Culture
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UCS #85: From the Icepick to the Drillbit
See our Launch and Introduction about the launch of the © Urban Cartoon Syndicate and the announcement by CityHallWatch. *** Related Readings...
By Urban Cartoon Syndicate -
Jimmy Cliff and the roots of Toronto’s reggae scene, Part 2
“A variety of things went wrong.” The Globe’s unflattering verdict noted that Cliff was not as enthralling to watch as Marley, whose two-hour show...
By Cheryl Thompson -
Jimmy Cliff and the roots of Toronto’s reggae scene, Part 1
On November 24, 2025, Jamaican reggae legend Jimmy Cliff (né James Chambers) died at age 81. Twenty years prior, Cliff became only the fourth reggae...
By Cheryl Thompson -
21st Century Road Allowances
Yvonne was in her early 40s, with short brown hair and a solid build. She was taller than my 5’ 5” frame, but when I met her she was seated on the steps...
By mariastanborough -
The Big Brutal Breakfast
Architecture and Design Film Festival 2025 hits Toronto, Nov. 12-15, Mumbai, Jan. 8-11, Chicago, Feb. 18-21. It features The Big Brutal Quiz, a...
By Derek DeLand -
The Costs We Don’t See
Vancouver’s proposed 2026 Budget arrives with a promise that feels, at first glance, like a reprieve: a 0% property tax increase in a year when almost...
By Erick Villagomez -
UCS #75: Planning Department Disposals
See our Launch and Introduction about the launch of the © Urban Cartoon Syndicate and the announcement by CityHallWatch. *** Related Readings: Vancouver’s...
By Urban Cartoon Syndicate -
Architecture and Design Film Festival 2025 Top Ten
The Architecture and Design Film Festival Vancouver runs Nov 5-9 at the Hollywood Theatre and VIFF Centre. All films and tickets at the website. Opening...
By Derek DeLand -
NEW ISSUE: We like movies
Autumn is serious film season, when the studios put out the movies they’re hoping will get an Oscar nomination. The season is especially defined in...
By Dylan Reid -
PODCAST: Spacing Radio 90, Bless this urban mess
Change in cities is often slow, when using official channels. There is a desire to achieve the perfect plan, one that balances everyone’s needs an...
By Spacing Radio -
PODCAST: Spacing Radio 088, Big City Mayor Takes on Canadian Housing
In this episode, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pick of former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, we...
By Glyn Bowerman -
PODCAST: Spacing Radio 075, What does change cost?
With the Toronto budget about to be voted on shortly, we talk to crisis worker and homelessness advocate Diana Chan McNally about what the City needs to...
By Spacing Radio