Water-Based Transportation

I’ve travelled quite a bit to a whole variety of places around the world, and it continues to boggle my mind that Vancouver and the region does not more adequately utilize the water as a major component of the transportation system. Sure, we have the Seabus, connecting downtown Vancouver to Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver.  Consider, [...]

Tuesday Planning Funny #1

I’m a planner, and am involved in the profession.  Generally speaking Planner’s are an amusing bunch – we cross all spectrums, and as such, it was a surprise to me that there we SO many planning related funnies around. So, every Tuesday, where I can remember, I’ll upload yet another planning funny to be shared.  [...]

James Kunstler – The Tragedy of Suburbia

Both amusing and terrifying at the same time.  While not everyone agrees with Kunstler, you cannot deny his passion and beliefs and ideas.

Planning Suburbia

I came across a few VERY interesting articles online today. Urban Sprawl Repair Kit Reburbia – Suburban Design Entries

Public Transportation (What Vancouver can learn from Portland)

When I was in Portland last summer, I was amazed, and even enthralled with the level of public transportation and ease of accessibility associated with transit, especially downtown.  The easiest, and most obvious example that Vancouver can utilize and, quite frankly, copy, is the installation of a downtown tram network that criss-crosses much of the [...]

What Vancouver can learn from Portland

There are a great number of people who claim, rightly or wrongly that either Vancouver is better than Portland, or that Portland is better than Vancouver.  I look at it a different way: what can each city offer the other in terms of experience and knowledge to compliment and expand the liveability of both amazing cities? I was [...]

Public Spaces (What Vancouver can learn from Portland)

There is no doubt in my mind that Vancouver can learn from Portland in terms of having clear, identifiable, and functional public spaces.  Take the Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland.  This space, home to concerts, cultural fairs, and great people watching epitomizes what effective, safe, and enjoyable public space should be with incredible public art, gardens, and [...]

Critical Mass / Critical Mess

Some of you may be aware that on the last day of each month, Cyclists in Vancouver (and indeed in city’s around the world), take to the streets in an event called Critical Mass (click here for more details).  It is my belief however, that the tactics, methods, and attitude of the majority of Critical [...]

Planning Vancouver – A Thought At A Time…

Well, Welcome to my little repository of Planning Ideas that will make Vancouver, and the region, and even the Province, just that much better. I’ve invited a few friends to help me in this endeavour, and more information on them will be coming soon.  All I know is that right now, there are many ideas [...]