehicle trips should drop.

September 29, 2017 - Governing

Vancouver

Building Along Busy Corridors? Public Health Experts Urge Caution

Plans to densify a busy Vancouver corridor have prompted concern among public health experts.

September 12, 2017 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Kid on Bus

Should There Be a Minimum Age to Ride the Bus Unsupervised?

In a controversy that recalls the ongoing debate about "free range children," B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Family Development is telling one family that their kids aren't old enough to ride the bus alone.

September 10, 2017 - CTV News Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia

Want Strangers to Trust Each Other? Paint Crosswalks in Rainbows

People say they're more confident that their lost wallets would be returned or that they would meet a friend on a corner that had a rainbow-painted crosswalk.

August 28, 2017 - Quartz

Vancouver Skyline

Housing Construction in Seattle and Vancouver a Study in Contrasts

Planning is only one ingredient of the cocktail that produces new housing, but planning should bear in mind all the other factors influencing the process. Vancouver and Seattle provide case studies and sharp contrasts in housing outcomes.

August 17, 2017 - Sightline Institute

Vancouver

Evidence that Foreign Buyers Aren't to Blame for High Housing Prices

Vancouver's exploding housing prices are caused by income inequality, housing scarcity, and a housing bubble, not by foreign investors and vacant housing units.

July 7, 2017 - Sightline

Seattle

Seattle Tackling Equity Challenges With Global Lens

Seattle is faced with an affordable housing crisis that has led the new Planning & Community Development Director Sam Assefa to look globally for solutions.

June 30, 2017 - The Planning Report

Vancouver Skyline Bikes

Overcoming Density Opponents by Listening to Them

Urbanist Brent Toderian does not begrudge NIMBYs; he values them. In an interview with David Roberts of Vox, he explains that the problem doesn't lie with development opponents as much as it does with the decision-makers.

June 21, 2017 - Vox

Bridge Bike Lane

Wet and Soggy, Maybe—Pacific Northwest Cities Lead in Bike Infrastructure Anyway

Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver have all prioritized the design and implementation of bike infrastructure. A study of how each is implementing its goals reveals the many ways cities can decide to make healthy, active transportation a priority.

May 4, 2017 - Sightline Institute

Risk Reduction

'Supervised Injection Facilities'—Successful in Canada, Coming to the U.S.

Needle exchanges are still controversial in some parts of the country, so expect "supervised injection facilities" to be even more so.

March 27, 2017 - Governing

North Vancouver Skips Past 'Secondary Suites,' Allows a Third 'Coach House' on Every Lot

While some cities debate secondary units and parking controversies, the city of North Vancouver is allowing three units on every single-family lot in the city—parking requirements not included.

March 7, 2017 - North Shore News

Vancouver Skyline

New Trump Tower Brings Controversy to the Vancouver Skyline

The second project bearing Trump's name will open next week in Canada. Donald Jr. and Eric Trump will be on hand for the opening. The mayor of the city will not.

February 25, 2017 - Associated Press via The Mercury News

Complete Street Vancouver

Debating Bike Infrastructure in Vancouver

Bike infrastructure is a source of political controversy, even in cities where biking is already popular.

January 3, 2017 - The Globe and Mail

Vancouver transit

TransitLink to Use $440 Million Real Estate Windfall to Fund Transit Projects

A transit funding formula, courtesy of Vancouver, British Columbia: Sell 13.8-acre property for $440 million; use cash to finance transit improvements.

December 22, 2016 - Business in Vancouver

Vancouver Skyline

As Goes Vancouver, So Goes Seattle?

What does Vancouver’s housing market implosion mean for the Seattle area?

December 10, 2016 - Crosscut

Oil Pipeline

Prime Minister Trudeau Approves Huge Expansion of Oil Sands Pipeline

The young prime minister's approval to almost triple the capacity of the Kinder Morgan pipeline comes as a surprise given Trudeau's concern for climate change. He approved another Alberta oil sands pipeline but rejected a third.

December 2, 2016 - The New York Times

Top Books

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Top Schools

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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.