Wednesday, March 25, 2015

How urban designer Ken Greenberg's neighbourhood made succesful transition from industrial to mixed use

More at @CBCToronto Toronto 2025: How to grow, with minimal growing pains

Via @KGreenbergTO Revitalization plan for former Guvernment site revealed in Toronto @CityNews

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Thursday, March 26, 2015
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Monday, March 23, 2015

Seattle City Council approves $34-mil investment for Pike Place Market

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

From @Livability — 2014 10 Best Downtowns #8: Bellingham, Washington

Since 1988, Bellingham, Wash., city and community leaders have followed a plan to improve their small yet vibrant downtown. Sure, that plan has changed from time to time, getting an update here and there, and while new construction projects and even revitalization plans are still in the works, the results speak for themselves. More than 1,000 new residences were constructed downtown, renovated storefronts and redesigned streets enhanced the visual appeal, and businesses have created more jobs. 
Local business owners make up the majority of Bellingham's economy, which keeps money in the pockets of residents who reinvest in their community by supporting other local businesses.
This city by the bay has become a model for urban sustainability, and the downtown area highlights how a local living economy can work. 
The "buy local" movement is strongly supported, and some residents even barter with others for food, services and building supplies. 
A population of nearly 2,400 residents and about 7,500 employees in the downtown area enjoy a highly walkable community with easy access to grocery stores, parks, restaurants and entertainment venues. Depot Market, a central gathering point in the downtown area, hosts the Bellingham Farmers Market, one of the largest farmers markets in Washington, plus many other events throughout the year.
Bellingham holds the second highest ratio of arts-related businesses to residents in the country, and it shows. Functional works of art like benches, street lights, trash cans and bicycle racks add a touch of whimsy across downtown. Whatcom Creek creates a natural boundary around the Cultural Arts District, which includes the beautifully restored Mt. Baker Theatre as well as Whatcom Museum and Pickford Film Center. Events like summer concerts, food festivals and parades draw thousands of people to this area. Downtown Bellingham is dotted with green parks, yet one of the largest green spaces, Sehome Hill Arboretum, is located less than a mile south of the Arts District, near Western Washington University. Read more: Bellingham, Washington | 2014 10 Best Downtowns
Ranking Criteria • Vacancy rate • Population increase since 2010 • Percentage of new homeowners • Daytime population • Projected median household income • Walk Score • Entertainment options • Arts/Cultural attractions
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Friday, March 20, 2015

From @metroEdmonton —
Edmonton proposes to let residents play urban planner with new CITYlab project

Senior Planner Jeff Chase
Got a bright idea for a park near your house, an empty parking space or a roadway? The city is ready to hear about it. The city will launch a new project called CITYLab Friday, which will allow residents to submit their own ideas for how to better use public spaces. “We want to be a portal to help residents and groups connect with the city to advance ideas,” said Jeff Chase, the senior planner overseeing the project. Read more: Edmonton proposes to let residents play urban planner with new CITYlab project | Metro
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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Prosperity means #place.
"They don't always need to be pretty,
they just need to be human!"

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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Pedestrian "Barnes Dance"
Shibuya part of Tokyo

Post by The Sidewalk Ballet.
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