Thursday, October 30, 2014

From Project for Public Spaces
How to Restore Walking as a Way of Life

The bias in our national philosophy towards high speed mobility has long been a topic that PPS has advocated against. In addition to stifling Placemaking, forcing people into cars has contributed to a host of growing national problems. Most compelling of those problems is the incredible pedestrian carnage. Yet until recently public outcry was minimal and government investment in transportation paid only lip service to annual fatalities that amount to the equivalent of one major airplane crash each month. Read more: Project for Public Spaces | How to Restore Walking as a Way of Life

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Privately owned public space. What could go wrong? RT @CBC_Aboriginal


Jeff Speck's Albuquerque New Mexico
Downtown Walkability Analysis





Albuquerque, New Mexico Downtown Walkability Analysis. This project focuses on walkability and connectivity in downtown, with special attention to the area surrounding the Convention Center and Innovate ABQ site as well as the railroad track at Central Avenue. Jeff Speck's final report submitted Sept 2014 here. More from the City of Albuquerque's website here.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

From Voting Helps — How a boarded up building became the heart of a community

Lisa Helps I was talking with a downtown business owner yesterday evening. She, like many, is concerned about the increased number of vacancies downtown over the past few years. We see this every day in the for lease signs that have become all too common in downtown storefronts. “We need to do downtown what you did in Fernwood,” she said to me. And she pointed to the creativity, innovation and bold action that me and others at Fernwood NRG took to address a big vacancy in the heart of our village centre and to revitalize the neighbourhood. It was early 2005... 

Read more: How a boarded up building became the heart of a community: The Cornerstone Story - Voting Helps

Thursday, October 23, 2014

From Better! Cities & Towns
A low-cost approach to walkability

Making downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, more walkable doesn’t have to cost a bundle, according to consultant Jeff Speck. The author of Walkable City delivered a report to the city, which included the following recommendations:.
Replace 19 low-volume traffic lights with stop signs.
Narrow standard 12-foot travel lanes lanes to 10 feet. “This extra (lane) width does nothing except to encourage speeding,” he said. “It doesn’t improve the flow.”
Convert two streets to two-way traffic from one-way.
• Provide more green space.
Reduce the number of travel lanes on a few streets.
• Provide more on-street parking, which buffers pedestrians, and bicycle lanes. Reduction in lanes and lane widths will provide the space.
Reduce the size of a major public space, Civic Plaza, which Speck says is too big to feel comfortable for pedestrians.
Read more: A low-cost approach to walkability | Better! Cities & Towns Online

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

#SD68 First for all the wrong reasons @jeffsd68 #nanelxn14


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Your Waterfront —
Where Aukland City Meets the Sea

"A world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea loving pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses and is a place for all people, an area rich in character and activities that link people to the city and the sea".  

TCL + WA present … Auckland Waterfront – North Wharf Promenade & Silo Park from TCL on Vimeo.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Why are candidates afraid to discuss this during the current #Nanaimo campaign?


#Minneapolis' Downtown Transit Hub @archpaper



Sunday, October 19, 2014

@BrentToderian on #Aukland's waterfront @WaterfrontAKL


Friday, October 17, 2014

South Downtown Waterfront, Georgia Park
On Monday Council Agenda

South Downtown Waterfront CommitteeRevised Mandate and Objectives To obtain Council support for the continuation of the South Downtown Waterfront Committee.
Minutes of the Georgia Park / Insight Developments Public Hearing. Adopt the amended minutes.
100+ in attendance, a large majority of the delegations were opposed. Councillor Brennan's motion to defer the Staff Report back for further work, clarification, defeated. Councillor Brennan, Kipp, Pattje in favour. Motion to approve the height and square footage increases approved, Councillors Brennan, Kipp, Pattje opposed. Council now to decide on method of "elector  assent".
There is every indication that Senior Staff and most Councillors want to ensure that the lease of the waterfront park is not an issue for public discussion during the current election campaign. We can each draw our own conclusion as to why they fear its proper public airing.
Written submissions to the hearing (minutes state there were 36 written submissions and 20 delegations) here.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

@Helijet to launch flights between ‪#‎Nanaimo‬, Vancouver


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Squamish Oceanfront Development



From Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation website — 
Impressive in scale and inspiring in spirit, Squamish Oceanfront is a new master-planned community that brings together the best British Columbia has to offer for living, working, learning and playing. This is a community in the truest sense of the word, incorporating residential, professional, commercial, educational, cultural and recreational elements in an area already world-renowned for its unparalleled beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Monday, October 13, 2014

RT @DenverWWAD @SFUPublicSquare
Video on Civic Engagement


Sunday, October 12, 2014

Hashtag #nanelxn14 #Nanaimo election 2014


Saturday, October 11, 2014

In honour of #InternationalWalkToSchoolDay @BrentToderian


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

"Empire Days" an international embarrassment for #Nanaimo @CBC_Aboriginal


Monday, October 6, 2014

Audain Whistler museum takes shape with major E.J. Hughes loan @bcbusiness


New fast acting "Lout" spray —
Politician remover


Georgia Park should stay a park and not be part of a hotel. @BuccaneerInn


Remind me — Why do we fight to get
big box retail? @StrongTowns


Thursday, October 2, 2014

From YourWaterfront.co.nz
Where Auckland City Meets the Sea


"A world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea loving pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses and is a place for all people, an area rich in character and activities that link people to the city and the sea". Read more: Your Waterfront, Auckland | Events, Activities, Marinas, Arts, Restaurants & Bars, Things to Do | Home

Seaspan Marine railway barge connecting Nanaimo to all of NA Class 1 Railways @ICF_IslandRail


"But there may be changes to the
[#Nanaimo Georgia Park] lease area"
— City Mgr @TedSwabey