• Edmonton Journal seeks suggestions for 50 Things That Define Edmonton [Edmonton Journal]
• Two-day event in Centennial Plaza hopes to generate ideas to remake an inactive public space [Metro Edmonton]
• 124 Street Business Association seeks ideas for redevelopment of park [124 Street Business Association]
• Talk on June 25 will showcase ideas about how to ally with aboriginal communities [M.A.D.E. in Edmonton]

LIVING DOWNTOWN

• CBC showcases a number of downtown residents and their reasons they choose to live there [CBC Edmonton]
• Le Marchand Mansion expansion proposal gets neighbours up in arms [Edmonton Journal]

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

• The race is on [Vue Weekly]
• City councillor Karen Leibovici joins race for Edmonton mayor [Edmonton Journal]
• Karen Leibovici launches Mandel 2013 campaign [Daveberta.ca]
• Woman who paid for arena poll now running for council [Edmonton Journal]
• Kim Krushell decides to leave politics [Edmonton Journal]
• Former councillor Mike Nickel to run again [Edmonton Journal]

SAND IN THE CITY

• City wants input on “beach” proposed for Louise McKinney Park [Global Edmonton]
• Omar Mouallem: Beach project not enough to bring people to Edmonton river valley [Metro Edmonton]
• No beach, but lots of splashing approved for Hawrelak Park spray area [Edmonton Journal]

OTHER EDMONTON NEWS

• City Centre Airport project will require help from the Province to move ahead [Edmonton Journal]
• City hunting for LRT funding [Edmonton Journal]
• Sneak preview of new Northgate Transit Centre public art [Edmonton Journal]
• Lawrence Herzog: Edmonton’s dearly departed funeral parlours [Edmonton Heritage Council]

INTERNATIONAL

• Mongolian wind farms spark new future of clean energy [Treehugger]
  
• Cities increasingly becoming “food policy entrepreneurs” [The Wall Street Journal]
• Transit oriented development might be a great idea even without the transit [Atlantic Cities]

The post Edmonton’s urbanism headlines: June 10 – 16 appeared first on Spacing Edmonton.

Location: Rue Saint-Hubert

Date of photo: June 10 2013

Photographer: Martin New at Montreal in Pictures

The post Photo du jour: House on rue Saint-Hubert appeared first on Spacing Montreal.

CASCADIA
• Charles Wolfe: ‘Urbanism Without Effort’ [Town Hall Seattle]

CANADA
• Is a large retail store the threat Kensington defenders say it is, or just a place to buy cheap coffee? [National Post]

INTERNATIONAL
• Turkey’s leader agrees to halt park project [Los Angeles Times]
• ONE PARK TO BIND THEM ALL [Architect's Newspaper]
• Building Hyperdensity and Civic Delight [Places: Design Observer]
• Starting Apple Computer in a garage was against the law [Greater Greater Washington]
• Peering into the North Korean economy, via satellite [BBC]
• A Real-Time Bike-Share Map for the Entire World [The Atlantic Cities]
• In the 8th Century, the Egyptian City of Thonis Fell Into the Sea [The Atlantic Cities]
• In Student Housing, Luxuries Overshadow Studying [New York Times]
• Nuclear Plants, Old and Uncompetitive, Are Closing Earlier Than Expected [New York Times]

The post Vancouver’s Urbanism Headlines: Saturday appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

Street Scene will appear each week showcasing the illustrations of local artist
Jerry Waese.

The post STREET SCENE: Wheels in Kensington appeared first on Spacing Toronto.

Check out this unique world map by Awesome Maps that details all of the hottest surf spots around the world. It is one in a series of maps that Simon Schuetz and illustrator Lars Seiffert of Awesome Maps are creating for adventure lovers around the world.

Currently Awesome Maps has launched on Kickstarter in order to raise funds for a bucket list map they want to create. The map will include all the marvels around the world that everyone needs to visit.

Awesome Maps has also created a snowboarding map as well as a world soccer map.

Via Slate.

Urban Planet is a roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Awesome Maps: a German startup makes cartography cool again appeared first on Spacing National.

A weekly roundup of noteworthy news in municipalities across B.C.

An annual arts festival expected to attract up to 200,000 people to downtown Victoria won’t be receiving provincial funding this year, leaving its organizer with some difficult cost-cutting decisions. The free Victoria International Buskers Festival takes place July 19 to 28, featuring actors, musicians, dancers and acrobats on outdoor stages on Government and Langley streets.

Kinder Morgan’s TransMountain pipeline has sprung a leak in the area southwest of Merritt, B.C., and the company says the spill has been contained with less than 12 barre—or 2,000 litres of crude oil—spilled.

Downtown Maple Ridge’s east entrance is going to get the same facelift that the west received at 222nd Street a few years ago. Lougheed Highway from 226th to 228th streets will get new sidewalks, street furniture, street lights, road resurfacing and urban landscaping, starting this summer. The cost of the project will be about $1 million.

Many of us have dealt with spotty cellphone service on the North Shore, particularly closer to the mountains. And reception will get worse, says Rogers, as houses are built at higher elevation and an increasing amount of data is consumed. That is unless more towers are built. The mobile service provider is proposing three new towers for West Vancouver along the Upper Levels Highway.

The mayor is thrilled to see Nelson enthusiastically on board with a competition that aims to spruce up downtown with a fresh coat of paint. “Everybody could use a fresh coat of paint,” John Dooley says. “I think it’s important that we try and win this because it could have a big impact on our downtown and give it a bit of a facelift.” The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce entered the community into the Main Street Matters online contest that started at the beginning of the month.

The post Neighbourhood Watch appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

Contribute your photos to Spacing’s Flickr pool

The post Urban Mosaic appeared first on Spacing National.

Date of photo: June 12 2013

Photographer: Martin New at Montreal in Pictures

The post Photo du jour: Une Maison sur rue Saint-Urbain appeared first on Spacing Montreal.

La Ville de Montréal, qui n’a plus d’argent, organise une grande Réunion. « Il faut vendre des actifs ! » s’exclame tout le monde. Mais lesquels? Les parcs? Les bibliothèques? Il y a quand même des limites. Alors quelqu’un se lève dans la salle et annonce qu’il a une idée.

« Les stationnements sur rue », commence-t-il en déroulant un grand plan. Il y a des centaines d’hectares de bandes de stationnements sur les rues résidentielles, explique-t-il. Ils sont utilisés les trois quarts du temps à des fins strictement privées et ils ne  apportent à la Ville que de tout petits revenus en vignettes et en constat d’infraction. Quelle opportunité! On discute, on débat puis c’est décidé, la Ville privatise toutes les bandes de stationnements qui ne sont pas couvertes par des parcomètres.

(Passons par-dessus l’avalanche d’éditoriaux, de pétitions, de lettres ouvertes et de manifestations que déclenche cette décision et allons tout de suite vers la mise en œuvre.)

On commence par mesurer la valeur des espaces de stationnement et on découvre qu’elle varie, selon les rues, entre 10,000 $ et 1,000,000 $. Pour une période de 6 semaines, les terrains sont offerts en exclusivité aux résidants qui bénéficient d’un rabais (disons 15 %). Tous ceux qui ont les moyens d’acheter achètent ; certains prévoient d’ailleurs revendre à court terme. Après le délai de 6 semaines, les espaces invendus sont mis aux enchères. Ils trouvent rapidement preneur auprès des fonds d’investissement.

Ensuite, des opérateurs se mettent en action : ils concluent des baux à long terme avec les propriétaires et relouent ensuite les espaces à l’année, au mois ou à l’heure à des particuliers. Trois ou quatre opérateurs prennent le contrôle du stationnement sur rue et se font compétition avec toutes sortes de promotions et d’applications pour téléphones intelligents qui permettent de trouver une place ou de la réserver.

L’entretien des espaces de stationnement génère une nouvelle industrie. Les gros opérateurs engagent des entrepreneurs spécialisés, mais un paquet d’individus possédant un camion offre également un service de réasphaltage pas cher aux particuliers. Certains se distinguent et proposent un recouvrement en pavé uni ou en granit ou en pierre des champs.

Un vaste mouvement d’adaptation des espaces de stationnement s’enclenche. Pourquoi en limiter l’usage au stationnement, s’interrogent certains ? Croulant sous les demandes, la Ville commence à autoriser l’occupation de ces espaces à des fins commerciales et accorde des permis pour des constructions secondaires (plusieurs installent des cabanons de jardins devant chez eux et les louent à des touristes).

De nombreux espaces privés qui ne trouvent pas de locataires restent vides la plupart du temps, et certains automobilistes décident de les occuper illégalement, donnant naissance au MSS, le Mouvement des sans stationnement.

Cédant sous la pression, la Ville lance un programme de stationnements sociaux.

The post Un peu d’urbanisme-fiction appeared first on Spacing Montreal.

The West End Business Improvement Association (WEBIA) officially launched its new brand on Wednesday, June 12th at 5:30pm at the Stewart Stephenson Modern Art Gallery.

Positioning the new brand around “WE” (an acronym for the West End), this new identity highlights, unifies and celebrates the area’s diverse experiences and offerings. The variety of independent restaurants, the eclectic mix of retail, the proud gay heritage and the stunning natural beauty are just a few of what makes the West End an iconic area.

“We’re excited to launch our new brand in the coming days, and offering insight into some of the innovative ways we plan to help position the area, streets and businesses for success,” explains Stephen Regan, executive director at WEBIA. “We have a great program taking shape for June 12th, including award-winning food service, a meet and greet with our key event partners, and an amazing door prize from the prestigious Stewart Stephenson Modern Art Gallery. We’ll reveal this generous artistic gift from the gallery during the launch – as of now, it’s a surprise.”

WEBIA’s mission is to brand, promote and revitalize the West End. To successfully fulfill all three objectives, the organization has developed an authentic brand that captures the area’s essence and reflects that in a bold new visual identity.

Some highlights of the new brand include:

• Three vertical bars in the “W” representing the neighbourhood: high rise buildings, diversity of people and growth. The bars individually represent the area’s proximity to three unique features: Stanley Park, English Bay and downtown Vancouver.
• Three horizontal bars in the “E” representing the commercial streets: Davie, Denman and Robson. As separate streets they are some of this City’s most well-known and beloved. Together they create something more powerful.
• Together the “WE” captures the essence of The West End: ‘Three Great Streets: One Amazing Neighbourhood.’

“The West End BIA expanded its Davie Street boundaries in April 2007 to include Denman and Lower Robson streets,” adds Regan. “And with the new branding, we’re thrilled our diverse and dynamic commercial area now has a powerful, distinctive and unifying brand.”

***

You can visit the WEBIA website here.

The post Release: West End BIA Launches New Brand appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

Date of photo: June 12 2013

Photographer: Martin New at Montreal in Pictures

The post Photo du jour: chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges appeared first on Spacing Montreal.

Now if I had said: “Can I drive downtown from here?” She would have laughed.  In the confines of a warm car, downtown is 40 to 50 seconds away. This is the walking equivalent of a trip to the front yard from the bedroom. The same cannot be said if you look at this the other way around.  A 15 min drive from my home will bring you anywhere within the confines of Edmonton if the traffic is light.  Is a 15 min drive far?  Still no, 15 min in a warm comfy car is nowhere near as far as 15 min at -25C across barren parking lots.

Distance is also not a great indicator of how “far” something actually is.  For example, the Strathconna Farmers market is only 5 km south of my home.  As a runner, I know that I can easily jog 5 km in 30 min on a track.  Unfortunately, the North Saskatchewan River valley is not a track.  With winter boots on, this trip took me 80 mins.  This was a very long and uncomfortable 80 mins let me tell you.  What would the equivalent drive be?  It’s hard to tell, maybe a drive to Drayton Valley with a broken heater, no power steering and a misaligned front end?  In any event, this trip was not something I would willingly do more than once.

“Far”, I suppose, is also a function of how much discomfort you’re used to or is strictly necessary.   Over the course of this past winter in Edmonton, I found that 30 mins on foot at -20C was about as far as I was willing to go.   This meant that for the past few months my world has been bounded in the north by 109th Ave, in the West by 109th St and to the south and East by the river valley.  I’ve had a pretty small and habitat these past few months. 2 km west is about as far as I could make it.  This is not to say that I didn’t have everything I needed: I bought groceries, clothes, watched movies went to bars and restaurants.  It was just that I had a very limited number of options.

Then May arrived and I got a bike.  Suddenly my world is exponentially bigger.   Things that are 10-15 km away are now within my reach.  I can go faster, I can be outside longer.   It’s great!  I feel like someone’s let me off the leash after a long time inside.    For my driving friends out there, maybe now might be the time to give your feet or a bike a chance.  Things are no longer as “far” as you might think.

The post “Far” a factor of time and discomfort. appeared first on Spacing Edmonton.

• City of Toronto Walking Portal (links to policies and programs)
• Toronto Pedestrian Charter (2002)
• Toronto Walking Strategy (2009)
• Vibrant Streets Guidelines (PDF) (includes street furniture placement guidelines)
• Accessibility Design Guidelines (PDF)
• Streetscape Manual
• Traffic Calming Policy (PDF)
• Wayfinding Strategy
• Toronto Seniors Strategy
• Toronto Public Health: Walk to School
• Toronto Public Health: Walk into Health
• “The Walkable City: Neighbourhood Design and Preferences, Travel Choice and Health” (PDF) (Toronto Public Health report, 2012)
• “Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto” (PDF) (Toronto Public Health report, 2012)
• Traffic Signal FAQs
• List of walks offered in Toronto (also for adding walks to this list)
• Pedestrian Collision Statistics, 2011 (PDF) (change the year in the URL to see earlier ones)

Various non-municipal organizations also provide useful information about walking policy and programs in Toronto:

• Metrolinx walk-to-school strategy
• Chief Coroner of Ontario Pedestrian Death Review (PDF)
• Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (independent work on walking and cycling policy)
• Jane’s Walk Toronto
• Jane’s Walk/University of Toronto Suburban Walkability Studies
• Active and Safe Routes to School
• 8-80 Cities

If I’ve missed anything, please add them in the comments.

The post Toronto Walking Policy Resources appeared first on Spacing Toronto.

CASCADIA
• Oregon: Driving Downhill [Sightline Daily]
• Portland Streetcar inks deal with GlobeSherpa to offer mobile ticketing app [Oregon Live]

CANADA
• City to hold public meeting to consider full range of options for the crumbling Gardiner Expressway [National Post]
• No new tunnel in city plan to save ‘Richmond Underground’ LRT route to the west [Ottawa Citizen]

INTERNATIONAL
• In Bogotá, Activists Are Fighting Against a Backslide in Pedestrian Safety [The Atlantic Cities]
• Robotic Storage Solution of the Day: Japan’s Underground Bike Valet [The Atlantic Cities]
• Anaheim council rejects ballot measure on district representation [Los Angeles Times]
• More Suburban Poor? Think Again [Rooflines]
• Dutch high-speed train dream runs off the rails [Yahoo News]

The post Vancouver’s Urbanism Headlines: Thursday appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

Please Note: This event has TWO SESSIONS! While the entire event spans from 4:00pm-8:00pm, each session runs for 2 hours.

We are inviting residents of Grandview-Woodland to participate in one of two design workshops with CityStudio. We’re looking to work with the community to create a concept plan for the “The Triangle” (a.k.a. “The Frame Space”) – the triangular green space at the intersection of Commercial Drive and Adanac Street.

There’s an great opportunity to turn it into an engaging community space. Please join us for a night of creativity with your neighbours and participate in design activities to explore different ideas.

Here is a taste of some of the activities you will be participating in:

1. 1. A community conversation about the site’s design potential.
2. 2. A chance to look at successful small parks from around the world as a source for ideas.
3. 3. An opportunity to work on a concept map – arranging a selection of design elements onto it as you see fit.

If you have any questions you can contact us at thetriangledesignjam@gmail.com, or through the Eventbrite page: http://thetriangledesignjam.eventbrite.ca/

We look forward to seeing you there!

***

CityStudio is a school program that involves students working directly on action goals for Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan and developing projects in communities and on the ground.

The post Placemaking Opportunity – The Triangle / “Frame” Space at Adanac & Commercial, June 13 appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

PICKERING AIRPORT

• Pickering airport foes prepare to fight once more [Toronto Star]
  
• Pickering airport gets green light, but is it needed? [Toronto Star]
• Pickering airport plan finally scheduled for takeoff [Toronto Sun]
• Ottawa pledges new GTA airport, expanded national park  [Globe & Mail]
• Pickering to get airport on Pickering Lands, Flaherty confirms [National Post]

CITY HALL

• Nick Kouvalis tells Mayor Rob Ford to ‘get healthy’ [Toronto Star]
  
• U of T’s (astro)turf war heads to City Hall [Toronto Sun]
• Council votes to allow permanent residents to cast ballots [Toronto Sun]
• Left-leaning councillors laud congestion [Toronto Sun]
• Jaye Robinson says mayor’s office told her to stop speaking to media [Toronto Sun]
•  Councillor booted from executive has no regrets  [Globe & Mail]
•  City council backs electoral reform  [Globe & Mail]
• Councillors vote to seek end of ‘first past the post’ system in city elections [National Post]

OTHER NEWS

• Ontario teacher’s new headquarters an architectural lesson: Hume [Toronto Star]
• in the park, civility goes to the dogs: Fiorito [Toronto Star]
• TTC fires ‘director of loss prevention’ [Toronto Sun]
• Dilapidated, ‘spooky’ Spadina landmark is getting a $50-million facelift  [Globe & Mail]
• Dundas street fair a watershed moment for the once grimy thoroughfare [National Post]

The post Toronto’s Urbanism Headlines: Wednesday appeared first on Spacing Toronto.

CASCADIA
• Council moves toward public financing of campaigns [Crosscut]
• Saanich looks to expand areas allowing secondary suites [Victoria Times Colonist]
• Sightline Talks Bicycling [Sightline Daily]

CANADA
• You can’t fight these lifestyle tips from city halls across Canada [National Post]
• Kathleen Wynne open to non-citizens voting in Toronto [Toronto Star]

INTERNATIONAL
• This Bike Path Also Helps Prevent Flooded Sewers [The Atlantic Cities]
• Dubai Is Making All the Same Mistakes That Led to Its Last Economic Meltdown [The Atlantic Cities]
• The Latest Images From Turkey as Police Continue Their Crackdown on Protesters [The Atlantic Cities]
• Housing discrimination persists in U.S. in more subtle ways, HUD report says [Washington Post]
• Migration is expulsion by another name in world of foreign land deals [The Guardian]

The post Vancouver’s Urbanism Headlines: Wednesday appeared first on Spacing Vancouver.

The weather in most regions of Mongolia is incredible fierce and now they are looking to harness those long winters and harsh winds to generate clean energy for future generations.

The wind turbines in Salkhit Mongolia will each tower 384 feet upward, and each blade will be a whopping 120 feet long. They have been engineered to withstand the severe weather that blasts the land.  Each turbine can produce 1.6 MW and the entire project is projected to produce 50 MW and 168.5 million kilowatt hours. Estimates project the wind farm will save the country 122,000 tons of coal and keep 180,000 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Via TreeHugger.

Urban Planet is a roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Mongolian wind farms spark new future of clean energy appeared first on Spacing National.