Why hasn't Shaughnessy developed into an urban area for tens of thousands of renters like Vancouver's first elite, mansion district: the West End? Walking tour Oct. 3rd!

The YIMBYs go to Shaughnessy (birthday edition)

Let's walk around Shaughnessy and imagine a better city. Hedges for a few, or apartments on quiet streets for many?

eventbrite.com

There will be TWO elections this October, and we hope transit riders vote in both of them! It can be confusing to figure out which level of government is responsible for what (especially when candidates make promises they can’t follow through on).

In a province with a relentless housing crisis, an overstretched health care system and a recent uptick in xenophobia—the risks to migrant workers’ health and safety don’t end when the workday is over. Join us for the webinar: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join us on November 12 to hear from @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy about “Disenshittification: How we break free from the US tech grip and leverage digital sovereignty for the public good.” Tickets: bcpolicy.ca/gala

The Tyee@thetyee.ca · 2w ago

What is the impact of a handful of U.S. tech giants now holding a tremendous share of the digital economy that Canadians rely on every day? #TyeePresents #Sponsored

Randomly thought of this photo today taken by David Ley in 1974 of people protesting the construction of what would be the last mid-rise in Kitsilano before the downzoning. Apartments build in the 60s and 70s are now often celebrated as Vancouver's (relatively) affordable housing stock.

New piece at iPolitics, with Adam Mongrain (@adammongrain.bsky.social) of More and Better Housing. Canada joining the EU as an "Associate Member" could lower the cost of building a home in Canada while opening new export markets. Read here:

Canada wants more trade with Europe. Start with housing

A well-crafted deal with the EU could also lower the cost of building a home in Canada, while opening new markets for suppliers and manufacturers of construction materials.

ipolitics.ca

See you there!

Seth Klein@sethdklein.bsky.social · 2w ago

Cory Doctorow keynotes fundraising gala for BC Policy Solitions @bcpolicy.bsky.social I’m going! Vancouver friends, hope you can join me thetyee.ca/Presents/202...

This Thursday, we'll explore how BC's public post-secondary education funding crisis got this bad and what we can do to reverse course. Hope you'll join us! RSVP: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

The fiscal debate in BC too often gets framed as a choice between running big deficits or cutting spending. But those aren't the only alternatives. We could raise more revenue through progressive taxes to fund robust investment in public services and infrastructure while reducing inequality.

Car crashes are the #1 source of preventable injury and death for Vancouverites, with the most vulnerable road users disproportionately affected. Ken Sim is hyper focused on "public safety," but is road safety on his agenda? 🤔 We speak to @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social youtu.be/TeemN0rp950

Is Road Safety on Ken Sim's Agenda? - Vision Zero Vancouver on CBC

YouTube video by Vision Zero Vancouver

youtu.be

Name recognition and incumbency are still given too much weight in municipal elections, in my experience. We will have better leaders if we choose based on leadership ability, actual experience/background, policy priorities, listening/learning skills, integrity, and good judgement/decision-making.

Seattle’s infill boom from 2000 to 2020 “eliminated about 1 million tons of potential greenhouse gas emissions basically for free… this category of climate action has been better than a free lunch. It’s been a lunch the region got paid to eat.”

Infill housing delayed is climate action denied

Urbanites have smaller carbon footprints than our suburban neighbors. That isn’t just something to feel smug about – it’s a call to action to embrace more infill housing in cities.

ggwash.org

ICYMI: the VPD budget increased by 48% from 2018 to 2024, but the number of traffic tickets they issue has fallen by 59% over that same time period. Why has traffic enforcement evaporated in Vancouver?

Vision Zero Vancouver@visionzerovancouver.ca · last mo.

Can a municipal party claim to care about public safety if they neglect road safety? We take a look youtu.be/EEkmgteIkK0

“Most desirable” places have shrinking populations and are the places where planning makes it hardest to build housing

Observing The City@observingthecity.ca · last mo.

A few interesting observations about where people want to live in Toronto. First, the most desirable areas map almost perfectly to the areas that have lost the most population since 1971.

i genuinely think that the way this admin is treating Canada will be looked back on as of the most shameful chapters of modern US history far too many people are laughing it off as unserious but the reality is that they’re spitting in the face of our closest ally for no reason

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last mo.

JD Vance: "Canada is a state -- sorry. Freudian slip."

The most remarkable thing about this isn’t that home values fell after upzoning (NZ’s weak job creation since 2020 contributed too), it’s that homebuilding *continued* at a much higher rate even after the price drop

Stephen Jacob Smith@stephenjacobsmith.com · last mo.

“After an intense building flurry, Auckland’s housing stock is now 618,849 units, which is 101,000 more than a decade ago…Meanwhile Auckland house prices, with a median value of just over NZ$1mn (US$587,000), have lost a quarter of their value in that timeframe.” giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

"From ‘Fortress North America’ to All-Out Trade War: How the U.S.-Canada Talks Collapsed" www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/w... "the United States maintained that it would retain all power to change tariff policy against Canada at any time, irrespective of the agreement" Then what's the point?

I have seriously considered putting a couch in the street out front of my house and, when the neighbours complain, explaining that i don’t have enough space for it on my property. Then, when they say that maybe I should not own more couches that I can store, I’ll just nod sagely and go inside.

Oh The Urbanity!@ohtheurbanity.bsky.social · last mo.

It’s interesting when neighbours complain about new developments not having enough parking so residents will use the street. Why do you care if you have enough parking on your lot? And if you don’t, how can you demand other buildings have parking?

Just spent a week in Norway where drivers are basically 100% polite and compliant with traffic regulations. Back in North America, this is the norm. The level of chaos and sometimes aggression - from cars, from drivers - is striking.

Alex Freeman@northernnerd.bsky.social · last mo.

I was only recording because the two cars prior did exactly the same thing...

The purpose of American zoning is to put the most people—low- and middle-class families—in the worst locations so that the best locations, the quiet, elevated side streets, can be reserved for a small number of wealthier people. Everything else is just kind of window dressing.

After implementing some of the best housing reforms in North America, Edmonton is seeing new 3-bed townhouses for under $2,000 (USD$1,500).

Jacob Loo Dawang@jacobdawang.com · 2mo ago

Another one. The 2025 cohort of rowhomes is finally coming to market and it's beautiful to see. Family sized homes at attainable rents. ✅ 3 bedrooms ✅ Brand new build ✅ Hardwood floors ✅ Air conditioning ✅ $1850 per month I need more of these in my area. My 3 bed rent is still too high.

Wait this doesn't take 8 years of consultation???

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@mayor.nyc.gov · 2mo ago

Across New York City, busways have increased bus speeds by up to 60% and reduced pedestrian and cyclist injuries by up to 45%. In just a few weeks, the Bronx will get its first busway on Tremont Avenue.

NIMBYs online: “there’s no point legalizing more housing, developers will never build enough to lower prices” Edmonton landlords: “help, developers built too much, putting downward pressure on rents”

Colleen @cbailey6.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Congratulations to CMHC, Edmonton City Council and all of the YIMBYs who "ruined" real estate investing in Edmonton. If we don't want housing to be primarily treated as an investment, we need to end the shortage. www.instagram.com/reel/DbmApzb...

How is there no baby change table in the Spanish Bank West men's room in 2026?

adding this to the list of reasons why Vancouver should let a lot more people move here

Jens von Bergmann@jensvb.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Historically west sides of mid-latitude cities have been more desirable and expensive because prevailing winds blowing noxious city smells away. We have regulated most of those smelly land uses away, but those same winds, plus local topography, also act on wildfire smoke.

imagine if all these townhouses were permitted at Nanaimo Station instead of on recently-cleared mountain forest?

Townhouse developments take shape on Burke Mountain – Tri-Cities Dispatch

images supplied A 142-unit townhouse project is set to be built on the north end of Pollard Street near the setbacks for Fox and Star creeks, following a

tricitiesdispatch.com

Really remarkable article, the Anglican Church is going gloves off against multiple cities. $9M and 6 years of delay to build 85 units of below-market seniors housing on their own land

Ryan Jabs@ryanjabs.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Another window into why even non-profit housing is so expensive. Saanich delays led to an extra $9milliom (!!) in costs. No one in Saanich is held accountable so they keep dragging their feet and increasing costs. bcbusiness.ca/real-estate/...

We can't solve a housing crisis without building more housing. Today we broke ground on the Casanova Residence, which will soon be nearly 100 affordable and supportive homes with on-site services for New Yorkers. Every new home is a step toward a City that everyone can afford.

The amazing march of the missing middle in Edmonton continues. The city is permitting more 5-to-8-unit townhouses than ever before. A high number in central neighbourhoods or close to transit. After the city decided *against* reducing the maximum allowed units from 8 to 6!

Jacob Loo Dawang@jacobdawang.com · 3mo ago

NEW POST Edmonton's rowhome permits increased in the first half of 2026, despite a general slowdown in permits. Edmonton continues to provide strong proof that missing middle zoning changes can be the main character in the housing supply story. #yegcc www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/q2... 🧵

A story of cause and effect: Last November, Ontario banned cities from using speed safety cameras to issue tickets. Reckless speeding immediately surged in Toronto, Ottawa, Guelph, and cities throughout the province. A 🧵 about my latest in Bloomberg (gift link)

What Happens When Speed Cameras Get Shut Off

In 2025, Ontario banned automated traffic enforcement. Now the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit has surged, according to traffic data.

bloomberg.com