Archives /// May, 2012
October 1st, 2009
Spacing Atlantic coming soon
By Spacing Atlantic // 2 Comments
Spacing magazine is happy to announce the launch of Spacing Atlantic, a new blog about the urban landscape in Halifax and other east coast cities. Spacing Atlantic is the third city-specific blog added to Spacing's lineup joining Spacing Toronto and Spacing Montreal.
photo by Steve Minor
October 5th, 2009
Welcome to Spacing Atlantic!
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
Welcome to Spacing Atlantic, a blog dedicated to engaging with the urban environments of Canada's Atlantic provinces. From St. John's to Charlottetown, Miramichi to Halifax, Fredericton to Sydney and Truro to Saint John, our eclectic group of contributors will connect you to the issues and urban spaces we care deeply about while providing a forum for discussion and debate.
Like our sister blogs in Toronto and Montreal, Spacing Atlantic will look at the state of public spaces, transit, cycling, city hall, community development, urban design, green spaces, infrastructure, public art and countless ...
Monday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // 1 Comment
Each morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for relevant articles of interest to our readers. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the Atlantic provinces.
CITY HALL
• HRM - Zoning out on Quinpool [ The Coast ]
• ST. JOHN'S - The perfect candidate [ The Telegram ]
• HRM - Fisher wins East Dartmouth [ The Coast ]
• TRURO - Vote will delay news on federal funds for civic centre [ Truro Daily News ]
• HRM - Catfights ...
October 6th, 2009
Pocket plants in Halifax
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Pocket plants seem to be taking Canadian cities by storm. When I first blogged about (poster) pocket plants in Toronto, rumour had it that something similar had also been spotted in Halifax. Well, the rumours are true: they can be found on North Street just west of Windsor.
While they might not be quite as attention-grabbing as their Toronto counterparts, these wire-meshed pocket plants seem far more likely to attain some longevity by making it through the winter. Each pocket holds far more soil and a hardier plant seems to be growing ...
October 7th, 2009
Google street view comes to HRM
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
HRM - Today Google street view went live for cities all over Canada, including for all of the Halifax Regional Municipality and beyond. Coverage includes all of the peninsula, Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Bedford, Lower Sackville, Spryfield, Brookside, Greenwood Heights, Yankeetown, and the list goes on.
Surprisingly, those enterprising folks from Google made it all the way down to Peggy's Cove and as far west as Chester. Going east you see Lawrencetown, Musquodoboit Harbour, and if you turn onto Highway 357, you will eventually go as far as Old Guysborough ...
October 8th, 2009
Dal Bike Centre coasts onto campus
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Peter Rogers fixing up a bicycle at the new bike centre in the Studley gym, 6185 South St"][/caption]
HALIFAX - Earlier this afternoon I had the gleeful experience of coasting smoothly onto campus and straight into a crowd of fellow bicycle geeks. It was the launch of the Dal Bike Centre, a new initiative co-coordinated by Clean Nova Scotia, the Office of Sustainability, and the Department of Athletics and Recreational Services. Located in a former office in the Studley campus gym, folks are invited to drop in and ...
October 9th, 2009
Friday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
Each morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for relevant articles of interest to our readers. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the Atlantic provinces.
CITY HALL
• TRURO - Truro town council briefs [ Truro Daily News ]
• HRM - HRM smoking ban should be broader [ Chronicle-Herald ]
• FREDERICTON - Councillors want recyclables pickup extended to those in apartment buildings [ Daily Gleaner ]
• MIRAMICHI - City will re-tender insurance [ Leader ]
• HRM - Smoking ...
The future of the Dartmouth Common
By Jake Schabas // 1 Comment
DARTMOUTH - On Monday night, HRM held a public meeting with community members over the master plan to transform the Dartmouth Common [PDF] into a "gateway" to Dartmouth. While the mission statements and overarching goals pointed towards creating places where "we will experience both the commonplace and the ordinary," the real controversy was over the placement of the new Bus Terminal, currently in the parking lot to the north of the Sportsplex.
Before raising the ire of the many people who attended the meeting and passionately argued over the many places where the new Bus Terminal should go by putting in my own two cents, there's plenty of other content in the Master Plan to go over whose benefits should be seen as self-evident.
First, there were four plans put forward, the major difference between them being that in the first two plans, the bus terminal runs alongside Nantucket Ave. and in the third and fourth plans, the terminal has been rotated 90 degrees and connects Nantucket to Thistle St. All four master plan options call for the elimination of the majority of the Urban Wilderness part of the Common.
Ignoring master plan option one (p.9 of plan), which is practically identical to option two (p.10) except that it proposes replacing almost all green space north of Thistle (aside from Mt. Herman Cemetery) with an ocean of surface parking, the only radical change proposed would be to put a regulation-sized soccer field where the baseball diamond currently is on the southern side of Thistle.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Dartmouth Common Master Plan Option 4"][/caption]
Options three (p.11) and four (p.12, pictured above) propose far more radical, progressive changes; ones not limited to the well-being of the recreational aspects Common but that concern the entire area and drastically transform the suburban Wyse-Nantucket intersection into a far more urban, downtown streetscape. Both options call for a five or six storey "urban block" to be built at the corner where the Scotiabank is currently located, with storefronts on the ground level and offices up above.
October 14th, 2009
Better bus shelter design in downtown Saint John
By Jake Schabas // 4 Comments
SAINT JOHN - I spent my thanksgiving with a friend's family in Saint John, giving me the chance to do a good deal of walking around town. One thing that struck me was the elegantly designed bus shelters surrounding King Square, City Hall and the Loyalist Burying Ground downtown. Made of wrought-iron, these bus shelters are the nicest I have seen anywhere in Canada. Although I only saw them downtown, I'm told they can be found all over Saint John, and not just in the places most visited by tourists, a sign that aesthetic considerations have been taken into account by City Hall when it comes to streetscapes and urban design.
October 15th, 2009
Thursday’s headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Each morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for relevant articles of interest to our readers. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the Atlantic provinces.
CITY HALL
PARADISE, NFLD - He was Canada's Youngest Mayor, Now he must Fight for Paradise [ Globe & Mail ]
MIRAMICHI - Trial Starts Over Graffiti on Now Demolished Duke Street House [ Leader ]
SAINT JOHN - Council Goes Back to Basics [ Telegraph-Journal ]
URBAN GREENS
NOVA SCOTIA - Monster Turbines Gear up to Harness ...
October 16th, 2009
From barriers to opportunity in downtown Dartmouth
By Jason Pelley // 7 Comments
The Halifax Harbour has become a barrier to part a of the downtown core: geographic, political and psychological. This barrier has become division; and Dartmouth an estranged sister. However, Dartmouth has considerable desirable atrributes that should be recognized and embraced for the benefit of HRM as a whole. In order to do this these barriers must be reframed as opportunities.
October 17th, 2009
Walk, Don’t Walk, Scramble?
By Joshua Biggley // 3 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - The macabre dance of pedestrians and automobiles is a time honoured tradition. Ever since Bridget Driscol was killed by a car in 1896, the deadly duo of auto and intersection has struck fear into the hearts of traffic planners and pedestrians everywhere. The reality is, of course, that traffic planning is as much art as it is science, which is why Charlottetown is revisiting the idea of a pedestrian scramble.
The intersection of Grafton and Queen street, bordered by the Confederation Centre of the Arts and Confederation Court Mall, and down the street from both city hall and the provincial legislature, is stirring up controversy with the possible return of its pedestrian scramble. Also known as a Barnes' Dance, a scramble was introduced in Toronto last year at the corner of Yonge and Dundas. Beautifully documented in a time-lapse sequence by photoblogger Sam Javanrouh on Spacing Atlantic's sister site, Spacing Toronto, the scramble belays its more common title and suggests a more graceful choreography. Henry A. Barnes, often incorrectly credited with inventing the scramble, even to the extent of it bearing his name, said, at a September 1951 conference, "...a downtown shopper needed a four-leaf clover, a voodoo charm, and a St. Christopher's medal to make it in one piece from one curbstone to the other."
From the Vaults: The Capitol Theatre
By Lauren Oostveen // 6 Comments
Before the Maritime Centre opened its doors in 1977, the corner of Barrington St. and Spring Garden Rd. was home to the Capitol Theatre, which was demolished in 1974 to make room for the office tower.
October 18th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Throughout each week, Spacing Atlantic will feature the work of photographers capturing the sights and scenes of urban spaces around Atlantic Canada.
Halifax Grain Elevators and Silos
black & white film
Justin Tomchuk
A unique angle on a familiar Halifax landmark.
October 19th, 2009
4 Days Thinking Forward Halifax :: Sustained by Design
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Around the world, books, videos, events, articles, reports, leaders are talking about the power of design to reshape economies, improve public services and add to our quality of life. We got to thinking, why not here?
At the 4 Days of Thinking Forward Halifax -- between October 21 and 24 -- international leaders in social innovation, the green economy, public participation, and sustainable design will be in Halifax to do more than just one-off presentations. They will submerse themselves in the Halifax community to explore how participatory design can help this lively region in its transition to sustainability.
Visiting innovators include headliner John Thackara, global lecturer and design critic, Peter MacLeod of MASS LBP – experts in reinventing public engagement, and Uffe Elbaek founder of Danish Kaospilot School that creates positive societal change through professional and personal growth. Thackara describes his role in Halifax as a "Hubble Telescope turned backwards - the idea being that it often takes an outsider to help grassroots people and groups, who are the acorns of a sustainable future, become better known or visible in their own backyard."
Monday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
Every Monday and Thursday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for relevant articles of interest to our readers. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the Atlantic provinces.
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - City reveals winning bids for plowing, sanding and salting work [ Daily Gleaner ]
SAINT JOHN - City likely on the hook for more than fair share of road repairs [ Telegraph-Journal ]
MONTAGUE, PEI - 'For the sake of the town, I think we need a new face for ...
Streets at your feet
By Monika Warzecha // 4 Comments
HALIFAX - As soon as I moved to Halifax from Toronto, I immediately noticed how street names are often carved into the sidewalks of intersections.
It makes the city seem more pedestrian-oriented. People in cars wouldn’t be able to read the foot-level signage.
Some of the sidewalk names even have dates next to them. I haven’t noticed any recent dates – I saw a few from the late 70s to the mid-90s. I'd be disappointed to learn that the etchings have fallen out of practice. The names add charm to unlikely spaces.
photos by ...
Spacing Atlantic launch party
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing Atlantic is close to officially launching -- on Wednesday, October 28th the blog's editors and contributors will be throwing a party at the Eye Level Gallery in Halifax! Come out to this free event to have a few drinks, meet people interested in city issues, and support the east coast's newest blog. You'll also be able to grab copies of Spacing's Toronto-based magazine, buy some cool Halifax-themed buttons, and take part in a few fun activities.
ATTENTION FIRST TIME READERS:
Spacing Atlantic is still in beta-mode, which means there will be some ...
October 20th, 2009
The Art of Public Art
By Joshua Biggley // 1 Comment
CHARLOTTETOWN -- Public art is not quite as taboo as politics or religion, but the inclusion of art in the public space, ostensibly approved by some level of government, has been known to be a divisive issue across Canada. Take, for example, Dennis Oppenheim's sculpture “Device to Root Out Evil” which was the source of debate at Stanford, eventually finding a home in Vancouver, only to be uprooted and moved to the Calgary's Ramsay neighbourhood in September 2008. ...
Events Guide: Public talk with bicycle coordinator of Portland, Oregon
By Spacing Atlantic // 2 Comments
Cities across North America are implementing new cycling networks at a rapid rate. Portland, Oregon (pop. 576 000) has been at the forefront for making cycling safer and more convenient in the city. The results speak for themselves: currently 8% of Portlanders are cycling to and from work each day. That number has doubled since 2005.
The Halifax Cycling Coalition is please to host a public talk by Roger Geller, Portland’s Bicycle Coordinator who has been with their Bureau of Transportation since July, 1994 and is currently working on the city's bikeway ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // 5 Comments
Throughout each week, Spacing Atlantic will feature the work of photographers capturing the sights and scenes of urban spaces around Atlantic Canada.
St. John's, Newfoundland
Hugh Pouliot
Could be any east coast city, really.
October 21st, 2009
Nocturne: Hidden views and humans at the parkade
By Alison Creba // No Comments
HALIFAX - Last Saturday’s crisp October night saw people take to the streets to explore the city for its annual Nocturne event. With open doors, and outdoor installations, the event turned the city inside out. Introducing new artists and their interdisciplinary work, the event also presented opportunities to experience urban architecture as new artistic landscapes. Among the many impactful pieces, wide-eyed wanderers took bold steps participating in Jesse Walker's Parkade Project. The project set in the multi-level parking garage at Blowers and Granville Street, sought to lower the heart rate, and reclaim humanity in a building designed for cars.
The project began with a precession where participants filed into the stairwell led in rhythmic two-by-two steps by a pea-coat clad Howard Beye. Each pair of steps was interspliced with erratic tapping patterns made by other facilitators on the metal railings. The echoing tapping sounds were indecipherable in origin and constantly changing - unpracticed cues to march. As participants ascended the zigzag stairwell, they exchanged silent communicative looks. These quiet conversations, coupled with the mass march, questioned the space itself. Discussions wondered: how far to the top? How far down did the stairwell go? Was the tapping coming from the bottom, top, both? How many steps could one tackle with each beat? What accounted for the inconsistent flow?
Events Guide: 4 Days: Sustained by Design ‘unconference’
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Beginning tonight, international leaders in social innovation, the green economy, public participation, and sustainable design will be in Halifax to do more than just one-off presentations. They will submerse themselves in the Halifax community to explore how participatory design can help this lively region in its transition to sustainability.
Visiting innovators include headliner John Thackara, global lecturer and design critic, Peter MacLeod of MASS LBP – experts in reinventing public engagement, and Uffe Elbaek founder of Danish Kaospilot School that creates positive societal change through professional and personal growth. Thackara describes his role in Halifax ...
World Wide Wednesday: Urban golf, a snowless city and 1 million trees
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Each week Spacing focuses on blogs and web sites from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues in Toronto.
• On the topic of "play" in the city, Pruned Blog also features a great post about the potential and symbolism behind the sport of urban golf where players "tee off on the street, sidewalks, alleys or on top of buildings".
• Check out urlesque.com for a ...
Preserving the past in Halifax
By Lawrence Plug // No Comments
HALIFAX - It's not uncommon to encounter contrasts of old versus new, bleak versus shiny, defensiveness versus forward-thinking-ness. That is particularly the case in Halifax, which enjoys a vibrant present as well as a rich and not always happy history. I was reminded of that on a single day last week.
First, I tried to visit the World War II observation posts and gun batteries at York Redoubt historic park near Fergusons Cove. Besides being a pleasant walk, this is usually a great spot to view the entrance to Halifax harbour -- which is also why antisubmarine nets were stretched from here to McNabs Island 65 or so years ago, protecting the harbour from the U-boats that plied Canada's east coast, torpedoing naval and merchant ships. You can't get to the WWII location now, though. Parks Canada has cordoned it off because it is sufficiently decayed and unmaintained that it might be a risk to park visitors.
October 22nd, 2009
Thursday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
HALIFAX LIBRARY AND OTHER NEWS
HALIFAX - Downtown Halifax shuttle plan scrapped [ Chronicle-Herald ]
MONCTON - Downtown Moncton needs icon [ Times & Transcript ]
HALIFAX - Halifax Common land loss will be outlined [ Coast ]
MONCTON - Metro safest city in Atlantic Canada [ Times & Transcript ]
FREDERICTON - Make way for Matt Stairs Way [ Daily Gleaner ]
HALIFAX - Library project will force jazz festival tent to relocate [ Chronicle-Herald ]
CHARLOTTETOWN - National report praises city's bike lane [ Guardian ]
HALIFAX - Politics aside, new library project is crucial [ Chronicle-Herald ]
SAINT ...
From the Vaults: Spring Garden Road Memorial Library
By Lauren Oostveen // 3 Comments
Excitement is building for a new central library for Halifax. The new central library will replace the Spring Garden Road Memorial Library, which was built in 1951 as a memorial to Halifax's WWI and WWII casualties.
Spacing Atlantic launch party Oct 28th
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing Atlantic is close to officially launching -- on Wednesday, October 28th the blog's editors and contributors will be throwing a party at the Eye Level Gallery in Halifax! Come out to this free event to have a few drinks, meet people interested in city issues, and support the east coast's newest blog. You'll also be able to grab copies of Spacing's Toronto-based magazine, buy some cool Halifax-themed buttons, and take part in a few fun activities.
ATTENTION FIRST TIME READERS:
Spacing Atlantic is still in beta-mode, which means there will be some technical glitches and ...
October 23rd, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Sackville, New Brunswick
Blake Morin
When red brick and touches of green and yellow paint bring life to the street...
What’s in a Name: Gottingen to Novalea
By Veronica Simmonds // 6 Comments
Spaces and faces are much the same - both have names that, when used properly, can get you places. Knowing someone’s name is really half the battle in getting to know them, it gives you a little insight into their character, gets you thinking about what their parents are all about and most importantly allows you to get their attention from far away.
In much the same way, knowing the name of a street is the first step in getting to understand the city you live in. Once you know the name of a street you can call a cab to it, write a letter to it but most importantly you can start musing about who gave it that name and why.
Every Tuesday this past summer I would walk a herd of 4-6 year olds from the George Dixon Centre to the Needham Recreation Centre to go swimming. On this walk I was always puzzled that after the intersection at Young Street, the name of Gottingen Street changed to Novalea Drive. I found this to be a bit bizarre as there is no perceptible change in the road, direction or otherwise. Upon further investigation I have found that these street names share a complex past.
October 25th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Throughout each week, Spacing Atlantic will feature the work of photographers capturing the sights and scenes of urban spaces around Atlantic Canada.
Halifax waterfront
Lawrence Plug
Those towers really loom over the water at night.
October 26th, 2009
Another kind of crosswalk
By Jake Schabas // 5 Comments
SAINT JOHN - Besides admiring the beautifully designed bus shelters, while visiting Saint John over thanksgiving weekend I spent a lot of time moving around the city by foot, and what caught my attention were some of their crosswalks. Rather than the standard solid block lines found in most cities (Halifax, Toronto, Montreal, etc.), some of Saint John's crosswalks were stenciled brick patterns.
While these are pretty gimmicky-looking, and are clearly calling out for tourists--many were strategically placed near the landing docks and on the most historical streets; see photo below-- they do raise the interesting question of what kind of public art we allow on the streets. Joshua Biggley dug into the politics of art in public spaces in his last post on Charlottetown, showing how municipally approved art often cause controversy because it ostensibly symbolizes the approval of the greater public. Yet what about the kind of art that we passively accept on our streets, and is allowed precisely because it doesn't challenge anything or push any boundaries?
October 27th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Moncton, New Brunswick
Blake Michel Morin
Signs of life behind a building.
October 28th, 2009
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every Monday (well, except for today .. today is Wednesday) and Thursday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - New central library funded [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Friendship centre gets boost [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Metro Transit report gets rough ride from councillors [Metro News]
HALIFAX - The whims of bylaw enforcement [The Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WENTWORTH - Wentworth residents not convinced that narrower is ...
Discovering Charlottetown: Victoria Row
By Joshua Biggley // 1 Comment
CHARLOTTETOWN - Nestled behind the Confederation Centre of the Arts is a 200m stretch of early 20th century buildings, the type of mixed use treasures that are being recreated throughout North America in an attempt to echo our European roots through New Urbanism. When I first discovered Victoria Row, as this stretch of Richmond Street is known, it was in its pre-tourism state. This one-way lane was lined with restaurant patios and boutiques, all under the shadow the 1960's era arts and entertainment centre that dominates the downtown core.
Though still recovering from the post-winter stresses, I could sense the potential of this little side-street, for in it I saw the creation of the Holy Grail of pedestrian culture -- a pedestrian mall! The pedestrian mall is a magical place where vehicles are excluded while pedestrians and cyclists reclaim the space between the curbs as their own. Though I did not know it at the time, Victoria Row makes a seasonal transformation from one-way side street to pedestrian haven, complete with an open-mic style bandstand and middle of the road water fountain.
Spacing Atlantic launch party tonight!
By Spacing Atlantic // 3 Comments
Spacing Atlantic is close to officially launching -- tonight! The blog's editors and contributors will be throwing a party at the Eye Level Gallery in Halifax. Come out to this free event to have a few drinks, meet people interested in city issues, and support the east coast's newest blog. You'll also be able to grab copies of Spacing's Toronto-based magazine, buy some cool Halifax-themed buttons, and take part in a few fun activities. We'll also have some Halifax-themed buttons for sale!
RSVP: tell us if you're coming at our Facebook event listing.
Paying the price for public transit
By Alex Boutilier // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - The Metro Transit Strategic Plan was discussed in Halifax Regional Council for the first time yesterday, but the controversy has been with us for almost a week now.
Why is the report, which offers recommendations for improving/enhancing public transportation in the HRM, controversial? Mostly due to the ways it recommends paying for such improvements.
First, a little background: the Metro Transit Five-Year Strategic Operations Plan [ PDF ], an independent report published by IBI group, was commissioned by HRM in September of last year. It was meant to offer a five-year plan to integrate Metro Transit into the Regional Municipality Planning Strategy (MPS) [ PDF ], which was adopted by city council in 2006.
Because Metro Transit had adopted its first five-year Transit Strategy in 2002, it was not integrated into 2006’s MPS. However, Metro Transit saw a significant increase in service levels and ridership during its first five-year plan, and so city council deemed it necessary to work towards a new five-year plan that met those demands, while working public transportation into the MPS.
Hence, the Metro Transit Strategic Plan. Now; on to the controversy.
October 29th, 2009
New thinking at Pecha Kucha
By Lizzy Hill // No Comments
HALIFAX - Imagine an alternate Halifax. Beautiful people sprawl happily in urban parks, eating thick, locally produced sandwiches. When they've had enough fresh air, they head home to energy-efficient glass towers. Imagine a “shimmering blue harbour” or “a fragrant and swimmable harbour with no unsettling warm spots.”
Capital District's Urban Design Project manager Andy Filmore shared his dream journey Friday night to a packed Garrison Brewery full of urban visionaries, eclectic personalities and those with an interest in sustainability. Filmore participated in Pecha Kucha Night—part of last week's 4 Days' “unconference.” Pecha Kucha literally means “chit chat” in Japanese, but much more than chit chat transpired.
Each Pecha Kucha participant focused on a topic loosely related to design or sustainability, discussing 20 slides for 20 seconds each. Sarah Craig urged Halifax to build a school like Ursula Franklin Academy, which espouses values of diversity and community service; Jonathan Mckeever applied mathematical formulas to areas of life, such as square dancing; and Adam Foster Collins' discussed his socially-conscious design project, Threads of Peru.
Hot dogging it on Fenwick
By Anna Duckworth // 6 Comments
HALIFAX -- Some 24 odd months ago construction began on Fenwick Street in Halifax’ South End, the site has fast evolved into a fantasyland for every four-year-old boy – excavators, diggers and dynamite littered the street.
But when workers discovered an unexpected underground river during the early phases of construction, everything stopped.
Here we are, two years later, and my front yard is still a 40-foot canyon. My house still shakes on a daily basis from the dynamite blasts. And my neighbours are still pissed off.
But I’m not. In fact, the workers are threatening to be finished the roadwork by Christmas. And I don’t feel too good about it. I have a routine. Each day I throw the door open. I toss my compost. And I mount my bike to greet the same group of workers out front.
From the Vaults: Grand Parade
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
Halifax's Grand Parade has long been seen as the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest places in Halifax, having been mapped out in 1749.
Spacing Atlantic launch party: an afterword
By Matthew Blackett // 3 Comments
HALIFAX -- Last night at the Eye Level Gallery in Halifax, the editors of Spacing launched our newest adventure: Spacing Atlantic!
Spacing Atlantic is the third blog added to our lineup, joining sister blogs Spacing Toronto and Spacing Montreal. The Atlantic blog will cover urban landscape issues in cities across the east coast from St. John's to Fredericton, Moncton to Charlottetown, Saint John to Sydney.
Our launch party attracted over 150 people. Most of the people I talked to expressed a great deal of excitement that Spacing could help further the discussion about a variety of public space issues that are slightly off the local radar, especially from a political standpoint (read the post about Halifax's transit plan debate to get an idea). As publisher of Spacing, I'm quite excited to learn about the challenges east coast cities face as they become more aware of the benefits of progressive urban design (the debate about the scramble intersection in Charlottetown is a perfect example).
LINKS: The Coast has nice review of the event, you can check out the photos of the event on our Flickr account, or see some of our favourites after the "continue reading" link. Many thanks to Dan Mattison of clickproductions.ca for his photographic skills.
October 30th, 2009
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 1 Comment
Every Monday (well, except for today .. today is Friday) and Thursday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - Council sticks to secret appointments [the Coast]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside ditch policy 'unfair', 'illegal', residents claim [The Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Halifax group off to transit seminar [Chronicle Herald]
KENTVILLE - Environmentalists want tighter biosolids rules [Chronicle Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Survey finds Islanders willing to ...
Critical Mask – A Hallowe’en Ride
By Mark Lamovsek // 4 Comments
Co-written by Anna Duckworth and Mark Lamovsek
HALIFAX - Tonight is the much-anticipated Hallowe’en Critical Mass ride. And hopefully the beginning of a new chapter for the Halifax ride.
Critical Mass is an international monthly celebration of bikes and bike culture. In Halifax, cyclists gather at Victoria Park on the last Friday of every month to cruise around the city.
For most, Critical Mass is a chance to cycle safely, experience strength in numbers and celebrate life on bikes.
Despite Critical Mass’ generally celebratory and peaceful nature, it’s garnered some negative ...
October 31st, 2009
Portland: a glimpse of what Halifax could be
By Vince Vining // No Comments
HALIFAX - Roger Geller, the City Bicycle Coordinator of Portland, Oregon paid a visit to Halifax on the weekend of October 24th. Portland has long been revered for its well above-average bicycle ridership (eight times more than Halifax). It’s a city where cyclists are more than just tolerated, but encouraged to be a dominant presence within the city’s traffic. Restaurants and businesses beg the city to remove their store-front parking, and replace it with massive bike corrals for the leagues of cyclists who arrive to buy coffee, pet supplies, or iPods. It’s a city that has increased its number of dedicated cyclists by exposing the inherent joy of a community where cycling is not only important, but also necessary. Mr. Geller comes from a city that Halifax could be.
The question is: how did Portland get to be the way it is? According to Geller, it comes down to one simple statement he stands firmly behind: “Build it and they will come.”
Previous to 1995, Portland looked like an average North American city — lots of suburbs, bike-unfriendly bridges, steep hills in the city centre, and not a whole lot of cyclists.
Sound familiar?
Within 15 years, the citizens of Portland made it the city it is today. How? They set up a city which cyclists could enjoy. The first step was to enact a policy declaring Portland a city where people would choose to bike rather than drive.
November 2nd, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every Monday and Thursday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - How councillors voted on making appointments in public [The Coast]
HALIFAX - HRM council’s agenda may go public sooner [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Council will talk trash at special meeting today [Telegraph Journal]
INFRASTRUCTURE
SYDNEY - Explosion destroys house in Whitney Pier [Cape Breton Post]
NEW WATERFORD - Operation Lifesaver conducts train safety ...
November 3rd, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // 4 Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lawrence Plug
The navy meets waterfront design.
Spacing Atlantic Charlottetown meet-up
By Joshua Biggley // No Comments
Since most Islanders couldn't make the official Spacing Atlantic launch party last week, we've decided to get together on our own for a little meet, greet and nefarious plotting. So, if you happen to be a PEI-based writer, photographer, artist, or you simply want to have a say in the urban policies of Charlottetown and other PEI communities, come on down to the Eco-PEI offices (also the Sierra Club of Canada offices) and join in the discussion.
Who: Writers, photographers, artists and the simply curious
What: Spacing Atlantic Charlottetown Meet-up
When: Wednesday, November ...
November 4th, 2009
World Wide Wednesday: Jaywalking, pedestrian scrambles and the world’s cheapest home
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Londoners got their first "X crossing" this week at Oxford Circle, one of the city's busiest downtown intersections. For Torontonians who want to compare, BBC News ...
November 5th, 2009
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every Monday and Thursday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Transit plan: not perfect, but necessary [The Coast]
NOVA SCOTIA - N.S. looking to speed up schedule to bring renewable energy online [Metro News]
TRURO - Smoking banned from town-owned playgrounds [Truro Daily News]
NEW DEVELOPMENT
DEBERT - Diefenbunker now a data centre [Truro Daily News]
SAINT JOHN - Victoria Square gets shot in ...
A downtown shuttle named Desire
By Alex Boutilier // No Comments
The plan was simple – a free downtown shuttle service, similar to Metro Transit’s FRED (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown) service, which would run year-long for city residents. Two buses would begin at the ferry terminal on the waterfront; one would go north, the other south. And public transit users would rejoice.
Ah, plans. We sure make a lot of them! But this particular one was not included in the Metro Transit Strategic Plan, the suggested five-year strategy aiming to improve public transit in the HRM.
This surprised downtown councillor Dawn Sloane. “I’m quite upset ... quite furious, actually,” she told the Chronicle Herald.
She should be – the service has been talked about for years. According to the Herald, Sloane’s been telling constituents the shuttle was a go, and that the province has already committed two buses.
Why was the shuttle service not included in the Strategic Plan? And why did this surprise councillor Sloane? It may have something to do with Metro Transit’s Five Year Capital Plan. Released last year, the capital plan read like a wish list for city councillors – pretty much every city councillor – including such items as the $27-million fast ferry (italics to emphasize speed), massive service expansion, rural express routes, and yes, a free downtown shuttle.
The list was so extensive, it caused one Halifax-based journalist to suggest it had been written by three guys in a pub, on a bar napkin – “they basically just threw whatever any politician was talking about into the plan.”
Unsurprisingly, council loved the Capital Plan and voted in its favour. It’s hard to vote against something for everyone, assuming you want to get re-elected.
I ‘heart’ Halifax
By Jacob Ritchie // 5 Comments
At last week’s launch party the Spacing Atlantic street team gave guests the opportunity to identify their own personal “heart of the city” on a 3m x 3m map of the urban area surrounding Halifax harbor. Eighty two people in attendance took the opportunity to stick a sticker and rep the spot they felt best represented the cultural, social, commercial, or traditional centre of the city.
The spacing editors gave me a copy of the map earlier this week and I have taken the opportunity to perform a bit of basic analysis on the placements we all choose. As a refresher, here is the whole map as it looked at the end of the night (each red dot is a unique estimation of the heart of the city).
November 6th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Shawn Micallef
Sun swept in Saint John.
From the Vaults: Sydney
By Lauren Oostveen // 3 Comments
Sydney was founded in 1785, and named after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. From 1784 to 1820, Sydney was the capital of the British colony of Cape Breton Island. Industrial development around Sydney began to take shape in the late 1820s.
November 7th, 2009
Share a ride, make more friends
By Anna Duckworth // 8 Comments
Co-written by Rachel Caroline Derrah and Anna Duckworth.
NOVA SCOTIA - Consider this: you've got somewhere to be. But you've got no means to get there. You plan ahead and solicit a drive from someone else. It’s carpooling.
Now, let's say you don't have time on your side. You start walking and en route you solicit a drive from a passing car. This negotiation happens in public. It’s hitchhiking.
Let’s get this straight then, the law struggles with the context in which we negotiate shared transportation, but not the actual act of sharing a ride.
Welcome to Nova Scotia – a small province that boasts almost no means to move from one community to the next. Outside the fortunate few who own cars, Nova Scotians are bound to their backyards by the absence of alternative transportation and infrastructure.
November 8th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
MacDonald Bridge, Halifax
Jen Polegatto
Bridged by fog.
November 9th, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every weekday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
CITY HALL
NOVA SCOTIA - Ottawa, province team up to complete Highway 125 twinning [Metro]
TRURO - Pilot project being set up for garbage collection in cottage country [Truro Daily News]
NOVA SCOTIA - N.S. Liberal leader says trust fund money should go to community organization [Metro]
SYDNEY - Councillors host meeting about water concerns [Cape Breton Post]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX ...
Re-reading Marginal Road: alternative histories of the Halifax pier
By Hugh Pouliot // 4 Comments
[caption id="attachment_992" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Photo courtesy of the Pier 21 Research Centre"][/caption]
HALIFAX - In 2007, Pier 21, the gateway to Canada for over a million people between 1928 and 1971, was publicly voted one of the Seven Wonders of Canada on the CBC. It was cited as ‘intrinsically linked to Canada’s multicultural identity’, and a celebrated national icon which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. Yet for all of the ‘history’ that the site – piers 19 to 23 and the Immigration Annex – embodies, there actually seems to be a great deal of history missing.
Construction of the Halifax Ocean Terminals began in 1917, and finished in 1928. However, the sheds were designed as facilities for the reception and transfer of cargo, not people. Debate in the 1920s between government, immigration, and commercial officials as to whether these cold, dark, and primitive structures were really suitable for the welcoming of trans-Atlantic migrants is evidence of divergent attitudes and practices towards immigration and immigrants in Halifax.
Certainly, commercial interests dictated policy on the Halifax waterfront. Steven Schwinghamer, Pier 21's research coordinator, remarks, ''railway companies would frequently be making announcements on behalf of Immigration,'' including where – and subsequently how – the immigration office would operate. Immigration was moved from the more spacious and hospitable Pier 2 in the North End to Pier 21, a freight shed, in 1928 apparently due to pressure from shipping and railway companies.
This week’s Spacing Radio features 4 Days conference
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Some Spacing Atlantic readers may not be aware of this, but Spacing hosts a bi-weekly podcast called Spacing Radio (you can subscribe to the show via iTunes or follow the links on the right sidebar). It has primarily been focused on Toronto, but the last few episodes have seen us cover other cities, which we will continue to do. This episode has a feature on Halifax's recent 4 Days conference.
This episode of Spacing Radio challenges listeners to think about public ...
November 10th, 2009
Tuesday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
DIEPPE - Dieppe eyes sign law [ Times & Transcript ]
ST. JOHN'S - $1.5M operating grant approved for SJSE [ Telegram ]
SAINT JOHN - Deciding Saint John's future [ Telegraph-Journal ]
TRURO - Conservatives win back riding [ Daily News ]
SAINT JOHN - A new project done the old way [ Telegraph-Journal ]
URBAN GREEN
SACKVILLE - Sackville river spill comes at worst possible time, wildlife group says [ Metro ]
FREDERICTON - Council eyes green technology for rink [ The Daily Gleaner ]
SACKVILLE - Community saddened by vandalism [ Chronicle-Herald ]
ROTHESAY - Walking ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // 2 Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Jake Schabas
An overpass built for...convicted pedestrians. The crime? Wanting to cross the highway on foot.
Beyond 4Days: Thackara’s thoughts, cardboard city, and “human energy”
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_1036" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="photo by Click Productions"][/caption]
HALIFAX - Whether or not you were able to attend October's 4Days "unconference" in Halifax, there's a second chance to feast your ears on the sound of innovative city planning and region-specific design solutions. The most recent episode of Spacing Radio includes clips of 4Days keynote speaker, John Thackara, inspiring reflection on some of the themes brought out at the symposium, and begging the question, what next?
Here's a mini retrospective of the "wake" at Hollis & Morris, where Thackara's declaration, complemented by Spacing's cardboard city activity (a throwback to the Planning and Design Centre's 2008 Nocturne event) both spoke to the incredible energy and ingenuity possessed by the Halifax community. The challenge now is how to keep that energy working for us.
Events Guide: Planning for the Future with an ICSP
By Joshua Biggley // 1 Comment
CHARLOTTETOWN - When the federal government introduced the Intergrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) as a requirement to access the Gas Tax Fund (GTF) it jump-started the planning departments of countless cities across Canada to examine their long-term development plans. Of course, the ICSP process is not meant to be an economic stimulus package, but a comprehensive framework outlining the social, economic, environmental and cultural sustainability of the community. This planning process is intended to give citizen and government stakeholders a common vision for the future, a veritable litmus test ...
November 11th, 2009
World Wide Wednesday: Berlin Wall tribute
By Matthew Blackett // 1 Comment
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This past Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall--one of the defining moments of the 20th century, reunifying Berlin and symbolizing for many the collapse ...
Wetland street furniture design in Sackville
By Blake Michel Morin // 1 Comment
SACKVILLE, NB - On a recent trip to Sackville, Moncton-based Spacing photographer Blake Michel Morin spotted a few interesting examples of wetland-influenced street design. They include a duck-inspired bench, an alley way wetland wall mural and a cattail garbage bin.
November 12th, 2009
Thursday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
CHARLOTTETOWN - Stop burning garbage in fireplace, councillor says [ Guardian ]
HRM - Municipality wants more time to get plants up to snuff [ Chronicle-Herald ]
FREDERICTON - City still working on policy [ Daily Gleaner ]
HRM - Johns new deputy mayor [ Chronicle-Herald ]
ROTHESAY - Mayor in dark over grant formula [ Telegraph-Journal ]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DARTMOUTH - Museum society to get waterfront building [ Chronicle-Herald ]
SAINT JOHN - Crane cranks a lot of necks on busy uptown street [Telegraph-Journal]
HRM - Wind opinions sought [ Chronicle-Herald ]
SAINT JOHN - North Ender Doin' ...
Council votes to “receive” transit plan
By Alex Boutilier // No Comments
HALIFAX - The Metro Transit Strategic Plan – yes, that strategic plan – was “received” by Halifax Regional Council on Tuesday, but the reception was far from a warm one.
Councillors debated the plan – an independent report commissioned by city hall in 2008 with a $285,000 price tag – for over two hours on Tuesday, before finally voting to “receive” the plan. Receiving the plan means: staff can now seriously get down to work, looking at the various recommendations and figuring out ways and costs of implementing those recommendations.
It also means council is in no way – financially, politically, spiritually – required to take any action once staff returns with that information this coming January. Nor are they bound to the recommendations contained in the report whatsoever.
The debate was a lively one, kicking off with downtown Councillor Dawn Sloane’s lament that a free downtown shuttle was not included in the Strategic Plan. You’ll recall that such a shuttle service – providing free rides across the completely walkable, minuscule Halifax downtown area – was advocated by HRMbyDesign.
Then came Councillor Barry Dalrymple (Waverley-Fall River-Beaverbank) making the perfectly (politically) logical argument that Metro Transit doesn’t even service his constituency, so why should he etc etc etc. He also made a quip about one time when he and his sons drove by five busses on the same route with 2 people or less on them. Where was this route? Nobody seemed to know. His exact words: “I won’t mention the route, but...”
State of Disrepair: Documenting the demise of the public payphone
By Jessica Walker // 7 Comments
[caption id="attachment_873" align="alignnone" width="625" caption="A concrete slab remains on the corner of Chebucto and Windsor, where a pay phone used to be."][/caption]
HALIFAX – It's been almost a year since I first started thinking about payphones.
Back then I spoke with an urban planner who was working on a redesign for a major downtown Halifax street; he casually mentioned that they might not be including payphones in their new plans. While they ultimately decided against this idea, I was shocked to think that we, as a city and a society, were at such a point.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="624" caption="This phone's proximity to the North End's upscale Hydrostone Market doesn't keep vandals away, with graffiti all over the phone's inner cabin and exterior."][/caption]
Now that cellphones permeate our culture, what role does the public payphone play in 21st century Canada? What does it mean for our city when phone companies begin taking away payphones or leaving them vandalized or in an unusable condition? And who is most affected by these choices?
While out taking photos for this article, I was approached by a passer-by asking if I was documenting "the demise of the payphone." I guess I am.
November 13th, 2009
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every weekday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
TRANSPORTATION
FREDERICTON - Bus routes could be cut [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - New bike trails to be one of a kind [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - City plans trail upgrade [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Critical Mass confusion [the Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Province stays charge against local developer [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Possible respite for Victorian hotel [the Coast]
SYDNEY ...
Turning sewage into gold: Marsh creek renewal and watershed banking
By Lindsay Bird // No Comments
SAINT JOHN - The east side of Saint John is ruled by three things: the refinery, retail and rain. Every time a big storm rolls in, businesses and basements get soaked. And the problem is only getting worse.
That’s because this sprawling side of the city is built on top of its largest urban watershed — Marsh Creek. It’s a 4100-hectare patch of wetlands, but it’s a far cry from looking like a Ducks Unlimited commercial.
That’s because Saint John flushes 16 million litres of raw sewage into its harbour every day, with Marsh Creek a major dumping ground. “Whatever disease you want — it’s there,” says Colin Forsythe, a community wetlands coordinator with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program.
That's where his organization steps in. The Saint John chapter is proposing to rejuvenate the area, with dreams beyond a new Costco and its discounted vats of mixed nuts.
Take me to the plaza: The King street tannery
By Giovanni Paquin // 2 Comments
Co-written by Andrew Matheson and Giovanni Paquin
Take me to the Plaza
I gravitate to the people hangin around
with their cigarettes and coffee in their hands
at the centre of the town
take me there...
- Jonathan Richman
FREDERICTON - Fredericton, a “city” of some 50,000, is the provincial capital of New Brunswick and has been the place we call home for a little more than a year (Giovanni) and six months (Andrew) respectively. As expats from Montreal and Toronto, we’ve definitely had to adjust to the change of pace in lifestyle in the city, but for the most part it’s been a positive experience.
Fredericton has a relatively vibrant downtown filled with clusters of public buildings (Provincial Legislature, Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton Playhouse, City Hall), boutique shops, cafes and some not-so-aesthetically pleasing office buildings. For the most part, the downtown is a walkable place, but it also has a tendency to cater to cars in order to survive, which often results in overlooking some of the more obvious opportunities to develop great public spaces. One such example includes “the Tannery”.
November 16th, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Every weekday morning, Spacing will scan the local newspapers and media for articles to Atlantic cities. Put on the coffee, fix yourself a bowl of cereal and settle down to an already-gathered collection of current news stories from around the east coast.
CITY HALL
SAINT JOHN - Mayor hates new tax law [Telegraph-Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City councillor calls for photo ID in municipal elections [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Closing in on new city manager [ Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Cheap loan helps municipality save money [Telegraph-Journal]
CIVIC PRIDE
FREDERICTON - Affordable Housing Day to be marked [Daily Gleaner]
CORNER BROOK - You ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lawrence Plug
Another way to tell the cold weather's here.
Losing a Landmark: Hollis & Morris
By Katie McKay // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - On the southeast corner of Hollis Street and Morris Street, in the South End of Halifax, a historically-significant set of buildings characterize the area. During the 200+ years that it has stood on this storied site, it has housed a hotel, an all-boys private boarding school, a rooming house, a rumoured brothel, and in recent years, an affordable place to live downtown on a month-to-month lease.
Although some people have referred to the dilapidated grey building as an eyesore, even an ‘urban blight’ - there are many who regard this landmark with fondness. Differences of opinion aside, the building itself is as unique as they come. Every apartment is different from the last, equipped with century-old sinks, clawfoot tubs, brick and marble fireplaces, loft spaces, weathered wooden floors, grandiose arched doorways and quirky crawl spaces. Not to mention its most recognizable feature; the wrap-around verandah which serves as the focal point of interaction between the street and the building.
photographs by Scott Munn
A Wander in Time
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Interdisciplinary artist Eryn Foster organizes public walks in Point Pleasant Park titled Wanders in the Yonder. You may have seen her beautiful posters shimmering behind storefront glass or tucked on arts bulletins. Fosters' Wanders in the Yonder is the product of the new Artist-in-residency program in Point Pleasant Park sponsored by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Since October, Foster has been utilizing her residency project to do further research on the art of walking.
Walking is not new to Foster; she has been walking around the Maritimes since 2007, when she first initiated her art project New Canadian Pilgrimages. Like her New Canadian Pilgrimages project, Fosters' wanderings through the park are unmapped and flow with the consciousness and collective movements of whoever participates in the performance. The overall idea to Fosters’ walks is to wander; to not set out on an etched out path and to not talk about the current performance of wandering. When participants are done walking, they wander off without telling anyone. But the group does talk! In fact, Foster records the sounds from the walk, park and human chatter, for an undetermined archive project. Foster has been applying her performance research at conferences like Walk21 in Barcelona, Spain or at other artist residencies, such as the one at Centre for Art Tapes in Halifax, NS (learn more about what Foster worked on at her Artist Talk on December 5th at 1pm at Point Pleasant Lodge).
November 17th, 2009
Tuesday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Moncton adds miles to sidewalk plow plan [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - City pledges to improve snow removal [Telegraph-Journal]
DIEPPE - Dieppe stores await sign law [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - No property tax cut guarantees [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Protestors visit council over causeway gates [Times & Transcript]
OTHER NEWS
BEAVER DAM - Subdivision may loose sewage system [Daily Gleaner]
NEW BRUNSWICK - Study links industrial areas with higher cancer rates [Daily Gleaner]
DARTMOUTH - Developer undeterred, will build 3rd tower [Chronicle-Herald]
Breaking News: Draft Dartmouth Common Master Plan released for further public input
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
DARTMOUTH - Early last October, I attended the public consultation meeting for Dartmouth Common Master Plan proposals. Yesterday, HRM released the consolidated plans that took into account the community consultation feedback they received at that meeting. Now the planners at CBCL Limited have provided one more window for public feedback on the updated plan [ PDF ] where they are accepting emails and phone calls with community members' comments and criticisms until November 29th.
To give a little background, the Dartmouth Common Master Plan is Dartmouth's version of HRMbyDesign. The plans are not limited to preserving green space, but include relocating and expanding the Metro Transit Bridge Terminal, renovating and extending the Sportsplex, potentially creating an "urban edge"—mixed use commercial-residential buildings along the corner of Nantucket and Wyse—and in the long term, reclaiming the waterfront as a connected part of the Common. In short, the plan looks to completely transform the entire area and will govern much of Dartmouth's future development for at least the next 25 years.
Events Guide: HRM training opportunities on developing community facilities
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HRM - Do you envision a community where public art mobilizes civic engagement? Where skate parks give way to nature trails, which give way to playgrounds? Where the local community centre bustles with a diversity of community members?
Don't we all? HRM doesn't suffer from a shortage of creative ideas for neighbourhood improvements (remember that whole "human energy" concept we've been harping on?) — the key question is their effective execution. The fear of being bogged down in funding folly and logistical labyrinths is enough to deter even the most ...
Bridging the bike lane gap
By Brian Zurek // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - The historic streets of Halifax—the narrow downtown streets, the more-than-four-street intersections, the super steep streets—predate the automobile by 150 years, and although in the last 100 years they may have belonged to the cars and trucks, in the next 100 years they may not. Sometimes, however, it seems like there is no end in sight for the automobile, with HRM's car-centric existence fueling the way the city sounds, the way it feels, and the way it behaves. Hello Bayers Lake Shopping Center! Good day Dartmouth Crossing!
But imagine the city, our busy, crowded streets, designed for transportation alternatives, for cycling, say. What might Halifax look like?
For starters, I doubt very much that there would continue to exist a bicycle path that resembles the MacDonald Bridge bicycle on-ramp. Let me explain: What downtown Halifax lost to the Cogswell interchange, I would argue that the cycling community has lost in the MacDonald Bridge bike path. Cyclists who cross the MacDonald Bridge by bike know the problem, but for those who don't, imagine a peaceful ride across the MacDonald bridge on your very own urban bike path. Nice hey? Now imagine that you are forced to descend four stories and then ascend those same four stories before you can access/exit the Halifax side of the bridge.
Welcome to Halifax’s MacDonald Bridge Bike Path.
Cultivating citizen creativity
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 2 Comments
Photo Credit: CLICK Productions
HALIFAX - My bookshelf is a graveyard for ideas. Pages covered in visions for the future from some community meeting, somewhere, sometime ago. One must wonder (maybe that one is just me, a design nerd) what the heck is the point? To pull ideas for the future from people's minds, to start building momentum and hope - then to let it fizzle out leaving nothing more than text on a shelf.
Really though, who has time to read the masses of documents around us, let alone take action on their recommendations? This is a snag in the way we approach community planning - as a standard checklist. It lacks the creative edge we common people need to spark our imaginations, to see something differently, to motivate us to act.
Creativity has become something we think a select group of people 'do', not a seed within us that, if cultivated, can improve our daily lives. Forget the documents - what we really need is a forum to connect with each other over our common goals, to be creative, and move forward together. This actually becomes urgent when we think about peak oil, climate change, and the limited time we have to really set ourselves on a "right path."
Many examples of this forward-thinking-and-actually-acting exist everywhere, but I am here in Halifax, so I will highlight a couple instances I have been involved with in my own 'backyard.'
November 18th, 2009
Events Guide: Atlantic Eco-Expo
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - The first ever sustainable business exhibition in Atlantic Canada is taking place this weekend, where businesses, governments and non-profit organizations will come together to share fresh new ideas, promote economic development, build a stronger community and encourage sustainable solutions.
There will be guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, a fashion show and a silent auction to raise awareness for sustainable initiatives going on in Atlantic Canada. Exhibitors include the Ecology Action Centre, the Halifax Cycling Coalition, the Clean Air Foundation, the Dalhousie Sustainability Coalition, FEED Nova Scotia, the Sierra Club of Nova ...
World Wide Wednesday: Architecture in Manhattan, L.A.’s new subways, and South Korea’s man-made city
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Public transit got a big boost in Los Angeles last week as the city unveiled 8 new subway stations as part of the city's "Gold Line extension". The ...
A view worth saving?
By Lizzy Hill // 8 Comments
HALIFAX - Halifax is deadlocked in yet another polarized development debate. Pro-heritage people oppose the proposed World Trade and Convention Centre, on the grounds that it would ruin the old-world feeling of our city, while many in the business community dismiss heritage folk as naive sticks in the mud.
The municipal government, under HRMbyDesign, has approved the development of two new skyscrapers downtown. The Hardman Group developers proposed to tear down the unsightly Cogswell Interchange and somehow “reunite” the north end with the south end by putting a couple sky-scarpers between the communities, but the deal was awarded to Rank Inc. Rank plan to build two glass towers, standing at 18 and 14 stories each on the blocks spanning the former Halifax Herald and Midtown Tavern buildings. Aside from housing the World Trade and Convention Centre, Rank's plans include a 600-car-parking garage, residential units, office space and a hotel. The buildings will be taller than Citadel Hill and block the view to George's Island from the top of the hill. Concerned citizens won't know the full details of the plan, including how much the project will cost taxpayers, until February.
Not everyone's thrilled. The Coalition to Save The View from Citadel Hill, spearheaded by Peggy Cameron and Beverly Miller, is petitioning Premier Darrell Dexter in hopes that he won't give the development the final go ahead. The coalition gained recognition by circulating leaflets featuring alarming images of somber-black boxes blocking our skyline, warning citizens that their view was “going, going, gone.” Rank's own mock-ups feature shimmering-glass buildings, reflecting the surrounding blue sky. It's probably safe to assume the aesthetic reality lies somewhere in the middle.
November 19th, 2009
Thursday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
RIVERVIEW - Riverview town council continues to battle budget [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Mayor pledges off-the-cuff speech tonight [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Toll booth idea turfed [Telegram]
HRM - Council's secret 'public meeting' on tax reform [The Coast]
SUSSEX - Councillor suggests town enlist services of watch dog at park [Telegraph-Journal]
FREDERICTON - Councillor objects to non-profits' advertising banners on pedway [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Should Saint John declare bankruptcy? [Telegraph-Journal]
INFRASTRUCTURE
HALIFAX - Library design spat [The Coast]
HRM - $39-million ice bill [The Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Province considering three more roundabouts [Guardian]
HRM - ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
Hugh Pouliot
Long past its prime.
November 20th, 2009
Friday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - Mayor says lower tax rate not in the cards [Daily Gleaner]
HRM - Halifax council awaits report on city's top staffer [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Fenwick tower 'unrecognizable' under development plan [CBC]
MONCTON - Dominion public building to be repaired [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Barrington area still waiting to happen [Chronicle-Herald]
DARTMOUTH - Museum secures a new home [NewsNet]
FREDERICTON - Station facelift starts [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Developer promises 'landmark' project for Fenwick 2.0 [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Developer set to deliver on hotel [Guardian]
HALIFAX - Loosing the look of Halifax [Chronicle-Herald]
DARTMOUTH - ...
New uses for the old library
By Alex Boutilier // No Comments
HALIFAX - A group of 15-odd people interested in the future of the Spring Garden Memorial Library building shuffled into a multi-purpose room in the Bloomfield Centre on Tuesday, hoping to share their views on how best to use the soon-to-be-bookless space.
The library, built as a memorial for Canada’s war dead in 1951, will eventually transfer its tomes to a new central library, to be built across the road on Queen Street. But while the new library’s future seems certain, the use of the old building appears anything but.
Councillor Dawn Sloane, who oversaw Tuesday’s meeting, wants to see the building used as a multi-use archive/museum/civics space to provide “proper storage for the archive collection, public accessibility to the collection, (while retaining the) monument building in (the) monument district.”
“We’ve been here since 1749, we do have a history,” said Sloane. “Showing a sense of pride in place, and getting people to take pride in their city is something that we need to do. I think you heard that around that table tonight.”
While there seemed to be a consensus among those in attendance that the building would be ideal, at least location wise, for a civics-oriented museum space, there were some concerns about working with a building that is not in the best shape – it’s 58 years old, and has had mold, heating and cooling problems in the past.
Sloane admits the building’s condition – as well as the cost of renovations – will be obstacles, but wants more information, including a feasibility study. “We know that (the building) is hot in the summer and cold in the winter,” she said. “And we have to figure that out. Is it because of the addition that was added on in the 70’s that might have changed the way the building breathes? We’re not sure. But that’s why I want to get those kind of reports.”
Concerns were also raised at the meeting about trying to do too much with too little space, how best to honour the building's heritage as a war memorial, and its suitability to house museum pieces.
A new façade for Fenwick
By Emma Feltes // 12 Comments
HALIFAX - Plans revealed at a public consultation last night promise a landmark change in the Halifax landscape. Fenwick tower is getting all dolled up. If all goes according to plan, the building will be turned into luxury apartments within the next couple of years. The former Dalhousie residence will be cloaked in a lavish glass shell, shielding Haligonians from the building's grim, oppressive concrete appearance. The glass exoskeleton will add about 11 metres to the building's girth, flanked by an additional 8-storey and 10-storey building, with street-level restaurants and boutiques.
Happy new ...
November 23rd, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Councillor wants to crack down on unsightly premises [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - How do you solve a problem like graffiti? [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Turn the corner - HHPEI reducing ecological footprint [The Guardian]
RICHIBUCTO - St. Paul's is re-opened following restoration [Times & Transcript]
INFRASTRUCTURE
QUISPAMSIS - Town will revel corporate sponsor for Q-Plex today [Telegraph-Journal]
NEW BRUNSWICK - Gov't service shuffled between towns [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - How do we get a good library design? [The Coast]
OTHER NEWS
CHARLOTTETOWN - Public forum on enery set for Nov. 24 [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - School, church among groups in ...
JOHN LORINC: Paul Goldberger on why architecture matters
By John Lorinc // 1 Comment
In an era pre-occupied by "starchitecture" and the dominance of global cities, New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger makes a persuasive case for the importance of workaday structures and the limitations of urban planning.
"I don't buy the notion that you can draw a clear line between great architecture and ordinary buildings," he said Friday during the Canadian Urban Institute's Designing Cities symposium. "Each structure has something to say about the culture that built it."
Goldberger has just released a new book entitled, "Why Architecture Matters" (Yale), in which he sets out to mine the meaning of Winston Churchill's famous aphorism, "We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us."
Architecture, observed the Roman builder and engineer Vitruvius, encompasses "commodity, firmness and delight," and Goldberger, a Pulitzer Prize winner, cites this enduring definition to point out the paradox at the core of the most visible of all art forms. A building has to be "both useful and the opposite of useful," he says. "It makes sense to think of architecture as both great masterpieces and daily experiences... Sometimes, it is the average [building] that tell us the most."
The current recession, he said during an interview with me on Friday (the full conversation will be available on Spacing Radio on the December 7th episode), has dampened demand for good design. "In the very short term, we're going to struggle to have architecture at all."
Looking beyond the recovery, however, Goldberger feels the next wave of architecture will focus on the need for highly flexible design that recognizes the changing nature of family life. He also predicts that sustainable design "will become so taken for granted that we'll stop talking about it."
Goldberger further argues that bold experiments such as New York's High Line, Broadway's new "piazza" and the West Toronto RailPath mark a distinct trend in the way cities are thinking about the purpose of open space. "We've viewed public space as being about stasis — it's where you sit and don't move."
With cities lacking both money and space to create new Central Parks, they are looking instead to linear parks as a means of re-claiming waterfronts or aging infrastructure. "Cities are about movement and circulation as much as anything else," he observes. "We're looking at places of movement as being public spaces."
How would a National Housing Strategy impact our cities?
By Emma Feltes // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - National Housing Day was first marked on the calendar by a team of Toronto housing advocates on Nov 22, 1998. But this year, more than a decade later, it was infused with new meaning.
Housing is back on the national agenda, with proposed Bill C-304 calling for the development of a national housing strategy designed to ensure safe, adequate, accessible, affordable housing to all Canadians. The Bill, seconded by Halifax MP Megan Leslie, has deep implications for Canadian cities, and the diversity of housing challenges they face. “Housing impacts the health of communities," says Leslie, who is the NDP critic for housing and homelessness. "It’s not just about putting a roof over someone’s head, it is about the health of a community general — the physical health, the mental health, the economic health of a community.”
The need for a national strategy was made amply clear at yesterday's National Housing Day events in Halifax. Gathered at St. Matthew's United Church, a crowd of over 100 marked the opening of the Out of the Cold emergency shelter for a second winter. A collaborative community initiative by the Metro Non-Profit Housing Association, Community Action on Homelessness (CAH), St. Matthew's, and a dedicated team of volunteers, the shelter provides 15 beds for men and women.
A panel consisting of members of the organizing committee, housing advocates, and community members shared stories on why initiatives such as this one are so important in a city like Halifax, wrought with its own unique set of housing challenges. However, the grassroots, community-based strategy provokes conflicted feelings for many of those involved.
The fact that the shelter receives no support from the government is "the elephant in the room that we have to recognize," said Fiona Traynor of Dalhousie Legal Aid. "It's all being done by volunteers, and as great as that is, it's still, in my opinion, a black mark on the federal and provincial governments." This black mark is indicative of the need for a national strategy.
November 24th, 2009
From the Vaults: Dartmouth
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Five Corners, Dartmouth, ca. 1897
DARTMOUTH - In the year 1750, the Alderney arrived in Halifax Harbour with 151 immigrants. Officials at Halifax decided that these newcomers should settle on the eastern side of the harbour in an area known to the Mi'kmaq as Boonamoogwaddy or Tomcod Ground.
The area was later given the name of Dartmouth after William Legge, 1st Earl of Dartmouth. By the year 1752, 193 people lived in Dartmouth.
Events Guide: Going backwards/Moving forwards
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Tie your shoe laces, dig out your fluorescent track pants, strap on your reflectors and bring any other walking devices/favourites (friends included) for this not to be missed backwards walk! Look out for Eryn Foster, your friends and anyone else who wants to join her, in her last scheduled performance walk for Wanders in the Yonder, Going Backwards/Moving Forwards.
Going Backwards/Moving Forwards is a reverse wander which will commence at the Point Pleasant Lodge on November 29, 2009 at 1pm. Eryn and participating wanderers will walk backwards from Point Pleasant Park to ...
Halifax needs a pedestrian scramble
By Jake Schabas // 12 Comments
HALIFAX - I've watched with joy as cities around the world have embraced pedestrian culture. From one side of the globe to the other, cities have been implementing 'pedestrian scrambles'—intersections where all car traffic is stopped and pedestrians are allowed to cross in any direction without fear of being hit. First known as a Barnes dance, these crossings now grace the streets of Auckland, Tokyo, Kansas City, London and Toronto to name only a few.
About a month ago, Joshua Biggley posted on Charlottetown's recent steps towards getting the first pedestrian scramble in Atlantic Canada. While I applaud their initiative, it strikes me as odd that in Halifax, the region's biggest city, scrambles haven't even been mentioned. So it got me thinking, if Halifax was to get a pedestrian scramble, where would it go?
November 25th, 2009
Wednesday’s headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - Businesses honoured by city [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Affordable housing policy changes [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Council considers registry for legal graffiti art [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
SHEDIAC - Shediac hears concerns over loss of green space [Times & Transcript]
SYDNEY - Wentworth Park nears completion [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Diversity is key to thriving downtown, Sloane says [Metro]
SHEET HARBOUR - Sheet Harbour is getting sidewalks [Chronicle-Herald]
DARTMOUTH - Trail to be finished [Chronicle-Herald]
INFRASTRUCTURE
MONCTON - Work begins on new water line under river [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - $1.3m home for disabled empty amid ...
Events Guide: help Halifax’s homeless keep warm
By Thom Bator // No Comments
HALIFAX - A concert to benefit Out of the Cold, Halifax's emergency winter shelter, is taking place this Sunday, November 29th at the Paragon Theatre.
Out of the Cold is based out of St. Matthew's Church on Barrington. Every night they offer 15 beds to men and women. It receives no government funding, and is run entirely off of community and volunteer support.
Benefit performers include Broken Ohms, Evolution Soldier, Ghettosocks, Jason and Adam McIsaac, The Baketones, The Nomadics, The Repercussionsits and The Troubleshooters.
WHAT: The Emergency Winter Shelter Benefit Concert
WHERE:...
People to the Power!: Civic Reconcilation and Democratic Renewal
By Jason Pelley // 4 Comments
Many familiar with Halifax politics are quick to blame City Council for our civic ills. While cynicism towards Canadian urban city councils is not uncommon; in Halifax our Council is often regarded as a barrier to the implementation of progressive ideas, a rival in civic-minded endeavour and an ineffective mechanism useful only to political stair climbers. But as political participation has waned extra-political citizen engagement has spread; though this alone will not be enough to ...
Where do we need bike lanes most?
By Thom Bator // 8 Comments
HALIFAX - Whether you’re looking to get to work, have some fun or get some exercise, there’s really nothing better than a good old fashioned bike ride. Unfortunately for the cyclists of Halifax, the biking infrastructure in this town is a little bit short on ‘good,’ with a much greater emphasis on the ‘old fashioned’ part.
In fact, biking on the peninsula can be down right dangerous. In most places cyclists have to share the road with cars, trucks, and even the occasional rickshaw in the touristy areas.
As if the the moving vehicles weren’t enough, bikers also have to worry about smashing face first into a car door as somebody gets out of their Honda Civic.
The worst part of it all is that there’s a pretty easy fix for most of these concerns; more bike lanes!
A quick look around Halifax and you’ll realize that the city is really lacking in adequate space to keep cyclists safe on the road.
I think it would be tough to find a cyclist in this city that didn’t agree that Halifax needs more bike lanes, but where do we need them the most?
Pipe dreams: A new stadium in Halifax
By Jake Schabas // 13 Comments
HALIFAX - Over the past couple of weeks, I've been following a thread in the Halifax section of popular online forum Skyscraperpage where discussions over a new major stadium in Halifax have been gaining momentum. To give a little background, many Haligonian sports fans have been clamouring for a new major sports facility for years. Some argue the city should build a new Metro Centre with an arena that could hold substantially more than the 10,000 fans of the current Metro Centre, raising the city's prospects for gaining an NHL franchise some time down the road.
For others, the story properly begins in 2006, with Prime Minister Harper announcing funding for a stadium in Moncton for the 2008 World Junior Athletics Championship. With sports money going elsewhere, the Harper Government's move helped grease Halifax's ill-fated bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games—which would likely have included plans for a new stadium—to be withdrawn following mounting criticism over budgeting in 2007. With the Commonwealth Games abandoned, hopes for building a football stadium that might later host the east coast's first CFL team faded along with it.
Gone but not forgotten. With growing concern for the degradation done to the Halifax Common following summer super-concerts and the continuing inadequacy of other stadiums around the city to host sports like football, soccer and rugby, calls for a new outdoor stadium are again being heard. Here's the letter written by the people over at Skyscraperpage setting out the benefits a new stadium would bring to Halifax:
If You Build It – The Market Master Plan
By Joshua Biggley // No Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - When Kevin Costner wandered into his corn field and encountered the baseball legends of past generations, he was given this simple reassurance -- "If you build it, they will come." While Costner, playing farmer Ray Kinsella in The Field of Dreams, was trying to not sound too crazy when pitching the idea of a baseball field where his corn once stood, the idea of a Farmer's Market, once the playground of the granola munchers and Mennonites, has gone mainstream with attendees, not the purveyors, going crazy.
World Wide Wednesday: Transit fares, bridges and Dallas’ newest park
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Dallas, Texas, long-known for a lack of green space and an overabundance of parking lots, is taking bold action to change its reputation and transform its downtown. Last week, ...
November 26th, 2009
Thursday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // 1 Comment
CITY HALL
HRM - Urban chickens plan re-flight [The Coast]
ROTHESAY - Mayor broaches hot-button subject [Telegraph-Journal]
HRM - Halifax's 'tax reform' war begins in earnest [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Snow Removal or Snow Job? [Telegraph-Journal]
HRM - City appoints board for Design Review Committee [Metro]
HRM - Councillors sit in on tax reform [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro continues to enjoy a building boom [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Green lantern building still shines [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Will FREX site turn into residential area? [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Court reno cost $500K [Times & Transcript]
SYDNEY - ...
Events Guide: 4 opportunities to celebrate cycling
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - There's a slew of cycling celebrating going on this weekend, kicking off with tonight's party and film screening in honour of the 2nd anniversary of the Halifax Cycling Coalition. Then, get out of your seats and onto your... well, seats, for a series of community bike rides around the peninsula.
1. WHAT: Halifax Cycling Coalition 2nd Anniversary
WHAT TO EXPECT: Cycling trivia, door prizes, screening of documentary film, Veer
WHERE: MacMechan Auditorium, Killam Library, Dalhousie University
WHEN: ...
Breaking News: Draft proposal for new Khyber management released for public review
By Jake Schabas // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - This afternoon, HRM released a draft [pdf] of the potential operating schemes for the future management of the Khyber Bulding. Built for the Church of England Institute in 1888, the building has a long and storied history. Renamed the Khyber Building in the 1970s when the Khyber Cafe opened on the ground floor, since the mid-1990s it has acted as a focal point for the Halifax arts community.
Aside from making major renovation improvements that will, among other things, make the building accessible to all, the City's proposal intends to honour both the heritage of the building and its cultural impact on the city by maintaining its role as a bedrock of the arts community. The question the draft addresses is how this should be accomplished.
The draft proposes five different scenarios:
November 27th, 2009
Friday’s headlines
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
CITY HALL
HRM - Take five with the mayor [Halifax NewsNet]
MONCTON - Moncton tests CFL waters [Times & Transcript]
HRM - Halifax's 'tax reform' favours wealthy and higher value homes [The Coast]
SYDNEY - Council approves $200,000 community sustainability plan [Cape Breton Post]
HRM - Funding for new four-pad arena in Bedford falls short [Halifax NewsNet]
TRURO - Decision as to how council will pay for contribution won't come until the spring [Cape Breton Post]
FREDERICTON - New Brunswick to spend $1.6B on infrastructure [CBC]
HALIFAX - HRM seeks public input on Khyber Building [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HRM - Bridge ...
Where are Halifax’s worst intersections?
By Thom Bator // 15 Comments
HALIFAX - Bad intersections, every major city in the world has them. They confuse us with complicated traffic signals, make us late for work, and probably cause more than their fair share of accidents.
I decided to go on a quest to point out the worst intersections in Halifax, and maybe even suggest a few fixes along the way. Now you may be wondering, what exactly qualifies me to pontificate on the inadequacies of Halifax traffic infrastructure? Well, to tell you the truth, not much really.
That's why I decided to contact the good people at the Cities and Environment Unit, in the Department of Planning and Architecture at Dalhousie. They all had a discussion and kindly got back to me with their own list of problem intersections in Halifax. As an added bonus they're actually qualified to suggest some legitimate fixes to our fair City's cruddiest crossroads.
SPACING: come to our Toronto release party
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
WHAT: release party for winter 2009-2010 issue of Spacing
WHEN: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
WHERE: Toronto Reference Library, The Appel Salon, 789 Yonge Street
HOW MUCH: $10 (includes copy of mag), $5 for subscribers
ATTENDING?: RSVP to our Facebook event
If you're in Toronto, make your way to the Toronto Reference Library (7pm-midnight) on Wed. Dec. 9th, to take part in Spacing's 16th issue release party and holiday party. We'll have some games and activities, plus the music to dance to thanks to our resident DJs Track Meet.
Come check out the Reference Library's new event ...
Cornwallis Park (unofficially) rededicated
By Sarah Corey // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - This past Saturday over 100 Haligonians gathered in the park formerly known as Cornwallis Park, across the street from the Westin Hotel. The people in the crowd were a healthy mix of young and old, loud and quiet, politically radical and not-so-radical - everyone had come together to rally against the Halifax International Security Forum. The conference was hosted at the Westin over the weekend as part of NATO’s recent work to reconfigure itself as a security force.
Many Canadians who are opposed to Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan and in NATO are concerned that the ...
November 30th, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Poverty advocacy group criticizes gov't plan [Times & Transcript]
PEI - MLA proposing provincial ombusman [Guardian]
PEI - Big spending until 2012-2013 [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Truth be told, size doesn't really matter [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - City seeks input on future of The Khyber [Metro]
GEORGETOWN - The little theatre that could [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Planning for a vibrant, 24-hour city [Telegraph-Journal]
TATAMAGOUCHE - 'You can meet your needs on LETS' [Truro Daily]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Moncton's new $50-million courthouse will be limited [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Museum to get $7.6M addition [Times & ...
Inside HRMbyDesign Part I: Heritage
By Thom Bator // No Comments
For the next month, Spacing Atlantic will engage in an in-depth analysis of HRMbyDesign, the ambitious plan set fourth by the municipal government to transform the region over the next 25 years. This series of weekly installments will move through the plan's various nooks and crannies, and carve out a unique and fresh perspective on the HRMbyDesign process.
________________________________________________________________________
Odds are if you’re reading Spacing Atlantic, you have at least some knowledge about HRMbyDesign.
While there’s been lots of coverage of plan in the the media, most of it has not been particularly comprehensive. One reason for the limited nature of the coverage is the fact that the documents which lay out the groundwork for HRMbyDesign are composed of typically dry, jargon filled, government bureaucrat speak — not exactly a fun afternoon read.
Luckily for the readers of Spacing Atlantic, I’m interning here for a month and I pretty much have to do whatever they tell me.
Thus, we begin the first of Spacing Atlantic’s in-depth series on HRMbyDesign. This week we’ll be looking at the heritage portions of the plan.
The majority of the information that will be looked at here was found in two documents: Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy [ PDF ] (which, for the purposes of brevity, I’ll call the Downtown Plan) and Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District Revitalization Plan [PDF](The Barrington Plan).
The fact is, there are a lot of really cool old buildings in Halifax. Andy Fillmore, the Urban Design Project Manager for the Capital District, told me that there are currently 126 registered heritage properties in the downtown study area. The protection of these properties is a central component of the whole downtown plan.
The main way that heritage properties will find further protection under HRMbyDesign is through the creation of heritage districts.
December 1st, 2009
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Protestors take MLAs to task over NB Power sale [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Poverty team announced [Daily Gleaner]
NFLD - N.L. presses Quebec to reopen Upper Churchill deal [Telegram]
HALIFAX - Students rally for quicker action on the environment [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Mystery blankets downtown [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Planned Halifax farmer's market building earning 'worldwide' attention [Metro]
DARTMOUTH - Woodlawn library opening delayed [Chronicle-Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland revives colourful past with traditional palette [Globe & Mail]
NUTTBY - Nuttby Mountain wind project approved [Truro Daily]
SAINT JOHN - Bus ride inspired artwork ...
Get better acquainted with your city over a good book
By Thom Bator // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - Halifax has a rich 260 year history. A lot of fascinating stuff has happened here, much of it has even been written down. Here’s a quick selection of some neat books I found on Halifax, and they’re all available through your local public library.
1. Halifax Street Names: An Illustrated Guide, edited by Shelia Mackenzie. Halifax: Formac Publishing Company Limited, 2002. 189 pages.
If you find it at all interesting to know that Robie Street was named after Nova Scotian Judge Simon Bradstreet Robie (1770-1858), or that in the mid 19th century the south end of Brunswick street was known as ‘Knock-’em-down Street” because of the frequent brawls outside of the brothels and taverns on the east side, then this is the book for you. Halifax Street Names provides the reader with the histories of some of Halifax's over 5000 streets. The book also has a number of cool photos of Halifax over the years. Halifax Street Names is sure to bring a little added appreciation to your daily dog walks and bike rides.
The Queen of the urban green: Victoria Park
By Jake Schabas // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - With the cold weather here to stay, the Halifax Public Gardens has closed its gates for the season. As sad as this is, you won’t find tears in my eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I really do like the Public Gardens, I just wish it didn’t steal so much of the spotlight away from my favourite downtown green space: Victoria Park.
With the gardens now closed, Victoria Park can take back the limelight. Existing in the shadow of HRM’s most well-known urban park, you’d think it would suffer from neglect, vandalism or any number of a whole host of problems. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Victoria Park is teeming with life. Full of benches, monuments to old Scottish poets and gathering spaces, the park attracts people day and night (despite technically closing at 10pm), summer and winter like few other places in the city.
Part of this has to do with how the park relates to its immediate surroundings. With bus stops on its north, east and south sides, a bike lane running along its eastern edge (one of the few in downtown Halifax) and criss-crossing pathways for pedestrians cutting diagonally through the park, Victoria Park is a model for multi-modal transportation.
December 2nd, 2009
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
CITY HALL
NB - N.B. budget highlights [Times & Transcript]
NB - Budget puts N.B. $748M further in debt [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Province's deficit doesn't concern city's mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
QUISPAMSIS - Council hears about green power [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
NS - Province investing millions in green transportation [Metro]
NS - Province kicks in for green systems [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Lawn pesticide ban tabled in legislature [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Sculpture 'will capture people's imagination' [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Signage to smooth bridge traffic [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Getting to maybe: Are we ready to change? [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - 3 ...
Trusting Traffic: The Fantasy and Fatality of PEI Drivers
By Joshua Biggley // 4 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - I've got trust issues. Years of training and indoctrination, which were to have prepared me to be an active participant in my personal locomotion, have been shattered in recent months. It wasn't intentional. Far from it, in fact. In spite of my sometimes rabble-rousing tendencies, I prefer a world with structure, a framework, some sort of shared agreement of civility. In retrospect, and to quote Cool Hand Luke, "what we have here is failure to communicate."
The mobility of society is based on a sacred oath that simply states that everyone will follow the same set of common rules at all times so, baring tragedy, we know what to expect when we interact with one another. Whether as a pedestrian, a cyclist, a motorist, or some sort of Segway-powered anomaly, the rules are common and understood. It is that oath that has been broken in my new provincial home.
World Wide Wednesday: Las Vegas, Dubai and Mecca
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• CityCenter, Las Vegas' newest mega-project, debuts to the public next week. Designed by 8 notable architects to function as a city in-itself, the $8.5 billion, 67-acre, glass-and-steel structure is home ...
Spacing Atlantic On Twitter
By Thom Bator // No Comments
Can’t get enough of Spacing Atlantic? Then check out our new account on Twitter.
We’ll be sending out links to stories on topics that don’t make it onto the blog, engaging fellow tweeters in spirited discussion of urban issues, and cracking all kinds of lame — but always thematically appropriate — jokes.
Check us out at www.twitter.com/spacingatlantic.
illustration by Rebecca Roher
December 3rd, 2009
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
NB - Campobello Islanders to decide on self-government [Telegraph Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Getting to maybe: are we ready for change? [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - City puts out challenge to young artists [Daily Gleaner]
URBAN GREEN
NS - Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes wilderness threatened [the Coast]
TRURO - Farmers doing good job protecting town’s water [Truro Daily News]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Province changing Lands Protection Act [The Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST JOHN'S - Newfoundlanders revive colourful past with traditional palette [Globe & Mail]
MONCTON - How safe are Metro's crosswalks? [Times and Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - CADC ...
From the Vaults: Scotia Square
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Duke Street Tower, Scotia Square, Under Construction ca. 1967
HALIFAX - From the Nova Scotia Historical Quarterly:
Those familiar with the busy shops and high office towers of the Scotia Square complex in downtown Halifax will not find it easy to picture the area as it was a century or more ago. Near the original townsite the streets were early laid out, and soon became lined with homes, stores, warehouses and public buildings. Argyle, Grafton, and Albemarle (later Market) streets all extended north to Jacob Street, which ran east down the hill to Lockman (now Barrington) and was not far from the present extension of Cogswell.
Then north from Jacob ran Starr to Hurd’s Lane, and Poplar Grove, a no-exit street. From the corner of Barrington and Duke to Hurd’s Lane may be found the sites of nine places of worship...
Public access to waterfront in Port of Spain, Trinidad
By Spacing Atlantic // 1 Comment
Cross-posted from Spacing Ottawa, by Michael Frojmovic
OUTER SPACE - For those not familiar with local fare in Trinidad & Tobago, a mix of dried channa (chickpea), roasted peanuts and splitpeas is certainly one of the world’s great beer snacks. Accompanied by a cold Carib beer and a demi-caraffe of water served up in the air-conditioned lounge of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, they help nurse a tired pedestrian through the 15 minutes it takes to recover from an 30-minute evening walk through Port of Spain. Walking in Trinidad after sunset is not a common practice. If you travel on foot from New Town, through Woodbrook, to the Hyatt, you'll face long stretches of empty streets, punctuated by the odd vagrant, without even a single honk from taxi drivers. Even as the sun sets, the humidity remains oppressive.
My own destination was Port of Spain’s newest waterfront development; specifically, the publicly accessible waterfront promenade. A waterfront city, Port of Spain was designed – much as numerous Canadian and American cities – with its back turned to the water. From a pedestrian’s point of view, the waterfront was separated by walled-in port facilities, and a major 6-lane arterial roadway (Wrightson Road) which functions as a highway.
Events Guide: ChangeCamp Halifax
By Thom Bator // No Comments
HALIFAX - ChangeCamp Halifax is one of many ChangeCamps being run across the country that aim to encourage public participation through harnessing digital media and social networking. The event will include presentations and 'breakout sessions,' where different groups will discuss political issues of particular significance to Halifax like “what changes would you like to see in the area of sustainable transportation, community housing, transparency in public information, poverty alleviation, etc.?”
Groups will then discuss both web-based and non-web-based strategies to address these issues in workshops and short sessions. ChangeCamp Halifax promises to be non-partisan ...
December 4th, 2009
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - Handling of sewage treatment plant stinks, poll finds [Metro News]
MONCTON - Workshop seeks to define priorities and identify goals for neighbourhood [Times and Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
NS - Environmentalists doubt green forestry claim [Chronicle Herald]
NS - Biomass issue needs clarification [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Group aims to cut number of lone commuters [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - Farmers' market to open for three Sundays [Daily Gleaner]
OTHER
MONCTON - Which intersections are most dangerous for pedestrians? [Times and Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Project will give 12 families a new start [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - SuperStore outlets lend ...
Halifax Explosion Events Guide: Walking tour, memorial service and reception
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Ninety-two years ago this Sunday, as the First World War was raging across the Atlantic, the SS Mont-Blanc munitions convoy and the SS Imo collided in the Halifax Harbour, setting off an explosion of unprecedented force that leveled much of the city. Few events have so drastically impacted the future life and built form of a city in so singular and tragic a moment as the explosion, which literally blasted the small city of Halifax onto the world stage at the cost of over 1,900 lives and much of the city's north end.
Today the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower stands on the top of Fort Needham Park overlooking the site of the explosion in commemoration to those whose lives and homes were destroyed by the blast. Yet other less obvious reminders of the explosion abound in Halifax. With the aid money that poured into the city following the blast from places as diverse as China, New Zealand and Boston, over 3,000 houses were repaired within the first seven weeks. The unique architecture and layout of the 328 Hydrostone houses are also the product of rebuilding efforts.
The Nova Scotia Archives has just completed an extensive online virtual exhibit featuring photographs, documents and other material showing life in Halifax before and after the explosion. For those interested in learning more about these and other stories, a number of events are taking place this week to mark the 92nd anniversary of the Halifax Explosion.
December 5th, 2009
The Daily Sea: Georges Island
By Julia Grummitt // 4 Comments
Georges Island is the largest island located entirely within the limits of the Halifax Harbour. Not currently open to the public, Parks Canada plans to open the National Historic Site to visitors within the next 3 to 5 years (2012-2014).
December 6th, 2009
Atlantic snapshots: Snow’s here
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Point Pleasant Park, Halifax
Jen Polegatto
Who really doesn't like the snow?
More than just pretty bright colours
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - Who would've known there's more to a lick a' paint than meets the eye in St. John's? While many cities in Atlantic Canada have brightly coloured houses, in St. John's, painted houses are a matter of historic importance. For the last few years, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has had a paint chart in effect that sets the standards and guidelines for house painting along supposedly traditional lines.
Based on the paint chart, Newfoundland's traditional pallete includes colours like Misky rain (a beige colour), Mussels in the ...
December 7th, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // 2 Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Battles between premiers rages on [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Mayor aware of his environment [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Harbour cleanup delayed? [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
TRURO - Local congregations urge to make noise about climate justice [Truro Daily]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro's fine dining should be promoted [Times & Transcript]
BAIE VERTE - Baie Verte talks about rural planning [Times & Trancript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Governing park subject of public meeting [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - A success story that isn't spreading [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Wanted: 10 people who care about city [Telegraph-Journal]
HALIFAX - Metro Transit seeks more cash ...
The Daily Sea: Public Gardens
By Julia Grummitt // 4 Comments
Sometimes the bandstand is used for free concerts, and sometimes not.
Canada Games Center: a construction project with benefits
By Thom Bator // No Comments
HALIFAX - Things are progressing nicely in the construction of the Canada Games Center on Halifax’s Mainland North Common. Margaret Soley in HRM's department of Infrastructure and Asset Management says that construction crews are hitting all of their major targets as far as time-line is concerned. She expects that the field house, fitness center and community center components of the facility will be weather-tight by December 22nd of this year with the remaining pool area all sealed up by late January 2010. If this keeps up, Soley expects that the Center will be finished on time and on budget for the December 2011 deadline.
The Center is being constructed for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, which will take place throughout Halifax and the surrounding area. It's the largest project associated with the games, and with a $40 million price tag, HRM sees the center as "the cornerstone of the sporting legacy that will accompany the 2011 Canada Winter Games."
Halifax and the surrounding area will see a number of other infrastructure improvements related to the games, in total there will be $15 million in other capital improvements: Ski Martock and Ski Wentworth are receiving a combined $7.6 million to make improvements to their trails and snow making abilities; St. Margret's Center in St Margret's Bay is getting a little more than nine-hundred thousand dollars for improvements to its ice rink and seating; and the Halifax Forum is also getting about $900,000 for improvements to its dressing room and concourse areas. You can see a full list of all the improvements here.
St. Mary’s cultivates a greener city
By Jesse Mintz // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - While urban spaces are being rethought across the country, Halifax's own St. Mary's University is leading the way in the Maritimes. As it stands now, there is only so much room for green space in our urban environment. Think about it: industrial sectors, vast networks of paved streets and highways, swaths of residential neighborhoods and commercial districts make up the edifice of the modern city, and this built environment has in large part succeeded in separating us from nature.
To be sure, we’re getting better at reversing this trend. The green building movement is gaining momentum and city planners and developers are – albeit slowly – becoming increasingly cognizant of the need to incorporate more of the natural into our built environments.
Green spaces, though, are not mere city frills; they need to be thought of, rather, as necessities of urban space in the same vein as schools and public transportation. Beyond the touted restorative powers of nature, parks provide many other benefits to a city, including ecological biodiversity and natural temperature regulation. However, as long as green spaces are confined to the areas between buildings these benefits will be scarcely felt.
Unused space atop every building affords a rare chance to bring a little more nature into the concrete jungle while simultaneously providing important ecological services in urban areas. If legislation recently passed in Toronto and currently being considered in Vancouver and Ottawa is any indication, green roofs will soon become much more prevalent in our cities.
More specifically, St. Mary's University is currently exploring the economic and enviromental viability of applying green roof technology in Halifax, both in terms of new construction projects and retrofitting existing buildings.
Copenhagen Climate Summit: from global to local
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
With the Copenhagen Climate Summit kicking off today, we over at Spacing Atlantic thought it only appropriate to take part in this truly international media scrum on environmental issues that some are describing as "the perfect storm." Aside from being recognized as one of the most important meetings in the last few decades, Cop 15 is also an important moment for bloggers, twitterers and other members of the non-mainstream media who will easily outnumber those coming from the more mainstream press agencies.
We are all a part of the global community, and despite not being one of the 15,000 attending the meetings, we very much hope that by engaging with local urban spaces in Atlantic Canada, we play a part (however small) in working towards accomplishing many of the same goals underlying the climate talks currently underway in Copenhagen.
On that note, as these talks continue over the next two weeks, we will shine the spotlight on some local initiatives of city-dwellers in Atlantic Canada who are working towards making our urban landscapes more sustainable, environmentally friendly and green.
To kick off the two weeks, we'd like to post 'Fourteen days to seal history's judgement on this generation,' an international editorial co-written by the editors of more than 20 major newspapers around the world. This editorial is under a creative commons license and is free to reproduce.
Today 56 newspapers in 45 countries take the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency.
Unless we combine to take decisive action, climate change will ravage our planet, and with it our prosperity and security. The dangers have been becoming apparent for a generation. Now the facts have started to speak: 11 of the past 14 years have been the warmest on record, the Arctic ice-cap is melting and last year's inflamed oil and food prices provide a foretaste of future havoc. In scientific journals the question is no longer whether humans are to blame, but how little time we have got left to limit the damage. Yet so far the world's response has been feeble and half-hearted.
December 8th, 2009
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - City: Don't expect lower tax rate [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - New political party sets sights for 2011 [Guardian]
FREDERICTON - Minister pushes regional partnerships in Halifax [Times & Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - Man hopes conservation council will join fight [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Ex-councillor urges HRM to protect wilderness [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DARTMOUTH - Councillor: City should clear some snowy trails [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Waterfront key to growth [Telegraph-Journal]
QUISPAMSIS - Developer wants deadline for project extended [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Sunny Brae moratorium maintained [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Pipelines costly for businesses [Chronicle-Herald]
TRURO - Extra ...
Burying the Pit
By Katie McKay // 9 Comments
HALIFAX - For nearly a decade, the parking lot at Lower Water and Morris streets has been the headquarters of one the city's most unique and unregulated cultural spaces. During the weekday, permit holders park their cars in the sunken pit. In its off-hours, it has hosted a multitude of unsanctioned activities. On the weekend, a regular crowd plays street hockey, and at night, car enthusiasts gather there to compare engines. The green space that surrounds the parking lot serves as an unofficial park; a place for people to hang out and for the homeless to sleep. It has been the backdrop for countless music videos and photo shoots, and a battling ground for freestylers. The most evident feature of this unique pseudo-public space is the wall that encapsulates the parking lot that operates as a dynamic open-air gallery for graffiti artists.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="The Pit: parking lot and former legal wall. NSP offices under construction in the background."][/caption]
Up until very recently, the pit was considered a legal wall (or 'free wall') — the only place in the city where graffiti artists could freely practice their skills without fearing arrest. Since September, this freedom has been revoked. Without any formal communication to the artist community or surrounding neighbours, police began to crack down on graffiti activity in the pit, telling artists they were unwelcome and that what they were doing was illegal.
What gives? What changed?
Barrington 2010: ChangeCamp plans for a street in limbo
By Emma Feltes // 2 Comments
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="photo by Tracy Boyer Morris"][/caption]
HALIFAX - It all began on twitter. Who knew the internet phenom that limits verbosity to simple, codified one-liners could spur the transformation of an actual, real, living (well, floundering) downtown street?
Well, all those social media folks, that's who. But twitter was just the twigger. Those same folks helped to bring the conversation on the uncertain future of Barrington Street — dubbed 'Barrington 2010' — from virtual to empirical and back again at Halifax's ChangeCamp this Saturday, Dec 5th at The Hub.
The basic premise of ChangeCamp is to engage public participation and collaboration around the challenges impacting our communities through an open, participatory event format that combines 'web-enabled' elements (i.e. twitter and wiki pages) with face-to-face discussion. Halifax joins a host of Canadian cities that have held similar 'camps,' including Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver — while smaller cities like Barrie and Victoria, will pitch their own tents on the campsite, with events in the works.
Barrington 2010 was just one among 10 or 15 discussions on Saturday, which ranged from sustainable transportation to municipal reform to mobility challenges in the city. Each session was unique: some lasting just an hour, and those requiring more developed strategies — like Barrington 2010 — spanning the whole day.
I stuck around with the Barrington team, inspired by The Hub's Joanne Macrae, who, early in the first session warned us of the gravity of the street's decline: "we're at the perilous edge of losing a lot in the downtown core." This set the scene, propelling a smaller contingent to use the second morning session to take to the street, taking video, photo and audio documentation of Barrington and its various travelers. The ideas garnered on this venture were then brought back to the Hub, where the afternoon was spent developing and mapping them out, with a new initiative set forth for Halifax's precarious downtown street.
HRMbyDesign Part II: Revitalising downtown
By Thom Bator // No Comments
For the next month, Spacing Atlantic will engage in an in-depth analysis of HRMbyDesign, the ambitious plan set fourth by the municipal government to transform the region over the next 25 years. This series of weekly installments will move through the plan's various nooks and crannies, and carve out a unique and fresh perspective on the HRMbyDesign process.
________________________________________________________________________
HALIFAX - One of the central objectives to HRMbyDesign is the revitalization of the downtown core. The hope is that the new, more clearly defined zoning and design rules will create a climate that is hospitable to developers and retailers, while encouraging Haligionians to both live and work in the downtown core.
In the opinion of one of the leaders of Halifax's business community, HRMbyDesign lays a lot of the ground work necessary to reach these goals.
Paul Mackinnon is the executive director of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. He says the biggest advantage of HRMbyDesign is clarity: “We’ve been lobbying council to come up with a new downtown plan for years, because for he past 30 years it was a mixed plan strategy...that document was very vague and sometimes even contradictory about how you could develop downtown.”
The old rules really held back potential development project. “We’ve had examples of a developer who thinks he's proposing something within the rules actually having to wait three years to get approval," says Mackinnon. The new planning rules under HRMbyDesign are by contrast much simpler. “The greatest change in terms of zoning is the complete removal of the previous complicated mosaic of land use zones, and its replacement with two simple zones: DH-1 (downtown mixed use), and ICO (institutional, cultural and open space),” says Andy Fillmore, urban design project manager with the Capital District.
December 9th, 2009
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM facing $30M budget shortfall [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Dexter off to Copenhagen to sell green investors on NS [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Parking ban exemption proposed [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON- Prof touts wind power [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Greater protection of victoria park needed [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - City tables economic development report [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Talks to save heritage building continue [Chronicle-Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - New home construction remains steady [Telegram]
OTHER NEWS
FREDERICTON - No official NB day at Vancouver Olympic [Times & Transcript]
HRMbyDesign part III: Environmental sustainability
By Thom Bator // No Comments
For the next month, Spacing Atlantic will engage in an in-depth analysis of HRMbyDesign, the ambitious plan set fourth by the municipal government to transform the region over the next 25 years. This series of weekly installments will move through the plan's various nooks and crannies, and carve out a unique and fresh perspective on the HRMbyDesign process.
________________________________________________________________________
HALIFAX - The language of the Downtown Halifax Secondary Regional Planning Strategy (Downtown Plan) places great emphasis on environmental sustainability. The plan views sustainability as “[a] fundamental underpinning of the design approach to the Regional Center and downtown Halifax.” In spite of the high value that HRM places on sustainability, the Downtown Plan in its current form falls flat on this particular issue in a few ways.
One way that HRMbyDesign says the downtown can move towards greater sustainability is by improving public infrastructure in ways that encourage walking, cycling and use of public transit. I'll be focusing on the cycling and pubic transit implications of HRMbyDesign in next week's installment, so for now let’s hone in on the pedestrian elements of the plan.
York Street liquor station
By Andrew Matheson // 2 Comments
Co-written by Giovanni Paquin and Andrew Matheson
FREDERICTON - Reconstruction has finally begun on Fredericton’s beloved yet long-neglected York Street Railway Station. The future of the dilapidated landmark has been the subject of much discussion in this city for years. The potential reuse of this site understandably spurred the imagination of many Frederictonians. Its heritage status, unique architecture and central location led to numerous proposals from the community over the years, including a new home for the local Royal Canadian Legion branch and a train museum.
Train service to Fredericton ended in 1962 and in 1995 all CP rail lines to the city were ripped up. While the torn up rail lines have been transformed into one of the nation’s most extensive public trails networks (which we foresee discussing in more detail in future contributions), the same cannot be said for the trackless station, which was abandoned and has languished for more than a decade.
Mo’ money, (fo’) mo’ transit study
By Alex Boutilier // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - Remember that extensive, expensive transit study that was made public a month or two back? Theone I wouldn’t shut up about? Well apparently it wasn’t extensive or expensive enough.
City staff asked for more money to further study two aspects of public transit – the Access-a-Bus program and the city’s ferry service – at last night’s regional council meeting.
How much more money, you ask? Only about $69,100 [PDF]. Of course, that’s $69,100 on top of $258,200.16 already paid out to the IBI Group, the independent consulting firm behind the Metro Transit Five-Year Strategic ...
December 10th, 2009
Thursdays Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - City tables economic development report [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - 33 politicians to get city hall back pay [Chronicle Herald]
TRURO - NDP wants your input [Truro Daily News]
SAINT JOHN - Search for city manager down to two candidates [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Starfish reveals plans for the old Sam the mp3 man [the Coast]
HALIFAX - Why everyone loses under the city’s new property tax plan [the Coast]
TRURO - Truro aims to curb 'indecent behaviour' at popular cruising spot [Metro]
ST JOHN'S - The root of the problem [The Telegram]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - ...
COP15: What does it mean for Atlantic Canadians?
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 4 Comments
I have been struggling with the idea of COP15: What is the best that could happen? What is the worst? How does it impact Atlantic Canada in the best or worst case? Instead of having this conversation in my head, here are some thoughts from me in hopes of sparking dialogue with you.
"It is one thing to run a campaign against climate change. It is quite another to paint a picture of a low carbon future that is so engaging and compelling that it enthuses others to embark on ...
Eat local for a sustainable future: it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
By Thom Bator // No Comments
HALIFAX - In our current era of environmental awareness, people are increasingly coming to appreciate the importance of getting their food from local sources. Eating local foods is old news to most rural Canadians; they’ve long been enjoying the products of their local farmers markets and backyard gardens. But for us city dwellers, it's a relatively new concept.
One restaurant that has been a major player in Halifax’s local foods movement is The Wooden Monkey. For six years, the Wooden Monkey has been serving up tasty and creative cuisine — primarily from local sources. Christine Bower is one of the co-owners. She says that there are a number of unique challenges to running a restaurant that uses mainly local suppliers.
December 11th, 2009
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
TRURO - Colchester County approves extra funds for civic centre [Truro Daily News]
HALIFAX - Vandalism merits its own hotline, councillor fumes [Chroncile Herald]
NS - N.S. insists it’s used half its housing fund [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
TRURO - First United Church making noise for climate change [Truro Daily News]
NS - Will clearcutting get the axe in Nova Scotia? [Metro]
FREDERICTON - Woman says she didn't know signing letter meant she was supporting quarry blasting [Daily Gleaner]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DARTMOUTH - Smith seeks new law on derelict buildings [Chroncile Herald]
TRURO - Pilot project lights the way with ...
Farm City Living: Backyard Chickens and Urban Agriculture
By Mark Lamovsek // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - Enthusiasm for local food is on the rise in Halifax. One only needs to witness the bustle of the Saturday morning farmers’ market. It’s so busy that the market is moving to a bigger location to accommodate the crowds. New markets are popping up all over the city. Whether it’s from a North End street-side market or one found in a South End parking lot, more and more people are buying local food.
Although most Haligonians embrace the local food movement, Halifax city council isn’t on board; at least when it comes to urban poultry. The beginning of 2008 saw city council taking a stance against food security with its decision to ban backyard laying hens. Almost two years later, it seems that urban agriculture enthusiasts and amateur chicken farmers will get another chance to plead their case.
The issue first came into the limelight in January 2008 in the West End of Halifax. At the time, Louise Hanavan was raising three laying hens in her backyard, collecting fresh eggs and using the manure to compost her garden. But a complaint from a neighbour put an end to her small-scale urban farm. Reg Harper claimed that the chickens were attracting rats and not long after, Hanavan was given official notice to move the hens off the peninsula. It seems foolish that this single complaint about attracting vermin (in a port city that is full of mice, rats, cats and other assorted pests) was enough to derail the entire city’s foray into urban agriculture.
Public art hopes to unify community in a low-income suburb
By Shaina Luck // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Spryfield’s public spaces aren’t often associated with art. In many people’s minds, the suburban neighbourhood is associated with violence, graffiti tags, and low-income housing projects, but that could be all the more reason to make art in the community, says Miro Davis, a Spryfield-based artist.
“You hear about it,” she says. “You hear all these stories about it, all this trouble...all the problems.” Yet Davis strongly believes that art – and particularly community art – has great power to bring together people and space in a visual way.
“Introducing something that is a spectacular process, that’s happening in a place that has a rough reputation, shows the beauty in that particular place,” she says.
Davis has been commissioned to involve the community in a public art project, which will be called Water Falls — a 15-foot-tall project of plastic, metal, and lighting. The project is going to be installed in the Captain William Spry community centre.
Contest: give Halifax a nickname
By Thom Bator // 13 Comments
HALIFAX - What makes a city great?
Is it a beautiful skyline? A rich cultural heritage? Maybe it’s an exciting nightlife.
These are all possibilities of course, but I personally think that when it comes right down to it, the thing that makes a city great is its nickname.
When I think about it, all of my personal favourite cities have one: New York is the Big Apple, London is the Big Smoke, Chicago is the Windy City, Vancouver is the City of Glass, Hamilton is the Hammer, even Toronto is Hogtown.
I Halifax is another awesome city, ...
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Public space activists in Toronto cheered this week as City Council voted to implement a new bylaw and tax on commercial billboards.
• Spacing Toronto's Shawn Micallef writes about the "overwhelming" experience of visiting Richard Serra's ...
December 14th, 2009
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM has taxation renovation blues [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Climate change rally held in Metro [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - 'Canada needs to do more to stop global warming' [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - More harbour cleanup cash unlike: MP [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
PORTAPIQUE - Unsightly properties [Truro Daily]
SUMMERSIDE - Housing starts to dip, value of building permits jumps in Summerside [Guardian]
HERITAGE
SAINT JOHN - Carnegie or criminals? [Telegraph-Journal]
MONCTON - Dick Carpenter proud of Metro's heritage [Times & Transcript]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - $4.2M provided for N.S. Mi'kmaq housing, cultural centre [Metro]
TRURO - Ottawa passes cash for ...
Spacing Radio 013: Albino Squrriels, Paul Goldberger, and Transit Investment
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S SPACING RADIO PODCAST: To coincide with the release of Spacing magazine’s new issue on urban animals, Spacing Radio sent our producer Mieke Anderson on a quest to find Toronto’s elusive albino squirrel (who is also the star of the magazine’s cover) with Jane Farrow (an albino squirrel know-it-all). Spacing’s contributing editor John Lorinc sat down with noted architecture critic Paul Goldberger to discuss the outlook on building cities in a difficult economic climate. We also sent our new contributor Sarah Bridge to an international transit conference to find ...
Tax reform proposal needs to update idea of urban
By Jake Schabas // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - Last Thursday, Tim Bousquet wrote a great article on the potentially damaging impact of the ‘tax reforms’ proposed by HRM's Tax Reform Committee. The general thrust of the piece exposed how the tax reform plan essentially hopes to replace the traditionally progressive notion that the more your home is worth, the more you pay in taxes, to the more urban-friendly idea that property tax should be based on “the cost of the services actually received by the property owner.”
I like to think of myself as an urbanist — someone who believes that healthy and vibrant cities hold the key to a better future for us politically, socially, environmentally and culturally — so seen through this lens, making suburbanites pay for the strain they impose on civic infrastructure through sprawl, car-based transportation, etc. holds its appeal. I think to myself, maybe that’ll be the kick in the pants they need to finally leave their McMansions and move downtown?
But we no longer live in the 1970s. This is no longer the era of “white flight” where the suburbs are populated by middle and upper-class Caucasians fleeing the blight and increasing multiculturalism of urban centres. When we refer to ‘inner city’ struggles today, issues like gentrification, condoization, historic preservation and public space debates are generally what come to mind, not topics like violent crime, poverty and racialized ghettos — problems which peaked in the downtowns of cities decades ago and have since slowly receded into the background, often literally.
December 15th, 2009
Tuesday’s headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - 2010 to ring in strong economy [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Protestors take message to MLA offices [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - First night of parking ban means big bucks for city [Metro]
N.S. - Update shows slight improvement for provincial coffers [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City brings back tax incentive program [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Nineteenth-century building at heart of relocation talks [Metro]
HALIFAX - Groups confident historic building will be spared [Chronicle-Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Protestors demand improved sidewalk snow removal [Telegram]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Pristine property will be preserved [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Urban spaces, ...
Charlottetown ICSP – A Time for Review
By Joshua Biggley // 3 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - In November, the city of Charlottetown hosted a public meeting to review the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan with the hopes of garnering feedback on ideas relating to the fiscal, social, environmental and cultural fabric of our city. Instead of feedback on the ICSP, Stantec and the city got an earful about the failure of the 'dot-mocracy' methodology, including at least one urban advocate walking out on the process. The process was, from the outset, the subject of criticism for targeting a specific demographic, socially, fiscally ...
December 16th, 2009
Wednesday’s headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
DIEPPE - New committee system in Dieppe [Times & Transcript]
MIRAMICHI - Miramichi 2010 tax rate goes up [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON -City tax hike not ruled out [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Councillors gives cold shoulder to winter parking ban 'tax grab' [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
HRM - Mark Parent: HRM back-tracking on wilderness park is "height of political Machiavellianism" [Coast]
SYDNEY - Report calls for provincial entity to oversee renewable energy resources [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HRM - Council defers decision of Bedford fast ferry service [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Book sends message about maintaining city's gems [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - ...
Bike parking on Quinpool
By Thom Bator // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Quinpool Road is a great place to do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat, or maybe even catch a movie. Unfortunately, if you’re heading to Quinpool on a bike, you might have a bit of trouble finding a place to lock it up.
Sure, you have the standard telephone polls and other road signs, but these can’t really accommodate higher volumes of cyclists. If we truly want to encourage people to move towards more sustainable urban lifestyles, we need to ensure that some of the simple infrastructure needed to make this a convenient transition for people is in place.
World Wide Wednesday: Streetcars, Subways and Bikes
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• An ongoing bike-lane-battle in Brooklyn New York just got more heated as two "vigilante" cyclists were arrested for repainting lane lines that had only days before been sandblasted away ...
December 17th, 2009
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - City of Moncton continues its probe into north end flooding [Times and Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Tax rate edges up [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Proposed class-action suit filed against N.S. gov't over immigrant program [Metro]
HALIFAX - Public can now make submissions at regular school board meetings [Chroncile Herald]
URBAN GREEN
CHARLOTTETOWN - P.E.I. wind farm to get started [Times and Transcript]
HALIFAX - Dalhousie study gets province powered up [the Coast]
HALIFAX - Mark Parent: HRM back-tracking on wilderness park is "height of political Machiavellianism" [the Coast]
HALIFAX - HRM urges PM to support 'ambitious' climate pact ...
Cyclists have the best racks
By Steve Bedard // 1 Comment
What makes a for good bike parking? Join the Halifax Cycling Coalition as we explain what to look for when locking your bike, and how end-point infrastructure is looking in Halifax today.
Hey Bell, what gives?
By Jake Schabas // 10 Comments
HALIFAX - Dear Bell Aliant,
I know you well.
Not only do we meet whenever I do anything with phones and internet, but your massive, oddly-oriented building is impossible to ignore.
I see it every day, and I'm not alone.
I know you're big, I know you advertise and I know those ads have gone hand-in-hand with your domination of all things telecommunication out here.
But — and it's a big BUT — that doesn't mean you should be allowed to dominate Barrington Street with your obnoxious projector ad.
Walking along Halifax's main drag, I shouldn't ...
December 18th, 2009
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Absent city councillor irks colleagues [Times and Transcript]
TRURO - County council votes to expand composting program [Truro Daily News]
MONCTON - Moncton approves capital works budget [Times and Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
PEI - P.E.I. wind farm to get started [Times and Transcript]
NS - Nova Scotia's emissions cap lauded in Copenhagen [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST JOHN - Peel Plaza: does it really make sense? [Telegraph Journal]
PEI - Westwood School's new kindergarten wing underway [The Guardian]
TRURO - Local thirsty church makes finals in community enhancement contest [Truro Daily News]
LABRADOR - Highway leads to happiness in ...
HRMbyDesign part IV: Transportation
By Thom Bator // No Comments
Over the last month, Spacing Atlantic has engaged in an in-depth analysis of HRMbyDesign, the ambitious plan set fourth by the municipal government to transform the region over the next 25 years. This is the final segment in a series of weekly installments that has explored the plan's various nooks and crannies, carving out a unique and fresh perspective on the HRMbyDesign process.
________________________________________________________________________
HALIFAX - Aside from making our downtown more sustainable, economically vibrant and heritage-friendly, HRMbyDesign also intends to change the way we move. The Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (Downtown Plan) section on transportation addresses issues such as the reorganization of downtown streets, active transportation, public transit, freight movement and parking.
One of the main parts of this section is the Street Network Plan. The Street Network Plan designates primary uses for downtown streets with the goal of streamlining traffic . Under the plan, Lower Water, Hollis, Prince, Sackville, Duke and Brunswick streets are designated as higher traffic flow streets. Barrington and Spring Garden are going to be taking on a greater role for public transit, while Bedford Row, Granville, Argyle, and Market — amoung others — will take on greater roles for pedestrian and bike traffic. Motor vehicle traffic on streets that are to be primarily used for biking and walking will be discouraged by allowing only one direction of motor traffic. I like this element of the Downtown Plan. It provides a good foundation on which other improvements to downtown transportation can be made.
When HRM talks about active transportation, they mean walking and biking. We took a brief look at pedestrian related improvements in the piece on HRMbyDesign and sustainability, so let’s take some time to look at cycling.
Metro Transit’s GoTime goes online
By Jake Schabas // 7 Comments
HALIFAX - Last week, Metro Transit launched an online GoTime schedule and departure feature for every one of its 2200+ bus stops, bus and ferry terminals. Encouraging as this is that Metro Transit is cluing into the fact that in this age of iPhone carrying, Blackberry BBMers, putting useful information online is the way to go, I can’t help but wonder whether this new GoTime system won’t suffer the same problems as the phone schedule system.
A far bigger, more important step up would be to switch from simply conveying static schedules and moving up to a system that actually told you when the bus was going to come. This would mean having checkpoints or sensors that would actually chart the position of the buses themselves so that information like heavy traffic, bus breakdowns and other incidents that delay the buses would somehow be conveyed to those people waiting.
I’m a real sucker for the GoTime phone call service. I love calling my local stop and route number in as I leave my house (I have the number saved into my phone) just to check and see if I technically have the time to linger a moment longer before heading out. But too many times have I called and heard that I have ten minutes only to find out my bus showed up two minutes later and left without me to trust the seemingly authoritative words of the always cheerful automated phone woman.
Walking backwards in Times Square
By Matthew Blackett // 1 Comment
Last week film artist Hye Yeon Nam produced a charming video of herself walking backwards through the Times Square area. Well, in the film she's not the one walking backwards, it's everyone else is. You can read her artists statement on the Babelgum web site where the video is hosted.
December 22nd, 2009
St. John’s Space Cowboy
By Giovanni Paquin // 1 Comment
Pleasantville is an historic military site in St. John's, Newfoundland that is currently being redeveloped by the Canada Lands Company into a mixed-density residential development. The original base was constructed under the supervision of an American Company, the Newfoundland Base Contractors, and the US Corps of Engineers, with the majority of construction completed by November 1941.
One of the most interesting features of the site can be attributed to the Texan who helped design the military base. In an apparent shout out to his cowboy brethren, he laid the streets out in such a way that when viewed from the ...
World Wide Wednesday: Buffalo, Los Angeles and Palma
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Construction of a major Canal side redevelopment plan in Buffalo could begin by June of next year according to Buffalo's Business First Magazine. The $300 ...
December 25th, 2009
Tis the season…
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from the editors of Spacing Atlantic.
photo by Dave Ripdaskull
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Spacing Toronto's John Lorinc assesses the candidates and the playing field in light of Toronto's upcoming mayoral election.
• The winning design for Toronto's Fort York Visitor Center was announced last week. Check Spacing Toronto's flickr page for ...
Dalhousie’s campus master plan a mixed bag
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - About one month ago, I wrote an article for the Dalhousie Gazette on the updated campus master plan [PDF], which is in the final review stages before being implemented. Dal has made some effort to get good public feedback — they've set up a blog dedicated to the plan as well as an official page on the University website — these discussions haven't gotten much press or sparked too much attention, on or off campus.
This is too bad, since the plan will have a big impact not only on Dal students but the wider community. Included in the proposals are separated bike lanes, a pedestrian plaza, massive new buildings and a transit terminal on LeMarchant Street. While my article mostly focuses on the changes in store for Studley Campus, my hope is that re-positing it here will bring a little more attention and generate the much needed discussion these important plans deserve.
Master plans are always exciting documents, and Dalhousie’s updated Campus Master Plan is no exception. Full of colourful diagrams, maps and tables, plans give us the rare opportunity to shape the future landscape of our communities to better reflect the goals and values we think are important.
Judged from this perspective, there’s much to praise in Dal’s new plan. Students’ cries for improved active transportation and public transit infrastructure have finally been heard. The master plan proposes putting bike lanes along University Avenue and turning the now vacant corner outside the Student Union Building into a “landscaped transit terminal.”
From the Vaults: Halifax Movie Theatres
By Lauren Oostveen // 2 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
The Vogue Theatre, Gottingen Street ca. 1957
"Now Playing": Jury Room Drama - 12 Angry Men
Opened 1948, Closed 1970
January 2nd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• The York University busway, "the GTA's first major bus-only road" opened on November 20th to ease congestion in the area surrounding Toronto's York University campus. Sean Marshall provides insight into how this new project is working.
• The history of Agincourt--once a small ...
January 4th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - City's spending worries economic expert [Daily Gleaner]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Citizen asking Suzuki's advice on river [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Centre teaches you to live 'off the grid' [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - City poised for strong construction year [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mayor pursuing downtown farmer's market [Guardian]
OTHER NEWS
MIRAMICHI - Opera House nightclub destroyed [Times & Transcript]
MIRAMICHI - Miramichi hopes for better days [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Not all murder, mayhem in Saint John [Telegraph-Journal]
YARMOUTH - Ferry a 'Nova Scotia problem' [Chronicle-Herald]
N.B. - Smoking ban applauded [Telegraph-Journal]
Best/Worst of Bike Parking in HRM
By Steve Bedard // 4 Comments
HRM - Recently we shared what makes a great bike rack with you. This week we are hoping to raise awareness and change in regards to properly facilitating bike parking in Halifax and Dartmouth. Out of the numerous parking spots in the HRM, the Halifax Cycling Coalition has determined the three best and three worst spots using a bike parking evaluation tool developed by Citizens for Safe Cycling — a not-for-profit based in Ottawa.
We want you to vote on your favorite/most hated!
Best Parking Nominees
The Dickson Center Entrance, Victoria General Site
Some positive attributes to this site include: a variety of rack configurations; the parking area is completely covered by an outcropping of the Dickson Center; and on top of being regularly patrolled by security staff, there is a security station not 15 meters away from the site.
[caption id="attachment_2322" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Bike parking outside of the Dickson Building, VG site"][/caption]
January 5th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Mike Murphy resigns [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Mayor calls to ban texting while driving [Daily Gleaner]
TRURO - Truro delays vote gay community calls discriminatory [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Agency will help city face challenges [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
STRATFORD - 'Lots of work, lots of results' [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Public works chair surprised by Tweel's about face on roundabout [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Peel Plaza - Trying to save a deal [Telegraph-Journal]
OTHER NEWS
BAIE DE CHALEUR - 'Free' lobster anyone? [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Heavy snowfall brings heavy bill [Metro]
Events Guide: Out Now Speedy
By Joshua Biggley // No Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - After last week's radio interview on the local CBC morning radio show, the folks over at the Institute for Bioregional Studies dropped me a line to do what Spacing, in whatever flavour you take it, does best -- connect people together. Nancy Willis and Phil Ferraro hold monthly discussions on pressing social issues in and around Charlottetown. The meeting this month is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th and will address the implications of the new business tax strategy, particularly those elements that encourage non-conforming ...
January 6th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM residents get a say on services with survey [Metro]
HALIFAX - Chamber gives thumbs up to city hall [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Parking ban takes effect; 300 tickets issued first day [Telegram]
SAINT JOHN - Squabbling about harbour bridge 'ridiculous' [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Edit library plans, McClusky says [Chronicle-Herald]
MONTAGUE - Mayor expects building boom to continue [Guardian]
P.E.I. - Future of rural P.E.I. at hand [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Heritage flare-up [Telegraph-Journal]
OTHER NEWS
HALIFAX - Acute backlog in ER [Chronicle-Herald]
World Wide Wednesday: parking garages, private streets and carbon-neutral cities
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• An ambitious plan from landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations aims to connect four distinct quadrants in the heart of downtown Cleavland to create one cohesive park. ...
January 7th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Riverview capital projects total $4M [Times & Transcript]
MIRAMICHI - Miramichi trails group seeks provincial funding [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Union wants N.S. to restore funding for ferry service to New England [Times & Transcript]
CITY HALL
NACKAWIC - Former Nackawic town employee files human rights complaint [Daily Gleaner]
CHIPMAN - Chipman looks to hold the line on property tax [Daily Gleaner]
SYDNEY - Two community groups fighting tax bills in order to maintain halls [Cape Breton Post]
TRURO - Truro delays vote on bylaw that gay community says is discriminatory [Truro Daily News]
SAINT JOHN - ...
New ideas for old St. Patrick’s High School
By Jake Schabas // 8 Comments
HALIFAX - “Destroy St. Pat’s.” This was the verdict of the Coast’s newest fix the city article, a list otherwise chalk full of forward-thinking city-building suggestions.
What to do with the decrepit old high school — currently the Quinpool Education Centre — at Quinpool and Windsor now that its students sit a few blocks east in new Citadel High classrooms is definitely a good question to be asking; a question that deserves better answers than just demolition, especially since there are so many ways the neighbourhood could benefit by reusing this fifties-era landmark.
Physically the largest high school in Canada when it opened in 1954, St. Pat’s once accommodated 2,300 students. Due to the building's massive size, these last few years aren't the first time many of its rooms have gone unused. When it first opened, students took up only one fifth of the area, a number comparable to the 400 students using the school before its closure three years ago.
Besides empty classrooms, its crumbling exterior also houses an auditorium (a 1960s addition), library and gymnasium — features a creative architect would have no problem breathing new life into.
January 8th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
NOVA SCOTIA - N.S. considering ban on pesticides [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Commission recommends new policy for P.E.I [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Tax rate status quo [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Offer accepted by inside workers: HRM [Metro News]
INFRASTRUCTURE
FREDERICTON - Prospect Street walk-in clinic to expand [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Facelift in works for Commons [Chroncile Herald]
HALIFAX - North-end roundabout ditched, at least for now [Chroncile Herald]
NFLD - Pilot project to test year-round ferry service between the island and Labrador [The Telegram]
MONCTON - Metro has best home deals [Times & Transcript]
CULTURE
FREDERICTON - ...
Government 2.0: Open Source Accountability
By Joshua Biggley // No Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - When the Charlottetown folks involved with SpacingAtlantic got together late last year, we decided to engage in some good old fashioned brain-storming to get the creative juices flowing. What transpired was a wonderful, engaging session full of optimism and pride in the city most of us called home. At the end of our two hour session, it was clear to many of us that if Charlottetown was going to change, a new climate of openness and transparency would have to emerge.
There are two keys to an open and transparent democracy -- information and accountability. One of the greatest criticisms of our democratically elected government is the premise that we can only hold them accountable once every four years. The inability to sway the direction of political policy, without the benefit of money, either promised or proven, has disenfranchised the younger electorate. Without accountability nobody can fail, but, more importantly, nobody can succeed. Building accountability is essential, but letting governments hold themselves accountable is a recipe for disaster.
In order to hold elected officials accountable, we have to know what they are doing, and whom they are doing it with. If politics are conducted in the back rooms of historic restaurants, in hushed whispers, or in the case of PEI, in clandestine meetings in Victoria Park, the perception continues that politicians are above, or perhaps better positioned, below the law. The problem extends beyond simple political negotiations or funding scandals. The root of the issue is access to information, sans the redacted documents so common to the Access to Information Act. Enter the open data movement. (Yes, I linked to Wikipedia --- get over it!)
January 9th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Chris Erb reviews a proposal that would would phase out free parking for non-residents in Montreal's Le Plateau-Mont-Royal area. Erb argues that the plan--which still needs to go through a public consolation process--would have a positive effect on the neighbourhood by, among other ...
January 10th, 2010
Transformation in store for CBC building site
By Jake Schabas // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - Big plans are in store for the CBC building site at the corner of Sackville and South Park Streets, reports the Chronicle-Herald.
Following four years of study, the CBC's aging structure has been slated for demolition to make way for a new 500,000 square foot development. Neighbours the YMCA — who have teamed up with CBC Radio Canada to come up with a development proposal — currently expect the site to include new YMCA facilities, office retail space, a public atrium, 200+ residential units and a 100 room boutique hotel.
While we'll ...
January 11th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Scanner sought [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Halifax council set to debate felines again [Metro]
PEI - Jay Gallant named interim leader of the new Island Party [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
PEI - A vision for PEI, on a smaller scale [Globe & Mail]
SYDNEY - Shopping thinking outside of the big box [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - Cathedral needs $8M repair job [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Courthouse construction could begin next month [Telegraph-Journal]
OTHER NEWS
BOUCTOUCHE - Covered bridge pops up in unlikely place [Times & Transcript]
ST. STEPHENS - PM opens new NB-Maine bridge [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - ...
Atlantic Snapshots: the view from below
By The Photographers // 2 Comments
Harbour Passage, Saint John
Jake Schabas
The softer side of an elevated expressway.
January 12th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Report delayed on sale of NB Power to Quebec [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Protestors challenge MLAs over power deal [Daily Gleaner]
URBAN GREEN
NB - Wind farms ready to grow [Times & Transcript]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HRM - Councillor worried about erosion [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Official hopes more turn out tonight for bikeways and trails meeting [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - $1M for water,sewer infrastructure expected [Daily Gleaner]
SYDNEY - Councillors attempt to dismiss rumours about sustainability plan [CBP]
SYDNEY - Committee hears stimulus money for new fire station not possible [CBP]
PEI - Cornwall mayor confident growth will continue ...
Events Guide: training for emergency shelter volunteers
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="National Housing Day event launching the Out of the Cold emergency shelter at St. Matthew's United Church"][/caption]
HALIFAX - The entirely volunteer-run Out of the Cold emergency winter shelter, housed at St. Matthew's United Church, will host a series of training sessions for new volunteers starting tomorrow, Jan 13 through Feb 6. This is the shelter's second season, filling a critical void left by the federal ...
January 13th, 2010
Victoria Apartments: Demolition Accomplished
By Katie McKay // 6 Comments
HALIFAX - This past Saturday, the corner of Hollis and Morris was once again the city's epicenter of perverse entertainment. An impromptu post-market crowd of witnesses gathered to to watch the Victoria Apartments be demolished, one wall at a time; revealing its bright colours, arched doorways and quirky interiors one last time.
Some people cheered as the bulldozer tore down the apartments, while others tried to hide their tears. Former residents pointed out their bedrooms and shared stories. Photographers had a field day. I tried to leave on three separate occasions, frozen and exhausted, but couldn't ...
World Wide Wednesday: Virtual billboards, sprawling cities and the world’s tallest building
By Kat Snukal // 2 Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• An art project in Columbus, Ohio, asks residents to consider the role of parking lots in the city's development. The piece, called Audio Dwelling, consists of ...
January 14th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - Council OK’s pact with inside workers [Metro News]
HALIFAX - Halifax probes parking ban [Chronicle Herald]
CAPE BRETON - Councillors attempt to dismiss rumours about sustainability plan [Cape Breton Post]
HALIFAX - A case for a smaller council [Chronicle Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Premier introduces major changes within bureaucracy [The Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - School District 1 wants bigger school [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - City gets D in study [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Halifax gets B in attractiveness report for cities [Metro News]
SAINT JOHN - City awash in potential waterfront projects [Telegraph Journal]
CHAROLOTTETOWN - ...
Netting our Garbage in St. John’s
By Andrew Matheson // 1 Comment
Cowritten by Giovanni Paquin
ST. JOHN'S - One of our favourite discoveries during the 2009 API Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland was, of all things, their garbage. We were “lucky” enough to be in the city for garbage day. Street after street was lined with garbage bags covered in green and blue polyester nets. We assumed that this was a quirky Newfoundland tradition that highlighted the importance of the fishing industry to St. John’s economy – they’ve got so many nets they’re even using them to cover their garbage! Ah the ignorance of a visiting tourist.
January 15th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MIRAMICHI - Province commits to roadwork in Miramichi region [Times & Transcript]
NOVA SCOTIA - Province turns to public for deficit advice on 23-stop tour [Metro]
DARTMOUTH - Scrap municipal tax reform, Dartmouth-area councillors say [Chroncile Herald]
HALIFAX - Downtown parking fees considered [Chroncile Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NOVA SCOTIA - In economic recovery, housing leads the way [Chroncile Herald]
ST JOHN'S - Fortis eyeing major project [The Telegram]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Historic Charlottetown church's appeal for glass in new doors rejected by council [The Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Y looking at waterfront home [Telegraph Journal]
INFRASTRUCTURE
NOVA SCOTIA - Reports show ...
Halifax’s winter parking ban woes
By Abad Khan // 6 Comments
HALIFAX - If you happened to be one of the many unlucky car owners who left their cars parked on your neighbourhood street on the night of December 14th, you would have woken up to a $50 ticket on your windshield. With nary a snow flake on the ground or in the forecast, welcome to HRM's Winter Parking Ban [PDF] (not to go off on a tangent, but this is a document that equates pedestrian traffic with congestion... uh what?).
Merry Christmas! The Grinch came by early.
From the Vaults: Up in the Air
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Halifax Waterfront
Aerial photos taken by Nova Scotia Information Service. NSIS dates back to 1924, when the Nova Scotia Publicity Bureau was established with a mandate to "Tell the world about Nova Scotia."
Images were taken between 1945 and 1970.
January 16th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• A discarded bike buried in a snowdrift prompts Spacing Ottawa contributor Kathryn Hunt to investigate what happens to the city's abandoned bikes.
• A proposal to turn Orléans, a key Ottawa intersection "from a standard four-way into a roundabout or ...
January 17th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: spacecrafts
By The Photographers // No Comments
Moncton, New Brunswick
Blake Morin
Snowy night at the skate park.
January 18th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
ATLANTIC - Same firms get ACOA help for 20 years [Daily Gleaner]
DIEPPE - Council debates signage tonight [Times & Transcript]
OROMOCTO - Mayor ponders new fire station [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Councillor wants alcohol stripped from municipal events [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - $10M budget imbroglio [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
HAMPTON - Hampton organic farmers' market in the offing [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
LUNENBURG - Foundation ponders future of Lunenburg Academy [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Selling the Mount [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Church caught in the middle on door issue [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Thinking big: Future concerts on waterfront? [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Musicians rally ...
Sustainability vs. Consumerism
By Joshua Biggley // 5 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - I had a nasty case of déjà vu last week when the City of Charlottetown announced that another Big Box development was coming to town. PlazaCorp is already responsible for 300,000 square feet of strip malls in Charlottetown, complete with their upfront parking lagoons, but this new development ratchets the insult and degradation of Charlottetown to a completely new level.
The threatened site, which can be seen embedded in this Guardian article, sits just north of the Charlottetown Mall, south of the Arterial Road, west of University and east of Mount Edward Road. A review of the map provided by the Guardian shows heavily sloped land and a watershed on this property which, from an environmental perspective, set off alarm bells in my head. Currently being used as farmland, PlazaCorp is proposing turning a juxtaposed agrarian landscape into yet another cookie-cutter Big Box asphalt lagoon.
Perhaps those alarm bells are why council has decided to refer the issue to public consultation, a process that is likely to divide the city into the "we want more shopping" and "local is better" camps so typical of this age of transformation. Ironically, this battle is patterned after a debate that is still taking place in my hometown of Windsor, Ontario. In spite of starting the discussion more than two years ago when Jenny Coco, fittingly a local paving company magnate, wanted to build a development next to federally protected prairies, the development on the border of Windsor and Lasalle has not broken ground. Back then I was writing for a local blog and advocacy group, Scaledown.ca, where our thoughts, failures, and rants are still lurking online. Even the Ontario Municipal Board, the final authority on all things development in Ontario, has pushed back on the CocoBox complex (as we so lovingly dubbed it) in recent weeks.
January 19th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
DIEPPE - Sign law draws big crowd [Times & Transcript]
NB - New energy deal details [Times & Transcript]
NB - NB strikes new hydro deal to avoid Quebec stranglehold [Globe & Mail]
SAINT JOHN - Familiar face gets city's top staff job [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Public input for new city plan crucial [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Regulator ponders future of gas promotions [Daily Gleaner]
ST JOHNS - Politicians wonder about waste management's board's existence [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Waterfront festival planned for games [Metro]
HALIFAX - Olympic fun on the waterfront [Chronicle-Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
SHEDIAC - Public wants multifunctional ...
Small businesses bite into sandwich board by-law
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - Who knew a plywood Oompa-loopma could cause such a stir? Since the City adopted the Temporary Sign By-law [PDF] in 2006, which placed strict regulation on street signage, sandwich boards have been an unprecedented source of contention in Halifax. Dedicated fans have rallied behind Freak Lunchbox, whose hand-painted signs are a beacon of creativity (and candy) on Barrington St — there was even a Facebook group created in defense of the candy store's then Oompa-loompa-themed sign. But beyond the Oompa-loompa hoopla lies a real debate about the control of public space in the city.
Perhaps in response to this public objection, for the last three years enforcement has been purely complaint driven. But with the By-law now under review, small businesses are nervous about the impacts if the policy were to tighten up. Amendments proposed to Regional Council in November, would crank up enforcement of the By-law's complex licensing requirements for temporary signs, imposing strict — in some cases inhibiting — limitations to the size, style, and placement of the all important sandwich board.
Spacing Radio returns for season three!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing is happy to announce the launch of Season Three of our biweekly podcast Spacing Radio.
You can listen to the episode on the Spacing Radio web site or subscribe to the podcast (free!) through iTunes.
Episode 014 kicks things off with Marc Glassman (the owner of the now-defunct Pages Books) interviewing critically acclaimed filmmaker Atom Egoyan, who discusses his decision to cast the oft-overlooked Toronto as itself in his latest film, Chloe. Will Alsop, the renowned British architect whose work (including the Ontario College of Art ...
January 20th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Parties quarrel over power deal [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Councillors take aim at rural tax rates [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Council scraps motion to make municipal events dry [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Chase wants mayor to say he's sorry [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Mayor's 'Chicken Little' taunt came after lengthy debate [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - Protestors march against Petitcodiac restoration [Times & Transcript]
TRURO - Need for year-round farmer's market [Truro Daily]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NB - Minister to address complaints about school transportation [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Group submits report on future of York Arena [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT ...
Events Guide: Public presentation of proposed improvements to the North Common
By Emma Feltes // 6 Comments
HALIFAX - HRM's proposed plans for the North Common [PDF] will be presented and discussed at an open house at City Hall tonight. The proposal includes an asphalt "Special Events Plaza," a new building, clustered street-side kiosks and seating, wider pathways, and a redesign of the Centennial Fountain. The public is invited to view the proposed plan starting at 6:30, followed by a presentation and question period — a crucial opportunity to float concerns, clarifications, and suggestions.
In preparation for tonight's event, community group Friends of the Halifax Common ...
World Wide Wednesday: Hong Kong, Moscow and Port-au-Prince
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Since July of last year Petaluma California has been known as "the city without planners". The decision to dissolve the official planning department in favour ...
January 21st, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
ST JOHN - Mayor won't apologize to deputy mayor [Telegraph Journal]
MONCTON - Shovels in ground on schools next year? [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Work begins on new NBCC campus in capital [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Arts centre contemplates $1-million upgrade [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Tax politics heat up [the Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Some wonder if plan for Commons concert venue a done deal [Chronicle Herald]
ST JOHN'S - New waste management plan could cost $150-$200 per household [the Telegram]
TRURO - Need for year-round farmers’ market: supporters [Truro Daily News]
HALIFAX - Housing co-op gets ...
January 22nd, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Moncton falls short in smart city awards [Times & Transcript]
NEWFOUNDLAND - Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador launches new logo, website [The Telegram]
ATLANTIC CANADA - Mayors urge feds to keep infrastructure money flowing despite deficit [The Telegram]
NOVA SCOTIA - Schools need at least $36M: Group [Metro News]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - HRM, N.S. swap land in Halifax [Metro News]
HALIFAX - 'Park after dark' targets overnight parking ban [Metro News]
IN CONVERSATION
HALIFAX - Brains for Change working to make Dal better [Chronicle Herald]
NOVA SCOTIA - Public meetings to focus on future of farmland [Chronicle Herald]
TRURO ...
Events Guide: meeting on the Halifax Urban Greenway
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Interested in learning more about the development of the District 14 active transportation trail and how it fits into the larger plan for the Halifax Urban Greenway? Here's an opportunity to hear members of the Halifax Urban Greenway Association and HRM staff speak on the development of the trail and how community members can become involved.
WHAT: Meeting on the Halifax Urban Greenway trail in District 14
WHEN: Wed, Jan 27th, 7pm
WHERE: Oxford School, 6364 North St (entrance off of Willow St, ...
January 23rd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Toronto architect George Dark, recently tasked with overseeing the design one of Ottawa's "biggest city building projects in decades", went on an afternoon stroll with Spacing Ottawa where he revealed what he loves most about the city he's now part of ...
January 25th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Something familiar about 'new' deal [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Council kicks off busy day with talks on secret project [Chronicle-Herald]
FREDERICTON - Hyrdo deal tests Graham's political survival skills [Globe]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - City plans to install permanent speed radars in school zones [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Group hopes to join people together to solve city problems [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Project seeks to keep young workers [Metro]
HALIFAX - Waterfront Development offering flat rates for overnight parking downtown [NewsNet]
DEVELOPMENT
NB - NB company wants to upgrade power grid [Times & Transcript]
SHEDIAC - Centre undergoes ...
Revitalizing a signature urban park
By Devin Keating // 2 Comments
SYDNEY, NS - After declining use and facilities crumbling for years, the initiative to revitalize Wentworth Park in Sydney began in 2004. As this work continues to progress, this park will once again be worthy of being called Sydney's signature urban park.
Beginning in 2004, coinciding with the King's Road realignment and the start of construction on "The Wentworth" condominiums, renovations on the lower pond of Wentworth Park began. The renovations included an improved, more natural looking retaining wall along the pond's shore, improved pathways, monument restorations, a new elevated gazebo overlooking this section of the park, new fountains, and a new pedestrian underpass under King's Road as part of a larger plan to connect the park to the Sydney Boardwalk on one side and Rotary Park on the other. This is also part of the larger Active Transportation plan for Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), parts of which will be further explored in future articles.
January 26th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Councillor calls for tax cut in wake of increasing house prices [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Councillor objects to expropriation procedure [Daily Gleaner]
URBAN GREEN
QUISPAMSIS - Warning issued: Beware of coyotes [Telegraph-Journal]
SACKVILLE - Wildlife institute a week away from closing [Times & Transcript]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
TRURO - County's property values up 49% in five years [Truro Daily]
SAINT JOHN - Market square gets new look [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
SHEDIAC -Shediac approves civic centre [Times & Transcript]
PEI - Action plan takes aim at rural growth [Guardian]
NS - Ottawa gives $10M to widen Cabot Trail [Chronicle-Herald]
NFLD - Province announces ...
Uncovering our ‘Common’ past
By Nova Tayona // 6 Comments
[caption id="attachment_2901" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Map of Halifax Commons in 1931 linked to Point Pleasant Park by Tower Road"][/caption]
HALIFAX - If you look it up on Google Maps, Canada’s oldest urban park, the Halifax Common hugs the western skirt of Citadel Hill. It’s shown as two triangular patches of green space — North and Central — divided by a yellow line that is Cogswell Street. The city seems to stop at its edges on all sides: Cunard, Robie, North Park Streets, and Bell Road define its present day boundaries as it sits sheltered by the Citadel from the east. Halifax’s early beginnings though, tell a different tale — there was also a South Commons — and that story can be read through the urban fabric that exists today.
It’s fun to be an urban sleuth — reading the physical city for windows back in time. Cities themselves can often tell the story if we’re willing to squint and read between the lines.
The Commons (as it is locally known) began as a much larger piece of land, a swath of open space ‘for common use’ that cut north-south across the peninsula reaching to the edge of what is now Saint Mary’s University.
As our biggest public room in the city, The Commons is lined with buildings, tall and short, and anchored by the Citadel from the east. You may think that there is a very clear edge to its domain on all sides, but the public and institutional spaces found a little further south challenge that boundary and show us hints into our city’s past.
The Right to the Common
By Katie McKay // 9 Comments
HALIFAX - Last Wednesday January 20th, HRM staff presented the plan “Improvements to the North Common” [PDF] to a full house, where there were more people in attendance than there were chairs. The presentation of the plan lasted an hour, and although only 30 minutes was set aside for input from the public, the question period ended up continuing for over an hour and a half, until only a handful of people were left in the room.
In this new century, we are facing a different kind of threat to public space— not one of disuse, but of patterns of design and management that exclude some people and reduce social and cultural diversity.
- Rethinking Urban Parks: Public Space & Cultural Diversity
There was clear support for certain aspects of the plan that fostered walkability, safety and passive enjoyment of the park, which include wider pathways, a redesigned fountain, diverse seating and an increase in trees in the park. The debate that ensued was not centered around the fact that the City is proposing improvements to the Common - that point was well-received and echoed by those in attendance. The more controversial elements of the proposed plan were those that cater to the facilitation of concerts: the removal of a baseball diamond in the southeast corner, a 'special events plaza', and a permanent power supply housed in a new building proposed for development.
January 27th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - NB Power CEO says it's time to move on [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Council narrowly votes down controversial tax reform proposal [Metro]
HALIFAX - Council adjusts rink committee [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONTAGUE - Funding cuts could end Southeast Environment Association [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Atlantic Coastal Action Program fears funding cut [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro tames mean streets [Times & Transcript]
BASS RIVER - Residents voice opposition to consolidating schools [Truro Daily]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Province commits $2.2M to Peace Centre [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Train station restoration project gets nod from city [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - ...
Events guide: “How to be Cosmopolitan”
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - If cosmopolitanism is understood as a "willingness to engage with the other", is it an essential ingredient of Canada's multi-ethnic, immigrant-receiving cities? Can only the jet-setting elite be cosmopolitan, or can we conceive of street-corner cosmopolitans too? These are some of the questions being asked and addressed by Dr. Martha Radice this Friday at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Sponsored by the Atlantic Metropolis Centre (AMC) and the Dalhousie Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Dr. Radice's presentation of her ethnographical ...
The courtesy is Common, but is the sense?
By Mark Lasanowski // 4 Comments
Brought to you in collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre and Halifax Cycling Coalition, SpokesPeople covers all things cycle-related. From the principles to the potholes, we're here to examine the realities facing the two-wheeled traveler.
HALIFAX - With debate still simmering after last week's North Commons revitalization presentation, Spacing Atlantic is pleased to kick off SpokesPeople with a look at the place of cyclists in the Halifax Common.
An undisputed geographical crossroads in peninsular Halifax, the North Common is a figurative crossroads in countless other ways, too. Each day, thousands of pedestrians and cyclists criss-cross the Common’s various axes – and each other. Many are “straight-line” users, commuting to and from school and work via the shortest possible path between two of the Common’s numerous corners.
For others, the Common itself is the destination: a place for a relaxed stroll on a sunny afternoon, or a venue for youngsters to test the waters of life without training wheels, free of the worry of motorized vehicles bearing down on them. Add in concertgoers, picnickers and sports enthusiasts, and you’ve got a multi-use space that is brimming with Haligonians and visitors alike. Where else could a commuting high schooler, a left fielder, and a rabid rock fan make the same footprint within hours of each other?
World Wide Wednesday: Portland, Detroit and Port-au-Prince
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - ...
January 28th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Metro tames mean streets [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Tax vote over, council still grappling with idea [Metro News]
SAINT JOHN - Bridge authority asks city to support loan bid [Telegraph Journal]
SUSSEX - Town seeks citizen input [Telegraph Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Cast Monopoly vote for city and win a Super Bowl party [Telegraph Journal]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Metro transit plan for waterfront bus [the Coast]
HALIFAX - Construction of new airport hotel quashed [Metro News]
CAPE BRETON - Englishtown ferry back in service [Cape Breton Post]
HALIFAX - HRM staff looking at rail commuter service ...
[Re]Presenting Halifax: Exploring the potential of the city through mapping
By Matt Neville // 5 Comments
This is the first of a series of explorations through maps of the Halifax region.
Revisiting maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of Halifax that have long been buried can only help to further the discussion and debate about the current direction and future vision for the region.
The overall objective is to re-present the city within the historical and contemporary socio-political, spatial, and ecological dimensions and challenges in a manner that helps to reveal opportunities and contribute to a wider discussion on current conflicts, debates and developments. The ‘agency’ or capacity of the map is explored in parallel to the region’s ability to adapt to and meet some of the increasingly diverse needs and demands of the city, its users, and inhabitants.
This proposal loosely imitates recent interpretive mapping exercises as published in Mapping Boston and Mapping London (among others), that demonstrate a renewed interest in both mapping/map as process and product. While this exercise is much more modest in scale, it is also well suited for collaboration and contributions for others interested in the topic - so, please, join in on this subjective cartographic journey through the past and potential of Halifax! Anyone interested in contributing to this interpretive reading of the city is encouraged to send an email with suggestions, ideas, or proposals.
I begin with a rather simple plan of the city centre and immediate surroundings produced in 1878, as it offers a glimpse of the city as both expanding port and fort town - a colonial town - yet, before its relationships to the landscape were eroded beyond recognition.
January 29th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - Social Development lays out spending [Times & Transcript]
NEW BRUNSWICK - 'We're tackling big issues' [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - HRM paid out $362,456 in settlements last year [Chronicle-Herald]
FREDERICTON - District looks to solve vandalism problem [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Halifax tax reform: Leadership vacancy [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
NOVA SCOTIA - N.S. won’t ban biosolids on farmland [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Climate cash running out [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Kinkora goes green with wind turbines completed [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Revolution in the food business [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST JOHN'S - Housing costs skyrocket for children, youth in need [The ...
An (obstructed) vision for the future of St. John’s
By Andrew Harvey // 7 Comments
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="The three buildings that would be demolished under the Fortis proposal"][/caption]
ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland and Labrador has seen great economic benefit from offshore oil and gas developments in recent years. For the first time (since Confederation), Newfoundland is a 'have' province. With the province awash in oil money, Premier Danny Williams assures us that investments will be made with a vision for the future, and that we will come out of the oil boom stronger then ever before.
In St. John's, the hub of the province's oil driven economy, the lasting legacy of oil will come from the development which occurs during the boom. Long after the jobs and prosperity brought by oil leave, the buildings they helped construct will remain.
Fortis Properties, one of the largest companies in Newfoundland, has recently made a proposal for a redevelopment in downtown St. John’s. Fortis currently owns a 12-story building on the corner of Water street and Harbour drive (pictured below). The proposal includes plans to demolish the three buildings next to their exiting building to construct a 15-story tower. The proposed site for this new tower is in the closest block to the harbour, which makes many worry about its potential effect on views in the downtown, and the St. John's skyline.
January 30th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• As Ottawa gets closer to breaking ground on a subway system, Spacing's Alain Miguelez discovers that plans for underground transit have been on the table, in some form or other, since 1915. Miguelez takes us ...
January 31st, 2010
Spacing Atlantic on Flickr, Facebook and Twitter
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
As Spacing Atlantic grows, we're doing our best to cast our social nets on more shores and expand our reach to more urban communities throughout Canada's east coast.
Despite the grim state of many newsrooms across the country, for bloggers and online readers the mood couldn't be more different. With so many great online social networking tools at our fingertips, we felt it was about time to make the most of these new media and take the plunge.
Want to meet more like-minded urban ...
February 1st, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Independent panel reveals NB Power report today [Times & Transcript]
ATLANTIC - Atlantic mayors make pitch for infrastructure funding [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Politician wants historic buildings saved [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - Wetlands key to fighting climate change [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - 'Caring for living things' - Swinimer says shelter separate from wildlife rehab centtre [Chronicle-Herald]
TRURO - Wind power project expected to be running next winter [Truro Daily]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Fire engulfs restaurant [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Casino on track for May opening [Times & Transcript]
DIEPPE - NBers debate bilingual signs [Times & ...
HRM’s Active Transportation Committee revs up for 2010
By Steve Bedard // 1 Comment
[caption id="attachment_2819" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Without adequate infrastructure, commuting downtown can sometimes feel like this"][/caption]
HALIFAX - On January 21, HRM's Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) held it's first meeting of the year in order to make plans and set goals regarding expansion and improvement of HRM's Active Transportation network (AT). Transportation Demand Management (TDM), having committed to expanding our AT network by 20 linear kilometres by the end of the year has really stepped up its commitment to improving AT by increasing transparency in regards to AT infrastructure installation. Nevertheless, we are still approximately 70kms short of reaching AT targets defined in HRM's AT Plan before including the 20 km expansion.
I met up with Halifax Cycling Coalition Co-Chair Lauralee Sim and asked her a couple quick questions about ATAC's first meeting of 2010.
---
Steve: Did any issues take the spotlight at the ATAC meeting?
Lauralee: We didn't discuss AT issues in detail at this meeting. We spent our time discussing how we can work as a group and reviewed some key points in the AT plan. We're hoping to determine some priority issues at our next meeting in February.
Steve: What did ATAC representatives have to say at the meeting?
February 2nd, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Few surprises in advisory panel's report [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Panel calls for stronger energy regulation [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Chamber of commerce pushing for commercial tax reform [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Province donates $108,000 to help low-income Islanders keep warm this winter [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Public space needn't be green to be great [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Uprooting the crows [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Chateau 'ahead of its time' [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City wants to find new concert venue [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Legion still mulling where to place cross [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
by Shakies Buddy, from the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
February 3rd, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Council does a U-turn on taxi zones [Metro]
HALIFAX - City taxi zone issue stuck in neutral [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Irving's decision shocks mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Councillors not throwing in the towel [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Vancouver topples Halifax in annual sustainability report [Metro]
SYDNEY - Plan to remediate former radar base revealed [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HRM - Couple wants property rezoned for horses [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Jack Frost Festival quickly taking shape [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Architect describes decision as a 'real set-back' [Telegraph-Journal]
GRAND MANAN - New ferry an Adventure [Telegraph-Journal]
ST. ...
PlanSJ: Planning for Saint John’s Future…Finally!
By Andrew Matheson // 1 Comment
Co-written by Giovanni Paquin
SAINT JOHN - Last Wednesday was the project launch for one of the most exciting urban planning projects in Atlantic Canada. The City of Saint John kicked off PlanSJ: Our City, Our Future – a two-year initiative that will bring the City’s badly-outdated municipal plan in line with current realities and modern planning principles.
Saint John’s current Municipal Plan received Council approval in 1973 and was based on the assumption that the City’s population would grow to some 250,000 residents. Today, almost 40 years after the plan came into effect, the City’s residents number 68,000 – less than one third of the plan’s anticipated total. With faulty projections and dozens of subsequent amendments, the current plan has slipped into obscurity over the years and has failed to adequately guide development in a manner that best serves the interests of Saint John residents.
That’s all about to change.
World Wide Wednesday: Moscow, Vancouver and America’s high-speed rail
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• A big transit news week as the Obama administration announced the benefactors of the $8 billion investment in high-speed rail. Time Magazine ran an in-depth piece on ...
February 4th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
TRANSPORTATION
NB - Hillsborough stops bike races [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Missing the bus [the Coast]
NB - Fuel taxes hurting bus company [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Dealership co-owner wants public meeting on roundabout [The Guardian]
NB - Bridge contract in spotlight again [Daily Gleaner]
DARTMOUTH - Parking near NSCC irks neighbours [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
NB - Tories seek review of landfill complaints [Daily Gleaner]
NS - Forever green: N.S. buys Irving land [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Some farmers to stay at Brewery Market [Chronicle Herald]
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS
HALIFAX - Quinpool now open, and late [the Coast]
HALIFAX - Barrington ...
[Re]Presenting Halifax #2: Against the Grain
By Matt Neville // 1 Comment
This is the second installment in a series that revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - This map is a representation of the waterfront area, city centre, and suburbs of Halifax in 1835. Despite the passing of nearly 90 years since its founding, the original layout of the city remained intact in 1835. The only noticeable expansion is evident in the suburban growth in the north and south (Schmidtville), while paths to the west identify patterns for future expansion.
The inclusion of plot size is one of the most distinguishing and legible features of this map. Within the original city centre, blocks are narrow, with the long edge running parallel to the water. The blocks follow a strong grid pattern, each being approximately 320 feet in length and 120 feet in width (98m x 37m), with 55-foot (17m) wide streets in between. Each block is then subdivided into 16 equal plots. The result is a fine grain and diverse urban fabric, as each plot is a mere 40 feet wide.
From the Vaults: Africville
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Bird's eye view of Africville, showing its location on Bedford Basin, with north end Halifax and the Narrows in the background.
Selections from Bob Brooks' Photographic Portrait of Africville in the 1960s.
Bob Brooks created his photographic record of Africville, mostly in black and white, between about 1962 and 1965. His work appeared in Time Life, The Star Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, McCall's, Harper's, Maclean's, Chatelaine, The London Times, Paris Match and National Geographic.
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Victoria Row, Charlottetown
by Martin Cathrae, from the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
Petitcodiac: The ‘little’ river that’s causing a big fuss
By Blake Michel Morin // No Comments
MONCTON - While driving towards Salisbury along the Riverview side of the Petitcodiac River I noticed some peculiar sign-age under the acronym LAPPA, imploring all who cared to read it to keep the causeway connecting Moncton with Riverview closed. Having become familiar with the plight of the river myself over the years, the sign struck me as odd. It was my understanding that the general consensus amongst concerned citizens was that the gates should be opened in an effort to restore the river. So, as with anything of particular interest to my life, I Googled it. Before we get to my findings, a little background information if you will.
The causeway was constructed as a means of connecting Moncton with the quickly expanding town of Riverview and, as is the case with many NB municipalities, foresight was a word not found in the City of Moncton’s dictionary. The causeway essentially pinched off the river, causing a massive buildup of silty sediment directly downstream. The river's tidal bore, once world renowned and allegedly surf-able, was reduced to little more than the trickle of an 80 year man with kidney stones. As can be imagined the local ecosystem was affected and the fauna — fish in particular — that had once flourished soon vanished. A new ecosystem has since grown in its place, namely that of Lake Petitcodiac, a fresh water headpond that amasses upriver of the causeway.
February 7th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: Containers at night
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
Events guide: Smart growth in downtown St. John’s
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - This should be a great opportunity for the community to gather, and discuss issues surrounding development in St. John's. The expert panel should give everyone a useful insight into ways we can ensure St. John's grows into the vibrant city we all want it to.
This event is being organized by the good people at HappyCity.ca, who also organized a public forum on smart growth and urban sprawl last April. They have an online forum on their website to promote discussion regarding growth, and ...
February 8th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Too soon to predict open-caucaus revolt - professor [Daily Gleaner]
NS - Dexter back in province, to speak today [Chronicle-Herald]
NS - Tories wrap up convention with talk of renewal on way [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
TATAMAGOUCHE - Farmer's market in Tata opened for 30th season [Truro Daily]
TRURO - Dutch elm disease taking fewer trees than in past years [Truro Daily]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DIEPPE - Sign bylaw stalls [TImes & Transcript]
St. JOHN'S - Storm wrecks Battery, Quidi Vici [Telegram]
SAINT JOHN - Taking the city the wrong way down a one-way street? [Telegraph-Journal]
COMMUNITY
ATLANTIC - Festivals rock region ...
Events guide: Urban Chicken Bylaw Public Information Meeting
By Mark Lamovsek // No Comments
HALIFAX - Interested in turning your urban yard into a rural idyll? Always wanted a piece of the country right here in the city?
On Wednesday at Halifax Hall, city staff are hosting a public information meeting regarding backyard laying hens and a proposed amendment to the Peninsula Land Use By-law. Following this meeting, the proposal will undergo a detailed review and staff will prepare a report to be tabled at Peninsula Community Council. If you're interested in the growing urban farm movement, this is the place to make yourself heard.
WHAT: Public information meeting ...
February 9th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - N.B. rule change aims to boost immigration [Times & Transcript]
DIEPPE - Dieppe council discusses sign bylaw amendments [Times & Transcript]
NS - MLAs to soon account for every penny [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Government has no plans to subsidize bus company [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City does well on resident satisfaction survey [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Urban housing starts down slightly in January [Telegram]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Councillors call for co-operative response on storm repairs [Telegram]
TRURO - Hospital shocker [Truro Daily]
P.E.I. - First action completed under Rural Action Plan: LeClair [Guardian]
MIRAMICHI - ...
Atlantic snapshots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Ryan Wilson, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
February 10th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // 2 Comments
POLITICS
N.S. - Tories want 'full disclosure' on political double-dippers [Metro]
GREATER HALIFAX? - Name-change talk confuses [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Plebiscite on at-large elections to be part of city vote [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
ARICHAT - Richmond County council issues support for biosphere reserve [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - City gets $10M to go green [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Moncton 'best place' for cardiac lab [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Sea levels may rise by 73cm by 2100: Experts [Metro]
ROTHESAY - Fieldhouse not authorized yet: Mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
TRURO - Shares sold to raise money for Marigold renovations [Truro Daily]
TRURO - ...
February 11th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
MONCTON - Students show off art at Moncton City Hall [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Halifax, province of Nova Scotia, poised to make Africville settlement offer [the Coast]
FREDERICTON - Mayor wants morale back in police force [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Councillors debate changing name of HRM to Greater Halifax [the Coast]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Fore! Urban golf comes to Halifax [the Coast]
HALIFAX - Green firm wants its cash [Chroncile Herald]
NS - Government help needed for agricultural industry, say farmers [Truro Daily]
OTHER
MIRAMICHI - MLA to fight bus route cuts [Times & Transcript]
NB - N.B. ...
Cross the town and hope to ride
By Mark Lasanowski // 3 Comments
Brought to you in collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre and Halifax Cycling Coalition, SpokesPeople covers all things cycle-related. From the principles to the potholes, we're here to examine the realities facing the two-wheeled traveler.
The Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC) has its sights set on an ambitious goal for 2010: the establishment of the CrossTown Connector (CTC) bike route, connecting the many tentacles of cycle-unfriendly Windsor Exchange in the north to Point Pleasant Park in the south. Wasting no time, the HCC is making tracks through Halifax's snow-covered streets to gather signatures for a petition in support of the CTC, with the hope of converting signatures into bike lanes before Santa begins his next round of chimney-hopping.
The CTC proposal is stuffed with laudable elements. Connecting existing bike lane segments on Windsor and South Park by way of Almon, Agricola, North Park and Ahern, the CTC forms an impressive trans-peninsular trunk from which can grow the limbs of a broader, more complete bike route network in the years ahead. And how sweetly flat it is. On a peninsula with an imposing humpback ridge, the CTC neatly skirts the steep grades that many Haligonians cite as an impediment to hopping on a bike in the first place.
[Re]Presenting Halifax #3: DesBarres on Halifax and Sydney
By Matt Neville // 3 Comments
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres: “army officer, military engineer, surveyor, colonizer, and colonial administrator” – cartographer.
DesBarres is a mysterious figure and little is known about his personal life. But despite the little attention he is given, DesBarres holds an important place in the history of this region. Leaving Switzerland, spending time with Voltaire in Paris, joining the military in England, DesBarres came to North America in 1756, seven years after the founding of Halifax.
Instrumental in the successful 1758 siege of Louisbourg, DesBarres' many talents were quickly recognized by his superiors. DesBarres was soon mapping the St. Lawrence River and working on his charts in Halifax during the winter months while teaching mathematics, astronomy, and surveying to a young James Cook.
In 1760, DesBarres began mapping the Halifax Harbour in preparation for the construction of fortifications and dockyards. Over the next decade he would also complete detailed hydrological surveys of the coast. The Atlantic Neptune, a large collection of charts and views of the east coast of North America was the result of his work, first published in 1777, and has been his lasting legacy.
February 12th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 2 Comments
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - Organizer says city should consult before picking site [Daily Gleaner]
ST JOHN'S - Town suing OCI [The Telegram]
FREDERICTON - City OKs appointments [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Alderney loan landing in taxpayers’ laps [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - 'Shut 'er down' [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Businesses welcome Agricola project [Chroncile Herald]
SYDNEY - Cape Breton landscapes can now be seen around the world with a click of a mouse [Cape Breton Post]
SYDNEY - Mom upset by graffiti [Cape Breton Post]
TRURO - Local MLA ‘optimistic’ good news lies ahead for new facility [Truro Daily ...
If you love someone, buy them Spacing
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Between now and Vanetine's Day on Sunday, you can buy the love of your life a discounted subscription to Spacing.
For only $25, the man or woman that loves Toronto as much as they love you can receive six issues mailed to their home for nearly 50% off of our newsstand price. This deal is also $4 off of our regular subscription rate.
photo from Toronto Archives: fonds 1257, series 1057, item 6980
Atlantic snapshots: parking lot
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Dean Bouchard
February 13th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Scandal has rocked Toronto’s mayoral campaign. Revelations of an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman other than his long-time partner has led City Councilor and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Adam Giambrone, to drop his bid for mayor just 13 days after announcing his candidacy. Spacing Toronto has been ...
February 14th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: SnowCycle
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, PEI
by Kim Stillwell, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
February 15th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON- Is Moncton council doing enough? [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Council feels full review of city services too costly [Daily Gleaner]
TRURO - No hate charges for Truro mayor [Metro]
SYDNEY - Municipalities tackling population decline [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - City gearing up to borrow $20 million [Telegraph-Journal]
P.E.I. - Premier taking too much credit for rural programs, Opposition MLA says [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Interest grows as Shannex nears completion [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - York Arena still needed to meet city's ice-time needs [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
MIRAMICHI - First Nation plans Miramichi Casino [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX ...
The impact of Metro Transit’s five year plan on downtown Halifax
By Jenn Casey // 3 Comments
HRM - Metro Transit's new 5-year transit operations plan was recently "approved in principle" at an HRM regional council meeting on February 9th. The 187-page report [PDF] suggests a number of upgrades, route changes, terminal changes, price changes and additions to their service. But what does it mean for the downtown?
First presented to council in October 2009, the plan is designed to "take transit to the next level," according to HRM documents.
While some councillors voiced concern at the February 9 council meeting, the plan still passed. North end Councillor Jerry Blumenthal was the only one to vote against the plan. He was worried about the cost of the plan. However, this plan is just a collection of recommendations; the specific ideas put forth will need to be approved by council during the budgeting process.
Councillor Jim Smith was critical of the emphasis on expanding service to rural areas like Fall River, Enfield and Musquodoboit Harbour. He's worried the plan would support urban sprawl, however he did vote to move it along.
The fear of urban sprawl is no reason to not provide public transit to communities that are part of HRM and pay HRM taxes (I think we've been through this with the tax reform issue).
The report shows growth in all but a few routes, in some cases up to 361 per cent. And that growth could be even higher — a study done by city staffers shows respondents would generally like to use transit more, if only the service was better.
Events guide: A chat with Andy Fillmore, HRM’s urban design chief
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
HALIFAX - Looking for a lunch date this Tuesday? Come chat with HRM's urban design head honcho Andy Fillmore. This Dalhousie-Harvard educated architect-come-planner-come-urban designer is the manager of the influential HRMbyDesign Downtown Plan (discussed in detail in a Spacing Atlantic four-part series) and also happens to be the lead urban design advisor on both the proposed New Central Library project and World Trade and Convention Centre site.
Currently, Andy is set to take a leading role in creating a masterplan to redesign the infamous Cogswell Interchange. Now is as good a ...
February 16th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - Council defeats transit motion [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
DIEPPE - Kent Homes unveils energy-efficient home [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Council debates Petitcodiac causeway [Times & Transcript]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - York Arena gets stay of demolition [Daily Gleaner]
TRURO - Victoria Park no place for zip lines [Truro Daily]
MONCTON - Moncton residents have accepted TreeGO [Truro Daily]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Will Metro get a new downtown convention centre? [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Metro new home market stable [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Affordable housing projects in province get boost [Daily Gleaner]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - No to mega-concerts, yes ...
Events Guide: PechaKucha Night 4 Haiti
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
HALIFAX - PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, and thoughts — just about anything really. The idea behind PechaKucha is to have many people sharing their thoughts and work within the course of one night. Therefore the 20x20 PechaKucha format was created: 20 images + each shown for 20 seconds = 6 minutes 40 seconds per presenter + 14 presenters = 1 wild night.
The global PechaKucha family is coming together with ...
February 17th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Events centre report due March 15 [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City needs tougher by-laws - councillor [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Halifax planning public meetings as part of polling district review [Metro]
HALIFAX - Generating some interest [Chronicle-Herald]
SUMMERSIDE - Council puts crime prevention recommendations into effect [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - City airport second best on continent, rankings say [Metro]
SYDNEY - Funding for public internet at library in jeopardy [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - Police get new HQ pitch [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Council approves trail for Millenium Boulevard [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - City ...
February 18th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Snowstorm will take chunk out of HRM's budget [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Halifax to host G8 meet in April [Chronicle-Herald]
CORNWALL - Cornwall freezes residential, commercial tax rates [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Permit system may be better than exempting streets, councillor says [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Changes coming to wastewater treatment [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Company fined for violating clean environment act [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - N.S. Gov't continues to scoop up land in hopes of reaching conservation goals [Metro]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Neighbours of new development voice concerns, ideas [Daily Gleaner]
DARTMOUTH - Welcome to the New ...
Atlantic snapshots: Union Street
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Number Six (bill lapp), member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
February 19th, 2010
A New Space in Fredericton to Explore Space
By Giovanni Paquin // No Comments
Co-written by Giovanni Paquin & Andrew Matheson
FREDERICTON - As of February 11th, Fredericton’s Gallery Connexion has opened the doors of its new home in the Chestnut Complex on 440 York Street. The inaugural exhibition of the gallery’s new location is presenting Nomadic Landscapes, an interactive art and architecture installation by José Luis Torres, a sculptor whose works have been showcased in exhibitions, residencies and symposiums in South America, North America and Europe.
I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night of ...
New life for Shannon Park
By Lizzy Hill // 1 Comment
Squat rows of abandoned apartments circle an empty children's playground, buried by snow. These buildings have seen better days. Their dull brown, yellow, grey and dishwater green paint is fading. Most windows are shattered or boarded up, while metal fencing and a dozen 'No Trespassing' signs surround them. If you look into the horizon, you can see candy cane striped smoke stacks belching smoke and the outline of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge. Shannon Park, a dilapidated former military barracks, is one of the first things people ...
February 20th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Every Saturday, we highlight recent posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
• Jenn Casey examines the details of the recently approved five-year Metro Transit plan for downtown Halifax, including provisions for increased service to outlying areas, a streamlining of bus coverage in the core, and a year-round downtown shuttle.
• The Shannon Park military barracks in Dartmouth is a dilapidated eyesore with huge potential — as a new-thinking, sustainable neighbourhood, land for the the ...
February 22nd, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HRM - City accountants project million-dollar deficit [Metro]
HALIFAX - Africville trust gets financial boost [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - MacKay drops $1.6M for five rec projects [Chronicle-Herald]
SYDNEY - Cabinet will consider ferry funding: Baird [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON- Historic buildings get $6M for renos [Times & Transcript]
DARTMOUTH - Too tall for Dartmouth? [Coast]
HALIFAX - Demolition closes streets [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Affordable North End homes remain vacant [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - City needs major street work [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - The biggest east of Montreal [Telegraph-Journal]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON- Beaverbrook funding requests ignored: CEO [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - ...
[Re]Presenting Halifax #4: Making the Case for Urban Renewal
By Matt Neville // 3 Comments
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - In 1957, University of Toronto planning professor Gordon Stephenson released a report titled A Redevelopment Study of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jointly funded by the City and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), this study was commissioned after a series of unsuccessful slum clearance and redevelopment proposals for the peninsula in the early 1950s.
Stephenson’s study, widely-known as The Stephenson Report, was a manual for urban renewal and regeneration achieved through slum clearance. Armed with "evidence" from the Report’s statistical surveys of social conditions, the city razed 16 acres of dense housing (more than the 8.8 acres recommended), displacing 1600 people and relocated them to the newly constructed Mulgrave Park housing project. The cleared land sat empty until the construction of Scotia Square in 1967.
February 23rd, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Environment department celebrates 40 years [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - No Africville compensation cash for individuals [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Halifax offers $3M payout to former black community [Globe & Mail]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mayor pursues federal funds for ditch infilling, road work [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Forestry work may close park routes [Metro]
N.S. - NS Power signs 20-year power deal with Watts Wind Energy [Metro]
SAINT JOHN -City pouring millions into water projects this year [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Energy-saving model home to be built soon [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City to look at cost of saving ...
Africville Reparations: 40 Years Later
By Katie McKay // 3 Comments
This piece of paper was found outside of the George Dixon Centre.
HALIFAX - This past Saturday, the Africville Genealogy Society announced that Halifax Regional Municipality has offered a three million dollar compensation package to the former community of Africville. Yesterday the federal government contributed an additional $250,000 towards the creation of the Africville Heritage Trust.
Africville, a small community settled in ...
HRM by Re-design: Swimming and social infrastructure
By Dustin Valen // 3 Comments
A series that examines urban and architectural issues in Halifax by way of un-built proposals authored by different designers, this week featuring a project by Architect Oliver Dang for an aquatic centre submitted to the 2006 ACSA/AISC steel student design competition. All drawings courtesy Oliver Dang.
HALIFAX - The liveliness of a city is a reflection of the quality of its social infrastructure. In addition to housing and retail, leisure spaces are necessary to relieve uniformity, attract people to the downtown and serve as a locus for outward growth. More importantly, social landmarks contribute to the identity of a city by inscribing centrality, signifying values, and giving order to the urban fabric. Emphasising social infrastructure as a foundation for healthy urbanity entails that a city like Halifax be viewed not simply as a collection of shops and offices, but as a leisure destination. Two recently announced projects in Halifax are outstanding opportunities to create and improve upon social spaces in the city.
This August, the Centennial Pool — built as a venue for the 1969 Canada Summer Games — received a federal award of one million dollars for accessible upgrades to the building. Jointly funded by the Halifax Regional Municipality, the unassuming proposal includes the installation of solar hot water heaters, a district heating system, and some modest interior renovations. Meanwhile, plans to redevelop the site of the CBC building at the corner of South Park and Sackville Street have engulfed the neighbouring YMCA programme and will likewise include new fitness and pool facilities. Together, these projects are a rare opportunity to invest downtown Halifax with new and improved leisure amenities and celebrate one hundred years of competitive swimming. The role that these two projects could play in helping to revitalize downtown Halifax merits a more critical discussion about design objectives that could be of long term benefit to the city.
February 24th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Midwife rules in the works [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City seeks more power over zoning bylaws [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Africville gets unanimous OK from council [Metro]
HRM - HRM faces $30.4M gap [Metro]
HRM - City hall must tackle $30M budget shortfall [Chronicle-Herald]
NFLD - Nalcor's last-ditch effort for a better hydro deal [Globe & Mail]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Officials hold causeway open house [Times & Transcript]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Downtown Moncton poised for change [Times & Transcript]
MIRAMICHI - City protects heritage [Times & Transcript]
TRURO - Changes to building codes will cost homebuilders, say ...
Atlantic snapshots: Planet Fredericton
By The Photographers // No Comments
Fredericton, New Brunswick
by zeegs, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
World Wide Wednesday: Vancouver, Lisboa, and Shanghai
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games will eventually end. The athletes and spectators will go home but the infrastructure built to accommodate them will remain. Fastcompany looks at the built-form ...
Events Guide: Governance and Boundary Review Meetings
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - Leading up to the 2012 election, The Governance & Boundary Review Committee of Council is undertaking a review of the polling districts and boundaries, hoping to address key questions around how Council can work better for HRM citizens. The first of the public meetings took place last night, with six more to follow across the different HRM districts through March 10th. Discussion topics include the size of electoral districts, the role of district councillors, and the decision-making power and size of Community Councils and ...
February 25th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Africville deal nets millions [Metro]
HALIFAX - Buses beg as cars cash in [The Coast]
HALIFAX - RCMP could be replaced [Chronicle Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Island EMS, government officials meet with paramedics union over ambulance speed concerns [Guardian]
N.B. - Graham defends NB power deal delay [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Group worried about bridge closure [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Commons campaign launched [Telegraph-Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Cycling not part of Riverside Drive expansion [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
N.S. - Nova Scotia considers banning pesticides [The Coast]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - 'We are sorry,' Halifax apologizes to ...
Atlantic snapshots: Behind the ‘hood
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Number Six (bill lapp), member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
February 26th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Africville deal details in report [Chronicle Herald]
N.S. - N.S. NDP fined over union donation [CBC]
N.B. - Intervener says bus service crucial [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - New project supports democratic participation of women and girls [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown monthly parkers unhappy [CBC]
NFLD - Nalcor's last-ditch effort for a better hydro deal [Globe & Mail]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - N.S. loans Halifax shipyard $20 million for upgrades to wharves, cranes, offices [Metro]
HALIFAX - Urban renewal was progressive way to do things, in 1960s thinking [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - City, Ottawa ...
February 27th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Every Saturday, we highlight recent posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
• Daniel Rotsztain looks at the organic and spontentous paths Montrealers create collectively as they negotiate snow in the city's park and streets.
• For the past two years Spacing Montreal has been following the city's controversial plans to revitalize the Lower Main. For those who need a review of the issues at stake, Spacing Montreal has helpfully itemized all its ...
March 1st, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - City not easing up on marketing [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Officials discuss parking solutions [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Police chief doesn't meet council's deadline [Telegraph-Journal]
HALIFAX - Africville deal details in report [Chronicle Herald]
SYDNEY - Councillor objects possible reduction of fire stations [Cape Breton Post]
DEVELOPMENT
N.S. - Labour shortage driving up cost of capital projects for Nova Scotia municipalities [Metro]
MONCTON - Downtown development moving at steady pace [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Possible buyers preparing bids for Sisters of St. Martha property [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Repairs will close Fredericton ...
[Re]Presenting Halifax #5: Waterfront [Re]Visions
By Matt Neville // 1 Comment
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - Waterfront redevelopment has been a major focus of cities around the globe for decades. In the case of Halifax, it has been a process that has spanned decades. Halifax, much like Toronto, has struggled to find consensus for a waterfront redevelopment strategy. The plans and images presented here show two early visions for the renovation and revitalization of the Halifax waterfront. Although both plans may have had some influence on subsequent development, the future of the waterfront remains a contentious debate.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="The redevelopment proposal from the 1971 plan. In addition to the highrises along the waterfront, it is interesting to note the terraced residential infill proposed at the base of the Citadel (much of which is occupied by the Metro Centre today)."][/caption]
March 2nd, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
SYDNEY - Changes to governance structure necessary to survive: Whalley [Cape Breton Post]
HALIFAX - Council debates policing behind closed doors [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Bridge toll hike must go to transit: councillor [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - City Budget: New process will improve public accountability, officials tell common council [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's, Mount Pearl talking trash [Telegram]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Industrial Park expansion gets $910,000 loan [Times & Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Envisioning the future of a restored Petitcodiac River [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Other cities take a pro-active ...
SPACING RADIO: City budgets, ferry rides and Olympic legacies
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing Radio 017 is on the air.
It's budget-time in Toronto and while City Hall is busy at work approving the final numbers, host David Michael Lamb sits down with Spacing contributing editor John Lorinc to talk about the pitfalls of having to pay the bills. Producer Mieke Anderson stows away with the crew of the Toronto Island Ferry Ongiara to discuss the realities of operating the ferry throughout the winter months and, in the process, discovers one of the city's best-kept secrets. Meanwhile, nearly 3,500 km away in Vancouver, reporter Pattie ...
March 3rd, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Snow removal too slow: Councillor [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Politicians on the bus! [Coast]
HALIFAX - Big wheels on the bus [Coast]
HALIFAX - Mayor and councillors get look at new hybrid buses [Metro]
HALIFAX - No changes for cops [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Keeping watch over old city clock [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City to stagger parking fee increases [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - No plans for bike lane on Riverside Drive, minister says [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Big year in housing expected [Daily Gleaner]
TRURO - Buildings approved despite objections [Truro Daily]
TRURO - Local developer says ...
World Wide Wedneday: Los Angeles, Denver and Mumbai
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• In 2004, the City if Denver committed $4.7 billion to an ambitious transit project called FasTracks, to be completed by 2017. Supported by thirty-two regional mayors, FasTacks included provisions ...
Atlantic snapshots: New buses
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Victor Stegemann, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
March 4th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Cop vs. cop [Coast]
HALIFAX - HRP won't comment on decision to keep RCMP [Metro]
HALIFAX - Councillor: City told funding split wouldn't change [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - The great parking debate continues [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Channeling history [Coast]
HALIFAX - Beyond the walls; library architecture [Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - 'There's lots optimism and ambition here' [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Integrated Community SustainabZzzzz.... [Scope]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - No late drinks for St. Pat's [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Capital health shaping up, says Cyclists [Chronicle-Herald]
SYDNEY - Rockcliffe apartment tenants upset by rent increases [Cape Breton ...
Atlantic snapshots: Moncton
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Moncton, New Brunswick
by Philip Mercier, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
AWARDS: The best and worst bike parking in HRM
By Steve Bedard // 1 Comment
[caption id="attachment_3769" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="From left to right: Steve Bedard (Co-Chair, HCC), Laura Smith (Workplace Health Promotion Planner, CDHA), Jeffery Horne (Supervisor Maintenance and Operations, CDHA), Emma Felts (Editor, Spacing Atlantic) and John Mason (Supervisor Maintenance and Operations, CDHA)."][/caption]
HALIFAX - In early January, Spacing Atlantic teamed up with the Halifax Cycling Coalition and launched a poll of the best and worst bike parking spots in Halifax and Dartmouth. After over a month of voting, we're ready to announce the winners of the Best and Worst of Bike Parking in the HRM for 2009!
Winner of Best Bike Parking: The Dickson Centre Entrance at the Victoria General Hospital
This spot really blew all other nominees out of the water. With its high capacity, sheltered parking area, multiple bike rack designs and the security of the commissionaires office nearby, the Dickson Centre Entrance at the Victoria General Hospital site was the clear winner with 69% of votes.
March 5th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Planned cuts in budget raise questions in Metro [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - More money for HRM despite fewer tickets [Metro]
HALIFAX - RCMP bid cost more money for fewer cops [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Nice biking weather [Times & Transcript]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DARTMOUTH - Parents: School grounds unsafe [Chronicle-Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Who are the new Central Library architects? [Coast]
HALIFAX - Bikers propose new route [Metro]
BEDFORD - Mickey to uncork new business [Chronicle-Herald]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Ever wanted to stick it to the mayor? [Daily Gleaner]
OTHER NEWS
CANADA - Renovation tax credit axed [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - ...
Revamping representation in Halifax: HRM’s Governance & District Boundary Review process
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - Life in a post-amalgamation world. This seemingly perpetual challenge lingered in the realm of subtext during Wednesday night's public meeting on Halifax Regional Municipality's Governance and District Boundary Review. Poised for completion by Dec 2010, the Review aims to assess and improve our municipal governance structure, looking primarily at the number of electoral districts; their size and boundaries; and the size, number, and scope of power of Community Councils. What this really means: how many councillors should make up Regional Council, what population of HRMers each councillor should represent, and how the geographic structure of their governing authority might shift.
Chaired by Mayor Peter Kelly, Wednesday's meeting— the fifth of seven meetings taking place across Community Councils through mid-March — gave HRM residents and representatives of the business community the opportunity to voice their opinions, musings, and concerns about the current governance structure and make a case for change.
March 6th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Spacing Ottawa’s Evan Thornton recently brought along his omni-directional microphone on a walk through the city’s Byward Market and Rideau Centre. Check out Spacing Ottawa for Thornton’s detailed description of the “audio footprints” he captured and to listen to the city’s soundscape .
• Spacing’s Evan ...
Quilting the Urban Landscape
By Jessica Walker // No Comments
HALIFAX - What happens when you take a harder discipline like architecture out of context and cut it up to resemble something more soft, like a quilt? Photographer Diane Laundy's new exhibition, fabrications, now on display at ViewPoint Gallery on Barrington Street in Halifax, provides urban art enthusiasts with some pause for thought.
March 8th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
PEI - P.E.I. gets Island Party [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - Landlords turning back on welfare clients: mom [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City's crackdown on meter feeders shows quick results [Guardian]
FREDERICTON - Council eyes transit project [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Most ignore province's tax guidelines [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Council wants battered dirt roads chip sealed [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Rockwood Park's shifting borders worry residents [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Convention centre turning heads [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Get set for next big winter games [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - McCartney, Kill fans spent ...
Fenwick developer hopes to set a new precedent in Halifax
By Emma Feltes // 6 Comments
Co-written by Rachel Caroline Derrah
HALIFAX - Fenwick Tower, the 40-years unfinished, 33-storey butt of the anti-development community's — nay, everyone's — jokes is going through an identity overhaul. And, if all goes according to the proposed plan, it's taking the city with it. For decades skeptical fingers have pointed in the building's direction, naming it a quintessential example of bad development — a living argument against changing Halifax's height restrictions.
But Joe Metlege of Templeton Properties — 7-month owner of the infamous high-rise — aims to "flip that." He sees potential in Fenwick Tower to become an example of development gone right, envisioning fingers across the country pointed Halifax-bound, towards a new precedent in innovative renovation of the Le Corbusier-inspired 'tower in the park' design, which was prevalent in the 1960s and 70s and is widely critiqued for its brutality and context insensitivity.
This Tuesday, March 9th, Templeton's application to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Peninsula Land Use By-law to allow for mixed-use re-development of the Fenwick site will come before Regional Council.
[Re]Presenting Halifax #6: Waterfront [Re]Visions Part 2
By Matt Neville // No Comments
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - This is a continuation of last week's post about waterfront redevelopment. Similar to the plans presented last week, this post focuses on a plan commissioned for the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission during the early 1970s.
Dubbed Harbour Plaza, this 1971 urban redevelopment plan reimagines the Dartmouth waterfront and ferry terminal. In contrast to the plans for Halifax revealed at the same time, this plan presents the redesign of the ferry terminal as a strategic urban project meant to reactivate the surrounding area. While this proposal never materialized, it shares some similar features to the new ferry terminal and Alderney Landing complex.
March 9th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - 'Mayor' Stoffer would do 'more than talk about cats' [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Overnight street parking ban to be lifted Monday night [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Sexist cads on council? [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Chase 'bad news bear,' mayor says [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's rejects Petty Harbour's land request [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Website helps city police nab suspects [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Brown calls for greater fiscal accountability in city's finances [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
SYDNEY - Cape Breton firms land two tar ponds cleanup contracts worth $7.7 million [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Environment minister ...
March 10th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MIRAMICHI - Presenters to argue against bus cuts [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - 'City is driving us out' [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - More money needed - Chase [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Peel Plaza cost hasn't soared, city official says [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - Rink to get green upgrade [Daily Gleaner]
SABLE ISLAND - Wild horses couldn't keep them away [Globe & Mail]
SAINT JOHN - Define Rockwood's boundaries first: neighbours [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Downtown Moncton needs teamwork to thrive [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Regent Mall to start $13M upgrade [Daily Gleaner]
SYDNEY - Libraries to get internet ...
Atlantic snapshots: Lone walker
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
by plankskate, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
World Wide Wednesday: Exit signs, China’s golf obsession and the decade’s most expensive transit projects
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Planning a bike trip using Google Maps is about to get much easier as the company is set to launch a new bike trip planner service in 150 US ...
March 11th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Tax fix up to N.B. - mayor [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Tories blast power deal 'consultation' process [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Pedestrian-vehicle accidents concerns city hall [Daily Gleaner]
TRURO - Losing TreeGO worries chamber [Truro Daily]
P.E.I. - Island New Democrats call for wholesale conversion to organic farming [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Train station work waits for federal OK [Daily Gleaner]
DARTMOUTH - $9.5M terminal expansion plans revealed [Coast]
HALIFAX - Big plans for Fenwick [Coast]
HALIFAX - City, tire recycler to discuss concerns [Metro]
ALBERTON - Holland College building training centre in Alberton [Guardian]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - ...
Events Guide: Green Week end… just the beginning
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - Dalhousie's third annual Green Week is coming to an end tomorrow after four (ecology) action packed days. Organized by the Student Union Sustainability Office, the week has provided such earth-friendly events as a Bicycle Tune Up Bonanza!!, a green job fair and a residence waste challenge.
Here at Spacing Atlantic we are a coastal people, and it is with this in mind that we encourage you to make your way to the Dalhousie Student Union Building tomorrow at noon. ...
March 12th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - City has 3 police options [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - City's new auditor general getting busy [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Councillor calling for immediate solution [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - MP must act: councillors [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Tap into local water [Metro]
HALIFAX - Monsanto curls up with Brier organizers [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DIEPPE - New Paul St. unveiled today [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Bridge closure will highlight city's paths [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Like steak, razing was well done [Chronicle-Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Private sector may build, own Charlotte Court [Guardian]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - City wants residents to get ...
Atlantic snapshots: silhouettes
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, PEI
by Jeremy Griffin, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
Chartered spaces
By Andrew Matheson // 2 Comments
SAINT JOHN - Saint John has a long and proud history of parks and green spaces. As the first incorporated city in Canada, it also became the first city in the country to set aside land for public squares in its Royal Charter of 1785. With the creation of the City came the creation of the city’s first green spaces. These parks, “known by the names of King’s and Queen’s Square, shall be and forever remain open, unenclosed and unappropriated to any use or uses whatsoever either private or public…”
These four squares — King’s Square and Queen’s Square on the Uptown Peninsula and their mirror images of King’s Square West and Queen’s Square West on the City’s lower west side — were the first green spaces developed in Saint John. King’s Square, located next door to the bustling City Market, is one of the most used open spaces in the entire city.
The protection of the four “royal” squares from any type of development under the City’s charter does not extend to all city parks. The preservation of public space has been a hot topic in Saint John in recent weeks. This past Wednesday, the City hosted a public consultation session for the Sandy Point Road Study to engage citizens in a discussion about the future of city-owned land on the western edge of Rockwood Park.
March 13th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // 1 Comment
Every Saturday, we highlight recent posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
• Danish architects Louise Kielgast and Kristian S. Villadsen recently gave a talk at Montreal's Mcgill University. The designers (from the world-renowned Gehl Architects) spoke on "people-focused" urban design with particular attention to the challenges and opportunities of Northern cites. This week Spacing Montreal hosts the video of the talk which should prove interesting to all Spacing readers.
• Émile Thomas offers some small ...
March 14th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: Barrington Street
By The Photographers // 2 Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Ben MacLeod, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
March 15th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM's absurd obsession with secrecy [The Coast]
MONCTON - Codiac RCMP report fans political tensions [CBC]
MIRAMICHI - Public meetings begin today on bus route cuts [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Looking for answers [Telegraph-Journal]
NB - N.B. increases property tax rebate [CBC]
NB - Province puts municipalities on edge [Daily Gleaner]
PEI - Union, Health Department far apart on new contract [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
CHARLOTTETOWN - New heaters take shine off green building [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NS - Protocol for fixing potholes [Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Paul Street work just the start [Times & Transcript]
SAINT ...
My Urban Garden: NFB short on gardening in Halifax
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - With winter whittling down, the soil beginning to thaw, and market-goers quivering in anticipation of a more colourful Saturday morning, here's a timely indulgence: My Urban Garden, an endearingly eighties National Film Board short by Polly Bennell on urban gardening in Halifax. Whether you're gardener of the backyard, balcony, community, or guerilla variety, the film offers a wealth of tips.
March 16th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM studies Khyber's future [Metro]
HALIFAX - Snow removal may go $4.5M over budget [Metro]
FREDERICTON - 'The only source of revenue we have is taxation' [Daily Gleaner]
NB - Green Party wants property tax system overhauled, rollbacks [Daily Gleaner]
DIEPPE - Dieppe entering 'new era': mayor [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Council accepts Sunny Brae report [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Council decides to hire new manager [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - Topsail voters head to polls [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Group's plan to revitalize 'The Rez' gets warm reception [Telegraph-Journal]
NB ...
Events Guide: PLAY! Dalhousie School of Planning Conference
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Urban capoeira at the Black Street block party"][/caption]
HALIFAX - At this year's conference, Dalhousie's School of Planning asks "when was the last time you played?" Making the connection between a city's "play-fullness" and its livability, the two-day conference will host creative workshops, panel discussions, a design charrette, and a keynote address by Michael Gordon, Senior Central Area Planner for the City of Vancouver. And who knows... there may even be some spontaneous play involved.
WHAT: PLAY! Dalhousie School of Planning 9th Annual Conference
WHEN: Thursday Mar ...
Spacing radio 018 now on the air
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This episode of Spacing Radio is all about rules. In support of Spacing magazine's upcoming issue, our contributors examine the dos and don'ts of the city. Host David Michael Lamb talks to publisher Matthew Blackett about how millions of Canadians were given permission to break all traffic laws when Sidney Crosby scored the overtime winner at the Winter Olympics. Monika Warzecha examines the drinking laws of Halifax and why the city is afraid to close downtown streets. And producer Mieke Anderson visits the Toronto ...
March 17th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Province, municipalities agree to talk taxes [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Majority happy with HRM council: poll [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Donations by numbers [Scope]
POLICING
MONCTON - Should Moncton fire the RCMP? [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Could Moncton go it alone on policing? [Times & Transcript]
HRM - Mounties hit HRM streets [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Sewage treatment plant could be fixed by late may [Chronicle-Herald]
CAPE BRETON - Coming clean [Cape Breton Post]
KENSINGTON - Town plans $8M Community Gardens expansion [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Public gardens to stay closed despite warmth [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - ...
March 18th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Graham last in premier popularity [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - HRM's secret arena contract [Coast]
SAINT JOHN - It's time for council to bring balance [Telegraph-Journal]
MONCTON - Creating municipal force too expensive: RCMP commander [Times & Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
N.S. - More jobs per green buck [Coast]
CAPE BRETON - Cleanups good for economy [Cape Breton Post]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Bicycle shoulder part of University Ave. expansion plans [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Mayor welcomes Irving energy project [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Metro to have another busy construction year [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Bridge quick look [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Multi-use ...
HUG it, but don’t ride it
By Mark Lasanowski // 6 Comments
Brought to you in collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre and Halifax Cycling Coalition, SpokesPeople covers all things cycle-related. From the principles to the potholes, we're here to examine the realities facing the two-wheeled traveler.
HALIFAX - The suspiciously placid early onset of spring has sent Haligonians outdoors in droves, as residents ditch the snow shovels of Marches past in favour of bicycles and rollerblades. In the city’s South End, this means an opportunity to test out the first leg of the long-awaited Halifax Urban Greenway (HUG), a multi-modal path for active transportation types of all stripes.
The HUG is a work-in-progress, with long-term plans calling for the greenway to extend north to the Armdale Rotary, and south to Point Pleasant Park. The opening of this first trail section — running alongside Beaufort Avenue from Marlborough Woods north to South Street — is nonetheless cause for celebration, as it comes after nearly a decade of campaigning and planning.
But just as surely as winter will rear its head again before finally calling it quits for this season, cyclists’ celebrations along the HUG are more likely to be muted, or at least “stop-start” in nature. In another victory for liability over practicality, the recent installation of signage on the HUG shocked cyclists with a sweeping assertion: “Cyclists are required to dismount at all intersections.” If you don’t get the point, the off-putting image of a cyclist inside a red circle with a strike-through should drive it home.
Canadian artists in the urban fabric
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
By Marcus Bowman, cross-posted from Spacing Toronto
An unprecedented collaborative report mapping the concentration of artists in Canadian cities was released last month. The study was a result of the collective effort of the cultural departments of the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Published by Hill Strategies, and based on data from the 2006 census, the report paints a fascinating picture into the make-up of Canada's artistic and creative communities.
Each city has its own trends in the way its artistic and creative communities have located. Vancouver had the highest overall percent of artists at 2.3% but has its artistic community spread widely throughout the city. Toronto has by far the largest artistic community; it is home to one in six Canadian artists. Toronto has also seen its artistic neighbourhoods shift slightly since to 2001 to different areas of concentration. Montreal has perhaps the most densely located artistic community and is home to three of the country's top five artistic employment postal codes. The Montreal neighbourhood of the H2T postal code (northward from avenue du Mont-Royal to avenue Van Horne between St-Denis and Jeanne-Mance) is the most artistic in Canada with artists accounting for 7.8% of its workers, ten times the national average. Ottawa and Calgary have artist concentrations closer to the national average, interestingly they also both have the largest income gaps between artists and the rest of the workforce and the largest percent of female artists. Maps of these trends are shown below.
March 19th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Ottawa to fund Metro Centre [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - RCMP's head office is the problem: Lockhart [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - NB Power protest on Legislature lawn [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Premier accuses media of unfair scrutiny [Metro]
N.S. - Minister orders stop to 'March Madness' [Metro]
OTTAWA - Mike Duffy says some students 'brainwashed' [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Province pushing Feds to OK budget [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Wind energy seen as next great industry [Times & Transcript]
CAPE BRETON - Cleanups expected to leave lasting legacy [Cape Breton Post]
P.E.I. - Farm-related complaints ...
Planners at PLAY!
By Alison Creba // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_3900" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Sarah Street block party, summer 2009"][/caption]
HALIFAX - I know a few things about the city of Portland; I’ve heard about the bridges that cross the river, distinct little neighborhoods that make up the greater urban network, and that in addition to a notably liberal-minded community, the place is known for its play-fullness. Rumor has it that steep city streets are closed down on days of record snowfall — not for safety and convenience, but because they are prime slopes for sledding. It is policies like these that are the growing trend in the contemporary approach to city living, fueled by an understanding that playful places promote creative thought, and in turn, creative urban development.
The idea of play, however, is not as simple as it sounds. It requires a discussion of the types of activities that engage individuals, and demands that we honestly consider what playful acts look like, what enables them, and how they manifest themselves.
It is with this attitude that the Dalhousie School of Planning held its annual conference, titled Play! On March 18th and 19th, students, professors and interested community members speckled auditoriums for a series of lectures, discussions and performances on the topic.
March 20th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: Saint John
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Shakies Buddy, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
March 21st, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Every Saturday, we highlight recent posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
• McGill Urban Geography student Daniel Rotsztain writes a guest column on how the city’s unusually mild winter and the associated rise in all-season cyclists revealed weaknesses in the city's bike path program. Rotsztain argues that inflexibility of bike lanes in the face of winter conditions and inadequate all-season maintenance worked to create a hazardous environment for the city's winter riders.
• Spacing's Jacob ...
March 22nd, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Group opposes Africville reparations deal [Metro]
NS - Are more taxes on our horizon? [Chronicle Herald]
MIRAMICHI - PCs defend stance on Miramichi economy [CBC]
FREDERICTON - NB Power protesters mass at legislature [CBC]
MONCTON - Subsidy could make RCMP force affordable [Times & Transcript]
DIEPPE - Dieppe council meets tonight [Times & Transcript]
NB - Focus on a fix of assessments [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Political party fee undemocratic: Labchuk [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Estabrooks undecided on convention centre [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Country lots in Saint John could be phased out [Telegraph-Journal]...
Atlantic snapshots: St. John’s harbour
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
by earlsd, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
Events Guide: Fenwick application presentation
By Emma Feltes // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - After much anticipation, this Wednesday the City will put the Fenwick development proposal to the public. The proposal — which fed off of much local consultation — includes a new glass façade for the 33-storey monolith, additional 10- and 8-storey buildings, 10% affordable housing, and a commercial pedestrian pathway linking Fenwick and South streets. At the meeting, Templeton Properties' application for re-development will be opened up to your support and scrutiny — on the record — so don't miss out.
WHAT: Public Information Meeting on the Fenwick Re-development
WHERE: Halifax ...
From the Vaults: Spring Garden Road
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Photo Retrospective, Spring Garden Road, Halifax.
Spring Garden Road, Looking West from Grafton Street, ca. 1940s
March 23rd, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - $30M deficit back on HRM's agenda [Metro]
NS - N.S. information too costly: critic [CBC]
FREDERICTON - City's books pass examination [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Metro to lose post office jobs [Times & Transcript]
NB - Leaders look for ways to get youths involved in the democratic process [Daily Gleaner]
NB - Civil Forfeiture Act: Protection of breach of rights? [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown rejoining Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown's only female mayor dies [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's plans hike in parking fees, tickets [CBC]
NFLD - Children ...
Events Guide: Film Screening of “Africville: Can’t Stop Now!”
By Jessica Walker // No Comments
HALIFAX- With the recent apology to the former residents of Africville still fresh in everyone's minds, NSPIRG's (Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group) screening of Juanita Peters' 2009 documentary, Africville: Can't Stop Now!, is providing those interested with a forum for discussion on the topic of Africville's past, present and future. Human rights activist and critic of the Africville Genealogy Society's deal with the city, Denise Allen, is among the guest speakers scheduled to talk after the film.
For those interested in learning more about the people who have ...
March 24th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Funding pegged to boost youth population [Times & Transcript]
NB - N.B. RCMP set goal: safest province in Canada [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Tax hikes, budget cuts, and increased transit rates possible [Metro]
PEI - Advocate calls on province to adopt poverty reduction strategy [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Dropped projects only on 'wish list': mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Recreational development planned for North Side [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - New convention centre - Dexter takes right tack [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Coast Guard site: officials optimistic [Telegraph-Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Proposals sought for eastern gateway, waterfront plan [Guardian]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - ...
World Wide Wednesday: Paris, Copenhagen and Seattle
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• The recent addition of couches and floor lamps to Metro platforms has made commuting in Paris a lot more comfortable. Part of a Paris-wide IKEA ad campaign, stations around ...
March 25th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - NB Power deal is dead [Times & Transcript]
NB - Utility's future still uncertain [Daily Gleaner]
HRM - Municipality debates projected $30M budget shortfall [Coast]
NS - Botched sale of NB Power may benefit NS [Metro]
NS - Experts: No NS gain failed deal [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
DARTMOUTH - Fishing ban suggested for Oathill Lake [Coast]
HALIFAX - Survey: Harbour cleanup top environmental concern [Chronicle-Herald]
NFLD - Coady urges Ottawa to continue ACAP funding [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax council approves restoration work on historic City Hall [Coast]
HALIFAX - Ban on Common concerts urged [Metro]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - ...
Who really funds municipal campaigns anyway? Looking back at the 2009 St. John’s municipal election
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST JOHN'S - Ever wonder how much money goes into a municipal campaign? In St. John’s municipal election last September the 32 candidates vying for 11 positions claimed a combined total of $303,098 in campaign contributions.
Candidates had until Dec 31st 2009 to submit a campaign contribution and expenses disclosure form. On this form, each candidate must claim the total amount they received in donations, and list the names of all contributors over $250.
As an inquisitive mind, and a former candidate in the election, I was curious how much my competitors raised in donations during the campaign. After calling the City, and waiting several weeks, I received a package including the photocopied original campaign contribution and expense forms from each candidate. This was awful nice of the City, especially considering it was free, but photocopies are not the most useable forms of information. I spent several hours plugging all of the information into excel, so that it could be manipulated to find out something more interesting then who has the worst handwriting (which, if I had to choose, would be current Mayor Dennis O’Keefe).
A Common Plan
By Jayme Melrose // 1 Comment
In honour of Councilor Jennifer Watt's recent motion to Council to impose a ban on mega-concerts on the Halifax Common (up for debate at next week's council meeting), Spacing Atlantic welcomes Jayme Melrose's thoughts on the state of community consultation and collaboration (or lack thereof) throughout the Common development process. Kindly cross-posted from the Halifax Media Co-op.
For more information on the content of the planned 'improvements' and their debate, see Katie McKay's earlier article.
HALIFAX - No planner worth their salt would make a planning decision without consulting the public first,” says Maureen Ryan, a senior planner with HRM. But in January of this year, when HRM presented their plan for spending $3 million dollars on the Halifax North Common, the 'consultation' was little more than an information session, where residents had the opportunity to submit written comments.
Even if a meaningful consultation had taken place, some citizens, academics, and community planners agree that consultation is not enough. They say the planning process, especially for a public space like the Halifax Common, can and should be done in a collaborative and participatory manner.
March 26th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Province needs new power plan [Times & Transcript]
CAPE BRETON - CBRM council approves sustainability plan [Cape Breton Post]
PEI - Health minister not yielding on ambulance speed restrictions [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City avoids tax increase, plans to install new parking meters [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - City asked hospital to find new smoking area [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Groups meet MP today on bridge issue [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - New community centre will serve as model for the province [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Metro centre will attract shows [Times & Transcript]
ST. JOHN'S - Two debuts ...
Fenwick Finds Support at Public Hearing
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
HALIFAX - Expecting to scrounge for a seat after rolling into City Hall a few minutes late for Tuesday's public hearing on the highly anticipated redevelopment of Fenwick Tower — I was surprised to enter a half empty room. 25 persons, including two city councillors, one of whom was chairing the meeting, were sitting and listening to a computer animated voice describing the story so far.
This was an opportunity for citizens to speak their opinion — yea or nay — for Templeton Properties' application to amend the ...
March 27th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• Alanah Heffez looks at a promising new development planned for downtown Montreal that could well become “a role model for sustainable building in Quebec”. The building, the Maison du Développement Durable, will be the first LEED Platinum certified commercial building in Québec and ...
March 29th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Scrapping deal will cost $2 million a year [Daily Gleaner]
NB - Province injects cash into business programs [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Council expected to make decision tonight [Times & Transcript]
PEI - P.E.I. land reforms stalled: Crane [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown rec facilities way over budget [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Number of speeding tickets way up [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's readies social housing project [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax test drives one-way street idea [CBC]
HALIFAX - Funding may dictate Hammonds Plains Rd. fixes [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Saint ...
CEOs for Cities: What is Halifax’s brand?
By Emily Richardson // No Comments
HALIFAX - On Thursday, March 25, the Chronicle Herald and the Greater Halifax Partnership presented a sold-out luncheon talk by Carol Coletta, CEO of CEOs for Cities, on the topic of cities as engines of economic prosperity.
CEOs for Cities describes itself as “a national cross-sector network of urban leaders from the civic, business, academic and philanthropic sectors dedicated to building and sustaining the next generation of great American cities”, and Ms. Coletta undoubtedly demonstrates a forward-thinking and conscientious approach to urban issues. She compellingly challenged Richard Florida’s assertions on the economic value of art in cities and rhymed off statistics with the familiarity of someone who obviously crunched the numbers herself. Greatly to her credit, Ms. Coletta had clearly done her homework on Halifax; she was well aware of the region’s post-secondary institutions and it was news to me that Halifax represents 46% of Nova Scotia’s GDP.
March 30th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
NS - Zinck re-enters legislature amid probe [Metro]
MONCTON - Moncton gives RCMP notice [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Keep staff safe: councillor [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Council not doing that great: resident [Telegraph-Journal]
NL - N.L. cuts taxes in deficit budget [CBC]
NL - Community services leader disappointed with budget [Telegram]
REGION - Unite Maritime energy plans: expert [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Tender deadline for southside sports complex nears [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Bridge: Time running out [Telegraph-Journal]
NL - Infrastructure gets $1B boost [CBC]
NL - Municipalities laud infrastructure spending, money for ...
Events Guide: From the Front Lines: A Public Meeting on Actions Against Homelessnes
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - This Wednesday, representatives from Halifax's housing advocacy community and speakers from across the province will come together to discuss the struggle for affordable, supportive, and safe housing options in Nova Scotia. This public meeting will focus on how create solutions and demand more housing options for Nova Scotians.
The evening will include a musical performance by local busker Travesty Smith; video premiere of interviews with guests of the Out of the Cold emergency shelter, sharing their views on housing and homelessness; and projections of film animations created by ...
Spacing Radio 019 is on the air!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
The new episode of Spacing Radio continues with our look at the Rules of the city (to complement the release of our new magazine issue) as producer Mieke Anderson examines the arcane permit process in Toronto. Reporter Sarah Bridge sits down with internationally renown architect Jack Diamond to discuss the success and failures of renovating Toronto's Union Station. And Montreal correspondent Adam Bemma explores the Berri Square (see series of posts on SpacingMontreal.ca), one of the city's most socially ...
March 31st, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Metro ponders policing options [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Council defeats motion to stop concerts on Common [Metro]
HALIFAX - Council OK's central library [Metro]
HALIFAX - Commons to keep hosting concerts [Chronicle-Herald]
NFLD. - Budget set on reducing poverty [Telegram]
SAINT JOHN - Premier Graham's conditions for bridge [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Six cabbies get green grants [Metro]
MONCTON - Church cross will be illuminated tonight [Times & Transcript]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Moncton tops for business [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Moncton prepares for the track crowd [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - These rides are real ...
April 1st, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Africville descendants question validity of proposed settlement [Coast]
NS - A balanced budget by 2013 [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - The jury's still out on English's future [Chronicle Herald]
NB - N.B. to protect roomers, boarders [CBC]
MONCTON - It's not too late [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - City halts ticketing of cars parked on streets overnight [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Residents asked for views on curbside recycling [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - The convention centre rescue plan [Coast]
HALIFAX - Heywood Sanders wants real numbers from Trade Centre Limited [Coast]
HALIFAX - Council approves funding plan ...
Events Guide: HFX bike party!
By Steve Bedard // No Comments
Halifax - In the past few months, the North St. Church has hosted a bevy of big, bodacious biking bonanzas! The next big party — organized by and catered to our Velocipedal friends — will be happening today, April Fools Day (I kid you not!). Along with killer bikes and the best soundtrack of the night, the party will feature excerpts from V-Day Dal Vagina Monologues Productions and a Live Painting by Sharon Hodgson, which will be auctioned off at the end of the night.
So brave the streets ...
Addition to City Centre Atlantic Passed
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - We Haligonians have a unique opportunity. We live in a city so small that, with a little effort, we can keep our finger on its pulse. Being an opportunity seeker, lately I've frequented city council meetings and public hearings. I wonder why so few others take this time to speak their mind and help shape our future? If you find yourself talking about city issues at the bar or over the kitchen table, I extend an invitation to you to come to city council on Tuesday nights. You can see the agenda for each week here. It does matter.
Upon arrival at city hall this Tuesday I was directed to the 'overflow room' (ie. Halifax Hall) as council chambers were standing-room-only for a hearing on a Cedar St development, which was passed by council. Tiny speakers on the tiny television made it nearly impossible to hear what was happening. However, I was pleased to see people engaging in the public hearing and also enjoyed being in the presence of a Garry Neill Kennedy exhibition in Halifax Hall.
As city staff assured me, I made it into council chambers intime for Dexel Development's proposal for a 5-storey rooftop addition to City Centre Atlantic (commonly known as Pete's Frootique). The development requires no demolition, nor does it impede on properties of heritage value. It will house 150 people in 95 condo-equivalent rental units.
April 3rd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Spacing Saturday is a new feature that highlights posts from across Spacing's blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region. Spacing Saturday replaces the weekly features Montreal Monday and Toronto Tuesday.
• In light of the upcoming municipal election, public space and transit advocate, Dave Meslin writes on two topical Toronto campaigns--Better Ballots and Let's Talk--that will be holding town hall forums in the week to come. Let's ...
April 5th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: St. Mary’s campus
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by deanbouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
NS - Budget looms: Nova Scotia girds for increase to harmonized sales tax [Metro]
DARTMOUTH - Voters split on Zinck's fate [CBC]
NB - Urban-rural relations complicated in N.B. [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City hall looks for ways to improve process [Daily Gleaner]
NB - N.B.'s MLAs back to work tomorrow [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Offer $150M short: keir [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - It will cost millions to fix east side's traffic woes [Telegraph-Journal]
PEI - P.E.I. properties subject to new rules [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - 'Standard vacation time' [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NB - ...
April 6th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
NS - What to expect in 'first' budget [Metro]
NS - N.S. to trim civil service [CBC]
NS - NewPage, NSPI plan biomass facility [Cape Breton Post]
MONCTON - Metro urged to be fire-safe [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - City puts on push so it won't lose federal bucks [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Council will have Peel price before vote: Sullivan [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Weston fires back [Telegraph-Journal]
PEI - Cut to transfer payments complicates P.E.I. budget [The Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - 'We have a wonderful building' [Daily Gleaner]
ST JOHN'S - Engineers ...
Atlantic snapshots: Dig it!
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Power_Unit, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
April 7th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Power deal failure not caused by anti-Quebec sentiment: Duceppe [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - N.S. bets N.B. will jack up taxes, too [Chronicle-Herald]
MONCTON - City council accepts sidewalk petition [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - NDP hikes HST to 15% [Coast]
N.S. Dexter says tax hike needed after past recklessness [Metro]
HALIFAX - Council ready to help quash violence: Kelly [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
N.B. - New 'green' code covers gov't facilities [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Province puts focus on green buildings [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - NSP faces opposition over biomass plan [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Overpass work ...
Events Guide: The Halifax Chebucto NDP AGM
By Jessica Walker // No Comments
HALIFAX- It's that time again... time for Halifax Chebucto's shareholders (us!) to weigh in on how Howard Epstein and his NDP have been representing our riding.
Featured speakers for the evening include the Ecology Action Centre's Jen Powley and Mark Lasanowski (also a Spacing Atlantic contributor). As the Sustainable Transportation Coordinator and the Transportation Issues Committee Chair for the centre, respectively, they will be addressing issues regarding transportation and the environment, as they pertain to Halifax, and discussing possible solutions.
Megan Leslie, Halifax's Member of Parliament, will ...
World Wide Wednesday: Is smart growth the future of American cities?
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• According to a CNN report the American urban landscape is undergoing a transformation--sprawling suburbs are on their way out and sustainable, urban-centric development is on its way in. The ...
April 8th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Grits vow no HST hike [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - Surtax wipeout 'biter deal' for middle class: Grits [Metro]
HALIFAX - HST hike raises HRM's deficit by $2M [Metro]
HALIFAX - G8 protesters gathering steam [Chronicle-Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Fortis frustrations [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Surge protection [Coast]
HALIFAX - Ken Reashor: safer to jaywalk than to use a crosswalk [Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Pedway construction scheduled for completion in late September [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
MIRAMICHI - City eyeing $1.4M sports dome [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Convention centre deadline delayed [Metro]
HALIFAX - Roy Building redevelopment plan stalled [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX ...
Time to give Citadel Hill a facelift
By Jake Schabas // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Last week, WebUrbanist published a neat article on old star-shaped fortresses still kicking around in the US, Europe and Asia. It struck me that while all the other forts in North America (and some in Europe) looked strikingly similar to Halifax's Citadel — pulling off the "frozen-in-time" look in an equally successful fashion — others in the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, France and Japan looked far more alive and integrated into their modern sites, not just as museum pieces but active urban spaces.
That's not to say that Halifax's Citadel isn't active or entirely a museum piece either. During weekdays the monument might attract mostly tourists, but walk up the citadel on a weekend morning and you'll find plenty of locals out for a leisurely stroll; walk up late at night and you'll likely meet another group of Haligonians, this time using the site's isolation to work more illicitly as prostitutes or in other illegal trades. Yet this isolation from the rest of the city surrounding it means the Citadel can be a dangerous place to be at night, for both workers and recreationists alike.
So maybe it's time to update our old fort. Our worries of attacking cavalry and need for spaces where cattle can graze are long gone, so why not add trees, benches or even a pond to the currently barren grass fields (specifically near Bell and Sackville streets) surrounding the site — a replacement body of water for the lost Egg Pond now buried under the Commons skate park.
Determinants of Health and the HCC’s Crosstown Connector
By Steve Bedard // 4 Comments
Brought to you in collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre and Halifax Cycling Coalition, SpokesPeople covers all things cycle-related. From the principles to the potholes, we're here to examine the realities facing the two-wheeled traveler.
HALIFAX - I must confess: the biggest reason that I became a writer for Spacing Atlantic is a selfish one. I've been attending Dalhousie University for the past six years — three of which I've spent working on a BSc in Nursing. During this time, I've learned many hard facts about the health of Nova Scotians and of Halifax, and I have to admit that I'm more than just a little concerned.
Nearly one in four children in Canada are overweight or obese. Less than 1% of young Nova Scotian women in grade 11 engage in the required amount of physical activity on a weekly basis. Nova Scotia is among the top three provinces with the highest proportional population of people with type 2 diabetes — a completely preventable condition. We have higher than usual rates of specific cancers, and our mental health — and mental healthcare system — is in rough shape (quick note, both of these factors can be prevented to a degree by engaging in physical activity).
April 9th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Health care language reforms coming [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Group that opposed power deal sets sights on new target [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - McNeil skips budget debate for date with Tiger [Metro]
HALIFAX - Police union says no to mayor [Chronicle=Herald]
SYDNEY - Boots off the street [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Price of bungalows, condos up in city [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Housing prices surged in first quarter [Chronicle-Herald]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Spring cleaning well under way [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Black Eyed Peas brining phunk to Common [Metro]
HALIFAX - Organizers changing up ...
Atlantic snapshots: Watching the clouds roll in
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Moncton, New Brunswick
by MJBradbury, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
Events Guide: Landmarked – Uncovering the dance between place and space.
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - This weekend in St. John's, a unique combination of performance and art installation will occur. The format of the happening will be individually determined, allowing each individual to choose their own pace as they work their way through multiple sites in downtown St. John's.
Sally Morgan will be in charge of artistic direction and choreography, while collaborating with Craig Francis Power for visuals, multimedia and design, Chris Driedzic for sound, and Jessee Walker for design. Landmarked will feature performances and ...
April 10th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing's Sean Marshall follows up a piece in the latest edition of the magazine, talking about Toronto's ubiquitous "12-8-8" yellow traffic lights and their negative aesthetic affects on the city's urban landscape. Pointing to examples of how lights are designed in other cities and even in some special areas throughout the GTA, Marshall discusses how to improve the aesthetic value of traffic signal while working with safety requirements and the Ontario Traffic Manual.
As part of the ongoing building stories exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel, David Wencer uses the old Canada Linseed Oil Mills building, abandoned since the late sixties, as a window into exploring the industrial history of the area along the CPR lines and into how the area has regenerated. While the site beside the building has been turned into a Park, the building itself remains fenced off, despite having been purchased by the city in 2000. Local residents hope to tap the building's potential to become a dynamic community space.
Alanah Heffez provides some background on the work of contributer Andrew Emond who along with Michael Cook was arrested this week while exploring the Garrison Creek sewer in Toronto. Emond has been featured on Spacing, amongst other media outlets, for his fascinating work on mapping and photographing some of the spectacular, yet unsung infrastructure at work beneath Montreal.
Inspired by thinking about other people view the same area of a city guest contributer Daniel Rotszain recalls the experience of walking through the Mile End neighbourhood with his father. To his surprise his father saw the neighbourhood not as the height of urbanity many consider today but as the inadequate slum it was to a generation of immigrants yearning for something better that it was during his father's childhood.
Ottawa is getting a potentially exciting new public space with the ongoing renovations of the popular pedestrian gardens outside the World Exchange Plaza. The plaza redesign and the new amphitheatre it will include are profiled.
Ian Capstick discusses the need to reclaim the term 'common sense' from hits Harris era connotations, for the upcoming municipal election. Talking about a variety of problems plaguing the city, and the mood of the people, common sense and realistic plans will be something the electorate is seeking.
Atlantic snapshots: Saint John
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Matturalistic, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
April 12th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Halifax MP calls for help to save climate bill [The Coast]
NS - A delicate balance [Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Moncton mayor rebukes absentee councillor [CBC]
DIEPPE - Dieppe council meets tonight [Times & Transcript]
NB - N.B. legislature winds down before fall election [CBC]
NB - Graham named Visionary of the Year for 2010 [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - 311 service is one step closer for city [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - What should the city do with the money saved by pushing back the recycling program? [The Scope]
ST JOHN's - Deficit looming, St. John's council told [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Job move with ...
Sunshine brings sweet respite: barriers to accessibility in Halifax
By Kaleightrace // No Comments
HALIFAX - This unprecedented spring sunshine has brought Halifax city dwellers out from our respective hovels and into the urban landscape. The warm weather has ushered in a sense of freedom and mobility, although perhaps for some more than others.
For persons with disabilities, winter in Halifax represents being caged. The snow and ice, the inaccessible city infrastructure, and the limited availability of public transit options can make one a prisoner in their own home.
For instance, if a person has a physical disability impeding them from climbing stairs, their access to Metro Transit buses is seriously limited. Of all the 52 different bus routes offered by Halifax Metro Transit, only 19 of those offer Accessible Low-Floor (ALF) buses. The absurdity of offering limited public transit options to those persons who most need mobility assistance is a serious oversight.
April 13th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Council mulls hiking downtown meter rates [Metro]
HALIFAX - NDP trying to smear me: Zinck [Metro]
FREDERICTON - City borrows $356K to replace ground hoists [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City to sign deal with Local 1709 [Daily Gleaner]
DIEPPE - Dieppe city council looks at policing options [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Students offer council tips on cutting crime [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DIEPPE - Dieppe changes sign bylaw [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Put on hold [Telegraph-Journal]
NB - Big projects equal big money and good news for employment [Telegraph-Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - ...
Can a convention centre thrive when carbon has a cost?
By Emily Richardson // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - Simplified, the debate over the convention centre boils down to this: On the one hand, proponents believe that the convention centre will transform Halifax into a vibrant, prosperous, and dynamic economy. On the other, opponents argue that the proposed price tag of $300 million — split three ways between the municipal, provincial, and federal governments — is arguably more money than our tenuous economy can or should support, and the payback on convention centres is not nearly what is trumpeted.
However petty, partisan, and personal the debates waged within the comments sections of online news can become, a March 24 Chronicle Herald piece inspired a commendably thought-provoking debate (sadly the link is now defunct and you will have to take my word for it).
Quite pertinently, one commenter asks, “One may be willing to fly from Calgary to Halifax for a convention when the fare is $1000 (all costs in) but what about when this fare reaches $3000 or $5000?”
This question demands far deeper consideration than we have seen thus far: to what extent does the financial influx promised by the convention centre rely on cheap oil and cost-free carbon?
April 14th, 2010
Spacing Radio 020 is on the air!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
On this episode of Spacing Radio producer Mieke Anderson takes you on a walk with Cindy Rozeboom through the east end of Toronto, along the Danforth, to explore the potential of empty storefronts. In other cities, street food is a major component of public life, but in Toronto food vendors don't seem to get any respect from city hall, BIAs, and urban designers — reporter Pattie Phillips talks to Marianne Moroney of Toronto's Street Food Vendors Association. The release of ...
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Group wants changes to proposed property bill [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Sir Paul could have cost us millions [Metro]
HALIFAX - Decision deferred on parking fee hike [Metro]
SYDNEY - Municipal staff recommend tax increase [Cape Breton Post]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Petitcodiac gates will open: gov't [TImes & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Funeral home gets 'green' certification [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Residents eager for peak at casino [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Heritage properties can be reworked [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Millions needed for project [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Downtown needs new vision [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - ...
World Wide Wednesday: Parks, bikes, and cable cars
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Luud Schimmelpinnink--one of the activists behind the 1965 White Bicycle Plan in Amsterdam--has envisioned the bike ...
April 15th, 2010
Atlantic snapshots: Brunswick Street
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
OTTAWA - NDP climate bill survives vote [Coast]
HALIFAX - Parking hike 'would suck' [Chronicle-Herald]
N.S. - Coyote bounty called a waste of money [Globe & Mail]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - River flows free again [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Garden variety [Coast]
TRURO - Transition period [Coast]
HALIFAX - Early opening of Public Gardens draws in visitors [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Harbour cleanup work moves to Bayside Drive [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Few students will be able to walk to new school [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Should graffiti artists be given blank canvas? [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - ...
Landmarked: Uncovering the dance between space and place
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - This past weekend, I had the good fortune of attending Landmarked. When I first heard about the event, I was intrigued. It was described as:
Part choose your own adventure, part conceptual art tour and part choreographic documentary. Landmarked is a site-specific interdisciplinary project that honors the past, is alive in the present and awakens the senses, transforming undiscovered, unused or undervalued environments into fully animated dance-scapes. Landmarked addresses the value of urban space by looking at personal, shared or historical associations to the geography of the city while exploring the interdependence of people and place.
After reading this description, I still did not have an very clear idea of what I was in for, but I was excited, and ready.
Sally Morgan, artistic director and choreographer for Landmarked said the the idea came from a conversation she had with Sarah Stoker (one of the dancers in Book of Hours) on the topic of city planning and development. Morgan says that here in St. John’s, they “haven’t thought about it [planning and development] here”, and hopes Landmarked will encourage people to be more aware of the surroundings, and to find new meaning in the spaces, and sites we see every day.
April 16th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Liberals 'battered, bruised' [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. - Consultants said to keep generation facilities [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Province not paying its way for roads in the city - councillor [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Concert economics [Coast]
HALIFAX - Kelly issues wastewater warning [Metro]
SYDNEY - Budget passes without raising residential taxes [Cape Breton Post]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Suzuki praises Petitcodiac causeway move [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - What's next for river? [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Horses will remain in park [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Convention Centre way past best-before date [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Port's pulse takes ...
Events Guide: Peasants’ Day and Seedy Saturday
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - As springtime sun coaxes greenery back onto our urban landscape, it seems to have brought food sovereignty issues with it. This Saturday is chock full of food and agriculture related events, starting with Peasant's Day. An international event, Peasant's Day is celebrates local, sustainable food and opposes a world food system run by agri-business. Starting at the Farmer's Market, a family-friendly march will head up to the North Common, where it will be met with a celebration, including food, speakers, info, entertainment, drum ...
April 18th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Laneways are an important, yet oft neglected, part of the urban fabric. Evan Thornton pays tribute to some of the laneways that still exist in Ottawa despite years of being filled in and ignored by the city. Focusing specifically on the laneways behind the busy pedestrian precinct on Wellington St, Thornton imagines what the city could do with ...
April 19th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
REGION - Mayors want governments to pay for ferries [Metro]
NS - View from the top much better for NDP's Paris [Metro]
HALIFAX - Council weighs meter rate importance [Metro]
HALIFAX - Refusing to forget [Media Co-op]
NB - Alward's consultation pledge under fire [CBC]
PEI - Premier rallies troops for next provincial election [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown gets back to roadwork [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown awards tenders for two major infrastructure projects [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Council rejects developer's request to have over a dozen lots rezoned [Guardian]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - ...
Atlantic snapshots: Douglas Avenue
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Number Six (bill lapp), member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
Putting the ‘gate’ in Quingate
By Jake Schabas // 4 Comments
HALIFAX - It goes without saying that there's plenty Halifax could do to improve its pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Nothing, however, epitomizes this fact so much as the 'gate' on Quingate.
One of the best used pedestrian and cycling passageways, the gate is nothing less than Halifax's most glaring bottlenecks. Yet unlike other bottlenecks, the gate happens to be the cheapest and simplest one to fix.
A through-fare for many commuters, students and errand runners alike, the high volume of foot traffic and continuous flow of cyclists is literally confirmed by the regular spectators of ...
April 20th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
REGION - Municipalities will need help reaching federal regulation for waste water [Daily Gleaner]
NB - The Tories can't coast to election victory, expert says [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John expands park-and-ride [CBC]
MONCTON - Moncton explores policing options [CBC]
MONCTON - Reservoir project moves forward [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown rejoins municipal group [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Security review underway at provincial government buildings [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Winter Games legacy on track, says CEO [Metro]
NB - Province to post road construction online [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Tender call 'not ...
Atlantic snapshots: Fredericton
By The Photographers // No Comments
Fredericton, New Brunswick
by C_Ward, member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
April 21st, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - City not responsible for 'booting': councillor [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Tories to outline energy strategy [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Dartmouth MLA gets Halifax office space [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - Convention Centre report public soon [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Causeway injunction up in the air [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Environment Minister reminds about pesticide ban [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Program offers tips on how to use less energy [Daily Gleaner]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONTAGUE - Montague finally gets town clock [Guardian]
SYDNEY - Oldest building in the city facing demolition [Cape Breton Post]
ROTHESAY - Conservation area ...
World Wide Wednesday: New York, Shanghai and Pajarito Mesa
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Good Magazine has devoted its newest issue entirely to neighbourhoods. Check it out online for tips on starting a community garden and strategies for throwing an amazing block ...
Events Guide: Earth Day in HRM
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - In honour of Earth Day, Halifax Regional Municipality has planned a series of activities which are sure to appease your inner pedestrian, cyclist, and gardener. City staff and councillors will be in attendance, so this is a great opportunity to show them that the environment, community gardening, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure are civic priorities.
WHAT: Dartmouth HarbourFront Trail walk
WHEN: 10:30-11am
WHERE: meets at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal parking lot
WHAT: Ecology Action Centre Donation
DETAILS: "In addition to a donation of two rain barrels from Halifax Water, Mayor Kelly will give ...
April 22nd, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - Critics blast Torie's inaction [Times & Transcript]
N.B. - Tories propose energy commission [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. - Business groups lukewarm to energy plan idea [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Concerted delusion [Coast]
HALIFAX - G8 not great [Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Hilton planned for downtown [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Gottingen to get affordable housing units says group [Metro]
DARTMOUTH - Added cost down the road [Chronicle-Herald]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Enviro fair highlights cheap alternative energy costs [Here]
N.B. - Meet N.B.'s green queen of darkness [Times & Transcript]
DARTMOUTH - Telling new stories about Dartmouth North [Coast]
HRM - C.P. Allen ranked ...
Wright Ave: Infill housing at its best
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Wright Ave is the kind of place that makes Atlantic Canadian cities so great.
An almost entirely hidden street in downtown Halifax, many people walk by it all the time and never even know it's there — a laneway-looking road leading off Morris Street full of family-sized semi-detached houses.
Backing onto Fort Massey Cemetery, the houses seem as if they were all built at once. Their uniform shape and cladding, big wooden decks and similar paint jobs seem to point to the fact that some developer likely spotted this unused bit of land right smack in downtown Halifax and decided to throw up some houses.
April 23rd, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Access NS's move called a blow to public access [Chronicle-Herald]
ANTIGONISH - Rezoning for wind project appealed [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Higher fares or fewer buses [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
N.B. - No bounty for N.B. coyotes [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - Coyote pelts worth $20 [Metro]
N.S. - N.S. rolls out green initiatives [Metro]
MONCTON - It's time to take your bike for a ride [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Garbage will soon provide energy for landfill [Telegraph-Journal]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Compressed air horns banned at Coliseum [Times & Transcript]
Atlantic snapshots: Staples
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by deanbouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
April 24th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Hoping that someday people will give directions such as “turn left at the tea pot,” Jeremie Deschene discusses the role of public art in downtown Ottawa and elsewhere by taking a look at some of the pieces recently added to the public collection and what they reveal about just how much art enhances the urban environment.
As part of ongoing civic election coverage Nick Farnhall challenges candidates to break from the traditional aversion to election time policy talk. Lamenting the lack of engagement occurring at a prime stage for fermenting ideas, Farnhill discusses how candidates could better engage voters to develop their platforms.
The saga of how to replace to the Turcott interchange got even more interesting this week as Devin Alfaro explains in a piece profiling the City of Montreal’s counter proposal to that proposed by the Provincial Ministry of Transportation. The City proposal involves a circular design, similar to one found in Shanghai, and dedicated bus lanes. Importantly the City’s proposal would actually take up less land, and prevent the proposed expropriation of demolishing of an existing neighbourhood.
Sean Micalleff explored the timely topic of the weather in his psychogeography column this week. Quoting Leanord Cohen’s famous lines about the obscenity of Spring as bare skin is revealed and the collective celebration of our winter survival, Micalleff discusses how attitudes this Spring reflect a maturing awareness about public space in Toronto, as a place where the revival of Spring truly plays out.
The question of how to bring effective public transit to the suburbs is as interesting as it is important. Spacing’s Sean Marshall travelled to his hometown of Brampton this week in a post highlighting some of the public transit changes that are coming to the city. The city’s new Zum high order bus service and the Hurontario/Main St LRT project are profiled and discussed.
April 25th, 2010
Schooled in Concrete: Modernist architecture at Dalhousie
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
This is a reprint of an article I wrote for the Dalhousie Gazette.
HALIFAX - Despite what you might hear about dropping student enrollment, Dalhousie's student population is booming. In the past decade, seven massive new buildings have gone up just on Studley Campus, the last being the new academic building still being built at Coburg and LeMarchant.
This growing list of new buildings includes the Computer Science Building, the McCain Arts and Social Sciences building, the Fountain House extension of Howe Hall, Risley Hall and the Rowe Management Building, all of which have a prominent, unavoidable presence on campus. Believe it or not, we are witnessing one of the most transformative moments in the University's history, the likes of which haven't been seen in 40 years.
Surely these new buildings are in some way shaping the lives of the thousands of students who continue to use their lecture halls, live in their dorm rooms, smoke outside their front doors or simply pass by their shiny new facades on a daily basis. But how do they compare to the buildings already existing on campus? Are they an improvement, or a step in the wrong direction?
April 26th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
REGION - Atlantic provinces get climate change money [CBC]
HALIFAX - City strapped? Tax those road hockey games [Chronicle Herald]
DIEPPE - Dieppe signage bylaw before council for vote [Times & Transcript]
PEI - Budget '10 Highlights [Guardian]
PEI - P.E.I. knocks big chunk off deficit [CBC]
PEI - Three new members join environmental advisory council [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Regent Street home move leads to controversy [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City will face battle over widening issue [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Library upgrade could cost city thousands in lost lest revenue [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Spring is time ...
Atlantic snapshots: Dockyards from the South Side
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
by earlesd, member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool
April 27th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Provincial budget passes into law [Metro]
NS - Dexter looks to cap bottled water [Metro]
NS - N.S. passes deficit budget [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Grow city smaller and smarter: residents [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Loch Lomond Road speed limit won't change [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - Projected deficit [Scope]
ST JOHN'S - Port of St. John's weathers storm [Telegram]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown mayor welcomes increase in grant to municipalities [Guardian]
PEI - Province committed to communities, Ghiz tells federation [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Alumni discuss Moncton High future [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Readers share tales of ...
Spacing radio 021 is on the air!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
We begin this episode of the Spacing Radio podcast in Toronto’s Alexandra Park, where Spacing producer Todd Harrison speaks with Jane’s Walk executive director Jane Farrow about this weekend’s upcoming Jane’s Walks and how the event — and the discussions it inspires — has evolved both at home and abroad.
Up next, Spacing producer Mieke Anderson takes us to Cleveland, Ohio where she meets up with local newspaper critic Steven Litt, to discuss the drawbacks of the city’s Public ...
April 28th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Give 'boot' the boot: mayor [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Bridge talks at an impasse [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Tidal bore makes waves [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Downtown goes green with tree planting project [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Park land to be rezoned [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - City taking steps to promote community gardens [Metro]
N.S. - A boldly green energy plan [Chronicle-Herald]
N.S. - Rise in clearcutting feared [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro high-end housing market grows [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Parking changes concern business group [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Proposed Barrington ...
Well developed? Halifax’s North End and the G8
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
This piece is cross-posted on the Halifax Media Co-op
HALIFAX - Following a stream of events in opposition to the G8 meetings in Halifax this week, Monday night's 'walk and talk' through Halifax's North End helped to bring the discussion down to the local level. A crowd of approximately 50 people snaked their way through the neighbourhood, stopping sporadically along the way to share information, criticism and personal anecdotes about changes affecting the community — with new condo developments the major target of attention.
While highlighting signs of gentrification in the North End — an increasingly complex and contentious debate — more broadly, the walk drew attention to the parallels between the G8's international development agenda and the private sector approaches we're seeing deployed here in Halifax. "The contextual difference is disturbingly slight," said Brad Vaughn, organizer with the Halifax G8 Welcoming Committee and the walk.
"It's clear that this version of diversity, of development, prioritizes what is clean and safe and profitable for a certain economic class and a certain set of consumer preferences," said Vaughn. "It doesn't clean it up, it makes it stagnant, it makes it expensive, and it pushes the locals into homelessness," added another walk participant, Vince Vining.
April 29th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Boot could be illegal [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Blumenthal calms Needham furor [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
N.B. - No bottled water ban in N.B. [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - A mighty wind [Coast]
N.S. - Highway connections [Coast]
N.S. - Tidal project delayed again [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Education more important than heritage: parents [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Downtown eyesore may get facelift [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Woman wants to furnish Saint John with IKEA [Here]
SAINT JOHN - Old theatre's facade could soon fade (to black) [Telegraph-Journal]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Big year, big festival [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX ...
Atlantic snapshots: cul-de-sac
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
April 30th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - N.B. probes whether boot is illegal [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City buys downtown frontage from province [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Trade centre studies to be released Friday [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DIEPPE - Dieppe downtown arts centre nearly complete [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City 'is doing alot of things right' [Daily Gleaner]
LUNENBURG - Opera house for sale again [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - 'It's time to clean up the trash', councillor says [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Riverfront revitalization in works [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - The prince of Fundy tides [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Agency wants help mapping three-year ...
Events Guide: Change of (s)Pace, a Halifax Jane’s Walk
By Katie McKay // No Comments
HALIFAX - Spacing Atlantic contributors are hosting a Jane's Walk in Halifax this upcoming Saturday May 1st. Come join us as we wander the urban space, ponder the changes we face, and help to set the pace.
The general theme of the Halifax walk is change, transformation, and transition — the downtown is in limbo and we want to muse about it. Meet us on Lower Water St outside the Farmers' Market at noon, as we set off to investigate an urban landscape in flux.
Jane’s Walk honours the ...
May 1st, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
This weekend is Jane's Walks time all across Canada, and the world. Ottawa will play host to a number of different walks over the next two days all with great experience to offer. Evan Thornton previews a few of Ottawa's walks that will be likely be of interest to the Spacing minded.
Continuing on the Jacobian theme, David Mcclelland takes a look at downtown Ottawa today and asks: What Would Jane Jacobs Do?. Using a series of principles Jacob's laid out in her classic Life and Death of Great American Cities Mccleslland evaluates how well downtown Ottawa stands up and what various proposals of the 1960's could have done.
Understanding how public transit and the broader issue of mobility truely affect a neighbourhood is a fascinating and critical part of the debate on how to get more transit built. Mile Thomas explores issues of mobility in the Montreal-Nord borough. Describing the area as exiled from the rest of the city, Thomas breaks down the real trials mobility presents to area residents and considers how such isolation has been allowed to happen in an advanced, developed country.
John Lorinc used his column this week to continue the evolving discussion over the future of the Transit City project, thrown into turmoil by the Provincial Government's decision to 'delay' funding. Lorinc explores the reactions of a spectrum of candidates for both the mayoral and Provincial elections, to seek there true intentions and speculate about the future of the project's funding.
The Hot Doc's documentary film festival kicked off this week. With so many films to choose from, Jaqueline Whyte Appleby offers a guide to the urbanist films being screened.
May 3rd, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Fire lawsuits about bottom line: Mayor [Metro]
HALIFAX - Halifax fire department backers speak out [CBC]
NS - Slow down to pass emergency vehicles [Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Mayor presents State of the City Address [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton's quality management system re-certified [Daily Gleaner]
DIEPPE - Dieppe public hearing scheduled [Times & Transcript]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's group pushed for downtown library [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Van Hinte steps down [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Walking bridge reopens today [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Convention centre costs: up to $170 millions without furnishing equipment [Coast]
HALIFAX ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Bench Line
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 4th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Mayor touts tax cuts, metro centre [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Candidates want MHS saved [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Moncton plans LJR street honour [Times & Transcript]
SYDNEY - CBRM votes $2M for harbour dredging [Cape Breton Post]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Province expected to ban pesticides [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mayoral candidate proposes education campaign to clean up litter [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Proposed YMCA/CBC development will break HRM By Design height limits [Coast]
FREDERICTON - Affordable-housing project ahead of schedule [Daily Gleaner]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Moncton to improve McLaughlin crosswalk system [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Hotel construction ...
May 5th, 2010
HRM by Re-Design: Public Transit Inspired
By Dustin Valen // 1 Comment
A series that examines urban and architectural issues in Halifax by way of unbuilt proposals authored by different designers, this week featuring a project by graduate architect Paul Zylstra for a bus shelter at the intersection of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street. All drawings and images courtesy Paul Zylstra.
Text by Dustin Valen
HALIFAX - Criticism of public transit risks becoming a proverb for indignation. Notwithstanding long waits, bad moods, and iffy weather, public transit remains a necessity for many people. Languid discomforts taint our perception of public transit and sidetrack discussions about sustainability, the right to mobility, and the importance of economic diversity in our city. Not the least bit helpful is the searing objectivity that has inspired the design of our existing curbside bus shelters. More insidious than the status quo, these buildings do little to inspire the imagination and underscore the lack of value we invest in our public transit system. A more inspiring discussion surrounds a provocative first year studio project by graduate architect Paul Zylstra who, by creating a pragmatic connection between public transit and public space, transforms the humble bus shelter into an artful paradigm.
A bus shelter personifies a community, signifying a place where people choose to live, work, and shop; a map of public transit across Halifax and its regional municipality reveals the densest and most frequented places in the city as well as daily routines of thousands of commuters. Although individually modest, each bus shelter is part of a vast network that is traveled in small segments by thousands of people every day — tiny outposts that safely negotiate passengers from streets to sidewalks.
Spacing nominated for Best Single Issue in 2009
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing is happy to announce that the summer-fall 2009 issue of the magazine was nominated for Best Single Issue by the National Magazine Awards. This is the second year in a row that we've been nominated in this category. Many thanks to our cast of contributors who made this one of the 10 best issues in Canadian magazines in 2009. We'll find out June 4th just how good of an issue it was.
World Wide Wednesday: Greenways, maps, and a railway run by children
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• The National Council of Research in Rome is generating innovative ideas on city building by looking at the urban environment through the eyes of children. As explained on ...
May 6th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Public relations 101 [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Councillor wants to get moving on library reno [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Conventional tactics [Coast]
SAINT JOHN - New business chairman wants good municipal plan [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - City halls plans out a green, clean, Moncton [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - Cosmetic pesticide ban: Lawn-term prudence [Chronicle-Herald]
CAPE BRETON - Parks Canada holding open houses to talk coyotes [Cape Breton Post]
HAMPTON - Deer-busting community garden coming [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
N.B. - Senators study fate of lighthouses [Times & Transcript]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Too tall for HRM by design [Coast]
DARTMOUTH - ...
Halifax Jane’s Walk traverses transformation
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - About 25 people gathered in front on the Halifax Farmers' Market last Saturday to take part in Halifax's Jane's Walk. This year's walk, "Change of (s)Pace," wandered through the downtown, stopping to muse about all kinds of transformations the city is undergoing.
photo by Alison Creba
Hosted by Spacing Atlantic contributors, we followed the participatory principle that everyone is an authority on their community. Anyone interested was given the opportunity to share thoughts and knowledge on their neighborhoods and city, taking up the megaphone whenever the urge arose.
May 7th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Ice cream shop owners scream at new health rules [Times & Transcript]
N.S. - Public on board with cell-phone ban [Metro]
HRM - HRM's draft budget set for release on May 18 [Chronicle-Herald]
N.S. - URB: Couple, group can't fight rezoning for wind farm [Chronicle-Herald]
N.S. - Province pays for green business study [Chronicle-Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Dalhousie plans $33M student residence [Chronicle-Herald]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - The waiting game [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Home delivery cut upsets postal union [Daily Gleaner]
P.E.I. - Businessman plans walk across province to benefit hospitals [Guardian]
HALIFAX - Green thumbs get to work ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Sea Street
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 8th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As the dust settles on our 2009 tax returns, now is a good time to look at the significance of some of the numbers. Spacing's Alanah Heffez breaks some aspects of her return for readers and in doing so reveals a fantastic illustration of a fundamental problem with Canadian Federalism: the underfunding of municipal government.
Is Stephen Harper using the G8 summit to punish urban voters in Toronto? After reading Matt Blackett's summary of the Orwellian security measures that will be imposed on the city during and leading up to the summit, you may think so.
Toronto is a city defined by its undefinedness and has long had troubles properly marketing itself to the world. On the eve of a trip to Manchester, Spacing's Shawn Micallef reflects on that city's success at defining its image and compares its marketable attributes to our own, wondering why there has been such a difference, and what causes some city's to a clearer collective image of themselves than others.
Preparing readers for a trip to the exurban community of Carleton Place, just beyond the reaches of greater Ottawa, Spacing profiles a new transit initiative in Lanark County that works to take commuters not just to conventional places and not just at conventional times.
In a bold opinion piece Chris Bradshaw critiquescurrent rapid transit proposals that are designed to move commuters to and from the suburbs but will only support urban sprawl. Bradshaw instead presents a case for modes such as streetcars that will serve the dense urban communities of the future.
May 10th, 2010
Events Guide: Block Party Brainstorm
By Katie McKay // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Calling all block party enthusiasts in North End Halifax!
You are cordially invited to join other members of your community for a brainstorming session on turning a few fantastic North End streets into car-free zones for the day. This will be an informal, knowledge-sharing meeting with the intention of getting the ball rolling on block party organization for this upcoming summer season.
WHAT: Block Party Series Brainstorming Session
WHERE: Bloomfield Centre - Room 208 (2786 Agricola Street)
WHEN: Monday May 10th 7PM
photo by Katie ...
May 11th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM buys Cow Bay for surfer access to ocean [Coast]
HALIFAX - Province, Ottawa team up for affordable housing [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Affordable housing projects across HRM getting a $14M facelift [Metro]
NB - Voting underway in 13 municipal byelections [CBC]
NB - LeBlanc picked to engage public [Daily Gleaner]
MIRAMICHI - PC nominees named for Miramichi ridings [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown council moves toward reform [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mayor breaks tie to create municipal plebiscite [Guardian]
PEI - Taking back Province House [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
NB - Construction up [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City to ...
Atlantic Snapshots: St John’s Courthouse
By The Photographers // No Comments
St John's, Newfoundland
photo by Peter Hanes, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 12th, 2010
Spacing Radio 022 is on the air!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
In this episode of Spacing Radio — the last of season 3 — our cast of contributors explore the theme of how we get around cities. First up are a handful of clips from Jane's Walk, the yearly festival of walking tours in Toronto and over 60 other cities across North America. Then Spacing magazine's senior editor Shawn Micallef takes listeners to Yorkville to discuss the ethos behind his new book Stroll. Our new reporter Katie Harris examines the impact the ...
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Health rules not so hard on ice cream shops [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Planning advisory committee overstepped bounds [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Despite OK, roundabouts tentative [Metro]
HALIFAX - Councillors keen on roundabouts [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - City staff touting balanced budgets [Chronicle-Herald]
NFLD - Province hires consultant to review offshore oil spill practices [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - School can't get OK to rebuild development [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Belvedere roundabout work begins soon [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City identifies bicycle lanes [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Hands off Harbour Passage [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Downtown business group prioritizes convention ...
World Wide Wednesday: “Tesco Towns”, security cameras, and the world’s greenest buildings
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• What would a socially equitable city look like? The Polis Blog sheds some light on this complex question in a fascinating series entitled "The Just Metropolis". ...
May 13th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Signs could help beat 'boot' [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Public can view height restriction bylaw [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - 'Interesting' MLAs awarded [Metro]
N.L. - N.L. bid to use Quebec hydro lines turned down [Globe & Mail]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Shared visions [Coast]
DARTMOUTH - Nowhere to go but up [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Walls come down at former reformatory [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - High schoolers needed to create mural for arena [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Three projects on schedule, budget [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Economic outlook bright: Poll [Metro]
TRURO - Construction co. gives ...
Events Guide: InFullBloom Imagine Bloomfield Spring Fair
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - In celebration of the coming of spring and with it an increasingly green city, the Imagine Bloomfield Society is throwing outdoor spring fair this Sunday. The fair will bring together all kinds of folks dedicated to cultivating an ecologically and socially vibrant community, with local business vendors, community gardeners, and non-profit organizations converging to celebrate this local hub. Check out native perennial and heirloom seeds for sale, unique crafts, and family activities.
Since the Bloomfield Centre was threatened with closure in 2004, the community has rallied around ...
May 14th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - RCMP looks for leadership [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Ladies spell it out for Tories at Citadel [Metro]
N.S. - McNeil faces his leadership review [Metro]
HALIFAX - Tall ship sale would cost taxpayers $2.5M [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Fish return to Petitcodiac [Times & Transcript]
P.E.I. - Energy minister criticized for comments on wind farm [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Middle ground on heritage preservation [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Making the city friendlier to people with disabilities [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - 'School of the future' [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Project planned for Armsdale miffs residents [Chronicle-Herald]
HALIFAX - ...
Volunteerism 2.0: Better cities through open data
By Emily Richardson // 1 Comment
What information would you need to solve the problems and nuisances of city life? Because if you live in San Francisco, you can probably find it.
As reported by Fast Company, with the mid-2009 launch of DataSF.org, Bay-area Californians can now pour over information on everything from parking spaces to local fires, from water quality at beaches to the demographics of city employees. Not only is the information freely available, it is also posted in formats that can be read by computers. And if computers can manipulate the data, it can be handily whittled into city-enhancing iPhone apps.
The trend toward urban open-data initiatives is flourishing. Examples abound suggesting that by providing constituents with the raw material to address concerns and irritations of city living, they will find ways of shaping it into tools that can alleviate the cost needed to resolve them internally. San Francisco's initiative, for example, has resulted in at least 30 apps on everything from crime rates to recycling facilities.
May 15th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez talks about a new initiative by the STM to put green roofs on select bus shelters throughout the city as part of slick new marketing campaign. The campaign is a window into the broader green initiatives of Montreal's transit operator.
Responding to a column last claiming that new Transit slated for Ottawa would only feed urban sprawl, Alain Miguelez takes up the cause of defending the direction Ottawa is taking explaining it as the natural evolution of a city maturing.
Evan Thornton reports from Carleton Place on the progress of a community transit initiative operating bus service from the exurb into Ottawa. While the service has so far been a success, use of the transitway has been stifled by the NCC.
Shiny new streetcars are coming soon to the streets of Toronto and this week the TTC began preparing for their launch with a campaign to build excitement by eliciting rider input. Spacing Editor and TTC Customer Service Review Panel member, Matt Blackett talks about the initiative and gives some suggestions on how the names of the new cars can be used to sell them to riders.
In a very provocative piece, Nicole McIsaac speculates about a future of open source government and what it could mean for civic engagement. While other Cities are quickly hoping on this bandwagon by releasing their immense date basses to the public where the data can be organized according to need, and widely disseminated.
May 17th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Safety concerns regarding subdivision plans in Lincoln Heights to be discussed tonight [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Honey, how do I un-shrink the city? [Telegraph-Journal]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Results from the CityThink survey on public transportation in HRM [Metro]
HALIFAX - Less than a quarter of HRM residents weekly transit users, new survey finds [Metro]
HALIFAX - Support strong for rail, ferry service [Metro]
HALIFAX - Majority backs higher costs for improved bus system [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John bike trails in the works [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Mountain bikers take matters into own hands [Telegraph-Journal]
FREDERICTON - City looks to promote trail ...
Events Guide: Public Meeting on New Common Front for Housing Rights in NS
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - Following the momentum of last month's meeting, where 50 people came together to begin the process of building a Common Front for Housing Rights in Nova Scotia, another public meeting will the held this Tuesday night at the Bloomfield Centre. The aim of the meeting will be to continue the work that has begun, work collectively on the guiding principles for the Common Front, and involve a diversity of new individuals and groups.
"We are reaching out to a wide ...
May 18th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Taxpayer expenditure for four-pad arena still secret [Coast]
HALIFAX - Approval ratings slide for Kelly, council [Metro]
HALIFAX - HRM residents favour decreasing the number of councillors [Metro]
HALIFAX - Results from the CityThink survey on the topic of municipal politics [Metro]
HALIFAX - Council to tackle $30M budget shortfall tonight [Metro]
FREDERICTON - Council terminates lease at library [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Thériault elected deputy mayor [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - 2009 a good year for Moncton's finances [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Former premier pays tribute to Trites [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Council will ...
Roundabouts and Rotaries
By Steve Bedard // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Over the past couple weeks, Halifax has been investing time in analyzing the feasibility of adding roundabouts to our transportation "toolkit". Although this seems like a new idea for HRM, Sydney's Alexandra Street Roundabout has been ushering traffic through since December, and in other parts of the world, roundabouts are quite common.
The summer of 2007 was when I started biking again after a decade-long hiatus, and it happened in the most unlikeliest of places: Northern France. After months of talking about a France trek with some friends in London, England, we came to one important question regarding transportation: what is the cheapest way we can travel while seeing as much of France as we can? The answer was clear, and in May of 2007, after 10 years of relying on transportation modes requiring some form of internal combustion, I left the tiny town of Arras on a 300km tour to Paris. It was the best decision I've ever made in my life!
May 19th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM proposes tax increases [Metro]
HALIFAX - HRM's budget 'by no means pain-free' [Metro]
MONCTON - Moncton posts $1-million surplus [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Councillor blames city landlords for problems [Daily Gleaner]
ST JOHN'S - It's Municipal Awareness Day [VOCM]
ST JOHN'S - Capital City Working on Economic Roadmap [VOCM]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - TD Building re-design proposal revealed [Coast]
FREDERICTON - Transit garage to be completed in November [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Main St. to get facelift [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Council moves toward rezoning land for Q-Plex parking lot [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - Should a casino ...
Events Guide: Blooming Imaginations at the Bloomfield Centre
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Spring has sprung, the town's in full bloom and its time to head to the field — Bloomfield that is. In fitting with this season of new beginnings, the Imagine Bloomfield society will be holding their Annual General Meeting this evening at the Bloomfield Centre.
Birthed out of the need to maintain a community centre in the North End of Halifax that can serve the diverse needs of citizens, Imagine Bloomfield is a non-profit society working to preserve and enhance the Bloomfield Centre. They imagine Bloomfield as a ...
World Wide Wednesday: London, Bangkok, and New Delhi
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Though still incomplete, New Delhi's subway system is already being hailed as "a runaway success". According to the The New York Times not only is the Delhi Metro "scrupulously ...
May 20th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - DFO staying in Moncton, Feds say [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - City stretched [Coast]
N.S. - Five MLAs under Mounties' microscope [Metro]
HRM - HRM tax hike may be avoidable [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
N.S. - Protect the fish [Coast]
N.S. - Strategy, laws needed to protect coastline: EAC [Metro]
N.S. - Protecting Sable Island [Chronicle-Herald]
N.B. - Silent spring [Here]
ST. JOHN'S - Backpedaling on Cycling Plan [Scope]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SHEDIAC - Shediac drive-in rises from the ashes [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Theatre may yet be saved [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Company to create 70 jobs [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. ...
Atlantic Snapshots: That Fredericton Feeling
By The Photographers // No Comments
Fredericton, NB
photo by C Ward, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 21st, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HRM - Committee votes for smaller council [Coast]
HRM - HRM budget deliberations start today [Chronicle-Herald]
P.E.I. - Officials defend $1M price to bring Regis and Kelly to P.E.I. [Globe & Mail]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - City issues challenge with help of Freddy the Nude Dude [Daily Gleaner]
HRM - Group fears transmission line will ruin Cole Harbour Trail [NewsNet]
N.S. - Provincial Parks events kicks off [NewsNet]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Officials almost ready for bridge closure [Daily Gleaner]
N.S. - House sellers square off [Chronicle-Herald]
P.E.I. - Cornwall applies for own transit bus [Guardian]
QUISPAMSIS - Q-Plex beginning to take ...
Events Guide: Grand Opening of the Prospect Road Community Centre
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Community members of the Prospect Road area have been waiting for over 20 years to see a facility built that would fit their needs, and now at long last their wait is over. This June, the doors of the Prospect Road Community Centre will be opened for the first time. Within those doors there will be a full sized gym, a multi-purpose space, a weight and fitness room, a meeting and activity space for local clubs and organizations and an "indoor community street"!
Celebrate this new facility with ...
Now Closed – Saint John Harbour Passage
By Abad Khan // 3 Comments
SAINT JOHN - It's been a mixed bag here in the Port City lately. Tuesday marked the 225th anniversary of the incorporation of Canada's 'original city'; Commercial Properties presented a town clock at the corner of King & Prince William streets, with organizers putting on a gala celebration at Harbour Station marking the beginning of an eight month extravaganza.
The day before the festivities, marked the beginning of $35 million worth of construction work on the Saint John Harbour Bridge. Harbour Passage, the pedestrian route between the North End and West Side of the city and Uptown, is to be effectively closed this summer, autumn & next year (photos here). See you in 2012!
May 22nd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
In the Plateau neighbourhood, recently elected Project Montreal has put forward a new plan to deal with restaurant terraces on area sidewalks. The plan calls for terraces to be moved off of sidewalks and onto the street to improve pedestrian flow. Businesses in the area have taken a number of issues with the plan and threatening to close their terraces all sumer in protest.
Allanah Heffez reports on the sombre mood surrounding cyclists in Quebec following the recent tragic deaths of four cyclists on a rural highway. While silent vigil rides dubbed "tour de silence" are taking part across the province police in Montreal have fallen back on the classic blame the victim approach stepping enforcement on cyclists but not motorists.
Even in Ottawa, its hard to wring money out of 'Ottawa.' Spacing continues to follow the ongoing story the proposed new LRT, this week focusing on the question of federal funding. While many expected a funding announcement to come quickly, the silence from Transport Minister Baird is beginning to make some worried, and could put the whole project in jeopardy.
Ian Capstick opened the next chapter of the CityVote 2010 feature this week. The renewed focus will be on using visual technology to open up a dialogue between the voters, community groups and candidates.
The question of whether or not Toronto is really a world class city has finally been definitively answered. Thursday morning city officials gathered on the Waterfront to unveil Toronto's first public pay toilet, complete with friendly female voice, and soft waterfall music. Nicole McIsaac satisfied her curiosity about the new street furniture with a visit and shares her observations with readers.
Moving on from the disappointing failure of the University Ave bike lanes proposal, cycling advocates were out in front of Queen's Park this week to push for intelligent new safety laws requiring drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing cyclists. The new law could help address the main barrier keeping more people from cycling: safety.
May 24th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Video: HRM Public Works display in Grand Parade [Haligonia]
HRM - Rebranding and refocusing of the BCCA [Bedford Beacon]
FREDERICTON - Incoming chamber president says several initiatives in works [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Council assignments to be shifted [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City, police pushed to make downtown safer [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Brown says he would limit water, sewer increases [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown hires new human resources manager [Guardian]
PEI - Mayors call for province-wide taxi bylaw [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Cleaning up Marsh Creek [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's hatches plan to ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Park Vic
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
Halifax, NS
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 25th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Can Halifax council actually shrink itself? [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - HRM budget gets a little leaner [Metro]
HALIFAX - It's the city's turn to get a couple of pats on the back [Chronicle Herald]
NB - Union officials for N.B. school support staff begin hunger strike [Times & Transcript]
NB - Mandatory school volunteering plan opposed [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Youth services home at capacity, given government funds to help [Daily Gleaner]
DIEPPE - Dieppe council meets tonight [Times & Transcript]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's eyes National Geographic status [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
PEI - Environmental group relies on ...
Commuting snapshots across the Spacing map
By Emily Richardson // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_4765" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Source: Statistics Canada"][/caption]
Despite dramatic differences in population, density, infrastructure, and growth, there is remarkable consistency between commuting patterns in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Halifax, particularly when it comes to travelling by car. And incidentally, when it comes to getting us out of them, we seem to find buses and bike lanes unconvincing. A closer look at our most recent census data raises some surprising – and some predictable – findings about the way we get to work and how preferences change as our cities grow.
May 26th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
DIEPPE - Dieppe passes bilingual sign law [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Clash in court over Citadel Hill's value [Metro]
HALIFAX - Halifax hoping to cash in on Citadel [Chronicle-Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mayor launches re-election bid [Guardian]
P.E.I. - Island Party selects logo [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Mayor suggests Glen Falls residents relocate to avoid flooding [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Ride bus for free on June 2nd [Times & Transcript]
WINDSOR LAKE - Organic farm plan plowed under [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Standards needed for new home inspection [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Artist to build darkroom by river ...
May 27th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
N.S. - Mountainous deception [Coast]
HRM - Federation echoes budget criticism [Metro]
HRM - Tax hike, budget process criticized [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Some Glen Falls residents would sell homes to city [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Cycling frustration [Coast]
CAPE BRETON - Cape Breton to take shot at elm tree disease [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
N.B. - Keep roadsides clear: Tourism official [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Queen Street section won't be one way [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City to buy downtown land for $93K [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Peace Centre clears last hurdle [Times & Transcript]
SAINT ...
Events Guide: Halifax Open Street Party
By Steve Bedard // No Comments
HALIFAX - The Halifax Cycling Coalition and the Halifax Bike Week Planning Committee would like to invite you all to the 2ND ANNUAL HALIFAX OPEN STREET PARTY at the North Commons in Halifax.
This year is slated to be a jaw-dropper! Food, Music (by CKDU), dancing, synchronized cycling, bike fashion shows, a bike rodeo for the kiddies, bike valet parking on behalf of city staff, and possibly some dynamite prizes! So please, pick up your helmet, put on some rollerblades or walking shoes, or pull out your ...
May 28th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
SABLE ISLAND - No concerns over seal cull: Dexter [Metro]
HRM - 83% want smaller regional council, new poll finds [Metro]
HRM - Increasing taxes and fees send wrong message [Chronicle-Herald]
URBAN GREEN
N.B. - Partnership preserves parkland [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - 'Pedal power' gains popularity around Metro [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Communities fighting city over proposed green space sales [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Get on your bike and ride: Coalition [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance [Scope]
SUSSEX - Church decides to help Earth [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro parking metre rates ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Full moon at Fort Amherst
By The Photographers // No Comments
St John's, Newfoundland
photo by dpicsphotos, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
May 29th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As the Place des festivales nears completion, Montrealers are getting a look at one of the most striking new public spaces in Canada. Spacing's Allanah Heffez reviews the new space bringing up both good and bad about the realized version of the square.
Setting the stage for future investments in public space, the council of the Plateau neighbourhood recently announced interesting plans to expand a park in an area lacking in green space by closing off a street that runs beside it. The street has already been closed to car traffic and will be use the space to establish a farmer's market.
David McClelland ponders the future of the Ottawa LRT by talking about the importance of engaging station design. In light of what he calls Ottawa's history of shying away from bold civic architecture, McClelland hopes that the architectural opportunities of the LRT project will not be squandered.
In his weekly column, John Lorinc finds some cause for optimism about the future of Transit City despite cries from the Mayor's Office that the province will not carry through with the plan. Lorinc examines the Mayor's claim that the Eglington line will run from Leaside to Forest Hill and contrasts it against the recent actions of Metrolinx and his forecast for the Province's political future.
In a call to action Hillary Best advocates the idea of 'Complete Streets' as was discussed during a recent conference held by the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation. Best shows that the more we understand the idea of complete streets, the more apparent becomes their necessity to the future vitality of the region.
May 31st, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HRM - HRM water bills could spike: Mayor [CBC]
HRM - HRM travel costs in millions [Metro]
NB - Youth summit to discuss future of N.B. [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - St. John's workers to vote on labour pact [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Cycling Frustration [The Coast]
HALIFAX - 50 kids plant seeds at community plot [Metro]
NS - Saint Mary's River property protected [Chronicle Herald]
NFLD - Iceberg art highlights climate change [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDRICTON - Business group seeks temporary signs [Daily Gleaner]
FREDRICTON - Queen street intersection won't be one way [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Costco ...
Events Guide: Uptown Geo Walk
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
SAINT JOHN - When thinking about heritage buildings we generally think of when they were built and by whom - their social significance etc - all too often we forget about the geoscientific heritage of our buildings. On Tuesday June 1st, the New Brunswick Museum invites you to engage with the geology of the heritage buildings of Saint John.
The Uptown Geo Walk will tour the various buildings featured in the guide Rebuilt in Stone: Geology and the Stone Buildings of Saint John, New Brunswick with its authors, ...
June 1st, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's has $1M surplus [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - City faces deadline crunch [Telegraph Journal]
FREDRICTON - Beaverbrook Art Gallery court dispute delayed [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
NS - New cyclists' coalition pushing Nova Scotia to fund bikeways [Metro]
HALIFAX - It's HRM bike week! Dave Schuhlein of Ideal Bikes [Haligonia]
FREDRICTON - City places moratorium on selling its green space [The Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - HRM Curbside Give Away Weekend [Bedford Beacon]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Controversial St. John's salvage yard to expand [CBC]
PEI - PEI building five new roundabouts [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Supporters ...
Critical Mass Took the Bridge!
By Katie McKay // 3 Comments
photo by Alison Creba
HALIFAX - For many cyclists in the city, the idea of biking over the MacDonald bridge en masse had always been a pipe dream. Last Friday, Critical Mass made it happen. With a mobile PA strapped to the back of a bike trailer, police escorts at either side and a high number of children in attendance, an estimated 200 people rode way across the bridge in a lane usually reserved for car traffic. It was surreal.
Many participants of May's Critical Mass ride expressed a similar concern; that they avoid cycling on the MacDonald bridge because they are either physically unable to do so or are afraid of the bikeway's challenging design. Friday's ride brought cyclists of all skill levels together and strengthened important connections between members of the community, and between Halifax and Dartmouth.
June 2nd, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM spending to be examined [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Porta-pottie cuts could be messy [NewsNet]
SAINT JOHN - 6 firms interested in Peel project, officials say [Telegraph Journal]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Ride bus free today [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - Causeway gates closed for test [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Freddy the Commuter Dude up and running [Daily Gleaner]
PEI - Driver hits pump, causing major gasoline spill [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - City to showcase trail system [Daily Gleaner]
SYDNEY - Rally for harbour dredging planned [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - Fake or real piece of ...
June 3rd, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
FREDERICTON - Mayor warns 2011 city budget will be tough [Daily Gleaner]
PEI - Province getting $4.8M in free advertising from Regis and Kelly [Guardian]
NS - Government use of bottled water restricted [NewsNet]
SAINT JOHN - Planning for the future of the city [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - City promises public meetings on parkland [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Lorincz on Environment [Coast]
HALIFAX - Teams spruce up downtown [Metro]
DEVELOPMENT
SHEDIAC - Shediac to build community centre [Times & Transcript]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - FHS to get accessibility ramp [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Jazz Fest readies last waltz for 'little village' [Metro]
HALIFAX ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Exponential Growth
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Halifax, Nova Scotia
by deanbouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
June 4th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Tory lead over Liberals shrinking: poll [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - MLA seeks passing rule around cyclists [Metro]
HALIFAX - No provincial funding for concerts: Dexter [Metro]
HALIFAX - North End councillor vows to fight roundabout [Chronicle-Herald]
PEI - Liberal support dops in poll [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - 1st landfill in Canada to sell verified carbon credits [Daily Gleaner]
ROTHESAY - Rothesay plans new park [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - City seeks public opinions for dial-a-bus master plan [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Contractor says city is slowing his business [Telegram]
ST. JOHN'S - Class A office space [Scope]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX ...
June 5th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Its election year in a city where both traffic and transit development are gridlocked so mayoral front runner George Smitherman's release of his transportation platform this week inspired critical examination from both John Lorinc and Jonathan Goldsbie. While Lorinc focuses on the political motivations for Smitherman's plan, Goldsbie looks specifically at the cycling initiatives to see if they hold sway, or a merely paying lip service.
On a lighter note, the hording finally came down last weekend on renovations to the historic John Street Roundhouse near the base of the CN Tower. Spacing's Nicole McIsaac visited the new National Railway Heritage Centre built into and around the roundhouse and the public space surrounding it and profiles some its exciting features, including restored steam locomotives, historic buildings and a miniature railroad.
Speculating that Ottawa City council could be a very different place following the next election, Vicky Smallman talks about the advantages of both incumbents and fresh faces to a council. While incumbents don't face a learning curve they can become too narrowly focused on certain issues or particular interest groups as past civic officials in the city have shown.
Spacing contributer and McGill School of Urban Planning researcher, Jacob Larson introduces readers to the issue of integrating cycling into a broader new vision for transportation in North America. Readers are invited to take a survey on multi-modal connections in the Montreal Region.
On the Lower Main, Alanah Heffez showcases an interesting temporary fix for the unsightliness of the buildings awaiting revised redevelopment plans involving a graffiti bomb by thirty different artists organized by the Corporation de développement urbain du Faubourg Saint-Laurent and the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles.
Events Guide: McNabs and Lawlor Islands Beach Cleanup
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Smack dab in the middle of Halifax Harbour there exists a rare ecological ecosystem. The McNabs and Lawlor islands are home to a bounty of flora and fauna that enrich the islands' - both as natural parks and outdoor classrooms.
This Sunday the Friends of McNabs Island Society, is kicking off their summer season by inviting the people of Halifax to help preserve the beauty of these islands with a Beach Clean-Up. They'll be providing transportation to any helpful hands holding gloves and a ...
June 7th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
NOVA SCOTIA - NDP's first year in power marked by little change for Nova Scotia: analysts [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - PM leaves them wanting more [Telegraph Journal]
NOVA SCOTIA - Dexter: we'll open up [Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - N.L. offshore oil board under scrutiny [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
ST. JOHN'S - Keep mine wastes of out ponds: activists [CBC]
P.E.I. - P.E.I. eco projects get federal funds [CBC]
ATLANTIC REGION - Some dairy producers consider going organic [Chronicle Herald]
P.E.I. - New energy option [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Old hotspot may get heritage label [Metro]
BEDFORD - Persepolis Food Market ...
Spacing Radio is back for the summer in shorts
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing Radio is back! For the summer we are changing things up a bit and so over the next few months we're going to give you a lot more to listen to, but in shorter doses. Every time we have a story to tell, we'll post it on the blog and put it out on iTunes. Sometimes you'll get one a day, or a few a week. It's a reflection of the season, when most of us ...
June 8th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Baillie running for Tory Leadership [Chronicle Herald]
ATLANTIC REGION - Fisheries minister suggests summit [Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Petitcodiac River changing faster than expected [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Development coming to Signal Hill:councillor [CBC]
HALIFAX - No third bridge or tunnel [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Wastewater treatment plant on mend [Metro]
MONCTON - Sunny Brae to see more affordable housing [Times & Transcript]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Video: BookCamp 2010 coverage [Haligonia]
FREDRICTON - 'It's just amazing how the community has come together' [Daily Gleaner]
OTHER NEWS
NFLD - Crab jobs should stay: Little Bay Island [CBC]
P.E.I. - Farmers ...
June 9th, 2010
Events Guide: Halifax Central Library Consultation
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - "How will my central library transform our lives, our city?", this is the question that Haligonians are being encouraged to ask themselves and eachother in preparation for the five stage public consultation process that will shape the Halifax Central Library.
The site has been picked, the funding strategy is approved and the architects are ready to go. And go they will. The first place their going to is the public...five times. The first time will be this Thursday at the Dalhousie Student Union ...
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Councillor wants rid of the boot [Times & Transcript]
SYDNEY - Province contributes $15M to harbour dredging [Cape Breton Post]
SAINT JOHN - 'Bridgit' personifies bridge [Telegraph-Journal]
URBAN GREEN
ST. JOHN'S - Ottawa announces environmental funding [Telegram]
SAINT JOHN - Top chef favours local food [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Metro events centre needed: DMCI [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - 'Be careful what you wish for', bicycle route [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Bus terminal would be on park land [Metro]
HALIFAX - Home construction soars in Halifax [Metro]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Bridge closure cut short [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Residents ...
World Wide Wednesday: The World Cup, bike gadgets, and the fastest train in the world
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• The BP oil spill, which continues to wreak havoc on the United States' Gulf Coast, is just one more reminder of the perils ...
June 10th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Events centre need federal funds: premier [Times & Transcript]
NB - People's Alliance Party eyes first election [Daily Gleaner]
NB - New parties not uncommon in NB [Times & Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Park to be sprayed for ticks [Metro]
HALIFAX - Bike lanes on Herring Cove Rd. hit bumps [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NB - Maritime symbols face uncertain future [Daily Gleaner]
NFLD - And the lights go out [Telegram]
NS - Ottawa: Lighthouses 'opportunities' for coastal communities [Chronicle-Herald]
PEI - DFO declares 40 Island lighthouses surplus [Guardian]
HALIFAX - HRM by Design strategy wins national award [Chronicle-Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX ...
Atlantic Snapshots: For What It’s Worth
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
by Number Six (bill lapp), member of the Spacing Atlantic Flickr Pool.
June 11th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Moncton getting close to police decision [Times & Transcript]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NB - Critics blast list of surplus lighthouses [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - DMCI dircetor promotes shuttle idea [Times & Transcript]
NS - Lighthouse rout: No money for heritage [Chronicle-Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Go slow on parking spots [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - St. Leonard's Society to built transitional housing on Gottingen [Coast]
DARTMOUTH - Wilderness terminated [Coast]
HALIFAX - New page for library [Metro]
DARTMOUTH - Construction starts on King's Wharf [Chronicle-Herald]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Group challenges longboarding bylaw [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - More playground for buskers - Spring ...
Events Guide: World Naked Bike Ride
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
Halifax- The World Naked Bike Ride is once again upon us. This Saturday people in hundreds of cities across the Northern Hemisphere will participate in the sixth annual ride celebrating both cycling culture and body image.
Halifax's ride takes off from the bus stop theatre at 2:00pm...but wait, there's more! There will be free body painting by both professional and amateur artists at 1:30 at the theatre for those who wish to look extra special before the ride departs. Check out the Halifax World Naked ...
June 12th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Taxi's can be unique and identifying feature of a city that play an important part in the street-scape. As Montreal moves towards implementing its bylaw allowing advertisements on Taxis, Alanah Heffez reports on efforts to create an attractive design promoting the city. The new bylaw is also inspiring some grumbling amongst taxi drivers who report some cabs with the new signs have been mistake for pizza delivery cars.
Spacing Montreal is inviting readers to take part in its first ever reader survey of favourite parts of the city. Categories focus around civic initiatives, public personalities and hidden corners of the urban fabric.
Spacing editor Sean Micallef generated a great discussion this week about taking the cycling movement to the next level in Toronto. In an appeal to cyclists, Micallef advocates that riders acknowledge the political nature of everything they do and that accordingly they must approaching sharing the roadways as part of a sensible dialogue with drivers. Is there an onus on cyclists to promote better behaviour amongst fellow riders?
Major changes are coming to Toronto's iconic St Lawrence Market as the winning design was announced this week for the redevelopment of the 1960's era north market building. Spacing's Nicole McIssac covers the announcement and showcases the exciting new plan.
Evan Thornton covers two aspects of the city's recently announced plans for the Centretown neighbourhood. In the first piece Thornton decries the city's decision to widen Bronson Avenue, a critical artery in the neighbourhood and already a barrier to pedestrians. On the other hand, Thornton commends the plan's efforts to target surface parking lots, which are not only unsightly, but also damaging holes in the urban fabric.
Continuing the question of transit funding for the Ottawa LRT plan, Peter Raaymakers covers the recent announcement by the Feds to contribute $600 million to the project. While the funding announcement brings some surety to the plan, the real waiting game of working out the details and determining how the city will contribute its share has begun.
June 14th, 2010
Monday Musing
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 7 Comments
co-hosted by Veronica Simmonds If coffee doesn't quite spark your brain on Monday mornings, get your jump start with Spacing Atlantic's musing of the week. We pose a question - you think, write, comment, share philosophies, facts, ideas or opinions. By Friday we will summarize the discussion and provide musings of our own. Don't be shy! Comment away ..
A Convention Centre is proposed to fill a void in the vibrant heart of downtown Halifax. What do you think is the best use of this land?
...
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Parties to meet on committee [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Shea meets Jackman, McCurdy in St. John's to talk about fisheries MOU [Telegram]
FREDERICTON - City to pick new sports field tender [Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown mayoral candidate announces campaign priorities [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Could something be rotten in St. John's? [Telegram]
URBAN GREEN
P.E.I. - Summerside solar panel plant put on ice [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Roundabout resistance [Metro]
HALIFAX - N.S. Sportsplex to get federal cash [CBC]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Naked Halifax cyclists promote bicycling [CBC]
HALIFAX - Haligonians get to the Greek [Metro]
CAPE BRETON - ...
June 15th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
CAPE BRETON - Shrink CRBM council: report [CBC]
HALIFAX - MPs approve national museum status for Pier 21 [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Kicking in for soccer expansion [Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - Liberals promise drug plan for all [Times Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Sewage dumping in Saint John harbour critized [CBC]
SYDNEY - Province seeks input on renewable energy [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX -$3M for indoor soccer field [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Concert site approved, condo rejected [CBC]
HALIFAX - Salter Block project extension requested [CBC]
MONCTON - Porter airlines ready to serve Metro [Time Transcript]
COMMUNITY
CHARLOTTETOWN - ...
Biking on the edge of a Rock: Cycling in St John’s – Pt 1
By Andrew Harvey // 3 Comments
[caption id="attachment_5104" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Bikes on Water St."][/caption]
In Newfoundland people have always managed to flourish despite a harsh climate and rough terrain. Cyclists in St. John’s especially so. St. John’s is a city perched on the side of a hill, founded hundreds of years ago, with modern streets usually evolving from cart paths. Luxurious wide paved shoulders which can safely accommodate bikers or bike lanes are confined to newer peripheries of the city, or the planned streets of neighbors such as Mount Pearl. Cyclists also combat (quite literally some ...
June 16th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - Gov't proposing energy reforms [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - City to reconsider taking cash over land [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - No new roundabout for North End [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Take music elsewhere, counsellor tells city [Guardian]
URBAN GREEN
ATLANTIC - Environment ministers discuss pesticide ban [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Landlord turns to wind [Chronicle-Herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Roadwork season is here [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Downtown to lose 41 parking spaces [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - 'You don't legislate art' [Chronicle-Herald]
TRURO - Truro streets getting makeovers [Truro Daily News]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax advised to adopt big-ticket ...
June 17th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
NB - NBers disconnected from politics: Alward [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - HRM, province meet about bus terminal [Chronicle-Herald]
CAPE BRETON - CBRM council rejects downsizing report [Cape Breton Post]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - New Riverkeeper wants causeway removed [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Roundabout opening to traffic next week [Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Learning from the locals [Here]
SAINT JOHN - Marigold magic returns to Main Street [Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Book club [Coast]
BEDFORD - Waterfront plan revealed [Metro]
PEI - Cornwall names sports complex after Terry Fox [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City to establish long-term plan for transit system ...
Tell a Better Downtown Story
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - The Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) recently launched a promotional campaign to "tell a better story" about your experiences downtown - that is, after you get out of your office/home/car to take advantage of the fun factory that our downtown can be. One ad tells the story of the great food I ate, the park I sat in, and the conversations I had during my lunch break - rather than "I ate at my desk today".
This positive approach piqued my interest, got me thinking about the downtown story I tell, and ultimately lured me to their annual general meeting last Wednesday evening. As I arrived Paul MacKinnon, Executive Director of DHBC, was delivering an entertaining tongue-in-cheek presentation on people's perceptions of the downtown, informed by their annual survey.
Overwhelmingly (yet not surprisingly) parking shortages emerged as the hot issue. I had to surpress myself as the city-design-geek in me physically cringed. Considering the plethora of challenges and opportunities we Haligonians could speak up about - why does parking always take centre stage? What a dull story: "I tried to go downtown but there wasn't enough pavement to sit my big auto on for an hour or two, so I didn't go."
June 18th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Peter Richard // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Moncton policing deadline looms [Times & Transcript]
NS - Province creates new position in attempt to draw federal funding [Metro]
ATLANTIC - Acadian bus lines granted fare increases [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Businessman says politicians should discuss amalgamation [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DIEPPE - Dieppe making changes to bicycle by-laws [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN- City to establish long-term plan for transit system [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Moncton tops realty markets [Times & Transcript]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Wildcat fans hope city, team reach deal [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Grants pledged for HRM groups [Metro]
HALIFAX - Screenings set for ...
Herring Cove Road Redesign
By Steve Bedard // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Something brilliant might be coming to the Spryfield area this summer. City staff have been working diligently on a new street design concept for Herring Cove Road. This new plan would include a street diet --much akin to what is going on in Toronto-- to make space for bike lanes in the area. Therefore, Spryfield residents will see Herring Cove Road drop from its typical five lane cross-section to three, with two brand new bike lanes. Additionally, boulevards are also being installed as medians along the road to offer pedestrians refuge when crossing the proposed three lane street.
This is definitely going to be a big step up for the community. Presently many cyclists and non-cyclists alike are dismayed as the five lane road (more akin to an ocean of asphalt) kicks up dust and sand in the air and encourages motorists to exceed posted speed limits when heading through the area. Furthermore, the inbound shoulder of the road is reminiscent of a potholed WW2 no-mans-land, making cycling in the area difficult for even the best of riders, and unthinkable to novice riders or those considering using the bicycle to commute to work over the summer.
The commercial sector and developers are bound to see a boost in business as well. Neighbourhood studies out of Toronto and New York indicate pedestrians and cyclists account for up to 90% of patronization in local stores and shops. GPI Atlantic also indicates that neighbourhoods with increased transportation diversity encourage more commercial and residential interest in communities. Don't think people cycle enough in Herring Cove to warrant such optimism? GPI Atlantic continues to indicate that as active transportation infrastructure is installed, a 10-30% decrease in local motorized transportation is typically observable.
June 19th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As debate continues about the future of Lansdowne Park, Marie-Judith Jean-Marie presents a photo history of the site over the last centure. Comparing its evolution with how other places have changed paints a picture of an area that has been allowed to wither away in decline.
Spacing's Ian Capstick looks at the state of this year's municipal election and wonders what will have to happen for the race to really get started. Claiming that the race thus far has lacked a narrative, Captsick speculates what will happen as the intentions of more incumbents becomes clear.
Citizens targeted by a CP Rail security blitz on a well trafficked informal rail crossing between the Mile End and Petite Patrie neighbourhoods are fighting back with a protest and petition. While the petition is calling for a formalized level crossing in the area, many are content with the status quo, minus the $150 fines.
In the year 2000 the Quebec Government tasked the municipalities of Greater Montreal to create a coherent land-use strategy for the region, a project that sat in stalemate throughout the decade. In a new bill passed recently, the Province has sought compromise by lowering expectations and extending the deadline further. Alanah Heffez discusses the troubles and promises of the new move.
John Lorinc used his column this week to explore a different aspect of the transit question. Focusing on the issue of Car Sharing, Lorinc criticizes Toronto's sluggish progress thus far. He also illustrates the improvements that candidates should be promising to bring Toronto in line with other North American cities and recognize car sharing as the cost-effective transportation solution that it is.
Spacing editor Shawn Micallef launched a new feature this week profiling the work of students from his third year class at the Ontario College of Art and Design. By posting the work on Spacing, Micallef hopes that Spacing readers will challenge the student's and put their ideas to the test.
June 20th, 2010
Events Guide: CITY REPAIR at Dalhousie School of Architecture
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
WHAT: Michael Cook of CITY REPAIR from Portland, Oregon will speak on the Magic of Placemaking: the Art of reclaiming urban spaces to create community-oriented places.
WHEN: Monday, June 21st at 7pm
WHERE: Dalhousie School of Architecture (room H19) 5410 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Michael will share the story of City Repair's radical and enchanting beginnings: how a journey into the indigenous cultures of the world sparked the creation of a guerrilla tea house, the transformation of a street intersection into a village commons, and a culture of neighborhood placemakers ...
June 21st, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
P.E.I. - First Nation re-elects Chief [CBC]
HALIFAX - Council eyes raising extra funds by boosting costs for cemetery plots [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - City to debate who pays for water/sewer upgrades [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Fix St. John's crosswalks: safety group [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
BEDFORD - Bedford Waterfront 'Questions and Comments' Summary [Bedford Beacon]
FREDERICTON - City can't halt road improvement projects [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - The intensity is just too much [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Kill Mackay project: court [Telegraph Journal]
COMMUNITY
MONCTON - Local pedestrians ignoring the rules of the road? [Times & Transcript]
MONCTON - ...
Monday Musing
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 9 Comments
co-hosted by Veronica Simmonds
If coffee doesn't quite spark your brain on Mondays, get your juices flowing with Spacing Atlantic's musing of the week. We pose a question - you think, write, comment, share philosophies, facts, ideas or opinions. We will summarize the discussion and provide musings of our own. Don't be shy! Comment away ..
Downtown Halifax has abundance of empty storefronts & spaces. How might we better use this space while it awaits development or more permanent occupancy?
photo by Hugh Pouliot
June 22nd, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
N.B. - $48M for housing strategy [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City council votes to study red-light cameras [Daily Gleaner]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Moncton pressured for bilingual sign bylaw [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Buyer found for Charlottetown Federal building [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Capital's first roundabout opens Wednesday [Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
P.E.I. - Summerside installing outdoor gym [CBC]
HALIFAX - Putting an end to icetime imbalances [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Site of Holland College's West Prince campus unveiled [Guardian]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Students seeks further support for First Nations University [Metro]
HALIFAX - Video: CFS calls for First Nations University Funding [Haligonia]
FREDERICTON - What happens ...
Have your say, Halifax! …Or don’t. Whatever.
By Emily Richardson // No Comments
Photo by John McCarthy, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
HALIFAX - Voter apathy and low turnout are not uniquely Haligonian challenges. We are mired in a democracy-crippling race to the bottom, with the federal election in 2008 reaching record-low turnout at 59.1%. In the province’s summer-2009 election, so eagerly anticipated and vigorously discussed, voter turnout was another record low for the province: 57.95%. Turnout of two in three people, however, would be a victory for HRM’s municipal elections. During the 2008 election, the result of which shaped HRM's current council, only one in three of us rocked the vote, and the sitting council was elected by a measly turnout of 36.3%.
In the past month, the results of two surveys on council size and performance have been released. The first finds a fairly even split between those who are satisfied and dissatisfied with council (if 1 to 5 is dissatisfied, and 6 to 10 satisfied), with a majority indicating dissatisfaction with the Mayor, and 56% preferring a reduction in council size. The second finds that 83% of Haligonians prefer a smaller council, and of those, 62% prefer a council of 15 or fewer councillors.
The results of the first survey are misleading. The same questionnaire found that 81% of respondents voted in the last election; compare that number with the 36.3% of registered voters who actually voted. These results suggest one of two cases: either respondents claimed they voted when they didn’t or they don’t comprise a random sample of Haligonians.
Biking on the edge of a Rock: Cycling in St. John’s – Part 2
By Andrew Harvey // 1 Comment
[caption id="attachment_5178" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photo by Andrew Harvey"][/caption]
Anyone who has visited Newfoundland will tell you that it is the people that make Newfoundland as amazing as it is. When it comes to cycling in St. John’s, the folks at ordinary spokes are part of what makes cycling in Newfoundland as amazing as it is.
Ordinary Spokes is a volunteer operated community cycling organization based in St. John’s. The started operating in November 2009, and opened the doors to their bike repair shop in January ...
June 23rd, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
N.S. - Liberals win 2 N.S. byelections [CBC]
HALIFAX - City staff look into loudness levels of Commons concerts [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Committee cooperation now on the agenda [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Council hikes costs for burial, cremation plots [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
N.B. - Precious N.B. marshland saved [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Halifax beaches to reopen after sewage woes [CBC]
N.S. - N.S. establishes demonstration forest to promote best practices [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Climate change and small harbours studied [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Moncton polls businesses on bilingual signs [CBC]
HALIFAX - Crumbling school called an affront to ...
World Wide Wednesday: Flip bridges, sewer diving, and the death of starchitecture
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• In Hong Kong they drive on the left side of the road, in mainland China on the right. This simple difference creates an complicated engineering dilemma. How do you ...
June 24th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
P.E.I. - P.E.I Supreme court OK's male-only job ads [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax names Mi'kmaq school board rep [CBC]
NFLD - Liberals propose heckling ban [CBC]
HALIFAX - MacDonald to serve on offshore board [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Accounts comittee to remain at impasse [Metro]
FREDERICTON - Leave N.B. Power alone: Expert [Telegraph Journal]
URBAN GREEN
N.S. - Province annouces cash for green buildings [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Nature Conservacy secures land rich with scarce cedar [Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown drivers shift to roundabout [CBC]
HALIFAX - Not quite with the flow [Chronicle Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Business, mayor: New Convention ...
June 25th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - CSIS remarks 'very disturbing', says premier [Metro]
HALIFAX - British PM makes pit stop in Halifax [Metro]
HALIFAX - Haligonians resist G8/G20 in Toronto [Halifax Media Co-op]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Piping plover habitat to be protect in N.S. [CBC]
NFLD & LABRADOR - Labrador girl, 11, fed up with fast food trash [CBC]
N.B. - Tidal power still has a future in N.B.: Keir [CBC]
HALIFAX - Johnstons Pond to be protected coast [Metro]
N.B. - New fleet of diesel buses for 2010-11 [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax sewage treatment plant back online [CBC]
St. JOHN'S - ...
June 28th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
P.E.I. - Imported beef levy joined by P.E.I. [CBC]
HALIFAX - Merchant: 2% tax hike going to hurt [Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Record sitting? [Telegram]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Acadian Lines' rural bus line cuts quashed [CBC]
HALIFAX - Traffic restrictions during Queen's visit [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Chamber wants action on new convention centre [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John officials hope new municipal plan will help city deal with declining population [Telegraph Journal]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Beach demonstrators join hands against oil [CBC]
HALIFAX - Queen set to arrive in Halifax [CBC]
MONCTON - Moncton block party promotes ...
June 29th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
N.S. - N.S. to deregulate gas coupons [CBC]
N.S. - Province accepts advice on gas regulation [Metro]
HALIFAX - Darell Dextor approved moving Bridge Terminal to Dartmouth Common land in 1995 [Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Sewage plant misses spring deadline for being fully operational [Coast]
FREDERICTON - Centre to 'trim repair time, improve service' [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John raised concerns over highway widening [CBC]
P.E.I. - No flowers for provincial roundabouts [CBC]
HALIFAX - Reports on proposed convention centre positive [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Street closure to start soon [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Video: Visions ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Peeping Toms in St John’s
By The Photographers // No Comments
St John's, Newfoundland
photo by T_Bomb, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
June 30th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Committee to scrutinize government loans to businesses [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
FREDERICTON - Vehicle emissions targeted [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - Digby Ferry 'critical' to fishery: report [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Face lift for George [Telegram]
FREDERICTON - Cafe seeks permanent home in arts centre [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Graham presses for answer on bridge funding [Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
N.B. - Areva, N.B. discuss 2nd nuclear reactor [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Irving Oil cancels biodiesel project [CBC]
P.E.I. - Summerside, P.E.I., health-care firm to relocate [CBC]
FREDERICTON - 45 high-paying jobs to land in capital [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON ...
Monday Mused..monthly
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
co-hosted by Rachel Caroline Derrah
If coffee doesn't quite spark your brain on Mondays, get your juices flowing with Spacing Atlantic's musing of the week. We pose a question - you think, write, comment, share philosophies, facts, ideas or opinions. We will summarize the discussion and provide musings of our own. Don't be shy! Comment away ..
This past month we were musing. We were musing about space, or more specifically Haligonian space that is currently un or under used. Questions were posed about the potential usage of the chronicle herald's empty lot aswell as the vacant storefronts just around the corner on Bare-ington St. The comments/answers/suggestions and further questions that came from our initial questions led to a general consensus: That which is empty is begging to be filled.
Exactly what the filling could feel like is still up for debate but some progress was made. With regards to both spaces there was a call for opening up a discourse (not unlike this one) where the people of the city could share their ideas with eachother and with the designers/engineers/landowners/decision makers who often seem out of ear shot. With regards to the Chronicle Herald lot and the Convention Centre that is proposed to fill it, Robert Ruggiero suggested that the WTCC consider following the example of the Central Public Library by hosting comprehensive public consultation sessions with regards to their design plans. In a similar vein, Allison suggested that the barren storefronts be used as forums where the Haligonian people could share their ideas about potential uses of the street with eachother.
World Wide Wednesday: Transit maps, subway stations, and monorails
By Kat Snukal // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We'll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• Should private corporations be allowed to purchase the naming rights of public subway stations? The Transit Politic Blog muses on the answer as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation ...
July 1st, 2010
Our Paths Meet on the Common
By Katie McKay // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - On any given day, the Halifax Common is an open public space where people overlap. A place where our paths intersect. Last weekend the Common served that same function, but on a much greater scale. Mawio'mi Grand Chief Membertou 400 brought together over 6,000 people - including many Aboriginals from across Canada who travelled great distances to participate in the ceremonies. It was the largest powwow that had ever taken place in Atlantic Canada.
]
The 4 day-long event included drumming and dancing competitions, a free Buffy Sainte-Marie concert, knowledge sharing, free food and the temporary installation of over 15 wigwams throughout the park. There were also a number of people who camped with their families on the North Common.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Mini tent-city on the Common!"][/caption]
July 2nd, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - No Harbour for War [Halifax Media Co-op]
SAINT JOHN - Bridge battle of words continues [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax bridge construction snarls traffic [CBC]
HALIFAX - Bookstore bites the dust [Metro]
FREDERICTON - Bridge repairs enter critical phase Monday [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - Playing a waiting game [Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John bridge funding dispute continues [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Community College near completion [Daily Gleaner]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Halifax turns out to celebrate Canada's birthday [Metro]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton shows its Canadian pride [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Uptown packed to celebrate Canada's 143rd ...
Art, Ecology, Education in your North End Neighbourhood this Summer
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
Photo by Clara Stewart-Robertson & Jennifer Pritchard
HALIFAX - "North End neighbours and all Haligonians alike - look out!" proclaims Ecology Action Centre's Community Environmental Educator, Kristen Rae Finley. That is, look out for the Neighbourhood Earth project launching this summer. Using art as a medium to learn about our landscape and urban ecology, Neighbourhood Earth is a free education program with a community focus. Initiated by the EAC’s Diversity Committee, this program hopes to grow ...
July 3rd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Evan Thornton summarizes both sides of the debate surrounding the recently approved redevelopment plans in Landsdowne Park. While many remain split on the merits of the plan, there is concern about the process used and how the vote reflects on the urban/suburban divide.
Dwight Williams introduces an interesting proposal to integrate the transit and Landsdowne redevelopment achievements of City Hall into a new transit proposal that offers to service the Landsdowne site while integrating into the city's existing transit plans.
Alanah Heffez talks to skateboarders in Montreal's Peace park about their perspective on the uses of public space and the failure of the city to address the needs of a significant and active community.
Devin Alfaro talks about famous urban thinker Jane Jacob's lesser publicized opinions on the issue of Quebec sovereignty. Contrary to what you may expect, Jacobs considered sovereignty a practical idea when viewed objectively.
As politicians continue to ignore demands for an independent inquiry into the failures of the police at last weekend's G20 Summit, Spacing played host to a number of attempts to bring some sense about how the legacy of the G20 weekend will forever change Toronto. Jonathon Goldsbie is scathingly critical of Mayor Miller's complicit response. Matt Blackett discussed the most important questions to be asking in the wake of the incidents. Dale Duncan reflects on the need to question police tactics on large event crowd control. Emma Feltes talks about how police used features of the public space against the populace.
In the immediate aftermath of the weekend, Spacing also featured excellent reports and unique perspectives on what happened on the city's streets. Matt Blackett highlights some of the most powerful footage of the protests while Nicole McIsaac shared observations from a weekend amongst the protests, and reported on the mood of the street following the weekend.
Events Guide: An experience for one person in a public space
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - How do you feel about time and space? What about place? If your interested in taking 45 minutes to reassess your relation to these then you are in for a treat. This month Dustin Scott Harvey, Robert Plowman, Brian Riley, Andrea Dymond and Rae Brown of Secret Theatre are offering you the starring role in a play performed between your ears. "The Common: For As Long As You Have So Far" is a site-specific experience for one person in a public space.
Starting at the fountain in the ...
July 5th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Bike lanes suggested for Herring Cove Road [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John bridge funding dispute continues [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax harbour water still worries swimmers [CBC]
HALIFAX - Mayor set to test waters with dip in the harbour [Metro]
MONCTON - CGI group sets up in Moncton [Times Transcript]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - New Moncton coliseum deal closer: mayor [CBC]
HALIFAX - Capital Ideas for downtown [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - New condo proposed [Telegram]
N.B. - Alward urges caution on Lepreau front [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Areva deal close: Keir [Telegraph Journal]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Multicultural ...
Herring Cove Road hits a speedbump
By Steve Bedard // 5 Comments
[caption id="attachment_5415" align="alignnone" width="395" caption="This could be how Herring Cove Road might look after proposed changes are made."][/caption]
HALIFAX - Over the past two months, a special road project has been working its way through City Council — a road project that would see our active transportation network expanded by nearly one kilometre. Although this doesn't seem like much, due to its proximity to schools, recreation centres, a bustling commercial district and residential neighbourhoods, this new AT corridor might be the most practical application of a bike lane that HRM has seen.
As stated in a previous article, encouraging active transportation by installing more tangible infrastructure has numerous health, social and economic benefits. Despite all these factors, the Spryfield & District Business Commission has stood against the removal of car lanes in favour of bike lanes, citing anecdotal fears about losses to business.
July 6th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Japanese knotweed invades Halifax park [CBC]
NFLD - Arnold's Cove fish plant going green [CBC]
HALIFAX - Spryfield bike lines debated [Metro]
N.B. - Province to address the changing face of farming [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Bridge authority applies for toll increase [CBC]
HALIFAX - Wanderer's Club may face wrecking ball [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Law office likely to occupy Church building [Telegraph Journal]
MONCTON - Panago Pizza opens in Moncton [Business Journal]
FREDERICTON - New residence for seniors opens [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - Fredericton drivers cope with bridge closure [CBC]
HALIFAX - Meeting to consider ...
Monday Musing
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 2 Comments
co-hosted by Veronica Simmonds
If coffee doesn't quite spark your brain on Mondays, get your juices flowing with Spacing Atlantic's musing of the week. We pose a question - you think, write, comment, share philosophies, facts, ideas or opinions. We will summarize the discussion and provide musings of our own. Don't be shy! Comment away ..
Were you first in line to see the Queen while she was in Halifax? Did you stay at home in protest? Did you dress up as her and parade in your own beautiful hat? Were you indifferent? ...
July 7th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
CITY HALL
HALIFAX - Council puts brakes on bike lanes [Metro News]
SAINT JOHN - City lawyers look at move by Rothesay [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - Changing demographics will be the focus of meeting in Fredericton [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Council set to deal with downtown development [Metro News]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Riverview housing development grows [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Convention centre on track - director [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. - Memramcook studying bilingual signage policy [Times & Transcript]
TRANSPORTATION
N.B. - Traffic down to one lane each way on Paul Street, Dieppe [Times & Transcript]
FREDERICTON - Officials say traffic ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Morning Commute
By The Photographers // 2 Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot (Seeing Is), member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
July 8th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
TRANSPORTATION
MONCTON - Woman struck at intersection[Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Herring Cove Road bike lanes nixed by Halifax council [The Coast]
N.B. - Miramichi council gives road revamp green light [Times & Transript]
HALIFAX - No bridge toll relief for Metro Transit [the Coast]
CITY HALL
FREDERICTON - Hearing of objections planned [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - City alters meeting schedule again [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. - Making way for condo project [Telegraph Journal]
July 9th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // 2 Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - English's departure to be costly for HRM [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - HRM on lookout for new CAO [Metro]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Killen still pushing for bike lanes on viaduct [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
N.B. - N.B. First Nation hopeful over dam's removal [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Condo complex too close to home: neighbours [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Areva, N.B. reveal nuclear plans [CBC]
P.E.I. - Works starts on P.E.I.'s first autism centre [CBC]
HALIFAX - Public share ideas for new library [CBC]
COMMUNITY
ST. JOHN'S - Pleasantville overhaul before council [CBC]
OTHER NEWS
P.E.I. - Offshore well ...
July 10th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Recalling the beloved phenomenon of the "take someth'n, leave someth'n" Swap Boxes that began appearing across Ottawa a few years ago, Spacing interviews the creator of the guerrilla art project to discover the inspirations and motivations behind the unique and inspiring idea.
Nine years into what was supposed to be a test project of light rail in Ottawa, Spacing's Evan Thornton looks at the role the O-Train has come to play both in the practical functioning and collective imagination of the city. As the service begins a five week hiatus for maintenance, Thornton wonders what will become the new norm for the route's 10,000 daily riders.
Despite being a wonderfully vibrant and lively area at all times of day, Downtown Montreal is a place lacking in the sense of community amongst its residents found in many other parts of the city. Devin Alfaro reports on the Quartier en mouvement street festival, a coordinated effort to change the change the situation by hosting a block party on a closed off street during select days in July.
Results are now being posted for the Montreal Top Spots Survey which asked Spacing readers about their favourite things in Montreal. This week Spacing published the results for the best of the city and for best of municipal politics.
While the year 2010 hasn't left us with the moon bases we were once promised, at least we are finally starting to make progress on Jetson's style Personal Rapid Transit. Adrian Lightstone continues the Ideas For Toronto series by looking at a PRT pilot project which is about to begin in Stockholm, Sweden and points to how the transit mode could become an efficient and feasible feeder for higher orders of transit. It all begs the question of where this could work in Canadian cities.
As Toronto moves forward from the G20 summit, tempers and emotions are cooling enough so that practical questions can move to the forefront. In his weekly column, John Lorinc creates a list of 1o questions a G20 inquiry should address. With his characteristic pragmatism, Lorinc focuses on issues of how the police policy was established, who was behind it, and what grounds it was established.
July 12th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
CHARLOTTETOWN - City Mayoral candidates support donation disclosure, in theory [CBC]
HALIFAX - G20 policing protested at Halifax rally [CBC]
HALIFAX - Mum's the word on English's retiring ways [Chronicle Herald]
N.B. - People's Alliance opposes 2nd nuclear plant [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Provincial authorities refuse to intervene in wilderness debate [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Urban farm shows Spryfield's agricultural roots [Metro]
HALIFAX - N.S. eyes better grid [Telegraph Journal]
TRANSPORTATION
SAINT JOHN'S - First new ferries expected by fall [Telegram]
SAINT JOHN'S - System rolling along better [Telegram]
DEVELOPMENT
SYDNEY - Funding needed to build new Sydney library [CBC]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - ...
July 13th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown looks to tax transient traders [CBC]
MONCTON - Protest targets bilingualism proposal [Times Transcript]
URBAN GREEN
N.L. - N.L. the worst recycler in Canada: StatsCan [CBC]
ATLANTIC REGION - Clean-energy pledge falls short [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - New emissions rules may hurt cruise biz [Metro]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Video Visions of Halifax: Paul MacKinnon [Haligonia]
HALIFAX - Public Housing Goes Private [Halifax Media Co-op]
FREDERICTON - Hilton projects gets green light [Daily Gleaner]
N.B. - U.S. support for Lepreau 2 [Telegraph Journal]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Saint Mary's student count Crystal Crescent's critters [Metro]
HALIFAX - Archive Zine Archive ...
Anchor Zine Archive in the Roberts Street Social Centre celebrates five prolific years
By Heather Watts // No Comments
This article is kindly cross-posted from the Halifax Media Co-op. Check out the original, including full photo set.
HALIFAX - The Roberts Street Social Centre is here for you. It's true.
The little red shingled house near the corner of Roberts and James has quietly been there for anyone with something to say the long way for five years now. There's a big old tree right in front dripping rain, that over the years has nearly rotted through the front stoop; but, walking in, you either know or trust you won't go through, because someone who cares is on it somehow.
You have come to the hard-working, paper-filled, organized and pieced-together, meticulously catalogued to the extent that is overall sensible, tiny and big, maybe sometimes too warm and too cold, Anchor Zine Archive.
The Archive is a non-profit organization run by its members — a place of daring inclusion and acceptance. If you are not here for hate, and more than kind of dig old-timey graphic communication, well, you are welcome. And while you're here, sign up for some satisfying chores, what the hell.
July 14th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - Moncton council passes Wildcats deal [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Ambulance response too slow, says councillor [CBC]
HALIFAX - NDP asked to intervene in power rate hike [Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Council decides tonight [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John Co-op Atlantic store faces closure [CBC]
FREDERICTON - City lands high-tech company [Daily Gleaner]
FREDERICTON - We all knew it had to come down [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
FREDERICTON - 11-storey Fredericton hotel concerns residents [CBC]
HALIFAX - Publicity for new library costing about $40,000 [Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - Sports complex gets $2.5 million dollars from the provincial ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Gantry
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
July 15th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Mayor issues last call to city councillors [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Halifax mayor warns council about alcohol [CBC]
HALIFAX - Memo not generic: Councillor [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Police HQ pact awarded [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Council made right decision: mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - A bridge too far for summer motorists [Metro]
MONCTON - Moncton sewers get interim fix [CBC]
MONCTON - Facilities ready to host World Junior Championships [Times & Transcript]
TRANSPORT
MONCTON - Moncton trail system continues expansion [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Sidewalk cyclists warned by Charlottetown police [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - ...
July 16th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
NS - Treasure hunters will skirt new law [CBC]
MONCTON - Metro centre funds likely: Flaherty [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Business against tax rate hike [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Flaherty hopeful province will accept reasonable bridge offer [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Peep Plaza gets green light [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Council made right decision: mayor [Telegraph-Journal]
HRM MEMO CONTROVERSY
HALIFAX - Drinking memo isn't politics: Halifax mayor [CBC]
HALIFAX - Substance abuse policy for council? [Metro]
HALIFAX - Blowback from memo continues [Metro]
HALIFAX - Kelly took councillor's keys [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Memo to councillors: Peter Kelly is right [Chronicle ...
Events Guide: McNabs Island Picnic
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - Last month we at Spacing Atlantic were urging our Halifax readers to get out to McNabs Island to help with their annual clean-up. Now the time has come to reap the benefits of that enjoyable toil. This Saturday the Friends of McNabs Island Society are inviting you to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a magical island picnic*.
Since 1990 the Society has been dedicated to promoting McNabs, Lawlor and Devils Islands as parklands and in 2002 their ...
July 19th, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
MONCTON - PM to attend opening ceremony tonight [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Weston unsure when projects will be approved [Telegraph Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Council has to ratchet back spending [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Coast Guard, DFO to remain in Charlottetown [Guardian]
ST JOHN'S - Bike Plan Petitions: Hear the CBC Morning Show interviews [Scope]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John neighbourhood asked to move [CBC]
ST JOHN'S - Thinking beyond The Overpass [Telegram]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Giant hogweed 'tip of the iceberg' [Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - It's easy to go green and see the sights in Fredericton [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT ...
Peel Plaza blues
By Abad Khan // 2 Comments
SAINT JOHN - Last Wednesday evening will prove to be a watershed for uptown development. Common Council voted 8-3 to award a $ 20.6-million tender to build a new police headquarters in the historic city centre district.
What else could bring people back from the suburbs and encourage more visitors to the city?
Events Guide: Reel Downtown 2010
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST JOHN'S - If you have ever walked down Solomon's Lane in St. John's, past the illustrious Ship Pub, you would have seen a massive blank wall to the office building, on the other side of a parking lot. The area has high traffic, being located in betwen Water Street and Duckworth Street, in the heart of downtown. You may have thought, as I did "that would be a great place for a mural".
The Nickle Independent Film Festival has ...
From the Vaults: Halifax Transportation
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
HALIFAX - In July 1750, the early settlers of Halifax were ordered to clear the streets in front of their respective lots. However, as T.B. Akins noted in his History of Halifax City, as late as 1780 the main thoroughfares were still in rough condition, while less-travelled streets were impassable to carriages, due to protruding tree stumps and rocks. Between 1820 and 1824, street commissioners were appointed for the city and they began gradually to macadamize ('pave') the streets.
"Manager James Adams and most of conductors, drivers, etc., with two open (summer) Horse Cars, Halifax Street Railway Co., in front of the Company's Car Barn, Halifax, NS", ca. 1894
Monday Musing
By Veronica Simmonds // 5 Comments
co-hosted by Rachel Caroline Derrah
If coffee doesn't quite spark your brain on Mondays, get your juices flowing with Spacing Atlantic's musing of the week. We pose a question - you think, write, comment, share philosophies, facts, ideas or opinions. We will summarize the discussion and provide musings of our own. Don't be shy! Comment away ..
Do you live or work on a Metro Transit route that is facing service reduction? How do you think this will effect you and your community?
Photo ...
July 20th, 2010
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Province to decide on centre bid [Metro]
REGION - Lobby group eyes Halifax office [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - Others should pay more [Telegraph-Journal]
SAINT JOHN - New police station will be more efficient: official [Telegraph-Journal]
ST JOHN'S - Province, feds announce $762,000 for housing [Telegram]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City awaits big news coming this afternoon [Guardian]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Keeping coast guard, DFO in Charlottetown 'makes sense': Lee [Guardian]
ENERGY DEAL
REGION - N.B., N.S. energy co-operation welcomed [CBC]
REGION - N.B., N.S. pitch regional energy measures [CBC]
REGION - N.B., N.S. to sign power deal [Daily Gleaner]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - ...
PODCAST: Listen to Spacing’s 5-part series on G20
By Spacing Atlantic // 2 Comments
It has been over three weeks since the G20 Summit left Toronto but the actions of protesters and police are still lingering.
Spacing Radio's podcast team was on the streets during the tumultuous weekend recording sounds and reactions to the ongoing events. Our contributors have also sat down politicians, journalists, and human rights advocates to discuss the complex issues of policing and protesting an international summit. You can also read the posts by Spacing Toronto's writers for more analysis of the summit.
Take the time to listen to our 5-part series and ...
July 21st, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Halifax port welcomes Montreal lockout traffic [CBC]
FREDERICTON - N.B. civil servants get $3M in bonus money [Telegraph-Journal]
ENERGY DEAL
N.B. - New power line route explored by N.B., N.S. [CBC]
N.B. - Quebec, N.B. strike 4.8B deal for NB power [CBC]
N.B. - N.B., N.S. energy co-operation to expand [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - $17.5M convention centre for Charlottetown [CBC]
P.E.I. - Acadian rink wins $25,000 to rebuild [CBC]
SYDNEY - Protective cap sought for Sydney tar ponds [CBC]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Bus routes for Halifax seniors to be cut [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Bikers, walkers take over [Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON ...
World Wide Wednesday: The US edition (plus parking)
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
• The hull of ship from the 1700s was found last week at the World Trade Centre site in Manhattan, reports CNN. Archaeologists suspect that the ship was sunk to retain and add precious land area to the island.
• Looking for a recession proof industry? The Globe and Mail reports that parking lots continue to pull in record earnings in Canadian cities. With supply limited by increasing real estate development in our downtown cores, the price of parking has increased 233 per cent in Calgary and 130 per cent in Toronto over the past ten years. While some bemoan the dent this has made in their pocket book, Spacing's Shawn Micallef calls this the "universal price of great urbanism" .
• As New York City cracks down on illegal advertisements, Treehugger reports that some of the city's guerilla gardeners are "turning billboard blight into pop-up planters".
July 22nd, 2010
SUMMER SHORTS PODCAST: Riding “the Clockwork Orange”
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
LISTEN TO TODAY'S SPACING RADIO PODCAST
Sometimes exploring a city means just shutting your eyes and listening. In this soundscape, Spacing producer Mieke Anderson takes you underground into the Glasgow subway system.
Affectionately known as "the Clockwork Orange" because of its orange subway cars and circular route, Glasgow's underground dates back to 1896 making it the third oldest in the world. Recently, the city was considering ...
Thursday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
CHARLOTTETOWN - Harbour Authority, taxes urged to compromise [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Exxonmobil Canada moving to St. John's [CBC]
HALIFAX - Spryfield roadwork begins [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Trade Centre will result in more employment, tax revenue, report says [Metro]
TRANSPORTATION
N.S. - Yarmouth terminal key to ferry service: mayor [CBC]
HALIFAX - No delay on route: Transit [Chronicle Herald]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Halifax beaches open again [CBC]
N.B. - Irvings' succession plans raise questions [CBC]
MONCTON - Canada wins first medal [Times Transcript]
briColage: your city in one photo
By Hugh Pouliot // No Comments
Open invitation! Spacing Atlantic wants to read your city, neighbourhood, block, street, breakfast corner - niche - in photographic form. Old photos, new photos, ones you didn't even take. Dang, you could even send us a drawing. We want to see the first place, the first intersection, first hole in the sidewalk you think of that captures the who, what and why of where you live.
Think of it like this: if you could tell us about the space that you call home in one word, and that ...
July 23rd, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Sarah Craig // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - Oil company's move praised by St. John's Mayor [CBC]
N.S. - Province relaxing emissions rules [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Landry backs Kelly memo [Chronicle herald]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
FREDERICTON - Knowledge Park to get fourth building [Daily Gleaner]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Senior homes lose their buses [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - No delay on route: Transit [Metro]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Kristen conquers Channel [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Classified adds local flavour to Halifax Rocks [Metro]
OTHER NEWS
N.S. - Two islands off the South Shore receive protection [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Halifax port struggles with Montreal cargo [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax man ...
July 24th, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Ottawa editor Evan Thornton was on the road in Winnipeg this week and reports from that city on the dialogue surrounding the beautifully restored and vibrant Exchange District. During the decades when money was being funnelled into large scale modernist improvement projects the Exchange District was naturally and slowly rejuvenating itself.
On behalf of Montreal artist "Hyperalligina" Spacing is appealing to readers to help find the perfect empty lot in the city for part of an art project to be installed this summer using a grant from the Awesome Ottawa Project. The post includes some more details about what the artist is looking for.
What does your choice of favourite buildings say about your personality? Continuing to digest the results from the reader survey of the best of Montreal, Spacing contributor Justin Boulanger speculates about the personal traits of the readers of who selected the top three favourite buildings and laments that the Sci-Fi nerds were not organized enough to get Olympic Stadium onto the podium.
In a landmark public space ruling the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled this week that the City of Montreal's anti-postering bylaw is unconstitutional. Christopher DeWolf reports on the story of how the law was challenged and speculates what the city will do to accommodate postering in the future. The post also includes a fantastic gallery of posters from around the city.
As part of the Ideas for Toronto series Adrian Lightstone brings up the issue of using referendums to gauge public support for new revenue tools for transit funding. Citing that referendums having fallen out of style in Canada, Lighstone points out they are frequently used in American cities and other places around the world and have even been used in Toronto.
Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman walked Eglinton Ave all the way across Toronto this week suggesting his interest in urban walkability. Spacing's Todd Harrison caught with him during part of his walk for a discussion about how he would promote walkability as Mayor and put the discussion on Spacing Radio.
July 27th, 2010
Events Guide: Newcomers and Residents Community Potluck
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
DARTMOUTH - All HRM newcomers and residents are invited to gather at this Saturday's 5th Annual Community Potluck and Barbecue at Sullivan's Pond, Dartmouth. B.Y.O. plate, utensils, blanket, and dish to share, and enjoy the afternoon's festivities, free barbecue (while supplies last) and friendly company.
Sponsors include Halifax Regional Municipality, Greater Halifax Partnership, YMCA, Carpenter Millright Trades College, Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services, AWEDA, Tutor Doctor, Halifax Regional Library, Halifax Regional Police and HRM Fire Services.
WHAT: 5th Annual Community Potluck & Barbeque for Newcomers and Residents
WHERE: Sullivan's Pond, Dartmouth [map]
WHEN: 11am-2pm, Saturday July 31st
photo by Dean ...
Catching Up on Headlines
By Katie McKay // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Council splits on condo proposals [CBC]
HALIFAX - Canada Games Centre going public soon [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Green future planned for Charlottetown [CBC]
TOURISM
NFLD - N.L. to replace tourism signs [CBC]
N.B. - Tourism ads yanked by N.B. government [CBC]
SEWAGE IN THE HARBOUR
CHARLOTTE TOWN - Sewage stops shellfishing again [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's residents upset with sewage smell [CBC]
HALIFAX - Weather, stats may sink would-be harbour swimmers [CBC]
COMMUNITY
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's rolls ahead with cycling plan [CBC]
HALIFAX - Mood hopeful at Africville reunion [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Thousands celebrate ...
July 28th, 2010
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Katie McKay // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Debate heats up on future of downtown Halifax [Metro]
PEI - Historical colours rejected for restoration project [CBC]
HALIFAX - Zoning problems with a Twist [Chronicle Herald]
TRURO - Truro residents lose battle against 102-unit residential development [Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - Council to decide if condos get green light [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Roofing torch accident sparked Dal fire [Chronicle Herald]
TRANSPORTATION
NS & NFLD - Truckers threaten ferry protest [CBC]
NB - Bouctouche eyes transit link to Moncton [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Bridge repairs on schedule but negotiations in limbo [Telegraph Journal]
ST-JOHN'S - Tender called for replacement ...
World Wide Wednesday: Maps, Trains, Trikes and Three Million on the A40
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
• Time's Michael Grunwald took the train ride from Miami to Orlando to consider the Obama administration's $8 billion investment in high speed rail. The US President aims to create 13 national high speed rail corridors to relieve road and air congestion, reduce carbon emissions and highway deaths, create jobs and jump-start the domestic manufacturing industry. The stimulus funding is a great first step but at 1/8 of last year's spending on highways, there is much more work to be done.
• The New York Times reports on the growing trend of cargo-hauling tricycles in New York City. The bespoke "industrial trikes" transform bikes from personal transportation devices to child-carrying, grocery-hauling complete car alternatives. Users even reported a positive change in their interactions with cars and trucks when using the device.
July 29th, 2010
Thursday’s Headlines
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN’S - St. John’s city council live blog [THE SCOPE]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City needs a clear plan for now: mayoral candidate [THE GUARDIAN]
TRANSPORTATION
NB - New N.B. highway will bypass local businesses [CBC]
NS/NL - Truckers threaten ferry protest [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN’S - St. John's to demolish Battery structures [CBC]
HALIFAX - Condo tower may get shorter [CHRONICLE HERALD]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Apartment plan irks Charlottetown neighbours [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Promoter Harold MacKay asked province for additional $700,000 to cover ...
Events Guide: Making Tracks
By Katie McKay // No Comments
Train-tripping is the more human way to travel. The more romantic way to travel. The more nostalgic way to travel. The Khyber ICA, in cooperation with VIA Rail and the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, are launching MAKING TRACKS tonight at the VIA Rail train station. Expect to see 14 pieces of video work inspired by the themes of locomotion, travel and trains themselves made by a mix of local and international artists . If you can't make it down to the train station, you ...
July 30th, 2010
Friday’s Headlines
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
MONCTON - Former theatre losing its fake façade [TELEGRAPH JOURNAL]
PEI - Investing in the land [GUARDIAN]
TRANSPORTATION
NL - Island residents band together on ferry demands [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Bigger, better Kenmount overpass planned [CBC]
NB - N.B. RCMP will be reminded of parking rules [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Section of Belvedere Avenue to close to all traffic next week [GUARDIAN]
MONCTON - RCMP, city want motorists to stop clogging intersections [TIMES TRANSCRIPT]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Caribbean restaurant ready to rezone [CBC]
HRM - Tenants want more security in housing ...
HRM by Re-Design: Meta Library, Part One — Urban Monument
By Dustin Valen // No Comments
A series that examines urban and architectural issues in Halifax by way of unbuilt proposals authored by different designers, this week featuring a project by graduate architect Thomas Evans for a new library in downtown Halifax. All drawings and images courtesy Thomas Evans. Text by Dustin Valen.
HALIFAX - Through a series of consultations between designers and community members, a design for the new Halifax Central Library is already well underway. In light of these real developments, recent thesis research by Thomas Evans entitled Meta-Library: A Public Platform for Information Exchange is a fitting example for a building that promises to be a significant landmark in the city. Evans’ research considers the many challenges facing the design of a contemporary library and public space in downtown Halifax. Importantly, his work surrounds the actual library project with hopeful optimism.
July 31st, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
At the corner of Mulder Ave and Scully Way (no joke), Dwight Williams takes a look at the history of Ottawa streets named after fictional characters; a practice which has occurred sporadically since 1899.
On the municipal election beat Vicky Smallman frames the large number of incumbents bowing out of this year's election as an unique opportunity to increase gender parity in municipal politics.
Cedric Sam revisits the history of the Plaza Swatow site in Montreal's Quartier Chinois as the building was announced and built between 2007 and 2009. (article in French)
Emile Thomas debates whether or not to renew his membership in Montreal's Bixi bike sharing program and uses the opportunity to reflect on Bixi's merits. (article in French)
Andrew Walsh and Mieke Anderson present another Spacing Radio summer short this week featuring Gentrification: The Game! by artist collective Atmosphere Industries.
If you haven't seen Alden Cudanin's strike Before & After photos of the city yet, this weeks work: A 72 Year Crossing at Yonge and Bloor is definitely a great place to start.
August 2nd, 2010
Monday’s Headlines
By Katie McKay // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
PEI - West River Bridge closure hurting business [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Controversial wharf partly demolished [CBC]
HALIFAX - Convention centre won’t make city more vibrant, interesting [Chronicle Herald]
FOOD
FREDERICTON - Summer blossoms at the market [Daily Gleaner]
NS - Former grocer urges chain stores to again accept local produce [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - New Halifax Farmers' Market set to open [CBC]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Architecture for the people [Chronicle Herald]
FREDERECTION - Zombies shuffle and moan through street [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Grappling with graffiti [Telegram]
THE STREETS
HRM - Speed-bump campaign hits roadblock [Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Council debates downtown drive-thrus [Times Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - ...
August 3rd, 2010
Events Guide: Community Meeting on Tenants Rights
By Jessica Walker // No Comments
DARTMOUTH - Do you know your rights as a tenant? Are you sure?
This Thursday, the Tenants' Alliance of Nova Scotia (TALONS) and the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service will hold a public meeting to discuss what rights are not covered by the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies' Act and publicly think about what changes could and/or should be made to the current act.
Organizers plan to: discuss problems with the act as we know it today, propose changes and think about how to best enact such change in our province. ...
August 4th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Bridges, Straddling Buses, Superhighways, Navigation
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
• The ten-lane I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota is being called the safest bridge in America. The bridge which replaces a structure that collapsed into the Mississippi River in 2007 killing 13 people, is bright white with stylish curved piers. But as CNN reports, its the 323 high technology sensors within the structure that set the bridge apart. The $1 million devices record corrosion, stress, bridge movement and security data. With such a huge price tag, some wonder whether the money might be spent on older bridges more likely to collapse.
• Those of you spending summer days exploring the city may enjoy this piece in the New York Times about navigating the urban jungle. Gooley and MacDonald offer some creative wayfinding techniques for the urban wilds.
August 5th, 2010
Market Value
By Emma Feltes // 5 Comments
An abridged version of this article appeared in Spacing Magazine's 18th issue, 'Oh, The Spectacle'.
HALIFAX - The relationship between farm and city has been an ongoing dialogue among market-goers in Halifax — a city whose geographic and psychogeographic proximity to agricultural vitality provides ample opportunity for food politics to rise to the fore. Every Saturday morning, in grand tradition, this dialogue meanders its way through the labyrinth-like, historic Alexander Keith’s brewery, the site of Halifax’s beloved farmers’ market.
But, as of this Saturday, this dialogue (along with many local producers, chefs, artists and crafters) will move to the long awaited Seaport Farmers’ Market — a state-of-the-art, environmentally focused waterfront facility widely heralded as a groundbreaking new model in the realm of green building and local ingenuity.
August 6th, 2010
Headlines: The Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Metro Transit mix-up puts UPass in jeopardy [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - New signs to protect cyclists in Charlottetown [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - N.L. to fix road ruts near St. John's [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - 500 helmets for safety week [TELEGRAM]
ST. JOHN'S - Go questions about bikes? [SCOPE]
POLITICS
HALIFAX - HRM council votes to maintain its size [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - New Halifax Farmers' Market set to open [CBC]
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Common borders to shift ...
PODCAST: St Mary-le-Bow’s bells in London, England
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
LISTEN TO TODAY'S SUMMER SHORTS 017 ON SPACING RADIO
You know when you're exploring a city for the first time and you turn a corner only to stumble upon something completely unexpected?
This is what happened to Spacing producer Mieke Anderson on a recent trip to London, England. Initially, it was only a faint sound barely within earshot. Then suddenly she was face-to-face with the St Mary-le-Bow Church and consumed by the ringing of its famous bells. Wandering the streets of London you'll still hear ...
Events Guide: Neighbourhood Earth Schedule
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - 'Neighbourhood Earth' — an Ecology Action Centre initiative, delivering urban environmental education through the arts — is providing a slew of free youth and family-friendly workshops and events in the North End this month. Click 'Continue reading this post' below for a full schedule of events.
For more information, contact Community Environmental Educator Kristen Rae Finley at community@ecologyaction.ca or (902)429-2202.
August 7th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Photowalking, front porches and books
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Ottawa editor Evan Thornton catches up with photographer Justin Van Leeuwen about photo-walking the city.
Erin O'Connell takes a look at front porches and the ways they are used in neighbourhoods as a method of interacting with the community.
Émile Thomas lists the top five books about urban spaces. Including his own recaps of why they're an important read.
Spacing's publisher, Matthew Blackett, starts a discussion about the usability of subway maps. In Toronto the map is simple, because there are only 69 stations compared to New York's 486. Which is why graphic designer Eddie Jabbour wants to redesign New Yorks map — to make it less intimidating.
John Lorinc compiled a pros and cons list for both the Presto smartcard and open fare payment systems that are being proposed as fare alternatives for the TTC.
August 9th, 2010
San Francisco’s plan to deal with parking
By Matthew Blackett // 1 Comment
SFpark Overview from SFpark on Vimeo.
I know I'm stating the obvious when I say this: parking a vehicle downtown, in Halifax or any city, can be a challenge if not entirely frustrating. But the parking policies of a city go a long way in determining how a city is experienced at street level. For instance, the city of Prince George, BC has nearly 50% of its entire downtown area covered in parking lots. The downtown of many Canadian cities ...
August 11th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Low Tide, Courtenay Bay
By The Photographers // 3 Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
August 13th, 2010
Headlines: The Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown Muslims step up mosque fundraising [CBC]
HALIFAX - Council focuses spotlight on Khyber Building [CBC]
HALIFAX - Artists agree on Khyber fix [CBC]
MONCTON - Moncton museum expansion gets cash boost [CBC]
MONCTON - Locals get first crack at Moncton stadium [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John port needs money: authority [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John, Moncton among most affordable cities in the country for home ownership [TELEGRAPH JOURNAL]
ST. JOHN'S - Goolge-eyes [THE SCOPE]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Fredericton holds 1st pride parade [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax busker festival poised to fold [CBC]
HALIFAX ...
August 14th, 2010
Urban Gardening, Online
By Steve Bedard // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_5829" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="A small corner of the North End Community Garden in Halifax."][/caption]
HALIFAX - Urban gardening is by no means a new concept in Halifax. In fact the first time I remember hearing about urban gardening was in 2005 during my second year at Dahousie. The Gazette — Dal's free weekly — was covering a new urban garden on campus for students to plot, till, plant, weed and pluck. Unfortunately, the article left little information about where the garden was actually located and even less ...
August 17th, 2010
[Re]Presenting Halifax #7: Tissue Samples
By Matt Neville // 4 Comments
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - Halifax is well represented by the grid — a street pattern that is as symbolic of our British colonial past as the Citadel itself. And in many ways, the grid still serves us well today; the narrow blocks have contributed to Halifax having one of the country’s most walkable downtown cores despite it being situated on the side of steep hill.
August 18th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Blue and Grey in Moncton
By The Photographers // No Comments
Moncton, NB
photo by Matt (stu_pendousmat), member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
World Wide Wednesday: Where in the world?
By Hilary Best // 1 Comment
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
----------------------
• A report released Monday by the New York City Department of Transportation paints a fascinating picture of pedestrian safety. The study examined over 7000 crashes between 2002 and 2006 resulting in death or serious injury and yields some startling statistics. "Jaywalkers were involved in fewer collisions than their law-abiding counterparts who waited for the “walk” sign, though they were likelier to be killed or seriously hurt by the collision." "80 percent of city accidents that resulted in a pedestrian’s death or serious injury, a male driver was behind the wheel." "[L]eft-hand turns were three times as likely to cause a deadly crash as right-hand turns." "[T]hree-quarters of the crashes occurred [at intersections". As the New York Times reports, the study is providing a quantitative basis for the city to continue its program of re-engineering the street grid.
• Portland, Oregon is the proud owner of new and improved bike wayfinding signs. The green signs feature distances and directions and travel times to popular destinations. Residents can thank a $1 million federal stimulus grant for the improvement, says Bikeportland.org
August 20th, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // 3 Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - BioVectra opposes Charlottetown residential development [CBC]
HALIFAX - Dingle's crumbling seawall to be repaired [CBC]
BEDFORD - Apartments fuel city-wide building boom [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Heritage worth saving? Depends on who you're asking [TELEGRAM]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside to reimburse for ditch filling [CBC]
COMMUNITY
FREDERICTON - Jazz supergroup forms for festival [CBC]
HALIFAX - Growing backyard lecture provides informal space for showing and telling [MEDIA CO-OP]
SAINT JOHN - Rec facilities in rough shape - [TELEGRAPH JOURNAL]
ST. JOHN'S - Painting video on the walls - [THE SCOPE]
OTHER
CHARLOTTETOWN - Horse takes race to ...
August 22nd, 2010
Spacing Saturday
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing ottawa editor Evan Thornton talks with Alex deVries who created a website geared at mapping the worst roads for cyclists in Ottawa.
Kate Wetherow remarks about the mass amount of unused space on the tops of buildings and how easy and perfectrooftops are for gardens - and for getting out of your condo unit and getting to know your neighbours.
Allanah Heffez comments on the no right on red rule in the city of Montreal and reports on how many deaths, serious injuries and light injuries are caused by right on red.
Spacing Ottawa's Photo Du Jour series often highlights neighbourhoods or buildings that may often go overlooked, but this special highlights a shop that is both eclectic and eccentric and mourns the passing of the shopkeeper/homeowner.
Editor Shawn Micallef posts a copy of his column from Eye Weekly about the future of Ontario Place and uses a collection of found slides to highlight its history.
TTC signage has always been confusing for not only Torontonians, but most especially tourists. Adrian Lightstone comments on some of the more ridiculous and confusing signs found across the subway system.
August 23rd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Phantoms at the Fountain
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
August 25th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Mobile Food, Noisy Hybrids, Fighting for the Empire, Moscow Traffic
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• NPR chronicles a growing trend for start up chefs who use trucks, trailers and mobile homes to sell their food to the masses. The overwhelming expense of starting a restaurant isn't stopping these gastro-preneurs from practicing their art.
• The Globe and Mail reports that for $148 U.S., Japanese Prius owners can now install noise makers into their hybrid cars. The devices make a whirring sound equivalent to the noise of a regular car engine; regulators and automakers hope the move will reduce the number of pedestrian-hybrid crashes which are two times more common than with conventional engines. The device may soon be made available in other markets.
August 26th, 2010
HRM by Re-Design: Meta Library, Part Two: Social Superstructure
By Dustin Valen // No Comments
A series that examines urban and architectural issues in Halifax by way of unbuilt proposals authored by different designers, this week featuring a project by graduate architect Thomas Evans for a new Halifax Central Library. All drawings and images courtesy Thomas Evans.
Text by Dustin Valen
HALIFAX – Housing a variety of media types and ample public space, Evans’ library reconsiders reading as its sole purpose in favour of creating a platform for social diversity and information exchange. The uniform exterior of the Meta Library is thus a misleading representation of its interior. Evans describes the building as a “framework for linking public gathering, events, and activities”; one that promotes “social interaction through both traditional library elements and contemporary media related functions.”
The resulting ‘social-superstructure’ contains a dizzying variety of spaces that cater simultaneously to a vast number of users as well as the peculiarities that set them apart. In addition to traditional library functions like the collective reading hall and exhibition space, new and intriguing functions include a performance platform, cinemascape, studio workshop, park studios, children’s apparatus, and teenage clusters.
August 27th, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown apartment proposal scaled back [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John mayor argues Rockwood Park limits [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Clean up George Street before revamp: councillor [CBC]
POLITICS
HALIFAX - A small council protects elite's interests [The Coast]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Transit changes hit this weekend [Metro]
HALIFAX - Walking to school beneficial on so many levels [Haligonia]
FREDERICTON - Changes to Queen Street to start Monday [Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - MUN rerouting roadways to accommodate heavy construction traffic [The Telegram]
URBAN GREEN
SAINT JOHN - Saint John pushes for dump clean up [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown streets ...
High-rise confusion on Barrington
By Sean Gillis // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Last week HRM Council appeared to approve two high-rise developments on Barrington Street – a 17 storey building on the site of the Roy Building and a 20 storey tower to be built on top of the Discovery Centre. Sound familiar? Confusingly, Council seems to have approved the same two towers in April of 2009. Adding to the confusion, both towers are within the Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District, and appear to violate the new downtown plan approved through HRMbyDesign. What exactly is happening with these two proposals?
First, neither project has been granted final approval. Although the Roy Centre project was announced in the summer of 2008, and the Discovery Centre proposal submitted in February 2009, Council has to date only decided what rules the projects will be reviewed under.
In March 2009 Council voted to review these projects under the existing Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) instead of the new downtown plan, which was still being developed through HRMbyDesign. Both proposals are taller than the height limits for Barrington Street that were ultimately set by HRMbyDesign. Consequently, Council felt it would be unfair to review (and ultimately reject) these developments based on the HRMbyDesign standards, which had not been finalized when the tower applications were submitted to the Municipality. The Council vote, which happened last week, was needed to amend the Heritage By-law — a step that was missed in 2009.
August 28th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Lawn signs, churches, and heritage
By Nicole McIsaac // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
With the election well underway, Vicki Smallman investigates the mayoral candidates and their potential uses of lawn signs in promoting their campaign. Lawn signs can be an expensive and non-environmentally friendly option in promotion, but are the traditional method in spreading the word.
With church congregations moving out of the city, churches are being secularized and re-purposed in order to preserve the site and make use of an otherwise empty space. Kate Wetherow comments on this phenomenon with examples of the kinds of functions that are no longer restricted to the church basement.
Alex Bozikovic shares a post from his blog, The Mean City, about the community housing building at 60 Richmond that is both exceptionally green, and pretty to look at.
Back from a recent trip to Pittsburgh, Matthew Blackett comments on the tiled mosaics that line shop doorways in the Southside, and promises more comment from the The Steel City.
August 30th, 2010
Local Craft Mystery
By Katie McKay // 4 Comments
HALIFAX - For over a year now, installations like these have been cropping up all over the city. A pop-up shop of sorts with only one item for sale: pieces of painted wood with 'Cruise Halifax' stamped on the back and timely messages on the front.
The labelled messages usually reference a large-scale event in town and oftentimes draw on an emotion of civic pride, with a polite plea to purchase one of the artifacts. Along with the milkcrate, plaque or shopping cart that serve to display the various local crafts, is a donation receptacle. No salesperson or artist in sight.
Does anyone have any information about the mastermind behind the artwork? Any theories? Have you ever purchased a piece? Spacing wants to know!
August 31st, 2010
Big Day Downtown
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
HALIFAX - Downtown Halifax has certainly gone through some changes in the past few years. While some of my favourite shops have come and gone, it's important to remember that in order for downtown to thrive, it's up to us to support the unique businesses, stores, and restaurants that call downtown home. Enter: The Big Day Downtown, a promotion from the Downtown Halifax Business Commission that highlights the great things to do in Halifax's downtown core. 30 bloggers received $100 and were unleashed onto the mean streets of Halifax with one simple instruction: to document what they did with the money.
In the midst of moving from Woodside to Halifax, I actually found it hard to find the spare time to go out and spend the $100. The dozens of unpacked boxes sometimes literally created a wall between me and the downtown shops I wanted to visit — only a 10-minute walk away from my new abode.
After a weekend of hard work, I'm ready to head downtown today after work to spend the remaining $50. The first $50? Here's how I used it:
September 1st, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Hotspots – Tokyo, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Copenhagen
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• If you've been saving up for a trip to Tokyo's Shimokitazawa neighbourhood, be sure to plan your travels before 2013. The bohemian hotspot is due for revamping and some fear that the very characteristics which make this place a favourite (twisting alleyways, discount ...
September 2nd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Princess Street
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Bill Lapp (Number Six), member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
September 4th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Crafts, money and beaches
By Nicole McIsaac // 1 Comment
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As the last day of the Central Canada Exhibition, or the Super Ex came to an end, Spacing Ottawa contributor Érinn Cunningham captured a collection of photos.
Spacing Ottawa reader, Jason Garlough, comments on a move by the City of Ottawa to pave over natural forestland to make way for an exhibition hall and parking lot....
September 7th, 2010
Earl in Action
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Hurricane Earl 2010 - Images by Lawrence Plug
HALIFAX - As Hurricane Earl hits the road, community members and civil servants of all stripes are working to remedy its havoc. Taken by Earth Sciences professor and Spacing contributing photographer, Lawrence Plug, here's a look at some of Earl's exploits as Haligonias go about navigating the city over the weekend.
As our cities recuperate, look out for more of Spacing Atlantic's Earl assessments to come!
September 8th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Say no to free parking, hawks and baggy pants
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Streetsblog NYC features a response from Donald Shoup (UCLA professor and author of The High Cost of Free Parking) to Randal O'Toole (Senior Fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute) about his misconceptions of the role of government intervention in parking. Shoup makes a number of interesting points - notably that mandatory parking minimums often force developers to provide more parking spaces than they would voluntarily provide in a free market setting. "Off-street parking requirements," he writes, "thus change the way we build our cities, the way we travel, and how much energy we consume."
• The New York Times offers up an overview of the envelope-pushing changes to Broadway Ave and a window into its past. Incremental changes to the famous street have increased public space, improved cycling and pedestrian safety and decreased travel times. The changes have overcome some of the challenges intrinsic to the diagonal formation of the street, a relic of an 1815 agreement to bend Broadway in order to save midtown orchards.
September 9th, 2010
Events Guide: Commons Dance Party
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Alas, summer is coming to an end. Perhaps a little Earl-y, but those hot hot Haligonian hay days are now making way for crisp evenings and crisply dressed students. BUT, before we retreat to the cozyness of our respective abodes, Jamie Mary Burnet and Su Donovaro are inviting us this friday to have one final hurrah in the Commons.
This summer the Commons has born witness to both the triumphs and the tragedies of the common people. It has also been given a ...
September 10th, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - 6 assaults in Halifax related: police [CBC]
HALIFAX - Police probe 7th weekend swarming [CBC]
HALIFAX - Pole of Confusion [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Cowardly Swarming attacks around Common [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Meeting violence with LOVE [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Our Chinese Heritage [The Scope]
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - BioVectra blasts Charlottetown apartment project [CBC]
POLITICS
MONCTON - Bikes banned from Moncton skate park [The Telegraph-Journal]
SYDNEY - Advisory committee suggests change to heritage property bylaw [Cape Breton Post]
TRANSPORTATION
FREDERICTON - Free transit day next weekend [The Daily Gleaner]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - New seaport market like a ...
September 11th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Hurricane Earl, Bridging Bixi and Transit Plans
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Ottawa Mayoral hopeful Clive Ducet unveiled his transit plan for the city this past week. Eric Darwin meticulously examines the plan's highlights, shortcomings and believability.
Spacing Ottawa's Evan Thornton discovers the bridge that isn't, a curious old structure over the Transitway, and wonders why it isn't being used for something better; like a pedestrian/ cyclist crossing.
Alanah Heffez tells the story her neighbourhood's push to get the Bixi bike sharing program introduced to its of the part of the city and the ensuing bureaucratic tangle.
Devin Alfaro reports on the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre's upcoming Car-Free Neighbourhoods Week which aims to expose Montrealers to some of the car-free urban design experiments being tested in Europe.
Ryan Bolton and Spacing Votes follow the increasing post labour day pace of the municipal election, covering both the new feel of the election in the Fall and the release of front-runner Rob Ford's transit plan.
Shawn Micallef continues his Toronto Flaneur series at the Toronto Zoo and explores its history, sense of place and role within the city.
September 14th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: King Street, morning
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
September 15th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Slow down
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Grist celebrates artists in Santa Rosa, CA, this week. Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector made use of the city's 1% for art law, which requires corporations doing major construction to fund public art projects, to build "Cyclisk" - a six storey sculpture made out of 340 bicycles and weighing in at 10,000 pounds.
• The Active Transportation Alliance reports on a new traffic calming device in West Vancouver, BC. A realistic stenciled image of a child chasing a ball has garnered controversy as a potential distraction.
September 16th, 2010
Events Guide: Harvest Fair
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - When the weather starts to turn and the long pants start coming out life can feel a little unfair. "Why me?" you might ask yourself. Why must I stop wearing shorts? Why must I live in a climate that changes? Why must there be seasons? Well, on Sunday Megan Leslie and Imagine Bloomfield are going to tell us why.
The Harvest Fair, held at the Bloomfield Centre from 1pm to 3pm, will be a celebration of the bounty of our fair city. Local food is the ...
The best of the West: cycling infrastructure
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
WESTERN CANADA - Most references to superior cycling infrastructure tend to default to the Netherlands, Portland, and — largely thanks to Gil and Enrique Penalosa — occasionally Colombia. While international models like these provide enough cyclist envy to fuel tense debates in a lagging city like Halifax, I have sometimes wondered why — outside of Montreal's Bixi program — comparatively little celebration is made of Canadian cities' own cycling victories... however small they might seem.
In the last three months I've been traveling Western Canada, my limitations as a non-driver have fluctuated between debilitating and a non-issue. Surprisingly, however, this fluctuation does not always correspond to city size. In even the most unexpected places, I've discovered bike-friendly features (albeit sometimes minute) that we'd benefit from across the country. Here's a smattering of simple solutions we might learn from the West.
September 17th, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Woman in construction zone wants city to buy home [CBC]
COMMUNITY
HALIFAX - Don Clairmont comments on swarmings [The Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Proposed condos higher than St. John's allows [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Condo pitch sharpens St. John's debate [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - New development behind Dominion on Stavanger Drive [CBC]
POLITICS
NB CITIES - N.B. city mayors upset over PC property tax plan [CBC]
TRANSPORTATION
CHARLOTTETOWN - Bike racks planned for Charlottetown buses [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Newly paved Charlottetown bypass must be redone [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - UPEI students to vote on U-Pass [CBC]
FREDERICTON - RCMP ...
Farm Friday: Spryfield Urban Farm Museum
By Lizzy Hill // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - I'm peddling hard, snaking my way through the nonstop slew of traffic on Spryfield's Herring Cove Rd. I gag on dust and diesel fumes as I speed past fast food outlets, boxy-beige shopping plazas and angry commuters. There's nothing particularly special about this patch of urban sprawl; I could really be anywhere.
But l discover a lush urban farm, full of a colourful blend of sunflowers, ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs and much more when I veer off the main road. The Urban Farm Museum of Spryfield, on the corner of Rockingstone Rd. and Ardwell Avenue, provides sanctuary to all those who need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. City dwellers interested in learning more about Spryfield's agricultural roots and the art of urban farming can do so if they bike out to the farm or hop on the #14 or #20 bus, both of which stop near the urban farm.
Spryfield was the city's bread basket in the 18th and 19th century, but farms began disappearing in the '50s to make way for urban development. The municipality appropriated most of Janet Kidston's family's farm in 1969, but she licenses the few acres she has left to The Urban Farm Museum Society. The Society runs programming teaching locals of all ages, abilities and walks of life how to grow food in the city. City farming is not a novel concept, but sadly much of the area's farming knowledge has been forgotten.
September 18th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Joe Beef, Election Influence and Alphabet Soup
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Ian Capstick explains his theory for how citizens can influence the mayoral election without spending a dime through a coordinated effort of engaging social media with a message of the values and messages people want to see from candidates.
Dwight Williams continues his look into the history of Ottawa street names by looking at the alphabet soup found in the Tremblay Rd area.
In an open letter to mayoral candidate George Smitherman, Shawn Micallef implores the candidate to change the character of the campaign by switching from being a Tie Domi to a Wendel Clark.
Congratulations to the Spacing Editors! This week Spacing was awarded the 2010 Jane Jacobs Prize.
Alanah Heffez takes a look back into the history of Montreal through the historical character of Joe Beef and his raucous canteen in the 19th century port district. The story is a fascinating and honest look into lower class in Canadian cities at the time.
The borough of Plateau-Mont Royal announced this week that it will follow on its bylaw to ban bill boards becoming the first part of Montreal to do so. Alanah Heffez explores the history of such movements to speculate on whether the law will be upheld.
September 20th, 2010
The convention centre chronicles: the $100 million question
By Emma Feltes // 9 Comments
HALIFAX - It has been close to three weeks since Infrastructure Minister Bill Estabrooks hinted that the Province's decision on whether to support the convention centre proposed for downtown Halifax would soon be made public. The development, proposed for the old Chronicle Herald building site, has received guff from heritage and development types alike while proponents tout the proposal as that "boost" Halifax perpetually awaits. turning it into a broader debate around Halifax's development agenda and the city's tenuous creative, economic, and ...
September 21st, 2010
Events Guide: Eastern Gateway Waterfront Master Plan Open House
By Veronica Simmonds // 1 Comment
CHARLOTTETOWN - Toronto-based firm Urban Strategies has teamed up with the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation and the City of Charlottetown to develop a master plan for the Eastern Gateway waterfront area. At this Wednesday's open house, the group plans to share preliminary thoughts and gain community input into the evolving vision for the study area.
The vast area encompasses a slew of important facilities and features, including the Joe Ghiz Park; the vacant Imperial Oil Lands; the D.P. Murphy properties; the Provincial ...
September 22nd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Earl uproots
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
World Wide Wednesday: Traffic Jams, New York, Maps and Speed Humps
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• From the innovative efforts of PlaNYC to the remarkable pedestrianization of Times Square, urbanites from around the world marvel at the New York's ability to plan and execute ambitious and exciting projects. How do they do it? Katharine Jose at Capital New York attributes much recent success to Jan Gehl. This article profiles his approach and recent work. "A good city is like a good party, you stay for longer than you plan.”
• Crain's New York reports on the latest must-have for New York apartment seekers: bike storage. With the number of commuter cyclists increasing 79% over the past three years, landlords find themselves charging fees for the space to keep up with demand.
September 23rd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Igor lurches
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
photo by earlesd, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
September 24th, 2010
Farm Friday: Lake City Farm
By Lizzy Hill // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_6207" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Photo by Lake City Farm"][/caption]
DARTMOUTH - When I meet Jean Snow, she's gardening behind a group home near downtown Dartmouth. She sits in her garden, snipping off green mizuna leaves to put in the weekly vegetable boxes she gives her Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members. The greens are an ideal crop for an urban farmer with limited space, as they grow quickly and can be harvested every week, explains Snow. One of the biggest challenges facing urban farmers like Snow, who co-owns Dartmouth's Lake City Farm with her husband Bob Kropla, is a lack of space. Like many city farmers, Snow has overcome this obstacle by embracing Small Plot Intensive Farming (SPIN) methods, which include farming in backyards around the city and planting strategically.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Construction begins on UPEI School of Nursing [The Guardian]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - No convention centre decision yet [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Province mum on trade centre plan [Metro]
ST. JOHN - Signal Hill townhouses approved [CBC]
POLITICS
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown's plebiscite could change electoral system [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - 4 mayors blast Alward over municipal reform [CBC]
OTHER
FREDERICTON - Number of cases of bedbugs up in the capital region [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Penny's dropped [The Coast]
MONCTON - Moncton favours bilingual sign promotion [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Bedbug outbreaks hit Saint John [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - ...
September 25th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Big Government, Urban Farming and the $100 Million Question
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing photographer Justin Van Leeuwen showcases a playful new public art project along Wellington Street, the result of Ottawa's 1% For Public Art program.
Spacing reader Adam Bentley proposes a fascinating idea countering the current trend to push for smaller city councils, instead advocating for a New Hampshire style super council which could curb individual influence and eliminate career politicians.
Alanah Heffez continues her fascinating look into the colourful historic character Joe Beef and his 19th century tavern; this week focusing on the role Beef played in the community.
Through a bit of Urban Exploring Alanah Heffez discovers a seemingly secret staircase leading up towards the mountain in Outremount.
As Rob Ford continues to pull ahead in the polls, Spacing Votes this week offered two competing visions of what the progressive side should do. On one hand John Lorinc argues that Pantalone would be best to fall on his sword and bow out of the race. On the other, former Miller campaign communications director Andrea Addario argues that Pantalone is the only viable alternative as Smitherman has already boxed himself out.
Spacing's Dylan Reid sparked infrastructure debate this week with two posts. The first dealing with how commuters actually get downtown, a response to Rossi's underground highway proposal. The second deals with a interesting new initiative on University Ave to raise pedestrian crosswalks, avoiding puddling in the winter.
September 27th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Stop for the Sunrise
By The Photographers // No Comments
Moncton, New Brunswick
photo by Trevor Gertridge, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
September 29th, 2010
[Re]Presenting Halifax #8: Public Lands as Connective Tissue or Cancer?
By Matt Neville // 3 Comments
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - The previous [Re]Presenting Halifax installment explored the morphology of the city through its most basic and anemic form: street pattern. Yet, despite this skeletal representation, relatively little of the city’s structural form — as experienced on the ground — is visible through the street network alone. For this reason, it is useful to look elsewhere — to what not only defines large scale spatial patterns in central Halifax, but that also impacts its social and economic structure.
The form and scale of public land holdings and other mono-functional, amassed plots located on the peninsula demonstrate an alternate network, albeit a simple and fragmented one. Large swaths of peninsular Halifax have been claimed by public and pseudo-public entities — universities, schools, federal agencies (i.e. the Department of National Defense and Parks Canada), the Waterfront Development Corporation, and other provincial and municipal bodies. While the City can leverage their own properties, it often has little control or influence — or even communication — with these other "public" land owners. Yet, the use or mis-use of these parcels — specifically on the peninsula — can drastically impact the flow, permeability and vitality of the city itself.
In this sense, the question arises: What is the morphological impact of public lands and other large mono-functional zones held within the tight confines of a peninsula? Do they act as connective tissue uniting otherwise separate communities through common ground? Or a cancer that fragments, segregates and adversely affects the health of Halifax?
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Figure ground; the built fabric of peninsular Halifax (most urbanized portion only). The Common and Citadel lands appears as a significant urban "void". "][/caption]
World Wide Wednesday: Union Square, Poop Power, Density and Urban Magnetism
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Streetsblog questions the conventional planning wisdom that successful transit depends on density. Using the counterintuitive example of the comparatively dense Las Vegas with Vancouver, Jarrett Walker discusses the importance of how we measure density and the role for transit-supportive design.
• Pop Up City advances the idea that it's opportunities for romantic partnership (rather than work) that attract us to the city. Urban ecologist Remco Daalder argues, "Sex in the City is not just a slogan, it is an important fundament for Amsterdam’s economic success.”
September 30th, 2010
From the Vaults: Nova Scotia on Film
By Lauren Oostveen // No Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Last week, we at NSARM ended a year-long digitization project. Some of the films features were produced by the Nova Scotia Film Bureau (later Nova Scotia Information Service) under the supervisor of filmmaker Margaret Perry.
These films highlight Nova Scotia as a tourist destination and as a center of industry. An example of the later is the view of Sydney provided in the1956 film IDENTITY at the 8 minute mark:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcVYLS8qHD4[/youtube]
October 1st, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax suburb needs help paying for city water [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Group not putting bid for parking in neutral [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Where's the logic behind parking plan [Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Convention centre details due next week [CBC]
HALIFAX - First look at convention centre costs: City will be asked to pay $57 million [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Rebuilding Halifax's most feared neighbourhood, one project at a time [Globe and Mail]
HALIFAX - Howard Epstein, upfront about the centre [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Some of the new condominium developments downtown [The Scope]
POLITICS
HALIFAX ...
Reading the City: Defining Community
By Reading the City // 1 Comment
This is part of a series of posts by Dalhousie students in the Community Design course, 'Reading the City,' where students explore the local urban environment to interpret what the city means, and how it comes to take shape. This week's post is by Andrew Hooke, Caroline King, Meaghan Maund and Paloma Pontarini.
HALIFAX - Defining a community goes beyond the creation of a neat little sentence that would look right at home somewhere deep in the Oxford English Dictionary; defining a community is about communicating to people what they already know and experience. Each of us, whether we realize it or not, participates in some form of community. Large or small, obvious or not, there are communities of all shapes and forms around us, which also inform the shape, form and design of our cities.
Instead of trying to condense this diverse reality to fit one loose generalization, we chose to take on the task of trying to highlight all the different layers of communities that compound to create the broader experience that we call ‘community’. To represent this experience we created a series of ‘dolls’ that each represent a type of community that we identified as being an element of the overall community experience.
October 2nd, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Beaver Barracks, Electoral Reform and Hybrid Taxi
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Beaver Barracks is Ottawa's first sustainable rental housing complex. Spacing asked the group behind the project, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, to talk about the innovative new building and why it is so important for the city.
Vicky Smallman reflects on a week that opened up that the Ottawa Mayoral Election and highlights some some of the ways community groups are also becoming involved in the campaign.
The Joe Beef series concluded this week with the story of Beef's death, populist funeral and contested legacy.
Hilary Best reports on the growing on the growing movement for municipal election reform with some fascinating ideas tried elsewhere in the world that could improve dismally low voter turnout rates and overly high incumbency success rates.
In 2007 Toronto began an plan to convert all of its taxis to hybrid technology by 2015; to date it the city only has 40 hybrid taxis. Adrian Lightstone reports on the progress and impediments of greening a taxi fleet.
October 4th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: foggy ferry ride
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
photo by Claire Magoo, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
October 5th, 2010
‘City Mail’ creator explains her love of letters
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Since a handful of enchantingly mysterious mailboxes appeared in Halifax's north end last spring, chitter-chatter about what this free, local mail service is all about has traversed the neighbourhood as zestfully as each package delivered. At last Wednesday's Allan Street Reading Series, a pile of about 30-40 people cozied up to hear Alison Creba, director of City Mail, read a short treatise on why she is interested in the mail. Drawing on Jane Jacobs, she illuminated the importance of the physical documentation of our cities, and cited local examples to highlight the significance as our words and sentiments journey across public spaces.
Despite a small stir it caused among skeptical commenters in The Coast last May, City Mail thrives, and its philosophy is ever more solidified. It goes, more or less, like this: Drop your mail at any of the mailboxes (located at Java Blend, Eyelevel Gallery, the corner of Cunard and Creighton, Windsor and Lawrence, or an additional box soon to be going up at Ecology Action Centre) and it will be lovingly bicycle delivered to your best-described destination — whether it be a library, coffee shop, park bench, or conventional address.
I can only gleefully imagine the plethora of notes, photos, love letters, baked goods and crafts that have soared across the neighbourhood. Personalized mixed-tapes have been dispatched to the first 30 people who responded to the call. A periodic newsletter is delivered to a slew of regular users. And next Saturday's Nocturne will host a City Mail installation at the former Carsand-Mosher site on Barrington at Blowers.
Find her full essay at the Allan Street Reading Series blog here.
For an abridged blurb on City Mail's aims, see below:
October 6th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: No Ridiculous Car Trips
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• In Malmo, Sweden, a witty cycling campaign is getting real results. Now four-years old, "No Ridiculous Car Trips" capitalized on the unfortunate reality that 50% of all trips under 5 km in the city were taken by car. Recognizing this ridiculous waste (and enormous potential), a group of dedicated citizens combined installation art, story telling and incentives to get people to re-consider their modal choices. Copenhagenize has a delightful short film profiling the campaign.
• In London, England, the choice to take transit is now back on the table as Underground employees are return to work following a 24-hour strike. According to the BBC, the strike was prompted by job cuts and several more disruptions are planned for November if the dispute remains unresolved.
Halifax – Meet the Sharrows
By Veronica Simmonds // 10 Comments
HALIFAX - There is something brewing on the streets of Halifax, and it smells like fresh paint. It seems that after long struggles with council over proper bike infrastructure, someone in this city is taking matters into their own hands. Literally, someone out there has taken a paint brush in hand and created sharrows on Maynard St. at Cunard and on Garrick Lane....
October 7th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Quinpool Road
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Matthew Trivett, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
Events Guide: Public Transportation 101
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
Do you support public transit? Depend on it? Wish you understood it better? As part of Robert Street Social Centre's ongoing series of skillshare workshops, Sarah Ensslin will help you to navigate Halifax Metro Transit... field trip included.
WHAT: Public Transportation 101, a skillshare workshop
WHEN: Thursday, Oct 7, 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Robert Street Social Centre... and Halifax's bus and ferry system
HOW MUCH: Free.
photo by Ryan Wilson, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
October 9th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Community Boards, Sharrows and Spandex
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Evan Thornton talks about the #iwantamayorwho twitter forum that has become an interesting discussion of the mayoral election. Thornton notes how both voters and candidates have approached the new medium.
Kathryn Hunt reflects on the question of how to convince people that anyone can cycle and on how to address the stereotypes that only young men in spandex are active cyclists.
From the archives, Alanah Heffez showcases an incredible 1897 bicycle map of Montreal. Covering the entire island and surrounding region, the map is a fascinating look not only into cycling in the 19th century but also how 20th century planning altered the city.
Alanah Heffez profiles a fascinating alleyway art installation featuring turn of the century photographs displayed in the places from which they were taken. The somewhat neglected alleyway setting provides for a unique link to the past as it has avoided renovations that have altered the street front.
Two posts touched on the need for a new approach to planning in the city this week. Dale Duncan talks about the need for voters to ask candidates how they will engage citizens in the planning process. John Lorinc talks about a recent proposal by Paul Bedford to implement New York style community boards.
Nadia Halim recounts the adventure of a recent Thursday night psychogeographic walk in Toronto. The tale comes complete with quick sand, celeb sightings, and of course: lesbian Wiccan poetry readings.
October 10th, 2010
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Andrew Bateman // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - City to study signage issue [Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - N.S. considers sale of aging convention centre [CBC]
HALIFAX - N.S. touts convention centre benefits [CBC]
HALIFAX - Bill Estabrooks syas building convention centre is "right decision" [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Halifax's Joseph Howe Building to be sold [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax asked to gamble on taxpayer-funded convention centre [The Globe and Mail]
HALIFAX - Province rolls ...
October 11th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Steeple City
By The Photographers // No Comments
Waterloo Village, Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
October 12th, 2010
Where Have All the Politicians Gone?
By Joshua Biggley // 5 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - If political participation in Charlottetown, the capital of PEI, is any indicator of the malaise of the general population, then we are in significant trouble indeed. Charlottetown's 32,000 citizens are represented by ten councilors elected in a ward system and, while candidate nominations closed Oct 8th at 4PM, only 7 of the 10 wards have challengers to the incumbent. The tragedy is not only that the electoral process is being circumvented, or that without multiple candidates voter turnout for the electoral reform plebescite will be crippled, but that we are willingly surrendering our hard-earned right to participate in an election for our civic representatives.
Some might suggest that politics is a thankless job, where the only feedback from the electorate is negative. Others decry the demands on both family and work as civil service often forces concessions on both fronts. Both arguements are likely right. Politics is a thankless job, one that few are willing to take on in an era that is still reeling from the hyperconsumption, hyperselfishness of the 80s and 90s. Aside from a few exceptions, most of the current councilors fit neatly into the 40+ demographic, have the backing of either influential family members, influential political party members, or both. It is those luxuries that soften the blow of family and work interruptions, while only the thick skin of experience or disconnection can mitigate the thanklessness. Though not all of the announced council candidates are commonly known, it is hard to believe that we have fostered an environment where we can expect anything other than more of the same for this year's choices.
October 13th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Las Vegas seeks new motto
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• FOLLOW UP: For those looking for a little more on the Shweeb, CNN offers up a more extensive report on Google's $1 million investment in the new transportation technology. As to why the web giant is investing so much money in an unproven technology, Google spokesman Jamie Yood offers: "We looked for a concrete project where the funding available to us with Project 10^100 has the potential to yield impact. Shweeb's innovative approach toward low-cost and environmentally friendly urban transport has the potential for significant impact in the future." For those concerned about being stuck behind a slow Shweeber, never fear - shock absorbers allow the pods to stack together and let the faster people "push" the slow rider in front. Compellingly, Shweeb designers suggest that their technology represents the future of urban transit because it fits existing expectations and institutions. "It doesn't require any change in behavior."
• SimCity lovers take note: last week, IBM released their city problem solving game - CityOne. According to the Next American City article, "the game is intended to help business and civic leaders (or indeed anyone with a flash enabled browser) gain a better understanding of some of the challenges that are facing modern day urban areas, and how technology might play a role in addressing them." The author critiques the game for simplistic and technology-heavy answers that read like a sales pitch rather than a useful city building tool.
October 14th, 2010
Events Guide: Halifax Housing Week
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - There are people in Halifax living without homes. And according to Community Action on Homelessness (CAH) the number of people living without homes in Halifax is only increasing. It is with this in mind that CAH is hosting Halifax Housing Week, a week long opportunity to celebrate the successful homelessness projects and programs that were realized over the last 10 years while also thinking about and planning for the solutions of the future.
The CAH understands that the causes of homelessness are complex and numerous, and the solutions are community driven. This is why they are inviting the Halifax community to take some time this week to think and share ideas on the possibilities of how to generate and maintain safe and affordable housing. So, get out there and educate yourself, educate others and work towards sustainable results - there are PLENTY of opportunities:
Today, Thursday October 13 at Scotia Square there will be The "Other" Home Show where community-based organizations will showcase their supportive housing programmes & affordable housing options, local businesses will introduce their products & services and visitors will be able to learn about local social services aswell as career and volunteer opportunities.
WHAT: The 'Other' Home Show
WHEN: Thursday October 14th 11am-3pm
WHERE: Scotia Square, Halifax
HOW MUCH: Free
Tomorrow, the Public Good Society of Dartmouth will be organizing a workshop called No Place Like Home where representatives from the North End Community Health Centre, New Beginnings, Affirmative Industries, Elizabeth Fry Society and Supportive Housing for Young Mothers will be sharing facts and exploring workable doable solutions.
WHAT: Workshop 'No Place Like Home'
WHEN: Friday October 15th 9am to noon
WHERE: Christ Church Hall, Dartmouth (near the corner of Dundas & Ochterloney Streets)
HOW MUCH: Free
October 16th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Election Clutter, Transit Culture and a lack of Politicians
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vicky Smallman checks in on the Ottawa mayoral race, profiling the character positioning of the five main candidates as the campaign heads into the home stretch.
Evan Thornton rejoices in the latest example of Ottawa's emerging Transit Culture: the Hinton Cafe's O'Train special grilled chili dog.
Devin Alfro highlights the pluses and minuses of the newly restored Marché Saint-Jacques. While definitely positive that building has been restored from municipal offices back to its original function, there are questions of how the new market fits into the existing neighbourhood.
Émile Thomas gives an excellent profile of the Verdun neighbourhood; a bridge between many aspects of the city and a home to the most enlightened hipsters.
John Lorinc delves into the long and tumultuous history between George Smitherman and David Miller and speculates on how this affected Miller's Pantalone endorsement and what would have happened had someone with a similar resume run in place of Smitherman.
As opposed to many of its suburbs which are littered with campaign signs, Toronto has very tight rules regulating when and where candidates can put up signs. Sean Marshall looks at Toronto's regulations and at the merits of the practice in general.
October 17th, 2010
Events Guide: Creative City
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
Halifax - Nocturne, what a time! These oft empty streets were teeming with citizens and music and art OH MY! But now that the dust is settling and the sun is back up Max Haiven is asking us to ask ourselves whose interests events like Nocturne and Nuit Blanche serve.
This evening, at the Roberts St Social Centre, Haiven is going to be ruminating on the motives behind the "creative economy" and the capacity of this economy to benefit urban infrastructure and social programs. He is interested in ...
October 18th, 2010
Events Guide: 4 Days Better City LAB
By Mark Lamovsek // No Comments
HALIFAX - 4 Days Better City LAB is an invitation to engage with other passionate people in Halifax. Rather than complaints and criticisms, the self-described "un-conference" is about generative conversations, developing ideas and sparking new relationships with the ultimate goal of a better, more livable Halifax.
October 20th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Meters, TOD, Cranes and Floating Orbs of Light
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Slate offers a history of a ubiquitous piece of street furniture: the parking meter. The article traces the meter back to its roots in Oklahoma City and questions the move towards privatization of city parking. Privatization deals, such as the one recently undertaken in Chicago, argues planner Aaron Renn, assign a "property right interest in the biggest component of public space in the city to a private monopoly that doesn't have the public's best interests at heart."
• Does transit oriented development require a certification system? Bloggers at Liveable Bay and Straight Outta Suburbia think so, according to Streetsblog NYC. The term, which has been influential in defining and supporting the development of walkable, cyclable, accessible urban environments risks dilution without measurable standards. But what exactly does transit oriented development mean?
October 21st, 2010
Join Spacing Atlantic and 4Days on public space day “walkshop”
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - We're not even two days into 4Days Better City LAB 'unconference', and ideas have begun to whiz around the city. Last night's mobility session had folks from all walks of life talking transportation in the city; this evening's enterprise event will invite the public to invest in each others innovations; tomorrow will tackle government, Pecha Kucha style; and on Saturday, public space will finally turn victim to our creativity.
Spacing Atlantic is delighted to co-host public space day's walking tour and workshop ("walkshop"), ...
October 22nd, 2010
A bigger highway for Saint John: the MacKay expansion
By Sean Gillis // 9 Comments
SAINT JOHN - What does car dependency look like? Travel Saint John’s MacKay Highway during rush hour and you’ll see. Every rush-hour, thousands of commuters pack the MacKay Highway, sometimes causing several kilometers of stop and go traffic. The four-lane, divided Highway connects the suburbs of Rothesay and Quispamsis to the city of Saint John. The Provincial government has promised to add two lanes, one in each direction, to ease traffic, increase safety and to speed the movement of commercial trucks travelling to and through Saint John; the MacKay Highway is part of Route 1, which connects New Brunswick to the Canadian-American border.
There are many reasons why adding lanes to the Highway is a bad idea. For me, three related issues stand out: induced traffic, the positive feedback loop that exists between road capacity and car dependency, and the suburbanization that results from highway expansion.
First issue: increasing road capacity increases traffic, a phenomenon known as induced traffic. Let’s consider traffic to be the absolute number of cars on the road and congestion to be the delays caused by all that traffic. Congestion happens when roadways begin to reach capacity. Heavily congested roadways encourage people to change their travel patterns to avoid delays — most people hate sitting in traffic. Drivers might change modes (walk, bike or take transit), they might choose a different route, change the time of their trip, or opt not make the trip. Regardless, there is a limit to the amount of traffic one road can handle. Increasing road capacity temporarily relieves congestion, making it faster and easier to drive. But over time, people change their habits and the result is more driving — more traffic.
[Re]Presenting Halifax: Vacan[t]c[it]y
By Matt Neville // 1 Comment
The [Re]Presenting Halifax series revisits historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and other interpretive readings of the Halifax region. See my first post for the full aims of this project and more information about contributing to the series.
HALIFAX - This city is suffering from an affliction of vacancy. Not of vacant spaces themselves, but of an inability to make anything of them. Spacing Atlantic will be co-hosting an event this Saturday for the 4Days unconference in an effort to “generate ideas for the downtown's stockpile of vacant spaces”. With that in mind, this installment attempts to presents two bold alternatives to what are otherwise dead zones within a dynamic urban context. This also provides for further reflection on the previous theme: public land holdings as "non-living pieces of peninsular Halifax".
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Current conditions in the "city centre" of HRM"][/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Alternative condition - farms and forest - for the "city centre" of the HRM"][/caption]
October 23rd, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Silo No. 5, Baldwin Street and Walkshops
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez takes readers along for a tour of Silo Number 5, the enormous abandoned grain elevator along the waterfront in the Port of Montreal. The site has been bought from the Port Authority of Montreal by the Canada Lands Company. While the CLC has big plans for the incredible site, it also faces many challenges.
Émele Thomas takes a look at Montréal's movement to re-embrace the St Lawrence River by examining the essential role the river plays to Quebec and analyzing the current as well as future situation of the waterfront in Montréal itself.
As part of the ongoing redevelopment of Centretown, planners have invited the public to contribute to the process by submitting photos depicting the best, the worst and the future of the area.
Careful to avoid giving any direct endorsement, Spacing Editor Matthew Blackett makes an appeal to voters on the eve of the election to fully consider the power that the Mayor has and what someone could do with those powers.
As part of the ongoing Street Stories series, Eric Mutrie takes a look at Baldwin Street, a place that's hard to find but easy to love, and examines both the history of the street and what makes it so successful today.
October 26th, 2010
Vacant City
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - Welcome to our "vacant city" ideas hub. If you're a downtown roamer, worker, or driver, you may have noticed a new addition to the city's vacant lots this week: DIY idea bubbles. On this Saturday's 'Public Space Day' — the final event of the 4 Days 'unconference' — Spacing Atlantic cohosted a 'Jane's Walk' inspired walking tour through the downtown's blank spots, leaving behind a trail of participant-generated ideas for interim and long-term uses. Here these ideas will continue to be collected and expanded on, and you're invited to contribute to this virtual gallery of thinking around public space.
Starting at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the tour set out to explore a variety of vacant and semi-vacant spaces, with a focus on day-use parking lots and areas awaiting development — the idea being to turn these "anti-spaces" into sites of creative opportunity.
With cohosts David Clark and Léola Le Blanc, we learned about new genre public art and locative media projects they have already established in Halifax and Dartmouth, respectively. (Clark's interactive sculpture, Waterfall, remains at the ferry terminal, and a quick ride across the water will take you to Le Blanc's DAMMsel Day — an experiencial piece where participants traverse Dartmouth armed with iPhones which cue a recorded narrative along the way.)
With these creative examples to inspire us, we dedicated the next three stops along the tour — the Waterfront Development Corporation's string of harbour parking lots, the graffiti-pit-turned-rubble-pile on Morris, and the site of the once proposed 'Twisted Sisters' development — to our own idea generation, mounting hand-crafted idea bubbles as we strolled.
Layered onto this physical trail is also a virtual trail, which can be tapped into via cellphone. The barcodes affixed to each idea bubble, when scanned using a cellphone camera, ask a question of the viewer relating to public space and Halifax vacancies. These questions are:
October 27th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Bike Sharing, Libraries, Posters and City ag
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• While functional bike sharing systems are in the works for many cities, project execution can sometimes be a challenge. The New American City profiles Social Bicycle System (SoBi), a project founded by former NYC Department of Transportation bicycle planner, Ryan Rzepecki. SoBi uses secure lockboxes that can be added to any bicycle (and secured to any standard lock), along with enabling software which uses GPS and mobile phones. The system, being piloted in New York this fall, promises to reduce the cost of implementing a bike sharing system and creating opportunities for grassroots bike sharing systems to develop.
• Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card. And in St. Paul, Minnesota, you don't even need the card, according to the Wall Street Journal. In a time when library budgets are often the first to be slashed, unmanned robo-libraries are popping up in all sorts of unusual locations (strip malls, parking lots, city hall). For folks looking for out of the way books in New York City, the New York Times recommends the Terence Cardinal Cooke-Cathedral branch of the public library system located just outside the turnstile entrance to the No. 6 train on the northwest corner of Lexington Avenue and 50th Street.
October 28th, 2010
Show of Hands Halifax launches!
By Emma Feltes // 3 Comments
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY - Ever wondered how decisions in this city are really made? Tried to decipher one of City Hall's official reports? Pondered how your councillor voted on the latest issue? Well, ponder no longer. Brand new website, Show of Hands Halifax, aims to provide a one-stop facility for political accountability and dialogue in HRM.
Created by Spacing Atlantic contributor Emily Richardson, and described as "an independent resource for city-council goings-on", Show of Hands hopes to better connect councillors to their constituents through the pure power of simple, ...
October 29th, 2010
Events Guide: “Your City Your Ideas” Public Dialogue
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdyK4Z_HS_w[/youtube]
St. John's - On Saturday, October 30th from 10am to 1pm. a public dialogue will be held in the Foran room of city hall. This public dialogue is not an initiative of council to review of our out-of-date municipal plan, but a continuation of the work of HappyCity.ca, who organized a public forum on smart growth in downtown St. John's back in February. Since February, Happy City has been using their newly updated website, facebook, youtube, and ...
Why i’m voting for a mixed System (and why I changed my mind)
By Joshua Biggley // 2 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - When voters in Charlottetown head to the polls on November 1st they will be casting a vote for not just for a mayor and council to represent them, but will declare their preference for election reform through a plebiscite. While the plebiscite is non-binding, the newly elected council will use the results of this vote to determine if and how the current electoral process should change.
Election reform offers little of the glitz and glamour of a heated political race. In a race where incumbant candidates were asked by the City to not publicly declare their preference on this plebescite so as to not influence the voting public, the importance of this historic vote has been further devalued. Without candidates taking positions, and in spite of public information campaign, the plebescite issue has received little attention by most media organizations and even less among the voting populace.
Consider the state of the electoral process in the provincial capital — the birthplace of Confederation. In 2006, incumbant councilors where challenged in 9 of the 10 wards. Jump forward 4 years, and only 7 of 10 wards have challengers this year, and only 1 of 10 wards has more than a single challenger to the incumbant. That means that roughly 30% of Charlottetown's residents will not have an opportunity to exercise their right to vote for council representation. That is a travesty and has only contributed to the disconnection of voters from the plebiscite process.
October 30th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Election Schadenfreude, Inspiring Logos and Smelly Photos
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
They say that smell is the strongest sense tied to memory. Montreal artist Alexandre Cv has taken this up and launched the Smells in the City Photo contest challenging participants to capture the city through smells that help define it.
Alanah Heffez uses Toronto's recent electoral misgivings as an opportunity to look back at Montreal's civic administration one year into its term. Through the benefit of hindsight it is obvious that many post-election predictions didn't fully come true.
Dwight Williams reports on the tenuous status of the venerable Somerset House building, a historic anchor of Centretown. The building's future was cast into doubt following the accidental collapse of a support column in 2007 and remains very much uncertain.
Are you inspired by your city's logo? After checking out a Norwegian web-based design project in which users are invited to design an inspiring new logo for their city, some Canadian logos including Ottawa's stylized 'O' could maybe use a second look.
Just in case you hadn't heard, Toronto elected a new mayor this week. John Lorinc posted two excellent election week pieces recapping the campaign and questioning that Monday's results really represent a revolution.
Spacing's Dylan Reid returned from a trip to Chicago and reports on the city's unique above ground parking adaptations, a result of its swampy foundations.
November 2nd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Seaview park, formerly Africville
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Emma Feltes
November 3rd, 2010
Crosstown Connector approved for public consultation
By Steve Bedard // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - In March of 2010, the Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC) began a petition supporting a new active transportation corridor to be established in a high impact area on the peninsula. After six weeks of touring with the petition and some help from our membership — as well as everyday HRM residents — I am proud to say that our petition of over 1400 signatures has finally made some headway.
Yesterday, Halifax Regional Council was presented with a staff report supporting continued development of a new active transportation corridor — which the HCC has dubbed the Crosstown Connector (CtC). In its simplest form, the CtC would be a single, connected bike lane that would span the north and south ends of the peninsula and eventually connect to the Bedford Highway Bike Lane. Not only would this serve the existing cycling population of Halifax, but it would also reduce one of the major barriers between non-cyclists and the old 10-Speeds stored in their garages: a lack of practical infrastructure. At the end of the discussion, council voted unanimously to send this plan to community consultation. That said, community consultation can either make or break the CtC.
World Wide Wednesday: Markets, USBs, airbags for cyclists, water infrastructure
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Last week, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania celebrated the re-opening of Market Square - a pedestrianized market place which will play host to vendors and seating areas in the summer. As Project for Public Spaces reports, it is hoped that Market Square will spur downtown revitalization.
• Open source data reaches new heights with Dead Drop - an anonymous, offline, peer-to-peer file sharing network which uses built infrastructure as the medium for file sharing. Curbs, buildings and walls are injected with USB drives for any curious laptop user to plug into.
• Trust the Swedes to find a way to make cycling safe and stylish. The Incidental Cyclist presents the Hövding - an airbag helmet for cyclist. This USB charged airbag deploys on impact, surrounding the victim's head. Check out the crash test dummy video to see for yourself
November 4th, 2010
Productive, happy dialogue from a happy city
By Andrew Harvey // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - On Saturday, more then 50 people showed up to the Foran Room of St. John's City Hall. They were not there for a public meeting, or information session, but a dialogue. The event was titled “Your City, Your Ideas”, and was an endeavour of Happy City, a citizen-run organization whose mandate is to “inform and encourage the discussion surrounding development and growth in St. John's”.
Since organizing a Public Forum on Smart Growth in downtown St. John's last February, Happy City has been working to inform and encourage debate through their website and other social media. Happy City's unique approach aims to simply encourage debate, not take sides. Through their website, individuals can submit their ideas on how to make St. John's a better place, and how to address what people see as issues in this fine city of ours.
Although the organization's origins trace back to what was a divisive fight over a proposal from Fortis Properties — which was ultimately withdrawn before council could vote on it — Happy City has always taken the high road. During the Fortis kerfuffle, they strove to refocus the debate on the broader issues of development in the downtown and throughout the city, rather then on any individual proposal coming to council.
When it comes to individual proposals it's often too personal, with a line drawn in the sand, forcing people to take a side. Happy City has done well to steer away from this sort of polarizing debate, and instead acted in the most positive manner possible, focusing on how to make St. John's a better place. This is something we can all agree we want.
From the Vaults: Water Street
By Lauren Oostveen // 4 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
A look back at the shops and businesses that made up the Water Street area in Halifax.
Halifax, Looking North from the Grain Elevators, ca. 1886
November 6th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Blaming Pedestrians, Arthur Erickson and Happy City
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez reports on the disturbing new public ad campaign in the Montreal Metro which highlights the dangers pedestrian face in Quebec. While trying to promote safety the ads end up blaming the victim and encouraging the notion that walking is dangerous.
Emile Thomas looks back at the troubled mood in Montreal during the 1995 referendum and speculates on the role that increasing urban and city based identity has had on reducing the importance of the sovereignty question.
Peter Raaymakers reports on how the attempts to implement a U-Pass for University of Ottawa students has turned into a divisive and controversial issue and how this is largely an issue of misinformation.
The 1980's Bank of Canada extension remains today one of the most successful public building in Ottawa. Evan Thornton looks back at Architect Arthur Erickson's thinking behind the design.
In a post that generated almost a hundred and twenty comments, Spacing attempted to make sense of election results through transit riding, non-driver Rick McGinnis who explains why he chose for Rob Ford.
Eric Mutrie continues the Street Stories with a look at Jameson Ave that profiles the history of a street that has been called a landing strip for immigrants into the city.
November 8th, 2010
Events Guide: Do convention centres make dollars and sense?
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - On Tuesday November 9th Mayor Peter Kelly and the Halifax Regional Council will sit down and decide the fate of the P3 Convention Centre. On the eve of this highly contentious decision Dr. Heywood Sanders, from the University of Texas will be in Halifax to review his understanding of the economic, political, social and environmental impacts of convention centres.
Sanders has been considered the leading independent critic of publicly funded convention centres since the publication of his 2005 white paper ...
New Central Library amps up public consultation in Halifax
By Emma Feltes // 4 Comments
HALIFAX - With the final public consultation session wrapping last Thursday, Halifax's new Central Library promises to set a new precedent — not just in terms of its modern design, but, perhaps more importantly, in terms of the participatory process that guided that design.
To put it gently, Halifax is not known for its progressive consultation practices. To be a little less sympathetic, public engagement and consultation efforts in this city tend to be haphazard, even verging on tokenistic. Happily, a number of recent efforts hint at a change in philosophy when it comes to public input. Private and semi-private developments like Fenwick Tower and the Seaport Farmers' Market have made strides in the direction of more meaningful consultation, and public library's ongoing process has gone even further to overcome barriers to community participation.
"It’s difficult to get a really valid answer back from a broad spectrum of the public" says Morten Schmidt, Design Director for the library's international partner, schmidt/hammer/lassen architects. "But the way it has been facilitated and hosted and the sort of continuation of these consultations has really shown a different picture than I thought. There have been a lot of valid points that have come out of it; we have sort of proved a certain way of thinking."
From targeted focus groups, to surveys, to graffiti walls, chalking, and yarn-bombing, the process made use of a range of traditional and creative consultation methods, garnering a similar range of perspectives. Thursday's final public meeting saw the culmination of these efforts, revealing an adapted design that had incorporated the results of all of these participatory opportunities.
November 9th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: bridging amalgamation
By The Photographers // No Comments
Miramichi, New Brunswick
photo by axealot
November 10th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Building British, Sidewalk Slowpokes and Parking Fortunes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Jonathan Glancey at the Guardian offers an interesting view into the role of architecture in contemporary British life. "Spending on architecture and building (not always the same thing) has fallen in real terms over the past 200 years. Where once buildings were the greatest, proudest and most expensive objects money could buy, today we spend on much else besides. ... For the most part today, we aim to build as cheaply as possible."
• Irritated by sidewalk slowpokes? So is the New West End Company, a group of 600 business owners in the district around Oxford Street in London and they're taking action. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the group plans to separate sidewalk traffic into speed lanes - directing slow movers to walk in a "shopper lane" along store fronts, so that hurried residents and workers can proceed without opposition on the sidewalk's edges.
November 12th, 2010
From the Vaults: Gottingen Street
By Lauren Oostveen // 4 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
From Halifax Street Names: An Illustrated Guide edited by Shelagh Mackenzie with Scott Robson:
"The original British plan for Halifax divided the colony into a fortified central town flanked by North and South suburbs. The North Suburbs began in the vicinity of what is now Scotia Square and, over the years, expanded north. Initial settlement took place from 1750 to 1752, with the arrival of hundreds of "foreign Protestant" immigrants. Many were German, and, owing to an anglicization of the German word "Deutsch", the North Suburbs where they settled became known as Dutch Town.
In 1753, most of the Germany relocated to Lunenburg, but a small nucleus remained behind in Halifax. In 1764, some of them petitioned the government in council to name their area Gottingen, commemorating the district of Germany. The council granted their petition, but the name Gottingen became less appropriate when Brunswick Street, named after another Germany district, emerged as the major artery north. The parallel street one block west remained Gottingen Street."
Countess Clans William's group, relaxing by the tennis courts on the lawn east of Admiralty House, Gottingen Street, ca. 1885
November 13th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Green Frosting, Road Widening and Peep Shows
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Jacob Larson analyzes the Quebec government's second attempt at a proposal to rebuild the Turcot Interchange. Larson attempts to cut through the 'green frosting' to comment on the facts of what could be built.
Alanah Heffez takes a look at what is probably the oldest house in the historic neighbourhood of Griffintown. Turns out, the house is so old that reveals the mysterious existence of another neighbourhood which once existed at the site.
Concerned groups are rallying against plans to widen Bronson Ave through the Centretown neighbourhood as the issue continues to ramp up. Evan Thornton this week posted both a look at the current dangerous situation on the street as well as a profile of a prominent online petition against expansion plans.
Kathryn Hunt reports on the added dangers of November cycling as well some of the regular hazards that don't yet seem to be flying away
Launching the new Head Space column this week, Luca De Franco interviews Christina Zeidler, head organizer of the YIMBY Festival which aims to promote cooperation between politicians, developers and community groups.
Fred Sztabinksy reflects on what is perhaps the most common peep show on the streets of Toronto: portholes along the sidewalk that allow views of construction sites. Sztabinsky considers why developers include these windows and why we love them so much.
November 15th, 2010
Events Guide: Exploring ways to grow
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - "There's a reason why I love this town" croons hometown hero Joel Plaskett. At tonight's presentation, those reasons why we love HRM and the reasons why it could be improved will be deliberated. Hosted by the Ecology Action Centre, guest speakers David Donnelly, former director of Environmental Defence, and Bruce Lourie, author of Slow Death by Rubber Duck, will discuss how development and sustainability can coexist — how Halifax can continue to grow and evolve while ...
November 16th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: St. John’s in living colour
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
St. John's, Newfoundland
photo by Brian P Carey
PODCAST: Saving BIXI, Bronson Avenue, and our parks
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
LISTEN TO THE NEW SPACING RADIO PODCAST!
While some parks are jam-packed with kids, dog walkers and seniors practicing Tai Chi, others are deserted and neglected. Producer Mieke Anderson speaks to David Harvey about his recent study on improving parks.
Also, Spacing Ottawa's Evan Thornton discusses his city's plans to turn back the clock to a time when car was king. And reporter Andrew Walsh addresses the pros and cons of the public bike network, BIXI, with Spacing Montreal's Alanah ...
November 17th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: By Taxi, Bus or Bike
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Detroit has had its fair share of hurdles over the past few years but Time says the winds of change are blowing and they are coming from Mayor Dave Bing's office. In a city that has lost half of its population in the past half-century as well as its key industry, it may be time to cut losses on abandoned neighbourhoods and crumbling infrastructure to focus efforts on the city's core assets. As the prestigious Kresge Foundation fronts a massive planning effort for Detroit's future, Time offers a prescription of density, contiguity, naturalization, urban homesteading and ethnic diversity for Motown.
• While American bikesharing systems generally trail their European counterparts in terms of station density and overall ridership, Streetsblog reports good news out of Minneapolis. The city's Nice Ride system, which launched this summer, topped 100,000 trips in its first five months. Even more hopeful - of the 680 users surveyed, nearly 20 percent used the system instead of driving.
• "An icon of [New York City's] urban landscape, the humble yellow cab is set to undergo an unprecedented face-lift — perhaps the biggest change to the city’s street aesthetic since licensed cabs were required to be painted yellow in 1970," reports the New York Times. The three competing designs offered up by Ford, Nissan and Turkish manufacturer Karsan, are more minivan than sedan.
November 18th, 2010
Halifax Cycling Coalition 3rd Anniversary!
By Steve Bedard // No Comments
Halifax - Facing one of the biggest changed to Halifax's transportation diversity in the Crosstown Connector, the Halifax Cycling Coalition is primed and ready to celebrate it's 3rd Anniversary! Come on out for an epic movie, pizza, door prizes and fun!
When: Friday, November 19th from 6PM to 10PM
Where: The MacMechan Auditorium, Killam Library, Dalhousie (6225 University Ave, Halifax NS)
What: Treats, prizes and the film "Where are you Go?" which follows the longest cycling tour in the world: the Tour D'Afrique.
We're also teaming up with ...
Watch NFB: Highrise/Out My Window, a 360° interactive documentary about vertical living
By Julie Matlin // No Comments
Editor: Spacing is pleased to announce we're resuming our partnership with the National Film Board of Canada to showcase films and interactive projects from their online screening room. Julie Matlin of the NFB will be occasionally posting films here on Spacing that explore public spaces, Canadian or international cities and anything urban. The NFB is one of Canada's greatest resources. Click here to view their entire online collection. ...
Keep those wheels tu(r)ning: Motor Vehicle Act acknowledges cyclists
By Crystal Melville // 2 Comments
NOVA SCOTIA – Late on November 4th, the Nova Scotia NDP Government released that changes to the Motor Vehicle Act which acknowledge cyclists would be reviewed during this session of the House of Assembly on the evening of Monday, November 15th, 2010. The change to the legislation came about when the province consulted with members of the cycling community, including non-profit organizations, coalitions and active cyclists, to “clarify and define the roles and responsibilities of bicyclists and motorists.”
As per the press release on November 4th: “The amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act legislation will enhance current bicycle legislation and require drivers to leave one meter of open space between the vehicle and bicyclist when passing”. Alongside this "one meter rule" a more recent press release issued on November 15th, revealed that the Motor Vehicle Act amendment will also:
define 'cyclist' and 'bicycle lane'
prohibit vehicle parking in a bicycle lane
make it an offence to fail to yield to a cyclist in a bicycle lane
redefine cycling on the extreme right
allow drivers of vehicles to cross a centre line to pass a bicycle, if the driver can do so safely
require cyclists to ride single file and in the same direction of the traffic.
In other jurisdictions, the “one meter rule” also applies to other vulnerable road users, including pedestrians on rural highways, road workers, equestrians, vehicle breakdowns and slow moving vehicles.
November 19th, 2010
Events Guide: Common Roots Public Forum
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // No Comments
HALIFAX -Here it is Halifax: an opportunity to rethink how our city uses its interim and vacant sites for the common good. Together with Dalhousie University’s Cities and Environment Unit, Partners for Care of Capital Health will host a public meeting to explore ideas for the interim use on the site of the former Queen Elizabeth High School.
Once demolition of the school is complete, the land at the corner of Bell Road and Robie Street will transfer to Capital Health. At some point in the ...
November 20th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Tower Renewal, Metcalfe Ave and The Joy of Cycling
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Ottawa marks the first anniversary of its launch this week
Emile Thomas showcases a rejected Transport for London public service ad about the Joy of Cycling which playfully pays tribute to the illustrated safe sex manuel of the 1970's.
Alanah Heffez and Devin Alfro continue the photo du jour series presenting creative and timely photos that showcase Montreal in a unique light.
Its been one year since the launch of Spacing Ottawa. Evan Thornton reflects on seven things he's learned about the city over the past 12 months.
While the striking new glass lantern at the Canadian Museum of Nature is great, traffic on adjacent Metcalfe Ave only sees it in the rear view mirror while zooming down the one way arterial. Evan Thornton speculates about this tells of the broader missed opportunity on Metcalfe.
Toronto has the second largest number of high rise buildings in North America. That's why the future of David Miller's signatureMayor's Tower Renewal program is so important. Adrian Lightstone reports on a prominent symposium held this week asking where to take the program next.
Jessica Lemieux attending a dinner honouring Charles Sauriol, the father of Toronto Conservation, and left inspired by the attitudes and projects of the award winers.
November 22nd, 2010
Loving parking lots in Portland
By Jake Schabas // No Comments
Portland, Oregon gets a lot of credit as cities go. “The city that works” really does work, as I found out when I visited last weekend.
An early North American adopter of an urban growth boundary, Portland is in many ways an urban planner’s paradise. With its extensive network of bike infrastructure, buses, streetcars and an LRT system that seamlessly connects the downtown to the airport and suburbs, there’s a lot Toronto could learn from what has become the ‘Portland model' of city building.
What Portland doesn’t get enough credit for, however, are its parking lots. Unlike other cities I’ve seen, where downtown parking lots are generally condos-in-waiting or worse, car-filled voids during the day and just plain voids at night, some of Portland’s parking lots are the life of the city.
November 23rd, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: courthouse construction
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
Events Guide: One-Way Feed/back
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - HRM is seeking feedback on a set of proposed changes to the downtown street network. The changes, which were included in the recommendations of HRM by Design, are aimed at increasing available non-traffic street usage (on-street parking, bike lanes, sidewalk cafés), and improving overall consistency of traffic flow in the downtown core.
The Open House session will be held in a come-and-go format. Come and share your opinions on how to improve our downtown; HRM would appreciate your input.
For more information, visit ...
November 24th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Winter Cycling, Airport Links and Civic Engagement
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• As the weather turns colder, some are considering turning in their bikes for other transportation options. BikePortland.org urges you to reconsider! With plenty of helpful tips to help you brave the winter on a bicycle, you can keep on rolling into the spring.
• The Next American City offers some insight into the experiences of American cities planning airport-city connections. The article suggests that the best laid plans consider market demand, the ability of the service to reduce emissions and congestion, financial feasibility and the distance from the offsite terminal to the airport. DC's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is cited as one of the nation's best: with stops connecting the airport to both downtown Washington as well as the much of the region, it is the mode of choice for a quarter of airport passengers.
Sharing Ideas to Transform Vacant Site into Urban Gardens… and more
By Rachel Caroline Derrah // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Once declared by Shakespeare, "What is the city but the people?" suggests he may have been as successful an urban planner as playwright. If people are core to a city, perhaps the way a city is planned and developed ought to incorporate people's needs, visions and values.
Historically, Halifax has not been known for engaging its people in the process of city building. Strong citizen opposition and lack of engagement in projects such as the Cogswell Interchange, Scotia Square, the Chebucto Road widening and, most recently, the Convention Centre, exemplify this process.
In recent years, the process has been shifting. Citizens were involved in the creation of Halifax's downtown vision and plan, HRMbyDesign. Over 1,000 people gave input to design the Halifax Central Library. The Fenwick Tower Redevelopment engaged citizens in multi-stakeholder visioning sessions led by a private developer. In this new context of growing citizen engagement, it is fitting that Capital Health, an institution whose primary interest is health of the people of Nova Scotia, be among this list of trailblazers.
Nearly 100 people on Sunday, November 21 sat around small tables in Guild Hall of the Atlantica Hotel, just across the street from the former Queen Elizabeth High School. Today the building sits empty, appearing abandoned to the unknowing eye, yet is the future site of — well, that is yet to be determined. Sharing ideas for what this space could become is what brought these people to a hotel for the entirety of their Sunday afternoon.
November 26th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: Apparition on Board
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
November 27th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Rebelmayor, Accommodating Pedestrians and the Entertainers
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez reflects on lessons learned from attending a City consultation on communication with youth; that sometimes the City can forget communication is a two way street.
Who will save Saint-Sauvier Church? Christopher Dewolf reports on a troubling turn of events in the efforts to save historic Saint-Sauveur Church from demolition in order to make way for a new hospital mega-project.
Dwight Williams continues the Street Names series, this week looking into the stories behind Ottawa's streets that bear that namesake of popular entertainers throughout the years.
Studying the City of Ottawa's detailed instructions to pedestrians and cyclists at a new roundabout in Orleans provides an interesting opportunity to explore the issue of how roundabouts handle non-auto traffic.
Shawn Micallef reflects back on the lessons learned from his twitter based reincarnation of rebelmayor William Lyon MacKenzie who acted as a court jester, commenting on the angry nature of the past election.
As winter darkness drives up concerns about pedestrian safety, Matthew Blackett highlighted a great idea to make cross walks more ergonomic and safer at the same time.
November 29th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: from the walking bridge
By The Photographers // No Comments
Fredericton, New Brunswick
photo by Rod Thorne, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
December 1st, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Building Tweets, DIY Safe Streets, Parks & Democracy
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• We'll fight the law for safer streets and sometimes the law will win. Treehugger showcases 8 DIY strategies for working around the system: guerilla gardening, knitting, bike/ped signage, eco-graffiti, parking, dumpster conversion, recycling bin art, and benching.
• From the zany, to the informative, to the creative, to the engaging, to the participatory, Architectural Videos has a 10 minute spot profiling "buildings that twitter".
• The Guardian reports on Ugandans Fred Kyagulanyi and James Sendikwanawa. The two are using plastic waste collected from Kampala's suburbs to produce high quality petroleum fuels suitable for use in a variety of vehicles.
December 2nd, 2010
Events Guide: 4FUNDS Make Your Impact Halifax
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - 4Fund is an experiment to find out how creative four people can be when given $100 dollars and 100 minutes to change the world.
The event is simple.
1) Buy a ticket, sign up and invest $20 into the Halifax 4Fund
2) Your $20 turns to $100 when we link you up with three others and kick in an additional $20
3) Each group of four has 100 minutes and $100 to do something good for the community
4) Come back and enjoy a drink on us as we share tales of our ...
December 4th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Barbertown, Streetcars and Fort Court
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As Montreal's regional transit operator, the AMT, released a huge set of data showing off its ridership growth, Alanah Heffez delved into the informationto investigate a hunch that active transportation was also on the rise.
The Institut de Politiques Alternatives de Montréal made a return to the spotlight by announcing a massive planning and development policy initiative involving government, community groups and citizens called the Citizen's Agora.
In a video dedicated to Torontonians stuck swallowing the Rob Ford pill of cutting transit investment, Evan Thornton uses a striking video of Barcelona shot from the front of a streetcar over 100 years ago to show how well streets can function as living rooms of the city.
Evan Thornton searches for things to like about Ottawa's downtown Provincial Courthouse, colloquially known as 'fort court.'
As Mayor Ford began is term this week by throwing a brick into transit investment, Spacing looked back at the Miller years not through the record of the former mayor himself but through what the flowering years he presided over will mean for the city.
Sean Marshall brought back the popular Lost Villages series this week following a long hiatus by touring the historical remnants of Mississauga'sBarbertown neighbourhood. Despite long since being surrounded by sprawl the area remains true to its heritage as a mill town.
December 6th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: city scenery
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
photo by Nancy Beaton, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
December 7th, 2010
4FUNDS participants invite you to share your thoughts on Halifax
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Take a wander past the long-vacant, burnt-out NFB building these days and you'll noticed a new addition to Barrington's fractured landscape. At Saturday's 4FUNDS event — hosted by the Pepsi Refresh Project, DreamNow, and the Hub Halifax — a small team of Haligonians, challenged with the task of doing good in the community using only $100 and 100 minutes, alloted their time and money towards the creation of a participatory community board. With dry-erase supplies mounted to the door, and thought-provoking questions strategically posed, the community board invites downtown passersby to step into the enigmatic doorway and voice their reflections, ideas, and musings about Halifax.
The unique event, which was piloted in Vancouver on last Thursday, pooled each participant's $20 registration fee (with Pepsi Refresh kicking in an extra $20) to provide a collective project budget of $100 per team. Each team had to come to consensus as to the best and most creative use of their budget and then execute this idea in just 100 minutes.
As discussed on CBC's Information Morning on Monday, the idea for a community board sprung from the collective desire to do something engaging and community-oriented that would inspire people to think and converse about their city. It was well placed on the restoration-desperate NFB building, whose façade masks an expansive skeletal frame, gutted by a 1991 fire. Nevertheless, the Hollywood-inspired portraits which decorate the façade's windows have rooted the building as a kind of beacon of public art in the downtown.
In addition to the community board, a second team decided to use their funds to support local art, purchasing five pieces from Argyle Fine Art, and then distributing them among unsuspecting strangers. They roamed the downtown, asking those they came across to offer "advice" as to which piece would make the best gift for a friend. Upon choosing one of these Halifax originals, the helpful advice-giver would discover that they themselves would be the friendly recipient of their selected piece. A left-over sum was then put towards a gift certificate to The Jade W bookstore, given to the attendant at the Ferry Terminal, a hesitant ally in the team's activities.
December 8th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Forgotten places, 20 is plenty, City Wishes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Spiegel Online profiles the fascinating work of photographer Andreas Muhs. Muhs captures forgotten places from Berlin's broken past. Muhs speaks of the role these "empty" places (predominately in the "death strip" where the Berlin Wall once stood) play in the work of artists, alternative clubs and transient housing. The photographs chronicle a part of Berlin's history which slips away as new development takes hold.
• All hail the "best European city in America"! Metropolis Magazine celebrates plans for Portland, Oregon's Director Park. The city's latest urban space project features an old world style piazza, fountain and cafe. While these features will serve the city well, author Linda Baker notes the challenges of European-style planning in the American context: warning signs on fountains, the impossibility of shared streets and public consultation versus vision.
• 20 is plenty. Or so say a variety of transportation thinkers who endorse 20 miles per hour (roughly 32 km/h) as a life saving speed limit in urban areas. According to the UK Department for Transportation, "if a driver hits a pedestrian at 30 miles per hour, the victim only has a 55 percent chance of surviving. At 20 mph, the pedestrian has a 95 percent chance of survival." This threshold for pedestrian safety also appears to have a negligible impact on urban travel times, reports Streetsblog.
December 9th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: from Mount Pleasant
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
December 11th, 2010
Spacing Saturday: Citizen’s Agora, Presto 2.0 and Sustainable Christmas Trees
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez reports on the outcomes of the Citizen's Agora project, held last weekend, and what it speaks to in terms of the challenges of regional planning.
With winter arriving in force all across Canada, Alanah Heffez gives a few simple tips on how to enjoy the season in the city.
What's the most green way to have a christmas tree? Heather Yundt examines of what types of christmas trees are most sustainable (the fresh ones from Canada or the re-usable ones from China) and the business involved in dealing with them.
Spacing profiles the new Centretown Community Design Plan with illustrative visuals and an interview with George Dark of Urban Strategies, one of the planners behind the comprehensive new plan.
On the transit file, Jonathan Goldsbie breaks down Rob Ford's claim that Transit City was never voted on in council by showing the various stages through which it was approved, while John Lorinc explores the issue of how Ford's subway plan would further widen the TTC operating budget problems.
As part of the Head Space series, Spacing interviewed Ernie Wallace, Executive Director of the Presto transit smart card system to talk about Presto 2.0.
Questioning Convention — photo petition highlights your downtown funding priorities
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - On Thursday, Dec 2nd, approximately 30 people gathered for a two-hour workshop dedicated to imagining a more environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable downtown Halifax. Appropriating the total estimated budget allocated towards the controversial convention centre development — $15 million per year over the next 25 years — and using a "menu" of figures pulled from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative's extensive Nova Scotia Alternative Budget as a reference point, participants were ...
December 14th, 2010
Canada Games Skating Oval Grand Opening!
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
This just in: The opening of the Canada Games Oval has been POSTPONED due to the unseasonably warm weather! Plans to open the week of Dec 19th... stay tuned!
HALIFAX - After months of curious construction, the time has finally come! The monstrous Canada Games Skating Oval will open to the public tomorrow evening, launching the first of many free public skate opportunities to come. As reported in Lezlie Lowe's giddy Chronicle Herald article, the oval will offer free daily skating, ...
December 15th, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Cycling chat, clusters and Corbusier
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• If you're worried that the left wing pinko badge may make the cycling conversation more difficult, consider Streetsblog's recommendations on how to talk to conservatives about cycling. Author Angie Schmitt offers an important reminder that "bicycling and safer streets aren’t tethered to any particular political ideology".
• Urban regions the world over invest billions in cluster-theory economic development: the idea that with the right ingredients our cities can grow their own Silicon Valley enclaves. Vivek Wadhwa at the The Chronicle of Higher Education questions the traditional recipe for economic growth and focuses instead on risk taking, entrepreneurship skill development, skilled immigrants and freedom of expression.
December 16th, 2010
The Urban Aboriginal: Ursula Johnson on Art, Politics and Identity
By Natascia Lypny // 1 Comment
This article first appeared on the Halifax Media Co-op.
HALIFAX - Ursula Johnson introduces herself in Mi’kmaw, then in French and, finally, in English. She calls herself Little Bear, pointing to her black t-shirt encased in a black blazer. Next, she describes herself as “lnu'sgw”: the Mi’kmaw word for a Native woman.
Johnson is speaking to a group of forty odd University of King’s College students and professors. She has been invited to give the semester’s final lecture in a series entitled “Conceptions of Race in Philosophy, Literature and Art.” Her topic on the evening of Dec. 7 is “Identity, ancestry, and cultural practices,” a subject that couldn’t be more apt for an artist who, as her myriad of introductions suggest, is struggling with the idea of identity herself.
“I am not an Aboriginal artist. I am an artist who is Aboriginal,” she says.
Johnson, 30, was born in Sydney, Cape Breton and raised in Eskasoni First Nation, the largest Mi’kmaw community in the world. She graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art Design in 2006, becoming the first of her community to do so. She was also the first member of her family to receive a postsecondary education and permanently move away from the reserve.
“Being in the city, I am away from my language, my culture, my spirituality. I have to work extra hard to have that in my life. You have to put more work into being who you are,” she says.
The art she has created over the past 14 years in Halifax focuses on reconciling the gap between her community, her culture, her ancestry—and her redefinition as an “urban Aboriginal." In turn, she hopes her art can help the increasing number of rural-urban Aboriginal migrants do the same.
December 21st, 2010
Councillor Jennifer Watts on why she decided to go car-free this December
By Jessica Walker // 3 Comments
HALIFAX - It's December. Inevitably, this time of year makes us all take the time to reflect on the year that's past; what's changed, what's stayed the same, what it was you said you'd do and never got around to, and what you wish you had done.
And then there are the things that you couldn't have anticipated doing, but are so happy you did.
In her December 10th District 14 E-mail newsletter, Councillor Jennifer Watts informed her constituents that she had taken up a challenge to travel car-free for the month of December as a part of the A Dare to Remember campaign.
I wondered why, so I wrote to Jennifer and asked her some questions. Here's what she had to share:
What inspired you to get involved with the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Dare to Remember project?
JW: Kristin Roe contacted me to ask if I would take part in the campaign. Kristin swam the English Channel (and Halifax Harbour!) earlier this year to help raise funds for the foundation and when she asked if I would take on a challenge it was too hard to say no. The Stephen Lewis Foundation is doing really important work in Africa and I was glad to take on a dare that supported their work and also supported sustainability in HRM.
Why did you decide to challenge yourself in this way?
JW: Kristin suggested that I take on a challenge related to my interest in the environment. I talked with my family about it and they suggested that I give up driving my car for the month of December. It was kind of scary since the weather is unpredictable and there are lots of social functions to go to on top of regular meetings but I thought this is the best month to see if it can work or not work. So far I have been cycling, walking, transiting, taxi-ing, and hitching rides in other people's cars.
Women in developing countries often are dependent on walking, taxis, buses and the generosity of others for rides to get around — driving a car is not a reality for a majority of these women and yet they are the backbone of their families and their communities. It seemed that the dare for me would not be as challenging as the reality that these women live every day of their lives. So from Dec 1 to Dec 31 I decided to not drive my car and to rely on other modes of transport and the kindness of friends, colleagues and family for carpooling when necessary.
December 22nd, 2010
World Wide Wednesday: Urban Safari, Cyclist Species, City Happy
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• "That's why I bring people here, to show them what politicians do with their money. And to impress girls." The honest Mr. Buissart, quoted this week in the Wall Street Journal, runs an Urban Safari in his downtrodden industrial hometown of Charleroi, Belgium. While locals protest, Buissart shows willing tourists the local slag heap, unused subway stations and the "ugliest streets in the nation". Book quickly, business is robust.
• Who are these cyclists anyway? The Portland Bureau of Transportation has undertaken a demographic study of the species of cyclists (and non-cyclists) in their city to get a better sense of what's needed to increase the modal shift. "Strong and Fearless", "Enthused and Confident", "Interested but Concerned", "No Way No How" - do you fit these categories? On a similar tack, GOOD speaks to Portland's approach to recruiting women and people of colour to cycle and the association between bike infrastructure and gentrification.
December 28th, 2010
Atlantic Snapshots: airplane over Charlottetown
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
photo by John Morris, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
January 3rd, 2011
Uptown Nostalgia in Saint John
By Sean Gillis // 4 Comments
SAINT JOHN - Nostalgia is powerful in cities, especially old cities. Saint John is an old city, where the past is preserved in the original street grid and hundreds of old brick buildings, many of which were constructed in the 1870s. Physically, parts of Uptown Saint John – including the Trinity Royal Heritage District, Orange Street and the south side of King Street – have changed little over the last hundred years.
Uptown contains some of Canada's greatest streetscapes. The heritage districts are a unique mixture of buildings: elegant stone and brick office buildings; narrow three-storey townhouses on tree-lined streets; many small churches and a few large cathedrals; flats, homes on small lots and walk up apartments. The blocks are short and the streets are narrow. Some buildings have stores, restaurants or offices on the ground floor and few buildings are taller than five stories. Garages and parking are mostly hidden in backyards. This is good urban form: compact, walkable, densely built, mixed use and human scaled. This looks like the places Jane Jacobs studied and championed in The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
But it's not exactly that type of place, not anymore. The buildings and streets are the same but the city has changed, sometimes dramatically. The south side of King Street is lined with historic storefronts and brick and stone mid-rise office buildings, but the north side of the street is composed of modernist office towers and a hulking concrete shopping mall. Other changes are less obvious. Factories and workshops, once the base of Saint John's prosperous industrial economy, have left the City centre. The streetcars that ran up King Street are also gone. Some buildings have been torn down and replaced by other buildings or parking lots.
January 5th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bike Art, Web-City, Streetcars
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The Pop Up City profiles infrastructure art in Madrid created by Luzinterruptus. The project, Pedaleo Seguro (Safe Biking) created lit bike lanes on three of the city's central streets.
• As part of their 10 Trends for 2010 series, The Pop Up City considers the changing relationship between the web and the urban realm as articulated through wireless technologies, GPS, and the smartphone.
• CEOs for Cities and the Rockefeller Foundation present a fascinating info-graphic entitled: The Future of the Crowd Sourced City
January 6th, 2011
Events Guide: Tilted Landscapes
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Halifax - Check out the phantasmagorical in Tilted Landscapes.
Tilted Landscapes is a group exhibition whereby featured contemporary painters AD Hunt, Ryan Vessey and Mitchell Wiebe navigate fertile spaces. This three week long exhibition is being hosted in the recently abandoned north end commercial space where "Cooke Sales: The Store Equipment Store" lived for the last few years. What could be the relationship between an abandoned store in the stigmatized, yet demographically changing north end neighbourhood, the conceptual framework of this contemporary art exhibition and a realty company? Come ...
January 7th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Confederation Landing
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, PEI
photo by John Morris, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
January 8th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Ice Bridge, Public Squares and Uptown St John
By Marcus Bowman // 2 Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez looks into the colourful history of Montreal to tell the story of seemingly ridiculous ice bridge. The bridge, actually a rail line laid over the frozen St Lawrence River, was a response by disgruntled competitors to the high toll rates on the Victoria Bridge.
Devin Alfro reflects on the recent passing of distinguished Montreal Coucillor Michael Fainstat and the important role he played in bringing greater accountability to city council.
In a western neighbourhood of Ottawa with a long standing bad reputation, Spacing documents the human scale of urban renewal taking place by following the transformation of one building from crack house to comfortable modern rental.
Evan Thornton takes a stab at what he feels are the best and worst public spaces in Ottawa. The oft-neglected Garden of the Provinces comes off well, while the McKenzie King transit station fairs poorly.
The latest instalment of the No Mean City series presented a fascinating look at the exciting design proposals for a new public square at John and King streets in the heart of the entertainment district.
John Lorinc focused his weekly column this week on pondering the question of when Mayor Rob Ford will have to face the fiscal reality of the city.
January 10th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Dawn on the Skating Oval
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by Dean Bouchard, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
January 12th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bungalows, Stats, Maps and Quiet Train Cars
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Bungalows are the most common type of building in Chicago. The iconic homes, mainly built between 1910 and 1940, offered an accessible first home to many urban families. WBEZ takes a look at the history of the bungalow and considers what type of housing might qualify as its 21st century counterpart.
• Alternet salutes the top 5 smartest policies enacted by American cities in 2010: Denver Public Schools' spanish-language radio show, Pittsburgh/Allegheny County's new development wage law, New York City's juvenile justice reforms, Austin's transportation bond which targets complete streets and Cleveland's lawsuit against sub-prime mortgage lenders.
January 13th, 2011
Events Guide: Dartmouth Vision Pavilion
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DARTMOUTH – Take your imagination and/or experience, add Dartmouth and mix it altogether in a mobile phone to participate in the Locative Media Art project, Dartmouth Vision Pavilion. In tandem with Locative Media Art practices, contemporary artists Leola LeBlanc and Barbara Lounder, who currently comprise the collective Narratives in Space + Time (NiS+T), have put together the community project. NiS+T are seeking teen and adult participants to narrate a story or a poem inspired by Dartmouth. Join NiS+T tonight, January 13th, 2011 from 6pm-8:30pm to hear the fun low-down (a.k.a. general information ...
January 14th, 2011
From the Vaults: The North Common
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
The Halifax Common was granted in 1763 by King George III "for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax forever." (Text from HRM)
Map. ca. 1918
January 15th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Sky Dome, Heritage Apartments, and the Historic Halifax Common
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Chris Erb comments on the striking beauty of a recently published NASA photo of the Montreal region by night.
Guillaume St-Jean continues the Spacing Montreal's ongoing photo series.
With the completion of the Western Transitway the City of Ottawa now must determine a future for a small, awkwardly shaped piece of land left over, a local community group has a proposal ready.
Mike Steinhauer takes a tour through central Ottawa's impressive but uncelebrated stock of beautiful heritage apartment buildings.
On a serious note, John Lorinc and Dylan Reid comment on the fiscal policy thus far of the Ford Administration.
On a lighter note, Spacing received a response from Don Cherry himself about the enormously successful Pinko buttons. While Sean Micallef comments on a great time-lapse video of the construction of the Sky Dome.
January 17th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Enlightened Heights
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
To view more images, visit Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
January 18th, 2011
Events Guide: The Parking Ban Stand
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Halifax, NS - Back in the day and perhaps based on class demographics at the time, Halifax developers and planners did not include driveways next to or close to homes in Halifax's North end neighbourhooods. Today, this is often seen as an attribute of the neighbourhood character, with it's narrow streets and parking on both sides. For car owners, today however, that are forced to commute to work, the HRM Winter Parking ban forces many HRM residents to struggle with the logistics as well as the finances to pay to park ...
January 19th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Peeping Tom
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
photo by T_Bomb, member of Spacing Atlantic flickr pool.
World Wide Wednesday: Conversation Cars, Phantom Highways and City Love Songs
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• In response to NJ Transit's Quiet Cars, Alex Marshall at NY Daily News has a proposal: conversation cars. "With a pair of earbuds, we can all have as much solitude as we'd like," he writes. So why not open up some space for chatting with a fellow traveller?
• Nearly every large North American city has a phantom highway: an unbuilt or torn down expressway which influenced the trajectory of development in one way or another. Tom Vanderbilt (Slate) profiles the phantom highways of New York, LA, Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Seoul.
• Pop Up City comments on the digital reincarnation of an old art form: love songs for cities. The article features three beautiful video tributes to Stockholm, Detroit and Toronto.
January 20th, 2011
Events Guide: Lecture by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (and Edward Said Book Launch)
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Halifax, NS - Flemming Lecture Series is pleased to announce its upcoming lecture by post-colonial theorist and activist Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak of Columbia University. The title of her presentation is "Reading Orientalism" and she will discuss Edward Said's seminal volume on this topic. The event will be followed by the launch of the book "Edward Said: A Legacy of Emancipation and Representation" edited by Dalhousie University alumni Adel iskandar and Hakem Rustom.
Said's theory of "Orientalism" strongly influenced the concept of imagined geographies (Wikipedia); these being geographies of 'other regions or societies' ...
January 21st, 2011
Skating Around the Important Questions
By Natascia Lypny // 10 Comments
This article first appeared in The Watch.
HALIFAX - “It’s called vision. Someone has to have that vision for the future. Politicians should quickly see it and understand it. Somebody has to lead.”
Mayor Peter Kelly’s most recent vision consists of making the North Common skating oval a permanent fixture after the upcoming Canada Winter Games.
The media has been awash with his support as it gains momentum alongside the Save The Oval campaign whose online petition, at press time, had garnered close to 7,000 signatures.
The popularity of the oval is undeniable: a Jan. 6 staff report from City Hall reported that 600-800 people are “on it at a time on a regular basis.” The rink is unique in its providing of a large, free, centrally-located space for skating. The public, then, is overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the oval to fill a long-existing gap in Halifax’s recreational services.
“I see what the public sees. The public is never wrong,” says Kelly.
But some critics say the public may be misinformed and Kelly’s vision a case of the blind leading the blind.
“You’re hearing statements like this from the mayor: ‘The people have spoken. You’ll have an Oval.’ In my experience with him as a politician, he’s looked into things before he’s spoken. In this case, he’s stepped onto the ice without looking,” says Lower Sackville Coun. Bob Harvey.
Harvey is one of a small group of citizens who believe the public—and its visionary leader Kelly—have advocated the permanency of the oval without a comprehensive evaluation of what this process would entail.
“It seems to me to be a situation where it’s clinically inappropriate to ask questions.”
January 22nd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Façadism, Carbon Neutrality and Holy Mountain
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Julie Matlin continues the Watch NFB series, this week profiling the interactive web project Holy Mountain which aims to explore the spiritual connections between Montrealers and the mountain.
Devin Alfro responds to speculations that Montreal has too many municipal politicians by truly exploring the issue through comparing council sizes in major cities throughout North America and Europe.
Dwight Williams responds to criticism about the lack of a business case for a new central library in Downtown Ottawa and in the process reflects on the role of central libraries.
Evan Thornton reflects on the phenomenon of façadism and wonders when it may be preferable to start fresh if the facade in question isn't particularly interesting.
Despite Rob Ford's claims of being elected on mandate not to build LRT, a new poll released this week shows that most Torontonians still favour the Transit City plan, Dylan Ried comments on what this could mean for the Mayor's ability to compromise.
Dylan Ried reports on the Project Neutral initiative which is looking to build a template for Canadian neighbourhoods to gain carbon neutrality.
Events Guide: Weaving Community Art Project at the Canada Games Oval
By Crystal Melville // 1 Comment
Halifax, NS - You are invited to participate in the first artist-lead, community-created art project at the Canada Games Oval. Artists Zoe Nudell and Maggie Boyd will be leading fence weaving artwork on the fence that surrounds the Oval and faces the street.
Bring your own fabric or use our Canada Games theme colours. If you'd like to contribute fabric bring any colour or patterned material that won't bleed when wet. You can match the Canada Games theme colours or ...
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
PEI - Drill tests underway at Spring Park school [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John mulls building inspection budget hike [CBC]
HALIFAX - The relative costs of maintaining the Common skating oval [The Coast]
HALIFAX - N.S. Property Assessments up average 6.4% [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Fiscal restraint delays Saint John park upgrades [CBC]
HALIFAX - Africville church plans unveiled in Halifax [CBC]
HALIFAX - Canada games centre opens in Halifax [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax won't accept donations for oval, yet [CBC]
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - Saint John church to close after 200 years [CBC]
HALIFAX - Business as usual: ...
January 23rd, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Comfy Corner Cafe (Once Upon a Time)
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
photo by zeegs, member of Spacing Atlantic member flickr pool.
January 24th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Freeze Dry
By The Photographers // No Comments
Somewhere in Atlantic Canada
photo by tim heath, member of Spacing Atlantic's flckr pool.
Events Guide: Come C.(loser) – Media Landscapes
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Halifax, NS - Come C.(loser) is a group exhibition which is the result of Jan Peacock's Media Landscape class at NSCAD University. Student artists - Vida Beyer, Natalie Boterman, Lisa Folkerson, Allison Higgins, Clair Hipditch, Nate Jones and Damien Worth - looked at the internet and the conversation between rapidly changing media (books to websites), in an effort, to understand how to negotiate contemporary means of communication and how to exist ...
January 25th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Harbour Bridge
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Number Six (bill lapp), member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
January 26th, 2011
Events Guide: The Gatekeeper’s Lodge – Open Projects Initiative
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX, NS - As part of HRM's Open Projects initiative, artist Aimée Brown will be activating Point Pleasant Park through her project - The Gatekeeper's Lodge - over the next few months through in-park performances, outdoor installations and printed matter projects. As a location that has survived extreme weather phenomena [Hurricane Juan], Point Pleasant Park is an ideal microcosm for wilderness survival practice. Aimée Brown’s works will be presented as publicly accessible installations, performances, and open studio sessions at the Park Lodge, at intervals throughout the project’s duration. Some of the performances will take place without prior publicity, accepting the park’s regular users as audience, whereas other performances will be advertised and promoted in advance, inviting new user groups to the park who may not feel an immediate sense of ownership or normally identify with this public space, bringing a new public to the park.
In relation to the above image and information captured from The GateKeeper's Lodge blog, Browns' initial series of research explorations are based on what could have been the burbs of Point Pleasant Park:
World Wide Wednesday: Streetcars Named Desire
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
This week, reader Spire Skyscraper offers a compendium of articles on new streetcar/light rail projects traversing the US.
• Minneapolis is studying a streetcar revival (Daily Reporter)
• In Dallas (Dallas Observer), Tuscon (KWST) and Tampa (Tampa Business Journal), the revival has funding
• In Portland (Oregon Live) and New Orleans (Daily Comet), the more the merrier
• Charlotte's streetcars will be a year late (Charlotte Business Journal)
January 27th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: The Photographer’s Walk
By The Photographers // No Comments
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Photo by C. Ward Photography, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
January 29th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - RNC, Rogers preparing George St. cameras [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Convention centre seeks environmental green light [CBC]
HALIFAX - Rink may be overlooked in Oval excitement [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - $34M makeover for Confederation Building [CBC]
HALIFAX - Peter Kelly is pursuing the stadium dream [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Skating oval a magnet for Haligonians [The Globe and Mail]
ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland artist to design new Terry Fox sculpture [The Globe and Mail]
HALIFAX - Saint Mary's University cuts down trees to build a parking lot [The Coast]
TRANSPORTATION
ST. JOHN'S - Union, Metrobus reach tentative deal [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax-Dartmouth bridge tolls to go up April 1 [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John drivers upset after cars towed [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Buses are coming back. Now what? [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Halifax councillor ponders parking bans in spring, fall [The Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - The Metrobus strike is over [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Councillor proposes Halifax road tolls [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Traffic running smoothly on Confederation Bridge as winds ease [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Woman killed crossing Halifax street [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
NEWFOUNDLAND - Students to utilize greenhouse in their studies [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Urban farm at Halifax's old QEH school closer to reality [The Chronicle Herald]
Atlantic Snapshots: SnowCycle
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, PEI
Photo by island kimbit, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Spacing Saturday: Oval Art, Arena Partnerships and the Urban Plan
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Emile Thomas reflects on the fatigue incurred by touring people around your own city, specially if you are particularly good at doing so and become a type of attraction in your own rite.
Alanah Heffez reflects on the role of the urban plan as a social contract meant to govern use of the shared urban space and how this role has been diminished by ad-hoc application.
Jamie Stuckless showcases a great new tool for Ottawa cyclists which allows users to rate the safety of various cycling routes and then maps the collective results. The new tool allows cyclists to find the safest routes, even where bike lanes don't exist.
Spacing profiles a new tour set up using the social media tool Gowalla which allows for users to set up or follow a walking tour.
In conjunction with No Mean City blog Alex Bozikovik profiles the new 'Neighbourhood Maverick' exhibition at Harbourfront and a Toronto architect's finalist design for new wildlife highway overpasses.
John Lorinc takes a look at the push to build new arenas in Toronto using public private partnerships and questions whether such arrangements could produce the diversity of arena types that the city really needs.
January 30th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Just hanging around
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Keith Hawkins, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
January 31st, 2011
Events Guide: Halifax Winter Cycling Survey
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Over the past 3 years, the Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC) has noticed a significant drop in winter cycling. Despite the fact that seasonal winter weather combined with inefficient cycling infrastructure regularly create barriers for cyclists each winter, this is no "out-of-the-blue" reason why the number of cyclists has shifted to the low gear over the last few years.
Dalhousie University, care of a graduate student's research project in the Planning program is interested in truing the residents of Halifax ...
February 1st, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Jellybean Row
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Seeing Is, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
February 2nd, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: A Look Back
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Victor Stegemann, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
World Wide Wednesday: Public (Space, Art, Transit)
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• In Alexandria, GOOD reports that citizens are taking over many functions of municipal government. The Popular Committee for the Protection of Properties and Organization of Traffic is taking care of traffic, clean up, protection and emergency response for fellow citizens.
• Though the role of social media in this week's events in Egypt is well established, Grist celebrates "the streets of Cairo [, Alexandria, Suez etc. as] the medium that has carried the message of the Egyptian people." Author Sarah Goodyear highlights the occupation of Tahrir Square, Cairo's central public space, and movement over the Kasr-al-Nil Bridge as defining moments.
• Artist Alexander Chen used MTA data to create a musical transit map of the New York subway system (GOOD).
February 3rd, 2011
From the Vaults: The Public Gardens
By Lauren Oostveen // 3 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
One of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gardens in North America, the Halifax Public Gardens began on Common land by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836. (Text from Friends of the Historic Public Gardens and HRM.)
Public Gardens Plan, ca. 1954
The Society's aims were to establish a garden to promote an interest in botany and proper horticultural technique - "to improve the culture of the best kinds of fruit, the most useful vegetables, shrubs trees, and choice flowers," while at the same time providing a delightful retreat for the citizens.
February 5th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Infill, Satellites and Confabulation
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
In the winter of 1872 Montreal experienced an energy crisis when rivers, used for shipping wood into the city, froze early. The story speaks volumes about the fragile dependency of cities that continues to this day.
Alanah Heffez profiles Conflaboration; an event in which ordinary people share true, lived stories about their lives and puts out a call to readers to participate in the upcoming gathering themed around neighbourhoods.
The City of Ottawa is currently in the process of reviewing of how to handle infill development in established neighbourhoods, a process that brings up the question of just what it means to protect the character of a neighbourhood.
Spacing contributor and Ottawa planner Alan Miguelez speaks to the infill question from the City's perspective by taking readers through the behind the scenes process of reviewing an infill proposal.
The Headspace series this week interviewed rookie councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon who describes herself as an fiscally responsible environmentalist, firmly in between polarized political discourse.
This week marked the first Spacing Satellite feature, challenging readers to identify arial photography of the city.
Events Guide: Snow Sculpting at the Halifax Commons
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Come play with artists Zoe Nudell and Maggie Boyd who will be sculpting fresh snow at the Canada Games Oval today (Saturday), from 2 p.m - 6 p.m.
Come solo or with a group to claim and carve your snow - use your imagination and be creative. It's like white clay has fallen from the sky and it's waiting to be sculpted.
The snow has been collected for participants to use today at the North Park ...
February 6th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Hearings to be set for downtown tower proposals [The Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Disenfranchised [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Railway cut bridge repairs to begin [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Federal funding in place for convention centre [CBC]
HALIFAX - Wrecking Ball Breaker [The Coast]
TRANSPORTATION
CHARLOTTETOWN - Disability council applauds transit review [CBC]
HALIFAX - Why a commuter service is going nowhere [The Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Moncton streets dangerous following snowstorm [CBC]
HALIFAX - No decision on Dartmouth bus terminal [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Holland College to vote on transit pass [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Metrobus return brings mixed emotions: rider [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Politicians ready to fight for transit [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Falling snow, slippery roads make for slow commute to work [CBC]
MONCTON - Drivers must slow down: RCMP [Times & Transcript]
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
MONCTON - What would you change in Moncton? [Times & Transcript]
ARTS/CULTURE
HALIFAX - Graffiti cleanup before Canada Games: HRM [CBC]
MONCTON - U2 confirms Moncton concert date [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Winterfest organizer's spirits high [The Daily Gleaner]
February 8th, 2011
EVENTS GUIDE: Romance in Saint John, EAST goes EAST
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
“I grew up on the outskirts of Saint John, and then began my art practice in the centre of it. The city for me came to be defined as conservative, blue-collar, United Empire Loyalist, gritty, and, thanks to Elsie Wayne, the charismatic longterm mayor, “the Greatest Little City in the East.” I often wondered then: What was Saint John being compared to? And just how far east was East? For example, isn't Halifax a greater “little city in the east”? Part of the genesis for East goes East is the questioning of that geographical thinking, the desire to look a little further east...” -Chris Lloyd, Montréal, 2011 [excerpt from East goes East catalogue]
SAINT JOHN - EAST goes EAST is a series of contemporary art and community events which features visiting artists Karen Tam (Montreal), Kitsum Cheng (Vancouver) and Suzanne Caines (Halifax) on until the end of February in Saint John, NB. Overall, EAST goes EAST investigates cultural differences and perceptions of Orientalism through the lens of art, including an exhibition, artist talks, performances and workshops.
The final event features Atlantic artist, Suzanne Caines who has re-created her video-documented performance - Romance in China, originally created in Beijing in 2009 - into Romance in Saint John. From February 3 – 7, the public had the opportunity to take part in the artist’s investigations into private experiences within the public sphere.
February 9th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Street light gradients
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
photo by Nancy Beaton, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Events Guide: Bikeways Plan, Public Engagement Session
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - Over the past couple months, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, Capital Health and the IWK Health Centre have been developing a Transportation Demand Working Group. One of the projects of this group is to develop a Bikeways Plan to explore improvements to the cycling environment in the Institutional District of downtown Halifax.
Over the next three months, planners with Dalhousie’s Cities & Environment Unit will be working with these four institutions and ...
World Wide Wednesday: Suburban War
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Music, film, and (sub)urbanism are set to collide next week in screenings of the short film Scenes from the Suburbs - a collaboration between Arcade Fire and Spike Jonze, which will run from 12-18 February at the Berlinale. (polis)
• A planned joint venture between U.S. retail REIT Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Canadian RioCan REIT will seek to expand outlet centres into the Canadian market. (RetailTraffic Magazine)
February 10th, 2011
Events Guide: Vision Pavilion – Workshop #1
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DARTMOUTH - Discover Dartmouth with trusted Narratives in Space + Time (NiS+T) collective, as they take teens and adults out for a wandering tour of neglected monuments, abandonned gems (like graveyards) and unexplored paths. With the winter chill upon Nova Scotia, NiS+T recommends to dress warmly, as the Vision Pavilion's first workshop requires weaving through spaces and places in nearby neighbourhoods. Following the tour, participants will be flocked back to Alderney Gate Public Library to learn ...
Events Guide: Daniel Libeskind – NSCAD Public Lecture Series & public reception
By Spacing Atlantic // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Daniel Libeskind, considered one of today’s international leaders in architectural practice and urban design, will speak at NSCAD University on Thursday, February 10, 2011. Libeskind’s remarks will focus on his multidisciplinary approach to architecture and art. Celebrated for his ability to infuse innovative design with a strong sense of memory and history, Daniel Libeskind has designed a multitude of structures, from museums and concert halls to convention centres and universities, including ...
February 11th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Pedestrian walkway
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Chris Jones, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Events Guide: Community Asset Mapping
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Let's talk about our community assets!
Come join the Turning Leaf Centre (TLC) for a Community Asset Mapping workshop. The TLC is a newly formed grass roots non-profit organization with a vision to create innovative educational programs and sustainable community models that link rural and urban populations. The Community Asset Mapping workshop will be the organizations first public event in Halifax, NS; the organizations leads are looking forward to connecting with a vibrant community of progressive minds.
What are Community Assets? The Falls Brook Centre defines community assets ...
Watch NFB: Welcome to Pine Point
By Julie Matlin // No Comments
Editor: Spacing is pleased to continue our partnership with the National Film Board of Canada to showcase films and interactive projects from their online screening room. Julie Matlin of the NFB will be occasionally posting films here on Spacing that explore public spaces, Canadian or international cities and anything urban. The NFB is one of Canada's greatest resources. Click here to view their entire online collection. ...
February 12th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Subway Architecture, Cross Country Trails and a National Transit Strategy
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
The Meadowbrook neighbourhood of Montreal is faced with a curious situation; what to do with an excellent development proposal that is poorly situated, doesn't meet the highest hopes but still represents a dramatic tangible enhancement of the status quo?
The Photo du jour series never fails to capture incredible images of the beautiful city of Montreal and is always worth a look.
Coping with the tough Ottawa winter involves embracing winter sports and fortunately Ottawans have access to several great cross country ski trailswithin a short distance of downtown. Kalle Hakala shows just how easy it is to use public transit to access multiple cross country ski courses.
Canada is the only country in the OECD without a national transit strategy; something which should come as no surprise. Peter Raaymakers looks into a new proposal by Toronto MP Olivia Chow to rectify this situation.
Will Alsop unveiled his design for the new Steeles West station on the Spadina subway extension this week. Alex Bozikovic is critical of the design and its failure to give any recognition to the context of the surrounding area.
Dyland Reid looks to the Netherlands for an innovative solution to protecting bikes that must be stored outdoors. In the historic city of Delft, the Dutch are using stylish glass domes to protect bikes from the elements.
February 13th, 2011
Events Guide: Gothic Revival Walk, The Gatekeeper’s Lodge
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - "In one of my first posts, I mentioned the Gatekeeper's Lodge was a fine example of Victorian-Gothic architecture - she's a beauty, but not alone in the city of Halifax. This city holds gorgeous buildings that echo Victorian-Gothic (or Gothic Revival) style! Wandering along Barrington Street, you may notice the defining features of Gothic Revival style; arched windows, ornate moldings and decorative trims, strong peaks, roof dormers and - low and behold... TRACERY abounds! What is tracery, you ask? (at least I hope you do, because I had to). Tracery is ornamental stone pattern-work, typically found in the upper part of a Gothic window. But I digress... The other Victorian-Gothic of particular interest this week is the Khyber Building, where tracery seems to be almost as plentiful above the windows as at the Lodge" (Aimée Brown, Gatekeeper's Lodge).
With an aim to engage and connect the Gatekeeper's Lodge at Point Pleasant Park and the Khyber Institute, HRM Open Projects Initiative artist-in-residence , Aimée Brown will be performing an illuminated walk in Halifax on Sunday evening, February 13th, as a part of a performance series organized through the Khyber Institute for Contemporary Art. The walk will begin at the Gatekeeper’s Lodge in Point Pleasant Park at 7:00 pm and will progress through the city along Barrington Street to the Khyber.
February 14th, 2011
First Bikeways community engagement session sparks new vision for a bike-friendly “institutional district”
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
HALIFAX - On Thursday, Feb 10th, a diverse group of about 30-40 people gathered at Dalhousie's University Club to discuss a new initiative being launched by four of Halifax's largest institutions. Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, Capital Health, and the IWK Health Centre have teamed up to create a 'Transportation Demand Management' working group which aims to meet sustainability goals through promoting cycling. The group's central project is to develop and implement a new Bikeways Plan for the expansive "institutional district" formed by their total combined landmass.
The session, facilitated by ...
For the Love of the City
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Photo by RodThorne, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
ATLANTIC CANADA – Remarkably, popular ways of finding love in the city have been funneled through internet dating platforms where men and women alike seek partners to share the city experience. An anonymous Spacing Atlantic contributor told me recently: "I haven’t had much luck finding love in the city. I'm looking for a partner that likes taking romantic walks along the industrial waterfront or likes riding double on a bicycle through the streets. It would also be so nice to get a love letter through city mail or find a valentine sentiment on a telephone post." The comment, while akin to a personal ad, reflects that people have love for their city and want to share that love with someone else.
Like internet dating websites that extol the success of finding love in the city, I have collected testimonials from Spacing Atlantic contributors who want to share where they have found love for and in the city.
"Finding your own Pulse"
In order to find love in the city, you first have to first make sure that your own heart is working properly. To check your pulse, "place your forefinger and middle finger where an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) crosses over a bone and is close to the skin's surface" (How to Find your Pulse). As a Nurse, the Co-Chair of the Halifax Cycling Coalition and contributor to Spacing Atlantic, Stephen Bedard comments on his ephemeral love connection with a certain Halifax intersection and the pulse of sustainable transportation development:
February 15th, 2011
Survey: Evaluating the Potentials of a Public Bicycle System for HRM
By Emma Feltes // No Comments
Halifax - Kourosh Rad, a fourth year student at Dalhousie's School of Planning, wants your input on the feasibility and potentials of public bicycle sharing system in HRM. Fill out his short online survey to contribute to a broader understanding of Haligonian's attitudes towards bike sharing: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=10526.
photo by Isaac Tsahi Moscovich, member of the Spacing Atlantic flickr pool
February 16th, 2011
Our urban environment is over-fenced
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_7701" align="alignnone" width="580" caption="Charlottetown 3 kms from city centre: nary a fence in sight"][/caption]
This article by Erin O'Connell was originally published on Spacing Ottawa
Do good fences really make good neighbours?
We’re into the depths of winter and for those of us who love being outside without 14 layers of clothing puttering about in their gardens, spring is just around the corner. The planning profession is well represented in Spacing's readership, so I suspect that many others share my love of lists and ‘projects’ including improvements to outdoor spaces. Now is the time for staring longingly out to the yard/patio/balcony with hands wrapped around a big mug of hot liquid in lieu of the summer time beer.
So what project is being pondered for my own back yard that might hold larger implications, you ask? Well – that project would be fencing. There is a chain link fence that wraps around two lot lines of our rear yard. Not the most attractive feature, although it does have certain advantages such as transparency and durability. I can only assume that the fence was erected as part of a larger project by the former owners that included gates on the other side and enclosed the yard so as to allow the numerous pets to hang around outside. The intent of the fence was to “wall in”.
World Wide Wednesday: Paris/NYC, Gehry, Arts Funding
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Would New York with Parisian streets still be New York? Planners at Columbia University pose this question with a map and rendering of New York superimposed with the grand boulevards of Paris. (Untapped Cities)
• New Yorkers are welcoming Frank Gehry's latest addition to the city's skyline with trepidation. The Spruce Street project is Gehry's first skyscraper and the tallest luxury residential tower in the city's history. NYT critic Nicolai Ouroussoff says it "epitomize[s] the skyline’s transformation from a symbol of American commerce to a display of individual wealth."
• In Tel Aviv, reports Sustainable City Blog, a member of city council suggests instituting a participatory budgeting process.
Events Guide: Celebration Square at Noon & at Night
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - As part of the event programming for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games, taking place from February 11-27, 2011, there will be several free outdoor afternoon activities and night concerts, by over a dozen performers in Grand Parade Square in downtown Halifax.
Given that activities and the concerts are outdoors in the middle of winter, make sure to bundle up or at least rock out to the live music, to stay warm.
The schedule of activities for Celebration at Noon, includes:
Feb. 17 - The Trips / Slow Cooking Cover
Feb. 18 - Halifax Circus / Annapolis Valley Honour Choir
Feb. 21 - The Mathieu Da Costa Challenge Awards Ceremony
Feb. 22 - Blou
Feb. 23 - Dance Zone / Conseil communautaire du Grand-Havre
Feb. 24 - Kidzact
Feb. 25 - Musquodoboit Valley Family of Schools' Choir
WHAT: Celebration Square at Noon, Free Performances
WHEN: February 11 -27, 2011, starts at Noon each day!
WHERE: Grand Parade Square, Halifax, NS
HOW MUCH: Free
Concert line-up highlights include, Hawksley Workman, Old Man Luedecke, Buck 65 and City and Colour. The full list of dates and performances, for what has been coined as “Celebration Square at Night” is as follows:
February 17th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: New York Social Club
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
February 19th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Over-Fenced, Bike Lane Backlash and Migrations of the Rich
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Montreal talked a lot about heritage preservation this week. Alanah Heffez discusses how some of the most important victories in heritage preservation come in the form of procedural victories rather than simply preserving postcard settings. On the other hand Guillaume St-Jean posted some striking photography of the demolition of Saint Sauveur Church.
Devin Alfro follows the history of the migrations of Montreal's most prestigious neighbourhoods and the wake of opulent architecture this migration has left in its path.
After a visit to the neighbourly east coast, Erin O'Connell asks the question are our cities over-fenced? In doing so she opens up an interesting debate about why we fence and what the implications are for our communities.
The second instalment of Spacing Ottawa's Gowalla walking tours was posted this week, this time focusing on the Chinatown neighbourhood. Gowalla tours allow users to follow a walking tour from their smartphone.
Dylan Reid provides a fascinating look inside the transportation talk that took place at last week's GTA Summit. Discussion ranged from bold ideas on how to empower Metrolinx to expressions of hope for the implementation of the region-wide Presto fare card.
As Toronto struggles with 'war on the car' rhetoric, Jake Schabis reports on similar push back happening to new bike infrastructure all over New York City and that city's different political response.
February 20th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Freeze Frame, Confederation Bridge
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Prince Edward Island
Photo by Rod Thorne, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
HEADLINES: THE PAST TWO WEEKS IN REVIEW
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - New lamps for old (The Chronicle Herald]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHNS – KA-BOOM! [The Scope]
CORNER BROOK - Building lots in high demand – [The Telegram]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Public meeting held on convention centre [The Guardian]
HISTORY
DARTMOUTH - FLASHBACK: Old power company building [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - FLASHBACK: Morning commute in ’59 [The Chronicle Herald]
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - City manager search not cheap: O'Keefe [CBC]
HALIFAX - Sewage plant missing effluent targets [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown council votes against rezoning [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Downtown businesses angered over snow clearing [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John lighthouse clouded by controversy [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - No public tender? No problem. [The Scope]
February 22nd, 2011
Events Guide: this town is small launch
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - Collaborating with local artists from the film and music community, small town sessions have and will continue to be recorded in alternative venues around Charlottetown, including but not limited to abandoned buildings, churches and living rooms. On January 25th the project began, by documenting initial footage with artist John Connolly at the abandoned Kays Borthers Whole Sale building in downtown Charlottetown. “Small Town Sessions is a project aimed to celebrate the incredible artistic energy that is fostered by a small place, like Charlottetown. It isn’t ...
Event Guide: Eastern Gateway Waterfront Presentation
By Joshua Biggley // No Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - The Charlottetown Area Development Corporation is ready to reveal the Eastern Gateway Master Plan that will (we hope) transform the area at the foot of the Hillsborough Bridge, the Red Shores Raceway and the gateway to Charlottetown into a true representation of all that PEI's capital city has to offer.
WHAT: Eastern Gateway Waterfront Presentation
WHEN: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
WHERE: The Rodd Charlottetown Hotel (75 Kent Street)
This is a great opportunity to participate in the landscape of our city.
Photo by: Stephen Desroches
February 23rd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: River maps, safe streets, city guide
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Artist Daniel Huffman's transit-inspired river maps draw a new link between cities and rivers. "I wanted to create a series of maps that gives people a new way to look at rivers: a much more modern, urban type of portrayal," he writes. (CMYBacon)
• A team of researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health has published a study which compares cyclist safety on separated right of ways and on-street routes, using data from Montreal. Contrary to conventional transportation engineering thinking, the authors conclude that separated right of ways are safer for cyclists. (Bike Portland)
• Looking for an alternative guide to L.A.? A group of local artists have recently released, Scores For the City - an urban guide which highlights important moments in the city's social choreography. (GOOD)
February 24th, 2011
U Park: HRM Bike Rack Design Competition
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY - Obviously, the city needs more bike racks and with all the exciting hype around cycling infrastructure in HRM (surveys and consultations), the city will likely need more bicycle parking. If you could park your bike - not on a fence, not on a parking meter, not on a tree - where would you park it? Submit your creative and/or functional bike rack ideas to the Sustainable Environment Management Offices' (SEMO) HRM ...
February 25th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Brave McAvity
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
February 26th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Studentification, Trash Entrepreneurs and Black History Month
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Devin Alfro speaks to the intricate concerns surrounding plans for a second campus of UdeM in Outremont including the concern over Studentificationin the currently affordable areas of the nearby Parc Extension neighbourhood.
Alanah Heffez shares and provides context for some incredible photography she took while flying out of the city on a winter morning.
In the wake of a highly publicized video of an OC Transpo driver verbally berating a passenger, Spacing points to numerous examples of excellentservice to highlight that this once incident does not speak to the performance of transit workers across the city.
In a nod to black history month Francesco Corsaro speaks to two people with ties to different waves of black immigrants to Ottawa including some who came from the U.S. in the late 19th century and others who came from the Caribbean during the 1960's.
Jessica Lemieux takes an interesting look at the issue of trash by highlighting the entrepreneurial activities of dumpster divers in Toronto, their ethical considerations and the interaction of the City in this urban closed cycle activity.
The Head Space feature this week sat down with architect Michael McClelland of E.R.A Architects to discuss the state of heritage preservation efforts in Toronto.
Events Guide: Skating Carnival
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - Shake it up! Show your carnival flavour tonight at the Oval, while pumping your heart full of adrenaline and soul. Wear a mask, adorn yourself in body paint, wear bright colours, play your kazoo and show off your figure skating technique/dancing if you wish, all while getting some fresh air during the informal skating carnival event tonight at the Canada Games Oval - pre-celebration style for the 7th annual Brazilian Carnaval.
WHAT: Skating Carnival
WHEN: Tonight - Saturday, February 26th, 7pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Canada Games Oval
HOW ...
February 27th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Snow Meter
By The Photographers // No Comments
Moncton, New Brunswick
Photo by Trevor Gertridge, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Citadel Hill dispute heads to Supreme Court [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Property tax bills to show value with, without cap [The Telegraph-Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - City to rethink homes near chemical plant [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's hires new city manager [CBC]
HALIFAX - Oval costs revealed [The Coast]
CORNER BROOK - Corner Brook residents fight condo developmen [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Apartment building gets reprieve [The Guardian]
TRANSPORTATION
NEW BRUNSWICK - Winter storms cause 200 car crashes: RCMP [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City proposes bylaw changes to parking surrounding Holland College [The Guardian]
OTHER
CHARLOTTETOWN - History celebrated during National Heritage Day [The Guardian]
ST. JOHN'S - What’s the awesomest winter thing you’ve done this year? [The Scope]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside continues to deny hot dog carts [CBC]
PEI - Island Waste needs clearer snow policy: resident [CBC]
March 1st, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Rubber Tired Gantry
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Dean Bouchard, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Lead a Jane’s Walk!
By Emma Feltes // 1 Comment
ALL OVER - "Jane’s Walk is the street-level celebration of Jane Jacobs’ legacy that combines the simple act of walking with personal observations, urban history and local lore as a way of knitting people together into strong and resourceful communities."
Since it's inception in Toronto in 2007, every first weekend of May (to coincide with Jane Jacobs' b-day), Jane's Walk sends swaths of pedestrians out to infiltrate and explore the urban landscape. The walks honour urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs who championed the interests of local residents and pedestrians, ...
March 2nd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Growth, colour-coded buses and library revival
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• WebUrbanist has a series of stunning photos documenting the speed of development in Dubai (pictured above), Shanghai, Bangkok, Panama City, London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Paris, New York and Shenzhen.
• Buses can be an unwieldy option for unfamiliar transit users; unlike fixed route systems, it can be more difficult to tell where you might end up. Unless you find yourself in Seoul where they are making it easier for bus riders to find their way. Using a colour coded system which differentiates between trunk, feeder, intercity, and circular routes, and route numbers which signify origin and destination, the city improved travel times, held transit modal share steady and decreased the transit operations subsidy by US $421 million. (Re:Place Magazine)
Spacing Ottawa adds Clive Doucet as columnist
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
OTTAWA — Long-time City Councillor and recent mayoral candidate Clive Doucet has joined Spacing's city blog network as Urban Policy columnist for Spacing Ottawa, it was announced today by Spacing Ottawa editor Evan Thornton.
“We are delighted to have an urbanist and writer of Clive’s accomplishment with us at Spacing,” Thornton said. “Our mandate at Spacing is to explore the urban landscape, and as his career has shown, there is no one thinking more clearly and incisively about urban issues in Canada. There are few writers with more practical experience on the challenges facing cities in an age of economic contraction than Clive Doucet.”
March 3rd, 2011
Events Guide: Lets Tango on the 12 Track!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX, MONCTON & MIRAMICHI - Listen to Karin Aurell, flutist and active performer in the region, play publicly at VIA Rail locations in Halifax, Moncton and Miramichi, March 3 - 11, 2011. Aurell will be performing Martin Kutnowski's 12 Tango Etudes. This is a great opportunity to get out of your regular zone and enjoy free music in a relatively public space.
All shows start approximately one hour before the departure of the westbound train, and the performer is encouraging interested people to show up just to listen, joining the folks who are in the train station for travel. The VIA Rail shows are part of a larger national project titled New Music in New Places, the focus of which is to bring new Canadian music to a new audience by performing it in venues other than regular concert venues. The idea of performing in train stations is one that appeals to the flutist, partly because train stations tend to be good performance venues with good acoustics and exciting things going on, and also because they are places where people who are going from one place to another often end up spending a bit of time. It also evokes the performer's youth, when she spent many hours busking and one of her favourite performance spots was an underground walkway connecting the Stockholm Central Station with that city's subway system.
WHAT: Public Performances at VIA Rail Stations in Atlantic Canada
WHEN: March 3 at 11am, March 10 at 4pm and March 11 at 6pm
WHERE: Halifax, Moncton, and Miramichi (in order of above dates and times)
HOW MUCH: Free
Atlantic Snapshots: Metcalfe Street
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Power_Unit, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
March 4th, 2011
From the Vaults: Then and Now
By Lauren Oostveen // 3 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
A "then and now" comparison of busy Halifax streets.
If you have a street, neighbourhood, or landmark you'd like to see covered in 'From the Vaults,' please leave a comment with your suggestions.
Looking towards Citadel Hill from the foot of George Street
Photo ca. 1879. Activity on the street indicates that it was market day.
March 5th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: The Don Valley, Urban Camping and Versailles
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Why don't we go camping in the city? Alanah Heffez posted two articles this week dealing with the idea of urban camping profiling an effort to get campsites established in Montreal and discussing the merits and restrictions on urban campfires.
Joel Thibert is proposing to walk across the entire Montreal region; a 100km trek over the course of a June long weekend and is looking for others to join the expedition.
Urbanist, former councilor and recent mayoral candidate Clive Doucet made his inaugural post on Spacing this week comparing current government policies to the Treaty of Versailles in that they fail to deal with serious issues and ensure future problems.
Lamenting the state of curbside potholes which cause havoc for cyclists around this time of year, Evan Thornton asks why cities don't use center drainage collection to better clear roads and sidewalks.
With government privatization making news across North America, John Lorinc looks at the Ford Administration's move to bring in outside budget consultants and speculates about their potential role in an outsourcing process.
Jessica Lemieux reflects on a walk through the Don Valley and uses a German friend's confusion about the definition of a ravine to reflect on sense of place and urban conservation in evolving settings.
March 6th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Vampires of Love
By The Photographers // No Comments
St. John's, Newfoundland
Photo by Nancy Beaton, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown too busy to fill potholes [CBC]
HALIFAX - N.S. buys most expensive paving equipment [CBC]
MONCTON - Better way to deal with infrastructure [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Plans delayed to remove fuel from sunken barge [CBC]
MONCTON - Moncton's aging pipes led to water main break [CBC]
HALIFAX - Firefighters douse Gottingen Street blaze for second time [The Chronicle Herald]
TRANSPORTATION
HRM - Overnight parking ban ends early [The Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN = Saint John snow-clearing budget nearly blown [CBC]
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Halifax council hires Richard Butts as new CAO [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Are councillors paid enough? [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - N.S. paving decision riles road builders [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John open to talks in Rothesay water dispute [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside to review failed concert decisions [CBC]
HALIFAX - Firms dump on trash plans [The Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Moving targets [The Coast]
March 7th, 2011
Events Guide: Site / Cite
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - According to NSCAD undergraduate exhibitors Leah Resnick and Jeremy Tsang, "SITE / CITE consists of a collection of large-scale photographs which show the creative potential of urban spaces." Is the creative potential of urban space related to how space is manipulated, perceived and occupied, as shown above in the work Mirror Sheet? I guess we will have to wait and see tonight at the opening reception from 5:30pm till 7pm at Anna Leonowens gallery in downtown Halifax. If you can't make it to ...
March 8th, 2011
*Cancelled* – Events Guide: Clear the trash Halifax
By Abad Khan // No Comments
HALIFAX - Tonight, Halifax Regional Council will be hosting a public hearing on proposed amendments to By-Law 600, regarding HRM's Waste Diversion Program. HRM Solid Waste Resources (SWR) has put together a pretty good presentation [PDF] that will be leading the discussion. In an effort to force some emotional attachment to our garbage, SWR have thrown in some truly gruesome pictures of failed waste diversion (blood vials?!).
What do the changes mean to you?
*Public Hearing at 6pm has been **CANCELLED*** by Halifax Regional Council as of 4:25pm; about 100 people were to speak*
Events Guide: Imagine
By Crystal Melville // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - In 2005, Halifax's north end collective consciousness came together to sprout Imagine Bloomfield in an effort to renew and preserve a nexus of history, community and cultural activity relevant to the needs of the area. Since 2005, needs assessments have been conducted, consultants hired, volunteers amassed and finally in 2010 a MasterPlan for redevelopment of the site was tabled and accepted unanimously by Halifax Regional Council. Recently, Imagine Bloomfield reported that “an implementation process report is expected to begin being acted upon in 2011.” Without saying, Imagine Bloomfield is an incredible project which has been inspired by the the passion and dedication of a group of people and has successfully inspired city planners to imagine new ideas for their property to move a little quicker to get this development off of the ground. Based on my own observations and experiences of developments and planning in Halifax for the last 9 years, the skeptic in me still wonders when this project will in fact bloom.
Seriously - IMAGINE - planning in Halifax.
From March 10- 12, 2011, Dalhousie University graduate students from the School of Planning have organized a conference titled IMAGINE. The intent of IMAGINE is to explore long-term planning through speakers and activities to create an understanding of how long-term planning should and can influence how cities are planned today. The conference will facilitate the sharing of ideas and lessons learned between professionals, academics and the community, while exploring a combination of initiatives and ideas from a wide range of speakers with diverse backgrounds.
March 9th, 2011
Events Guide: Public Session, Capital Health Urban Farm project
By Abad Khan // No Comments
HALIFAX - Once Queen Elizabeth High School is demolished, the land is to be used in the interim as an urban farm - a novel use of the land for the time being (it's slated to be used for expansion of the hospital in the future). The idea to turn the area into an urban farm spawned when Capital Health and the Dalhousie University's Cities and Environment Unit organized a public consultation on November 21, 2010. Spacing Atlantic covered the public consultation and offers ...
Events Guide: Halifax Metro Transit Public Consultation
By Abad Khan // No Comments
HALIFAX - Metro Transit is hosting four public consultations today and tomorrow to aid a consultant's review of HRM's public transit system as part of its Universal Accessibility Planning Study. The sessions will consist of a short presentation followed by a question & answer period.
Metro Transit states:
This includes reviewing Metro Transit’s existing infrastructure (vehicles, terminals, bus stops, shelters, etc.), and evaluating the overall business processes and products, such as accessible customer information (directional signage around service areas); communication; website; and policies & practices for accessible customer service."
While Metro Transit is to be lauded for commissioning a study aimed at improving 'the overall accessibility' while inviting residents to participate in these discussions, my disappointment lies in the distinct lack of reach to the community or ridership itself.
World Wide Wednesday: Trouble in paradise and the beauty of dust
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• A city known for its pervasive car culture, Los Angeles is the proud new owner of a bike plan - and a broken arm may have started it all. While L.A.'s new plan targets bike lanes and bike parking improvements, local experts say it speaks to a cultural shift that will make roads more friendly for all users. Moving forward, cycling advocates will need to address funding issues and bureaucratic heel-dragging to ensure the plan is put into action. (GOOD)
• New York has long been the darling of bike infrastructure advocates. But for all the praise lavished upon NYC's bike infrastructure revolution, there is evidence that its well laid plans may be coming apart at the seams: a lawsuit over the Prospect Park West bike lane and political in-fighting over autocratic decision making.
• Perhaps those making a fuss in New York ought to consider this infographic from the Intelligent Cities Project. By their calculation, if a city can reduce car ownership by 15,000 vehicles, an additional $127,275,000 could stay in the local economy. (Intelligent Cities Project)
March 10th, 2011
Events Guide: PechaKucha Night #7
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
I like it here.
So why is my neighborhood and thousands more like it, so often ignored by architects and architecture schools? The very environment where a good number of students were born and raised is relegated to a bench seat when it comes to academic discourse, or - even worse - treated with derision or scorn. "Leave it to the developers," is the refrain.
I whole-heartedly disagree.
There is fantastic essay by Albert Pope, a professor at Rice University in Houston, where I received my education, entitled "The Primacy of Space." In it, Pope writes:
"The contemporary city, the city that is, at this moment, under construction, is invisible. Despite the fact that it is lived in by millions of people, that it is endlessly reproduced, debated in learned societies, and suffered on a daily basis, the conceptual framework that would allow us to see it is conspicuously lacking. While the contemporary city remains everywhere and always seen, it is fully transparent to the urban conceptions under which we continue to operate."
In other words: old rules don't necessarily apply. The formal ideas which stem from urbanity are often rendered powerless or irrelevant when haphazardly overlaid on suburban spaces. We need new tools in the toolbox. Hell, we need a whole other toolbox.
HALIFAX - The above image and text is care of Halifax Architect, Eric Stotts and was originally published on the blog, Building Social Value; a blog about Socially Responsible Architecture that features writings and observations by Stotts, as well as Angela Henderson. Stotts' above text and photo montage will likely provide an interesting entry point into his PechaKucha (PK) presentation (20 images, shown for 20 second each) tonight at The Carleton, and is likewise fitting for his PK presenters tag name - 'Suburban Apologist'. Angela Henderson, will also be giving an engaging presentation at PK#7. From her blog entries on co-design, community building, public space, and place-making, I can understand the correlation between her two-word PK presentation descriptor - 'Incurable Humanist'.
March 11th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Street Seen
By The Photographers // 1 Comment
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Ross Dunn, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
March 12th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Grafitti Removal, Autoroute 25 and Pecha Kucha
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Devin Alfaro looks questioningly down the 401 and wonders if a Rob Ford figure could ever be elected in Montreal. While his quick answer is no, he offers many musings about the political differences and similarities between the two cities.
As the new extension of autoroute 25 between Montreal and Laval approaches completion Alanah Heffez looks back on the shortcomings of the process which lead to the prioritization of new highway infrastructure and the future of the lands around the new highway.
Eric Darwin talks about the details and neighbourhood dynamics of sidewalk snow clearing including reflections on good samaritans, local kids and how to get the City on the case of snow dumping offenders.
Following the announced move of the Ottawa Folk Festival to a new venue at Mooney's Bay, Spacing weighs in on the benefits of holding such festivals in areas where they won't bother residents versus being close to public transit.
Jessica Lemieux takes a look at the Portlands and the complexities of the soil remediation efforts taking place there. The post examines why the process is necessary, how it works and what surprises have been found as the earth is recycled.
Graffiti removal was a theme this week with Dylan Reid comprehensively delving into the issue of how the City should approach an area that has ideological issues for both sides of the political spectrum and subjective questions of what is worth saving. Shawn Micallef responded by showing some graffiti that the Mayor may not want to remove.
Planning for the (very) long run: Prof Bruce Tonn opens IMAGINE conference at Dalhousie
By Hugh Pouliot // No Comments
HALIFAX - Cities, as a rule, almost always outlive their founders, architects, and inhabitants. Despite millennia of transformation, London today retains its essential structure as laid out by the Romans in the 2nd century CE, while the medina of Fez, in Morocco, has sustained waves of invasion and colonization to preserve a built environment and way of life born in the early 9th century CE. Spaces that work, that are built on tenable foundations and principles, tend to last.
Thursday evening kicked off a three day conference at Dalhousie University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning, entitled IMAGINE. This year’s annual planning conference was ‘designed to explore and discuss the importance of long term planning’, and, as suggested by Prof. Christine Macy in her opening comments, consider a kind of thinking about planning that goes ‘beyond the twenty year mortgage and the four year political term.’
The conference asks participants to ponder planning beyond our own lifetimes, to imagine the city in 100 years. In his keynote address, however, Prof. Bruce Tonn of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, proposes extending this perspective a touch further: for a planning perspective to become truly sustainable, Tonn has developed a theory known as ‘very long-term planning’, which considers sustainable planning in terms of the next hundred, thousand, even tens of thousands of years.
‘How much longer do we need the earth to sustain human life?’ he asks. Tonn calls the imperative of very long-term planning the central responsibility of young planners going forward, and ‘maybe the next phase of human civilization.’
March 13th, 2011
Events Guide: Holy Well Excursions
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Join artist, Aimee Brown this Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 pm for the first of three performative excursions; these excursions will celebrate the ritual and survival skills necessary for travel to sacred sites. Participants will meet at the Gatekeeper's Lodge at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and be guided by foot to and from the only potable water source in the park, mysteriously referred to as "The Holy Well".
WHAT: The Holy Well Excursions
WHEN: Today - Sunday, March 13, 2011, 2pm
WHERE: Gatekeeper's Lodge, Point Pleasant Park
HOW MUCH: Free
For more information ...
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - ‘Favouritism,’ ‘moral responsibility,’ and other mysteries at 271 Duckworth [The Scope]
FREDERICTON - Woman not counting chickens before city approval hatched [The Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for Mar 8, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Garbage limit bagged [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Council hammers Hanlon [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Halifax council recap [The Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
SYDNEY - Membertou unveils plans for new arena [CBC]
HALIFAX - Convention centre funding decision 'imminent': Estabrooks [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Vote on St. John's waterfront idea expected [CBC]
HALIFAX - Beer giant donates $225K to save skating oval [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John Harbour Bridge deal may be delayed [CBC]
HALIFAX - Developer interested in Halifax community centre land [CBC]
NOVA SCOTIA - Nova Scotia’s green power failure [The Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
NOVA SCOTIA - Get out of paving business, province told [CBC]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - New bus terminal means projects may be delayed [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Parking regulations to be enforced on Monday [The Telegram]
MONCTON - Moncton imposes emergency snow-clearing rules [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Police need to ease up on dropoffs, says Snooty Fox [The Daily Gleaner]
March 14th, 2011
Japanese earthquakes – a century of urban devastation
By Evan Thornton // No Comments
This article was originally published on Spacing Ottawa.
The harrowing images coming to us from across the Pacific are heightening the sense of dread felt around the world about the final tally of the death toll in northeastern Japan; at the time of posting authorities were advising the number of people killed by the quake and the subsequent tsunami could well exceed 10,000. The Flickr pool shown above -- which also includeds video clips -- is ...
March 15th, 2011
A Greenbelt for Halifax?
By Natascia Lypny // 4 Comments
HALIFAX - “What kind of community do you want to live in? What do you want Halifax to look like?”
Jen Powley asked these questions to a packed auditorium in the Ralph M. Medjuck Building located at the Dalhousie University School of Planning campus on March 11th, 2011. Despite the diversity of her audience—students and seniors, the able-bodied and the handicapped, Nova Scotia natives and recently transplanted residents—Powley guessed their answers may be more similar than different. She’s also confident an HRM Greenbelt would solidify a common ground.
On the second day of the Dalhousie School of Planning’s Imagine conference, Powley proposed the implementation of an HRM Greenbelt to strengthen the components of the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy. The conferences intent was to assess long-term planning in general and to review specifically, the Regional Municipal Plan: the 25-year strategy plan is under review this year and is seeking consultation from the public. The HRM Regional Municipal Plan was ratified in 2006 and lays out a strategy for sustainable growth in the HRM that simultaneously preserves the environment and fosters a strong economy. It touches upon what Powley refers to as the three key pillars of future planning: society, economics and the environment. It also addresses them in urban, rural and suburban contexts.
While Powley agrees with this approach, she describes the Plan as “130 pages of dense, dense document. I use the image of oatmeal,” she says. “Really, it’s kind of bland.” Powley’s joke isn’t far off-base. According to a recent survey, 53 per cent of polled HRM residents rated the success of the Plan as five or lower, on a one to ten scale. “It’s a good plan,” says Powley. “There’s lots of good stuff in it, but it hasn’t attracted the imagination of the population.”
March 16th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: All opposed?
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• UPDATE: For more on New York City's bike lane woes, check out: How one New York bike lane could affect the future of cycling worldwide (The Guardian), Battle of the Bike Lanes (The New Yorker), John Cassidy vs bipeds (Reuters).
• Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's Local School District and Fiscal Accountability Act allows state-appointed emergency managers to seize control of local governments in financial emergencies to renegotiate contacts, terminate collective bargaining agreements, close schools and dissolve or reorganize governments and districts. As Slate discovers this power is not unprecedented.
Rad wins Mayor’s Award in Excellence and Innovation
By Hugh Pouliot // No Comments
HALIFAX - For the 3rd annual Mayor’s Award for Excellence & Innovation in Planning competition, eligible post-secondary students living in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) were challenged to conceptualize how cities will function in 100 years. Applicants were provided a selection of questions as imagination foder for their entries - questions like, how will we get from point A to point B? What will our homes look like? What will we eat? And, where will our food come from? The annual competition became a fixture at the recently past IMAGINE conference at Dalhousie University's School of Planning.
In line with the mandate of the conference, the Mayor’s Award was an opportunity for aspiring planners to get creative, to imagine what life could be like in the city in 100 years (or more), and to illustrate the importance of long-term planning. Although only post-secondary students were eligible to submit, the criteria was otherwise wide open, and could include any combination of words and images, hand-made or digitally constructed. The award, worth $500, was solicited by the School of Planning and the Mayor of Halifax, with submitted entries a focal point of discussion and interaction, during the IMAGINE conference.
Conference organizers and participants were asked to vote on the most innovative idea, with the award going to Kourosh Rad, whose winning entry is illustrated above.
March 17th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Shamrock
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Bill Lapp, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
March 18th, 2011
Events Guide: Lamplighter’s Invocation
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - In conjunction with Aimée Brown's artist residency in Point Pleasant Park this season, she will be performing a Lamplighter's Invocation, Saturday, March 19, starting at 7:10 pm at the Gatekeeper's Lodge on Young and Point Pleasant Street.
This performance will commemorate and illuminate the old and new sites for the Point Pleasant Park cast iron lamps, constructed by the Glasgow Corporation Lighting Department in 1900. The lamps, removed from the Tower Road entrance to be refinished and retrofitted with LED lights, are currently being placed near the Park Gates and the Gatekeeper's Lodge,establishing a distinct Victorian-era ...
Events Guide: UnCork Spring with Imagine Bloomfield
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Launch Spring 2011 with Imagine Bloomfield and a general celebration of renewal at Obladee Wine bar in downtown Halifax on Monday, March 21st! Enjoy a social and entertaining evening featuring delectable light fare; the Uncork Spring event features a complimentary tasting of local wine and a selection of local cheeses, a short performance by actor John Dunsworth (Mr. Lahey of The Trailer Park Boys), and an update on the redevelopment of the Bloomfield Centre.
WHAT: Uncork Spring: a wine and cheese fundraiser ...
March 19th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Green Roofs, Greenbelts and Whistler
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Whistler Village from the Mountain
Are the governing Conservatives trying to dig up age old conceptions of the urban-rural divide in a divide and conquer campaign for Quebec votes? Alanah Heffez speculates about what such politicking says about our government.
Every city has a mythology surrounding its founding father(s), but what about the founding mothers? Alanah Heffez responds to Mayor Tremblay's recent designation of Jeanne Mance as a co-founder of Montreal. Heffez looks into the history books to tell the remarkable of Mance and the role she played in the city's early days.
Clive Doucet took a break from the slopes during a recent trip to Whistler to speak with the Mayor of Canada's largest resort city. In doing so he was able to learn about some of Whistler's unique planning approaches which have made the city both walkable and attempted to protect housing affordability.
Eric Darwin uses revealing stains, sprayed from passing cars, on fresh winter snow to illustrate a point of dismay about the way sidewalks are built in Ottawa. While one good piece of sidewalk, with proper drainage and comfort is shown, it is about to be demolished as part of road expansion.
As Toronto continues to work through the implementation of its ambitious green roofs bylaw Jessica Lemieux takes a look at some of the recent history of Green Roofs in the city. She also looks at some of the players involved in their design and reflects on their social benefit.
With the new dynamic at Toronto City Hall becoming more clear, John Lorinc takes a look at a group of six independent councilors whose swing voting could hold the balance of power if they only realized it.
March 20th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - Democratic disconnect? [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Concert scandal rocks City Hall [The Coast]
MONCTON - Moncton lost money on past mega-concerts [CBC]
HALIFAX - Peter Kelly's dissembling explanation [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's cracks down on snow dumping [CBC]
HALIFAX - Updated---Common concerts: by the numbers [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Council orders CAO's immediate resignation [CBC]
HALIFAX - Did TCL act properly? [The Coast]
CORNER BROOK - Rookie wins Corner Brook byelection [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax’s CFO resigns [The Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - N.S. scandal heats up concert war [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - City AG to dig back to 2008 concert advances [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Cathie O'Toole resigns [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Mayor apologizes for concert scandal as CFO leaves [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Controversial wetlands policy axed [The Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - Northside park gets federal funding [The Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Does Trade Centre’s involvement kill convention centre proposal? [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - New health clinic to serve residents of downtown core [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Time running out for new convention centre [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Port of Summerside to be repaired [CBC]
HALIFAX - Suite life to go up atop Spring Garden complex [The Chronicle Herald]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Convention centre inches closer to reality [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Kelly says stadium coming to Halifax, just a matter of when [The Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - City creates award to recognize seniors [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Halifax's $4.2-million military care centre to be built by January [The Chronicle Herald]
March 21st, 2011
Value City – Planning?
By Crystal Melville // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Ka-Ching. With a $13 billion dollar debt in NS (cleverly illustrated by Hugh Pouliot), how can we not talk about value?
It is ironic really, that HRM with its past spending habits, has not fully assessed the value(s) of, and in, the HRM Regional Municipality Strategy Plan. Thankfully, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, a panel consisting of IMAGINE conferences' key-note speakers - Bruce Tonn, Hugh Millward and Patricia Gordon, as well as city councillor Jennifer Watts - talked about planning values in relation to the HRM's Regional Municipal Strategy and long-term planning, in general.
Despite spending a significant value in, on and for HRM in the past, the conference revealed that money rather than planning took a priority in the 25-year Municipal Strategy plan.
Millward suggested that a lot of smart growth ideas were watered down in the actual HRM plan; he assumed that it was a result of municipal resources, specifically financial. He also attributed the watering down to the fact that "the plan had to be sold as a package", which may be why certain topics had less of an impact. Watts pointed to the fact that there was and is no conversation about water, despite the fact that there are 46 watersheds in Nova Scotia with a majority of them in the HRM area. Watts suggested that "It would be important to address water and understand the implications of water. I've been hearing lots of land-use planning, but what is our relationship to water? Again though, planning water is really expensive." Gordon indicated that "the scope of any municipal plan is hard to address." When Gordon was working for the City of Calgary, during ImagineCALGARY, they reduced their municipal plan to two key areas that would shape the plan and long-term planning - Energy and Water. Gordon felt that both were missing from the HRM plan and both are really important and necessary to assess now and in the long-term: "To me if you don't have energy (in the plan) you have a problem ... you are going nowhere without energy." Tonn expressed surprise that NS still relied heavily on fossil fuel energy, when the province had access to other sustainable resources. But Tonn also indicated that a challenge of transitioning to sustainable energy resources is that, as evidenced in the USA, the traditional grid energy infrastructures are not capable of distributing the new and long-term energy technology. Watts quipped in indicating that "it is a hard slug and that hands are tied to what we can do." She did indicate however, that council has hired legal teams to write new charters. What is clear though, is that planning is expensive or at least it is under the current bureaucratic (debt) structure.
March 22nd, 2011
Events Guide: Public Lecture, MUN Department of Geography
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - A special lecture will be held tonight at the Johnson Geo Centre at Memorial University to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Department of Geography. Presenting lecturer, MUN Geography Professor Rodolphe Devillers will talk about cartography, surveillance and Geographic Information Systems, during his lecture "Mapping in the 21st Century: New Horizons, New Challenges."
WHAT: MUN Public Lecture - "Mapping in the 21st Century: New Horizons, New Challenges"
WHERE: Memorial University, Johnson Geo Centre - 175 Signall Hill Rd
WHEN: Tuesday, March 22nd, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
HOW MUCH: Free
Devillers himself, explains:
Events Guide: Presentation of Draft Bikeways Plan
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - What will the the final public participation session for the Dal, SMU, Capital Health and IWK Bikeways Plan reveal this Wednesday, March 23rd?
The Cities & Environment Unit (CEU) will present to the public, ideas for the Bikeways Network in the Institutional District, as well as provide some of the potential infrastructure interventions for key routes based on previous public engagement discussions.
There will be a presentation at 5:30pm to provide some explanation of the findings collected from past ...
March 23rd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Mines, Parking Lots and Truth Windows
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• We tend to associate mining operations with the hinterland. But in Johannesburg, 400,000 urban dwellers call the mining belt home and face incredible obstacles of environmental remediation, land tenure and service and infrastructure access. This breathtaking slideshow from Design Observer explores the human and natural ecologies of the mining landscape.
• In Vancouver, the city-owned parking management company has seen a dramatic 20% drop in revenues since the construction of the city's Canada Line. As more people choose to take transit, parking stalls totalling 10.5 hectares or 3% of the downtown land area have opened up. As the Vancouver Observer explains, this behavioural change has also opened up opportunities for additional affordable housing and public space.
• "The same proximity that got hogs heads on clipper ships now enables smart people to learn from each other". On this week's Guardian Business Podcast, host John Vidal speaks with Edward Glaeser and Jonathan Glancey about making city life more productive and Britain's ten enterprise zones. For more from Edward Glaeser, check out this recent interview about density, entrepreneuship and Indian cities at Globizen.
March 24th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Halifax up, up
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Ben MacLeod, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
March 25th, 2011
Events Guide: Happy City
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
ST. JOHN'S - How can we as a community of individuals, organizations, businesses and politicians shape the future of St. John's together?
That's the main question Happy City will be asking at their next meeting - "Your City, Your Future" - on Saturday, March 26th, 2011. With facilitator, Bui Petersen from the Centre for Negotiation and Dialogue, participants will also be broken into small groups to discuss three other questions:
How do citizens and decision-makers connect?
How can decisions best reflect the needs of the community?
How can we, as a community of individuals, organizations, businesses and politicians, shape the future of St. John's together?
In addition, Happy City will take time to brainstorm a large list of local community groups that are already doing work in St. John's. Collectively, all in attendance will work together to find common connections between these groups, and begin to see how some might work together to "pull in the same direction" on issues that are important to citizens and the city.
March 26th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Transit Stations, Rail Crossings and Suburban Subsidy
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
The current Bayview Station in downtown Ottawa
A set of railway tracks between the boroughs of Plateau Mont-Royal and Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie have long been traverse with informal crossings formed by cutting away the chain link fence. New negotiations between the boroughs and Canadian Pacific could recognize the needs of pedestrian movement and eliminate the current game of cat and mouse.
As the second installment in the Montreal Lit series Gregory McCormick profiles the novel You Comma Idiot and how it captures the working class history of Montreal.
How well do we treat public transit stations as public space? With LRT plans moving forward Jay Baltz writes about the corresponding progress on a Community Design Plan for the new transit corridor and questions plans for making the only areas exempt from minimum densities the stations themselves.
Clive Doucet tackles popular misconceptions about the necessity for suburbs to provide reasonably priced housing. By revealing the subsidy which must be applied to finance expensive suburban infrastructure Doucet paints a picture of the suburbs as dragging the city down.
With the bike lane dispute in Brooklyn taking a turn towards the courts, Jake Tobin Garrett makes an appeal for calm on all the sides of the driver-cyclist divide and backs it up by showing how a calmer head could lead to a more productive dialogue.
As part of the No Mean City series Alex Bozikovic talks readers on a tour of the striking Native Child and Family Services building. The incredible interior design of the building includes a stylized and functional long house and council fire.
March 27th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Group doesn't want mayor back for encore [Halifax Media Co-op]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for Mar 21, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - A man against the people [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Toll removal going ahead [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Peter Kelly's failure of will [The Coast]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside concert fiasco 'idiocy': promoter [CBC]
HALIFAX - Metallica on the Halifax Common? [The Coast]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside expected concert losses: document [CBC]
HALIFAX - O'Toole: I want to see the auditor general’s report [The Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - The changing face of Gottingen Street [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Committee approves development [ The Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Oval funding partner to be announced [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Town square campaign rolling along [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - City expects most of garage to be open Monday [The Daily Gleaner]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Summerside moves to shut out recycling depot [CBC]
ALL CITIES - Federal election to freeze Atlantic projects: MacKay [CBC]
HALIFAX - Raise a glass to oval sponsorship deal — or not [The Chronicle Herald]
TRANSPORTATION
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's spending $15 M on new buses [CBC]
HALIFAX - Trains in Halifax, but not for Halifax [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Town Adopts active transportation plan [Telegraph Journal]
March 28th, 2011
Reading the City: Reflections on Roadside Marquees
By Alison Creba // No Comments
ALL CITIES - The city is in constant conversation. Amidst important discussions about its streets and people, it also engages in the day-to-day talk of the weather, business, and what’s-for-lunch. It relays the events of its days and offers itself to the future. And while there are serious matters to be dealt with, it is important to listen closely to the habitual hum of the city, by reading signs of its livelihood and well-being.
This is the cities 'urban vernacular'. The concept of urban vernacular considers the correlation between the aesthetic and the cultural (historical, geographical) patterning of a place. The term further suggests that a silent conversation exists in the city, where changing conventions are archived in building design, but signs also speak of place - in text, material and font. We may read into this dialogue as it takes place through visible textures, materials and characters in urban architecture and infrastructure. With due attention to both form and content, we may gather greater insight into the subtleties of local culture and geography.
The following compilation of photos considers the way in which roadside marquee signage speaks of the city, within the city. For, the signs nod to similar notions of cultural geography, personal expression, the flux of economics in the abundance (or lack) of resources.
March 30th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Decline, Manufacturing and Low Cost Place Making
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• UPDATE: Census 2010 figures, released March 22nd, add credence to Steve Tobocman's case for greater immigration to Detroit. According to the Detroit News, the city's population fell by 25% over the last decade to its lowest population in a century. The bad news left Mayor Dave Bing requesting a recount; a population of 750,000 is a crucial threshold for national funding (New York Times). For more census highlights, check out Next American City's roundup.
• Allison Arieff at the New York Times argues that manufacturing in North America isn't dead, it has just changed shape. Successful manufacturers in today's economy work in smaller, crafted batches which allow them to more easily respond to consumer preferences. She highlights “pride of place” as an essential ingredient in the brands of many local manufacturers; one that enshrines the role of local companies as more than just producers - as contributing members of their local community.
• In Bradford, England, a theatre troupe is celebrating the decline of the manufacturing landscape in another way. The Mill: City of Dreams is a play that celebrates the city's Lumb Lane mill and its rich history as a yarn-producing powerhouse. The play, staged in the abandoned mill, builds on interviews with residents and ex-mill-workers. (The Guardian)
March 31st, 2011
Events Guide: Walk of Shame
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEk7vrjqCeo
HALIFAX - On February 2nd, 2011, droves of students and their supporters took to the streets of Halifax in a day of action to reduce tuition fees and drop student debt, as evidenced in The Canadian Federation of Students' video above.
Today, March 31st, marks another demonstration on Hollis Street in downtown Halifax, NS. Students and their supporters will be demonstrating outside the Province House in a "Walk of Shame". The downtown demonstration will further show the MLA's that students, and The Canadian Federation of Students', efforts will not cease, until education becomes and remains affordable, accessible and equitable.
WHAT: Walk of ...
Atlantic Snapshots: Office View
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Photo by Rob Lantz, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
April 1st, 2011
Events Guide: Seedy Saturday
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Despite a mix of messy Spring and Winter-like weather today, the gardening season is just around the corner and it is time to get inventive.
This weekend the Urban Farm Museum Society of Spryfield is holding its 13th Annual Seedy Saturday on April 2nd from 2pm – 4pm at the Captain William Spry Community Centre in Halifax. This popular event is for new and experienced gardeners of all ages, alike.
The annual event encourages swapping seeds and buying seeds, picking up Seaweed compost and other organic supplies, or taking advantage of ...
April 2nd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Pedestrian Bridges, Pedestrian Tunnels and Roadside Marquees
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Devin Alfaro examines bold and exciting plans to for the redevelopment and growth of Montreal's Downtown West End. The plans offer a a comprehensive vision for various aspects of the area, but as with most such schemes questions remain around implementation of improvements to the public realm.
Spacing Montreal tells the story of Maggie Flynn an artist who's unconventional work has helped to transform the urban landscape of the area. Recent projects include installing a tea room in disused bus shelter and other projects to better utilize urban spaces in a social way.
Eric Darwin takes Ottawa's recent low-key proposal for a new pedestrian/cycling bridge across the Rideau River as an opportunity to look at some of the exciting work being done on such bridges elsewhere. In doing so, Darwin highlights the potential for the bridge to be both iconic and a functional extension of the adjacent parkland.
The internet regulating body ICANN is set to allow dotCity domain names and Morgan Peers uses this as an opportunity to explore the position of a civic community on the internet through his own experiences within the information ecosystem of Ottawa.
Adam Chaleff -Freudenthaler looks back at the Miller administration to consider the subtle ways that a mayor influences the direction of their city. While broad policy initiatives are called the broad strokes, decisions such as where to spend time and which groups to support reflect the small strokes.
The Headspace series produced another installment this week as Luca De Franco interviewed Brian Iler from the waterfront advocacy group Clean Air. With the Toronto Port Authority attempting to start construction on a pedestrian tunnel to the Island Airport some time this year the discussion provides a fascinating looking into the many facets of the airport issue.
Events Guide: Metropolis, HIFF Screening
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Start Saturday night off right with Halifax Independent Film Festival's screening of Metropolis featuring live, local musical accompaniment by Lukas Pearse, Tim Crofts, Geordie Haley and D'Arcy Gray.
Fritz Lang's 1927 expressionist, sci-fi film, Metropolis, is set in a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners; the plot further thickens when the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
WHAT: Screening - Metropolis with live musical accompaniment
WHEN: Saturday, April 2nd, 7pm - 10pm
WHERE: Alumni Hall, King’s New Academic Building, 6350 Coburg Road
HOW MUCH: $5 Suggested Donation
April 3rd, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Halifax considers ethics commissioner [CBC]
HALIFAX - Has Halifax hit Peak Scandal? [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Concert loan scandal documents [The Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown passes balanced budget, no tax increase [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Breaking news It only looks like... Trade Centre Limited loaned Power Promotions $600,000 without city approval [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Rockwood Park boundary defeated [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Commercial taxes drop in Summerside; city holds line on other rates [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Jordi Bonet Explosion memorial is in pieces [The Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - No tax hikes in Charlottetown budget [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for Mar 28, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Rankin resigns from police board [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Liberals criticize building purchase [Times & Transcript}
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside council votes for pay raise [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax deputy police chief suspended [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Concert loss doesn't prevent Summerside surplus [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ST. JOHN'S - A Time Machine Stuck on 1892 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - The Oval is permanent [The Coast]
CIVICS
SAINT JOHN - Why is public consultation so important now?[The Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX- YOUR VIEW: Halifax skating oval [CBC]
April 4th, 2011
Events Guide: Sharon Switzer switches it up at HIFF
By Crystal Melville // 1 Comment
HALIFAX – The Centre for Art Tapes (CFAT) welcomes visiting artist Sharon Switzer for a week-long residency at CFAT, a street-level exhibition of her work and an artist talk as part of the Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival (HIFF). Switzer’s video series I Should Be Dreaming Of Butterflies will be installed in the windows of 1658 Barrington Street from the 5th through to the 8th of April, during the Festival.
WHAT: Public Realm screening - Sharon Switzer
WHERE: 1658 Barrington Street
WHEN: April 5 - 8, 2011, dusk - 11pm
HOW MUCH: Free
April 6th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: WiFi, Modern Maps and Spring Colours
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Much of the digital infrastructure that surrounds us is invisible, yet it shapes our environment profoundly. A team of designers at the Institute of Design in the Oslo School of Architecture & Design and the BERG design firm in London have created a Light Painting WiFi Project to reveal the invisible internet ether. Using blinking lights which respond to WiFi signal strength, the team used long exposure photographs to make visible an immaterial component of the urban environment. (Singularity Hub)
• Attention cartography and urban history nerds: the New York Times has a great interactive map which allows users to compare John Randel's 1811 proposed grid with modern day Manhattan.
• Those in need of a burst of spring colour may benefit from a look at BLDGBLOG's feature on the Arc en Ciel building in Bordeaux, France. While the building isn't to everyone's taste, the author offers a good reminder that sometimes reality improves upon the rendering.
The Clyde Street NSLC “Pirate”
By Lauren Oostveen // 68 Comments
HALIFAX - Halifax is small enough that you learn the names and faces of the homeless and impoverished folks who have taken to panhandling or busking to get by. Probably the most well-known gentleman was affectionately called the "Clyde Street Pirate" because of his eye-patch. His name was Chris Doyle and he passed away this week after having a heart attack.
Chris seemed like a friendly, happy guy. He gave great high fives and liked to tell ladies "You're breaking my heart"! I have a ...
April 8th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Tis the Season… for Construction
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
April 9th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Jeff Rubin, Noir Novels and Homelessness
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Gregory McCormick continues the Montreal Lit series, this week going back to the 1950s to look at the noir novel The Crime on Cote des Neiges. The book is particularly interesting for its depictions of Montreal's Golden Mile neighbourhood and the sexism of the time.
KC Bolton profiles the Hitting the Benchmark project sponsored by the Sustainability Projects Fund at McGill University. The project aims to inspire creative thinking about reuse in public infrastructure by making benches out of recycled materials.
Clive Doucet weighs in on the coalition theme of the ongoing federal election by framing the suburban/urban divide as an example of the complexities that create differing political attitudes amongst Canadians. In doing so, Doucet makes the case that a coalition government would likely be more healthy than harmful.
Hans Cunningham offers a powerful argument for something that federal candidates should talking about other than threats of coalitions: homelessness. Cunningham, who is currently serving as President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, argues that society could save millions by addressing the problem of affordable housing.
The latest installment of the Head Space series includes a fascinating interview with Jeff Rubin the former CIBC chief economist who left the bank and went on to write the bestselling book Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller about the upcoming effects of peak oil.
Jacqueline Whyte Appleby introduces this year's installment of the Toronto Public Library's Keep Toronto Reading Festival. The 2011 book Midnight at the Dragon Cafe will serve as the base for an ongoing series on Spacing and events throughout the city.
April 10th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Moncton asks Ottawa for $25M [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Vote to close St. John's school irks some [CBC]
HALIFAX - Is future urban farm site contaminated? [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Fortis proposing new downtown office building [The Telegram]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John seniors start to see the light [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - No condos here, please [The Telegram]
MONCTON - City developments planned [Times & Transcript]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's councillor warming to Fortis proposal [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside Mall finally sold [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland Historic Trust supports new Fortis building proposal [The Telegram]
MONCTON - Metro events centre more than just an arena [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Things are looking up in Crescent Valley [Telegraph Journal]
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for April 4, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - What's Trade Centre Limited's responsibility in the concert loan scandal? [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Councillor riled over damaged lawns [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - City official content with animal bylaws [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton to ban pigeon-feeding [CBC]
TRANSPORTATION
SAINT JOHN - Saint John traffic delays begin [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Public transit gets budget boost [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Village should apologize over Metrobus: councillors [CBC]
April 12th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: For Lease
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Bill Lapp, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
The Outside In of 6080
By Lauren Phillips // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - Nothing could be more delicious than a chance to enter the beautiful Halifax homes we pass, as citizens moving through the city streets, wondering at their interiors.
From the outside, 6080 South Street is a charming grey house wearing the words ‘Acadia Cottage’ above its entrance. It bears the markers of an award winning Historical Halifax Property, and I first saw it as holding intimate pasts worth knowing.
During the afternoon of Sunday, April 10th, this picturesque cottage, as well as a Victorian home and a Cobb Home, located on Inglis Street and Victoria Road respectively, opened themselves up for special guest visitors for Dalhousie Art Gallery’s fundraising event Art at Home.
Their owners graciously led guests through their homes, and shared stories of love and wisdom for a tiny piece of built Halifax history. Amidst their listeners, there were enchanted feelings of nostalgia and curiosity which drove each of them inside.
As I opened the dark wooden door of 6080, with its imposing cast iron knocker, to the sun-drenched streets of South Street, a mass of gleeful guests came inside, their tickets held warmly. They had come to hear stories of their neighborhood homes, and to enjoy the magnificent art collections and original creations that each held within its bosom.
April 13th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Budget woes, skating highs
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray was released from custody yesterday after being detained during a protest of his city's budget deal. D.C.'s budget requires federal approval and consequently was subject to a number of overtly political riders targeting abortions for low income women, courts, and schools. (Washington Post)
• Metropolis Mag celebrates Holland's sidewalk district heating system. While the city's founding fathers and mothers ensured the downtown's success with snow-free pedestrian routes, more recent city builders have added to the sense of place with the installation of communal gas powered hearths.
• In Kabul, girls and boys are having fun, engaging with their city and with each other through an innovative project called Skateistan. A brief clip on polis provides a breathtaking view of the city through the eyes of young Afghan skaters.
April 14th, 2011
Events Guide: Point Pleasant Park Advisory Committee meeting
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Join the Point Pleasant Park Advisory Committee (PPPAC) for their monthly committee meeting today. The PPPAC meetings are open to the public and all are welcome.
Do you have a park-related issue you would like to discuss? Please also feel free to contact the PPPAC.
WHAT: Point ...
Events Guide: Putting PlanSJ on Paper
By Abad Khan // No Comments
SAINT JOHN - In early 2010, the City launched PlanSJ to create a new Growth Strategy and to develop a new Municipal Plan to guide development over the next 25 years. We profiled the launch of PlanSJ here.
Now that the Growth Strategy [PDF] has been unanimously endorsed by Council – ‘where do we want to go as a city’ - it’s time to help develop Municipal Plan policies – 'how do we get there’. PlanSJ is hosting an open house workshop today, Putting the Plan on Paper.
Topics to ...
April 15th, 2011
Events Guide: Sock-Hop Benefit Show for Out of the Cold Shelter
By Crystal Melville // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - As winter hits Nova Scotia each year, the Out of the Cold Shelter (OTCS) fills up quickly with people who have and had no other options of where to spend the night. The OTCS is close to finishing its third year of operation, running annually 6 months of the year from November through to April, on in-kind support, volunteers, individual donations and small community grants.
However, OTCS reports on their website that "We are regularly turning people away at the door and there are often no other beds available at other shelters, especially for men and youth. The housing crisis in Nova Scotia has worsened into a shelter crisis as well."
While the shelter has 15 beds, they continually report that this amount of accommodation is inadequate in actually serving the need and that like other shelters in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), they are often forced to turn people away, once they have reached shelter capacity. Recognizing the challenge with this, the OTCS, among other shelters, are in conversation with the NS Department of Community Services to figure out better short-term and long-term solutions to the HRM homelessness crisis.
So... be part of sustaining OTCS in its operations, by joining shelter staff, volunteers, supporters, friends and the general public for a heart-pumping and fun Sock-Hop Benefit show at The Cunard Centre in downtown Halifax, NS, this Saturday, April 16th, 2011. The event is advertised as "a swell evening of rockin' good tunes and fun times! Musical performances! Door Prizes! Dancing!" This sounds like a social event not to be missed.
April 16th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: South Beach, Citizen Adivisory and Reclaiming Streets
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
The Dome of the Library Parliament
Spacing Montreal was on a roll this week presenting visions for taking the city back from the car. First off, Julien Cayer covered news of plans to remove lanes of traffic and parking in the East Plateau to create additional green space and cycling infrastructure.
Spacing also presented some fantastic imaginative artwork by Victor Lucuratolo showcasing idealistic visions of creative ways that Montreal could re-use the space currently devoted to automobiles.
While no one is going to dispute that South Beach in Miami, Florida is a nice place, Erin O'Connell points out the intricacies of the planning along the South Beach strip that make it such an attractive and progressive pedestrian environment.
Is Ottawa a city of domes? Mike Steinhauer shares the results of his search into the detail of the city's architecture to show some remarkable domed buildings around the city today, as well some fascinating details about buildings that have since been lost.
Sean Marshall examines Yonge Street's claim to be the longest street in the world; examining how this legend got started, what it means, how its been recognized and whether or not it stands to any kind of scrutiny.
Dylan Reid brings an update on the news this week that Toronto could be scrapping its Citizen Advisory Boards. The discussion, brought on by a staff report serves as a chance to assess the effectiveness, role and value of the boards.
April 17th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
ST. JOHN'S - Assessing the assessment [The Independent]
NOVA SCOTIA - N.S. mayors march for funding deal [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - City against closing school [The Telegraph Journal]
ST. JOHN'S - Controversial quarry gets St. John's nod [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - City builds its case for tougher bylaw [The Telegraph Journal]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for April 11, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Metro Housing employees off the job [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Lower Churchill hearings ending [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Mayor welcomes steep fine [The Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - House prices up in St. John’s [The Scope]
CHARLOTTETOWN - More apartments planned near chemical plant [CBC]
HALIFAX - Tax breaks for urban housing: Uteck [CBC]
NEW BRUNSWICK - Energy panel needs your help [The Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - More apartments coming near BioVectra [The Guardian]
SYDNEY - Contract signed for dredging for Sydney harbour [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's bracing for grey tide [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Councillor questions hotel parking [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - Archaeologists looking at new library site [CBC]
FREDERICTON - George Street houses to come down off blocks soon [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Council to mull rezoning land [The Telegraph Journal]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s housing prices rising faster than national average [The Telegram]
April 19th, 2011
Bayers Lake expansion approved behind closed doors
By Sean Gillis // 4 Comments
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY - In early April, Halifax Regional Council approved a two hundred and fifty million dollar expansion to Bayers Lake Business Park, which will be built on eighty hectares (one hundred and ninety seven acres). Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will sell the land to the developer, Banc Developments. Almost doubling the Park's retail space, a project this big deserves careful consideration and public consultation. Instead, Council approved a quarter-billion dollar development in a private meeting, with no public input.
Bayers Lake was originally planned as a light industrial park, similar to Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth. Lacewood Drive was extended to Bayers Lake to encourage retail development and big box stores like Costco were soon tenants. Retail space grew beyond expectations, creating huge traffic problems that Bayers Lake's roads simply can't handle. To relive congestion a new entrance to Bayers Lake is currently under construction, the Washmill Lake underpass.
The high cost of the Washmill Lake underpass partially explains why Council approved this new expansion. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Business Park Plan for Bayers Lake recommends that "HRM should maximize development potential of the remaining lands in Bayers Lake to provide income for necessary transportation upgrades". The road upgrades in Bayers Lake are necessary only because of poor planning and inadequate transportation options. A municipality shouldn't have to rely on income from new development simply to provide appropriate infrastructure in an already built-up area.
April 20th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: High speed rail, transit journeys and blue urbanism
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• China will slow down its high speed trains from 350 to 300 kilometres per hour in an effort to improve safety and affordability (AFP).
• Online platforms capturing geographic information, such as Foursquare, have been gaining popularity for a while. But a new player on the scene, Wanderlust, builds off of location-based sharing to allows users to capture the stories that come along with their journeys from place to place. (The Pop Up City)
• Across the pond, a company called Mudlark, has created a game which integrates the transit and bike journeys of London travellers. The game, Chromaroma, allows players to track their journeys and accumulate points via their Oyster cards.
April 21st, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Out with the Old
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Dean Bouchard, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Events Guide: Public Information Session – YMCA/CBC Development
By Crystal Melville // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - On May 3, 2010, The Coasts' Tim Bousquet wrote an article titled Proposed YMCA/CBC development will break HRM By Design height limits which covered the YMCA/CBC buildings deconstruction on South Park and Sackville Streets and the Y's controversial future development in the same location. Nearly a year later, HRM By Design is hosting a public information session at City Hall in Halifax, NS tonight, Thursday, April 21st at 7pm.
As reported on the New Halifax YMCA website, the Public Information Session is a chance for the public to get a ...
April 22nd, 2011
Events Guide: The Fight that Saved Downtown Halifax
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX = To celebrate one of the Ecology Action Centre’s (EAC) first successful campaigns that stopped plans for a four lane highway plowing through downtown Halifax, there will be a picnic and demo at the Barrington Street Bus stop across from Scotia square overlooking the Cogswell Interchange today, Friday, April 22nd from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The picnic and demonstration at the monstrous Cogswell Interchange will recall the EAC's struggle to prevent a four lane highway from obliterating downtown Halifax and most importantly the event will collectively imagine a brighter future for the existing monstrous Cogswell Interchange.
WHAT: EAC's 40th Birthday Picnic and Demo
WHEN: Today - Friday, April 22nd (Earth Day), 11:30am – 1:30pm
WHERE: Barrington Street Bus Stop, across from Scotia Square overlooking the Cogswell Interchange
HOW MUCH: Free
Today's event celebrates one of EAC’s earliest victories and kicks off the organizations 40 Days of Action celebrating their 4o years of operation.
“We wanted to do something really big to celebrate forty years of action,” said Policy Director Mark Butler. “We are organizing special events around the big issues in Nova Scotia: food, energy, water, and our coasts, climate change, environmental racism, forests, fisheries, sprawl and sustainable transportation. There’s something for everyone.”
The Cogswell Interchange and the Ecology Action Centre celebrate 40 years
By Jen Powley and Chloe Anderson // No Comments
HALIFAX - Forty years after its inception, the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) is still fighting to make Nova Scotia an environmental success story. To mark the occasion, the EAC is undertaking a “40 Days of Action” campaign that kicked off with a picnic next to the Cogswell Interchange in Halifax today. The site was selected because it too is celebrating 40 years. The interchange was to be part of Harbour Drive, a highway to run along the waterfront, much like in Boston. The Harbour Drive project was halted thanks to the efforts of concerned Haligonians, while Boston’s went ahead only later to be moved underground.
Forty years ago, Brian Gifford was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Ecology Action Centre. “I feel very proud”, states Gifford. “I’m amazed at all the energy that has been put in to the Ecology Action Centre”. The EAC was founded on the need for a recycling program but has since branched out into seven committee focus areas—energy, wilderness, food, built environment, transportation, marine and coastal. Gifford continues, “It’s good to celebrate but things are more serious now. There needs to be more action.”
April 23rd, 2011
Events Guide: Official Unveiling of Public Art, Prospect Road Community Centre
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY - Residents are invited to attend an official unveiling and artist talk for the Prospect Road Community Centre Public Art installation on Saturday, April 23 from 7pm- 9pm
The artwork is a collaboration between artists Ivan Murphy and Norbert Sattler. The piece was commissioned by Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) through a public solicitation and peer jury selection process as part of HRMs mandate to provide public art as a component of all future municipal building projects. HRM partnered with the Prospect Road Community Centre and the Resource ...
Spacing Saturday: Electoral Upheaval, Donut Shop Politics, and Sunday Shinny
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Devin Alfaro looks at surprising polls showing the NDP leading across the Montreal region and speculates about what an electoral upheaval could mean for the city. The discussion gets at the question of whether an area is best served by reliable support for a party or having to be played to with promises.
Marie-Sophie Banville reflects on her concerns for the city's plans to create a new public space in the Sainte-Marie neighbourhood of Montreal. Worried that the space will ignore the characteristics of the area and promote a different social class, Banville proposes a bold scheme for a socially inclusive restoration of nature.
Eric Darwin zooms onto one specific stretch of recently renovated building frontage in downtown Ottawa to examine how a mediocre space was converted into a quite terrible one. The new design includes a strange cage along the sidewalk, and a hostile aesthetic which hampers the public space.
Clive Doucet devoted his column this week to a refreshing lament of the federal election. Highlighting the Donut Shop photo-ops of the Harper campaign Doucet notes that the debate is lacking in a proper discussion of culture and instead turning to the politics of consumption; most notably of consumption of security.
Jay Baltz provides an update on the Hiltonburg Hub project, an effort to bring much needed affordable housing and community health amenities to an undeserved part of the city. Baltz argues that government support is necessary to allow the not-for-profit project to include heritage and green space preservation at the proposed site.
As part of the One Book Toronto series Jacqueline Whyte Appleby reflects on the use of highway 401 in this year's selected novel Midnight at the Dragon Cafe. Set during the time period in which the highway was being built, Appleby reflects on the process of building the freeway and how it changed lives in the Province; links to great historical shots are also included.
Following up on a feature in the latest edition of the magazine, Ian Malczewski highlights, and provides links to, a new short film about the Margaret Philip Cup, a memorial trophy awarded within the women's hockey league that plays in the frozen lagoons of the Toronto Islands.
April 24th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Hilton Sunset
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Bill Lapp, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Washmill underpass boondoggle swept under rug [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Candidate presents a green vision for the city [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Halifax's budget gorges on bump in property values [The Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for April 18, 2011 [The Scope]
NEWFOUNDLAND - Spending not sustainable: opposition [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Fracking protest marks Halifax Earth Day [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's mayor preparing to return to work [CBC]
HALIFAX - Intelivote trips over BC election [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Pin down pledges on city's issues [The Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - City not chicken to try project, but neighbours cry 'fowl' [The Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - No smoking in sidewalk cafes: Moncton Mayor [CBC]
HALIFAX - Earth Day: do we have another 40 years? [The Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Court confident city will receive approvals [The Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - HRM budget tabled, no new taxes [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Sunken barge to be raised from Saint John harbour [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - $7.6M reno for Charlottetown French school [CBC]
SUMMERSIDE - Summerside economy reviewed [CBC]
HALIFAX - City budget gets big real estate boost [The Coast]
MONCTON - Entrepreneurs scooping poop [CBC]
DARTMOUTH - Renos raise morale [Chronicle Herald]
URBAN GREEN
MONCTON - Greater Moncton went all out for Earth Day celebration [Times & Transcript]
HALIFAX - Berry, berry good [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Earth Day 2051: Dystopia/Utopia [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Urban chickens get test run in Fredericton [CBC]
April 26th, 2011
Halifax YMCA’s Plan for the Future: Private Capital for Public Infrastructure
By Matt Neville // 6 Comments
HALIFAX - The CBC and YMCA buildings occupy a prominent corner in Halifax - a stone's throw from the bustling Spring Garden Road, the Citadel and Public Gardens. In recent years, its neighbours have undergone extensive changes, including the addition of the Martello atop Park Lane Mall and the construction of the Paramount Apartments, directly across from the Public Gardens. And while much of the block has “grown-up”, the CBC building and the adjacent YMCA have sat comfortably, tucked away between civic landmarks, new residential towers and a busy retail strip. But now, the CBC and YMCA are ready and willing to work together to exploit the potential of the strategic place that they hold in the city.
View in Google Streetview
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="568" caption="Top: Current view of CBC building from Bell Road. Bottom: Conceptual rendering of proposed development."][/caption]
View in Google Streetview
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="568" caption="Top: Current view from South Park Street. Bottom: Proposed development."][/caption]
In December 2010, the YMCA and CBC Radio-Canada submitted a Plan Amendment Application to HRM Planning Services to allow for the joint development of their properties. The current application seeks site specific amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy, the Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Downtown Halifax Land Use By-Law. Current regulations limit post-bonus building height to 23 metres (CBC) and 49 metres (YMCA); the application seeks to increase the height limit only for the CBC site in order to match current height limits in place for the YMCA parcel.
April 27th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Pothole gardens and nuclear architecture
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Regina Urban Ecology showcases the delightful guerilla gardening technique of Pete Dungey: pothole gardens.
• Those of us in cities with food-vehicle woes will particularly appreciate the wares of Los Angeles-based catering company, Heirloom LA. Their full-service food truck offers locally-sourced meals and frequents favourite watering holes and farmer's markets. (GOOD)
• On the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jane Jacobs' The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Thomas Campanella laments the diminished role of planners from visionary professionals to bureaucratic hall monitors. (Design Observer)
April 28th, 2011
Watch NFB: A Crack in the Pavement: Growing Dreams
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
April 29th, 2011
Events Guide: April Critical Mass
By Crystal Melville // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Critical Mass is a monthly community cycling activity which allows anyone that can ride a bike a chance to safely ride on Halifax city streets for their own personal enjoyment and empowerment. While cyclists go to Critical Mass for several different reasons - social, political, recreational, environmental - many cyclists note 'it feels pretty good to be the dominant force on the road for a change.' In general, the Halifax Critical Mass group organizes group rides in an effort to advocate for safe, accessible and continuous bicycle infrastructure throughout HRM; to ...
May 1st, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Queen and Grafton Intersection
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Photo by Spacing Magazine
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - Unite behind city's consensus issues [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON - City recommends changes for local government reform [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Housing project a 'ghetto' [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - HRM Budget detail [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Street sleep a wakeup call [The Telegram]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - City digging [The Coast]
MONCTON - Moncton grows as host city [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Port aims to land 600 jobs for city [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Row houses to be rebuilt [The Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Ferris wheel gone - it's not clear if it will be back [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Art gallery mulls new Halifax home [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Spring Park will not reopen in September [The Guardian]
DARTMOUTH - Renovations raise school morale [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Tower wars [The Coast]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Report: Get active on travel [The Chronicle Herald]
SAINT JOHN - Committee launching custom bike rack program [Telegraph Journal]
ST. JOHN'S - Group protests mall’s decision to remove Metrobus hub [The Telegram]
MONCTON - Pedestrian killed in collision [CBC]
URBAN GREEN
HALIFAX - Halifax abuzz with urban gardening [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Urban chickens get test run in Fredericton [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax's chicken warriors [The Coast]
May 2nd, 2011
Call for Support: Anchorless Archive Zinemobile
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Mobile txts are not an uncommon form of communication these days as people pull their smart phone devices out of their pockets to answer a SMS or BBM. But libraries have also used "mobile communication" through book mobiles; mobiles often outreach to geographically and socially segregated communities.
Likewise, the Roberts Street Social Centre's, Anchor Archive Zine Library is putting a concept back in context with their Zinemobile. A roving urban zine cart that will be put into urban action for the Centre and Library's fundraising initiative taking place from May 7 - 14, 2011. The Zinemobile will be pushed or pulled around Halifax, NS to promote and distribute zines.
To contribute to the Anchorless Archive Zinemobille, the Zine Library is requesting donations of up to 6 copies of your zine to sell from the Zinemobile, with all funds going toward the operation of the Anchor Archive Zine Library and Roberts Street Social Centre. Submissions will be accepted until May 6th, 2011 and must be sent through the mail only, to :
May 3rd, 2011
Taking a Business Approach to helping HRM’s Street-Involved Population
By Jessica Walker // No Comments
The other day, I had a discussion with a friend about the election.
He asked about proof of residence and was kicking up a fuss about needing to find a piece of ID or registered mail in order to vote and was, overall, unsatisfied with my regurgitation of voting protocols around security and proof of address (i.e. so everyone votes in the appropriate riding).
As a recent Dalhousie University graduate who had moved 8 times in the last 6 years, he couldn't even say for sure where he was living at the time of the last election, let alone have a piece of ID with his most current address.
Essentially, one of his major beefs with Elections Canada centered around the need for a more accessible voting system. To illustrate his point, he asked "What about street people? How do they vote without a permanent residence?"
If it weren't for my recent meeting with EJ Davis - downtown Halifax's very own Navigator - I wouldn't know for sure how to answer. But there is, in fact, a protocol, as well as volunteers who visit shelters to assist occupants with elections registration and voting procedures.
So, don't worry - Canada's homeless populations are able to vote. But this process is more complicated and labour intensive than is the case for those of us with permanent residences. The process for voting as a homeless citizen breaks down in one of the following four ways:
Option one, you are a registered voter and have ID to prove that you are who you say you are.
Option two, you ask your shelter to set you up with an "Attestation of Residence," an official document that confirms which riding you are meant to vote at.
Option three, you swear an oath and someone you know vouches for you. (With the catch being that this person must also be a resident of the same riding, and have the necessary ID, themselves).
Option four, screw it.
So it's not that homeless people are not able to vote, but just like many other day-to-day processes, they almost always start out at a disadvantage. While certain tasks are annoying for you and I, street-involved people face real barriers at almost every turn, when trying to make positive, pro-social choices.
Ok, let me back it up. We all know that homelessness is a serious and complicated matter. Depending on how much these issues speak to you, you may also know that the system we have currently set up to support this population is incomplete, if not broken.
Enter EJ Davis, the Navigator.
May 4th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Portland-Squared, Parking Science, Pigeons
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• TreeHugger reports on a new development of microhomes in Portland, OR. The developer, D.R. Horton, is choosing to build multiple dwellings between 364 and 687 sq. ft. rather than one giant home on the large lot . It is hoped that recently relaxed regulations on such dwellings will help to spur similar developments and the density and active transportation benefits they bring.
• Across the country, Portland, ME's jetport is going geothermal. A new ground-source heat pump drawing energy from beneath the employee parking lots will keep travelling Mainers warm through the state's long winter. (Grist)
May 5th, 2011
Events Guide: Building a Cycling Culture – Learning from the Netherlands
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Collectively, the Halifax Cycling Coalition, Planning & Design Centre, Dalhousie Office of Sustainability, Spring Garden Business Association and the Nova Scotia Bikeways Coalition have organized a critical cycling event titled Building a Cycling Culture: Learning from the Netherlands, tonight from 6:30 – 9pm at Dalhousie University.
The cycling event will feature a public talk by visiting speaker and cycling advocate Hans Moor.
WHAT: Bike Lecture and Panel Discussion: Hans Moor from the Netherlands
WHEN: Thursday, May 5 , 2011 · 7:00pm – 9:00pm
WHERE: Kenneth C. Rowe Building - Dalhousie University Room 1011
HOW MUCH: Free!
This free event will begin with a drop-in from 6:30-7:00 where drinks and snacks will be provided; additional information about the hosts organizations will be available and the recently completed Institutional District Bikeways Plan Posters will be on display. The lecture featuring Hans Moor will be from 7-8. Following Hans' presentation, a panel of local cycling advocates will join him in a conversation about how to apply ideas from the Netherlands in HRM. An opportunity to ask questions will also be provided to the public.
The Netherlands is known internationally as a world leader in cycling infrastructure and culture. For tonights event, Hans will speak to the HRM community about the trends, economics and low cost solutions he's experienced with regards to cycling in the Netherlands and discuss possibilities of applying them in the Canadian context. Hans will also elaborate on the personal benefits of cycling culture and the cost effectiveness of cycling; illustrating that cycling is not only about enjoying a slower pace of life, but even more a remedy against increasing health and infrastructure costs and reducing the personal finances of individuals.
May 6th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: View on Black
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Bill Lapp, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
May 7th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Election Fallout, Zinemobiles and Jane’s Walks
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As the dust continues to settle from the dramatic results of the federal election, Devin Alfaro used two separate posts this week to comment on the representation in Montreal. First, he breaks down the many ridings that changed hands in the election to paint a new picture of the city's political landscape. Secondly, in an election day post he takes a look at the role of big city mayors in endorsing parties and shaping the election debate.
Alanah Heffez profiles a fantastic new public art exhibit in Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles. The exhibit provides users with a series of swings in which each trio of swingers contribute to a classical music composition through the momentum and height of their swinging.
In the premiere of a new feature called Clickshift, Kathryn Hunt uses the return of warm-weather cyclists to the roads as an opportunity to explore how different riders conceptualize their relationship with cars. Going beyond the word of mouth that educates most cyclists, Hunt looks at just what exactly the rules of the road are governing cyclists.
In a post written on the even of the election, Clive Doucet emphasizes that cities, as human political creations, can be fundamentally effected by the outcome any one election. Using trajectory shifts caused by past municipal elections in Ottawa as examples Doucet makes some predictions for what a Harper majority could bring for cities.
Jessica Lemieux takes a look at how the Norway Maple tree, a common part of urban landscapes in Southern Ontario, is both an invasive species and a symbol of local sustainability. While the Norway Maple can often crowd out local species like Red and Sugar Maple, its resiliency makes it ideal for tapping to produce Maple Syrup right from the backyard.
With Jane's Walks going on this weekend, Dylan Reid takes a look at how the project has spread throughout the world in just a few years, why it is so appealing and adaptable and how Spacing is contributing to some walks in Toronto.
Events Guide: Jane’s Walk Halifax
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Today and tomorrow ( May 7 and 8), Haligonians will take to the streets for a series of free urban neighbourhood tours that inspire citizens to get to know their city and each other by getting out and walking for Jane's Walk Halifax. Jane's Walks' are coordinated nationally and internationally in the spirit of Jane Jacobs - a highly regarded community, grassroots urban planner. 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961); this critically-aclaimed publication serves as an ongoing powerful critique of urban renewal policies. Jacobs went on to publish other books and to successfully protest major urban projects that endorsed urban sprawl. Her community-centred vision started with the idea that local residents know best how to shape and improve their neighbourhoods. Foremost is her simple yet revolutionary idea that dense, mixed use neighborhoods are the key to the health and survival of a city. Decades later, her vision and approach has become a model for generations of architects, planners, politicians and activists.
Following Jane Jacobs' influential visions on what makes cities great and how to advocate for their inherent community value, Jane’s Walk was developed to cultivate further a broad understanding of how cities – their economies, neighbourhoods, communities, and institutions – organically develop and thrive. The Walks also work to advance walkable neighbourhoods, to increase urban literacy and promote neighbourhood cohesion, civic engagement and leadership. Jane's Walk Halifax coincides with more than 30 city walks across Canada and in more than 70 cities worldwide in celebration of Jane Jacobs’s birthday on May 4th.
May 8th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - 2012 civic election: let the countdown begin [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Who at City Hall knew what when? [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for May 2, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Auditor general Larry Munroe says HRM is wasting $800,000 a year [The Coast]
NOVA SCOTIA - Federal N.S. picture largely unchanged [CBC]
HALIFAX - City’s concert cash report due late May [The Chronicle Herald]
SUMMERSIDE - Recycling depot rejection appealed [CBC]
HALIFAX - VIDEO: Africville protester demands justice [CBC]
NEW BRUNSWICK - Tories pull near-sweep in New Brunswick [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Harris re-elected in St. John’s East [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Council pay still up for grabs [The Chronicle Herald]
MONCTON - Moncton deserves bigger cut from mega-events: Mayor [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
MONCTON - Home builders question fee hikes [CBC]
HALIFAX - Metallica to rock Citadel Hill [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Concerns raised over convention centre chemicals [CBC]
MONCTON - St. George Street becoming a hot new destination [Times & Transcript]
CHARLOTTETOWN - SummerFest concerts moving ahead in Charlottetown [The Guardian]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SUMMERSIDE - Investigations into Summerside chemical accident [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Signs of the times [The Independent]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Fine Charlottetown for raw sewage dumps: Bagnall [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton hit with flooding [Times & Transcript]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John plans evacuation route [CBC]
May 10th, 2011
Walk This Way, Talk This Way
By Katie McKay // No Comments
[caption id="attachment_9095" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Scouting plants on the Princess Path."]What is Swag? Walking.
HALIFAX - Haligonians enjoyed a quick respite from the seemingly endless deluge this past weekend while participating in the city’s well-timed Jane’s Walk walking series. Over 100 people came out to walk, talk and learn about their neighborhoods. A variety of folks, young and old, shared stories, maps and anecdotes about the places we live and the paths we use to navigate ourselves around the city.
Janet Barlow, coordinator of the Active and Safe Route to School project, kicked off the series with a walk to school in Clayton Park, a suburban development off the peninsula. Parents from the nearby Park West Elementary joined some curious city folk for a stroll, as we meandered through the system of cul-de-sacs. Although most children live within walking distance, 25% of them are chauffeured to school, causing unnecessary traffic congestion and danger. Barlow, a treasure trove of information, showed us the paths that connect the dead-end streets meant to encourage pedestrianism. Unfortunately, some of the residents have been successful in shutting down these paths to public usage. What would Jane Jacobs say? Trouble arises when a neighbourhood is designed in such a way where there are no eyes on the street to collectively supervise the goings-on.
Janet Barlow shows us the way to school.
May 11th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Brisbane Carparks and NFL Navel Gazing
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The New York Times offers an interesting portrait of Richard A. Baker - CEO of retail giants, Lord & Taylor and the Hudson's Bay Company. The piece offers a fascinating window into the financial and land use power Baker exerts through his retail property holdings in the US and Canada.
• PriceWaterhouse Coopers and the Partnership for New York City offer yet another ranking of the global metropolises. Perhaps more important than the individual results, VP Merrill Pond concludes, "a great city is all about growing, retaining and attracting talent. Whether it's Stockholm with its strong education system or Toronto benefiting from its smart immigration policies, getting and keeping talent matters." (The Atlantic)
• Toronto city councillor, Doug Ford, is game to attract more talent to Hogtown. The rookie councillor raised the ire of New Orleans NFL fans when he suggested that their franchise might be better suited to Toronto and named a number of possible sites for a regulation-sized stadium. (Globe and Mail)
Atlantic Snapshots: The archaic amid the au courant
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by mysterywalk, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
May 12th, 2011
Events Guide: The 10th Annual Carmichael Lecture
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - “As HRM continues to grow, so do the challenges of balancing Downtown revitalization, regional growth, transportation, and environmental and economic sustainability,” said Paul MacKinnon, Executive Director of Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC). “What we build and where we build it dictate all of these things.”
Last November, David Donnelly and Bruce Lourie spoke at Dalhousie University’s School of Architecture and Planning for the event Exploring ways to Grow. Similarly, Donnelly and Lourie will be speaking tonight, for this year’s 10th Anniversary Carmichael Lecture, presented by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) in partnership with the Ecology Action Centre. The Carmichael Lecture will discuss strategies for managing urban sprawl and how sprawl impacts the downtown core of Halifax, NS. Both events were organized to advocate for and provide a critical, smart growth platform for the 5-year review of Halifax Regional Municipalities (HRM) Regional Plan.
Visiting speakers, Donnelly and Lourie, were instrumental in establishing Greater Toronto's Greenbelt, which will have a major impact on how Toronto reinvigorates its downtown, resists sprawl, and protects its local food source.
WHAT: 10th Anniversary Carmichael Lecture
WHEN: Thursday, May 12, 6:00-8:00 pm
WHERE: Atlantic Ballroom, Westin Hotel, 1181 Hollis Street
HOW MUCH: Free
Kate Carmichael was the former DHBC Executive Director and a tireless advocate for Downtown Halifax. This year marks the 10th anniversary of her passing and DHBC continues to honour her memory by inviting speakers to share ideas and stimulate change in Halifax. Invited lecturers speak on topics designed to inform and educate on key issues that create a thriving Downtown.
May 13th, 2011
Events Guide: Zombie Walk for the Environment
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
HALIFAX - Has ecocide caused something you love to become a zombie? Join Ecology Action Centre (EAC) and make a statement about the environment on Friday the 13th for EAC's Zombie Walk for the Environment.
The event has been advertised as a messy, costume-heavy parade.
WHAT: Zombie Walk for the Environment
WHEN: Today - Friday, May 13, 2011, 5:30pm
WHERE: Meet at Camp Hill Cemetery on Robie Street
HOW MUCH: Free
Ecology Action Centre (EAC) has noted that the tentative walking route for today's Zombie Walk will proceed from Camp Hill Cemetery at Robie street through the cemetery and emerge on Summer Street; the Zombies will turn left walking towards Spring Garden Road then turn left on to Spring Garden and will walk down Spring Garden towards Barrington. From Barrington the group will turn left on Grafton, right on Blowers, left on Argyle to the final Zombie resting place - Parade Square.
May 14th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Fantasy Transit, Eyes on the Street and the Astrolabe Theatre
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Guillaume St-Jean put forward a number of new entries in the Montage du Jour series this week and as always they provided a fascinating look at the perpetual evolution of the city.
Gregory McCormick used the Montreal Lit feature this week to profile a book recently re-released by the McGill-Queen's University Press. The Watch That Ends the Night is Hugh MacLennan's assumed autobiographical reflecting on the immigrant story in Montreal's declining Golden Square Mile.
Adam Bentley is the creator of a fantasy transit map that has spread throughout the Ottawa blogosphere and continues to stir debate about the long term future of transit in the National Capital Region. Bentley describes how the map was created and how he was able to disseminate it so effectively.
Andrew Snowdon speculates on the intentions behind the million dollar decision to demolish the Astrolabe Theatre located below the iconic statue of Samuel de Champlain at Nepean point overlooking Parliament Hill. Although its clear that the theatre is currently underused, the real intention behind its demolition may be to pave the way for a sculpture garden for the National Gallery.
Jake Schabas provides another great look into the most innovative planning initiatives going on in New York City with a list of three of the most interesting NYC projects followed by three Toronto based initiatives that are making a splash in the Big Apple.
Jonathon Goldsbie takes readers through the back room politics that played out in the lead up to last fall's municipal election. In detailing the story of Shelley Carroll's considerations of running for Mayor, Goldsbie examines how the progressive movement got, or failed to get, behind a candidate.
May 15th, 2011
Events Guide: GETting Over It #3, Girlface goes for a walk
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DARTMOUTH - What do you get when you speak 'Hansel and Gretel' into the iPhone app Dragon Dictation? Well, to the surprise of Adriana Lilley, it wasn't Hansel and Gretel, it was 'Girlface'. Girlface seemingly fits into the concept of Lounders GETting Over It performance walks, where she edits the visual urban environment through digitally projected fragments.
Recently, over a cup of tea at Steve-O-Renos, I talked to Brian Lilley, professor of Architecture at Dalhousie Unviersity and a participant in Lounders' walking series; so far, Lounder has initiated two walks in the GETting Over It walking series - Solstice Walk & South North. Lilley initially met Lounder through The Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture and Expanded Bodies: Art, Cities and Environment. Lilley appreciates the GETting Over It walking series for their 'augmented experience' - pushing and pulling him out of his regular routines and ways of experiencing the city. He tells me about his adventures in London where he studied at the Architectural Association and worked for architectural firms in both London and Berlin. With worldwide experiences of urban infrastructure and architecture, Lilley enjoys how Lounder provides clever insight into the walks helping participants experience urban geography in a way in which they would have never considered before. Regarding Lounders' themes of the walks, he explains that "there is a guide or intent, but no fixed way of interpretation; the character of the walk depends on how the walk is experienced."
Lilley mentions 'states of liminality' and the 'derive', as a way of understanding and experiencing Lounders' walks. He describes the dérive as a city comprised of a series of fragments which are reassembled by the urban protagonist. The dérive was defined by Guy Dubord, a french marxist and situationist who is well-known in regards to 'psychogeography'. Derive - and Lounders' walks - helps Lilley move beyond routine ways of seeing, thinking and understanding architecture and the urban landscape; and further allow him to consider new alternatives. Liminality on the other hand, is a psychological, neurological, or metaphysical subjective state, conscious or unconscious, of being on the "threshold" of or between two different existential planes.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - City council report card 2011 [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - STU profs protesting mayor's honorary degree [CBC]
HALIFAX - Kelly: Violence, local services will top municipal leaders meeting in Halifax [Metro News]
SAINT JOHN - Crackdown on illegal dumping - Snook [Telegraph Journal]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for May 10, 2011 [The Scope]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - $5.6M upgrade for famous St. John's overpass [CBC]
HALIFAX - Barrington Street developments approved [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John Harbour Bridge upgrades delayed [CBC]
HALIFAX - CityThink issue results [Metro News]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown gets new marina [CBC]
HALIFAX - MacKay predicts spinoff from Metallica concert [CBC]
MONCTON - Moncton seeks longer runway to lure cargo planes [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Waterfront group looking for ideas from conference [Telegraph Journal]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Raw sewage flows into Halifax harbour [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Drivers gear up for long summer [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Interchange: Rothesay Avenue work slated for this summer [Telegraph Journal]
FREDERICTON- River levels begin to recede [Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Bridge repairs could run into 2012 [The Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Skateboard park future hinges on May 18 meeting [The Guardian]
MONCTON - Would Moncton's Main St. work as a pedestrian mall? [Times & Transcript]
May 17th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: John Foster Family Groceries
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
May 18th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Prague’s Farmers’ Market, Tel Aviv Bike Lanes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• While much has been made of the recent controversy surrounding New York City's bike lanes, there is extensive support for this infrastructure and a record of this support from project inception. Check out the Blueprint for the Upper West Sideand this film produced by Streetfilms for some inspiration.
• Tel Aviv is experiencing similar backlash to its American cousin. As the Sustainable City Blog explains, the shift towards complete streets in what has traditionally been an autocentric town has raised the ire of many motorists. In contrast to New York's approach to the backlash, however, Tel Aviv officials are quashing resistance rather than looking for common ground: "the streets of Tel Aviv do not belong to the residents. No one owns the streets or the parking spots and the municipality does not have to conduct negotiations with the residents."
• As former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel stepped into his new role as Mayor of Chicago this week, The Transport Politic offers a sneak peak at the tough choices he'll face related to transportation policy. According to Emanuel's transition plan, focus will be shifted to bus rapid transit lines, well suited to the city's wide boulevards.
May 19th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Charlottetown
By The Photographers // No Comments
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Photo by Jeff Allen, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool
May 20th, 2011
Events Guide: Tracing the City – Interventions of Art in Public Space
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - What happens when the public space of the city intervenes in the private experience of art? Find out when panelists Kim Morgan (Chair) – NSCAD University, Sol Nagler (Chair) - NSCAD University, Martha Radice – Dalhousie University,Nathan Ryan - NSCAD University, Ellen Moffat – University of Saskatchewan, Erin Wunker – Dalhousie University come together to contemplate inteventions of art in public space.
Members of the panel present the initial stages of an interdisciplinary SSHRC-funded research/creation project that uses emerging technologies to explore the interstitial space between the private and the public in relation to art. “Art” for us includes visual art, performing arts, and other streams of creative culture such as architecture, design and literature. We define public urban space as those spaces in the city that are accessible to everyone (regardless of ownership), in which strangers interact in many different ways. People’s experience of art is typically private, whether or not the art is in a collective setting. They move through the art gallery in the bubble of their own personal space. They watch films ensconced in the dark of the cinema. Their emotional reactions to art are located in the body, and divulged to just a few companions. However, some members of the panel suggest that the public space of the city can challenge and interfere with the private experience of art. Indeed, they posit that the public space of the city can creatively be made to intervene in the private space of engagement with art.
May 21st, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Bixi Bailout, Walkability and the Fort York Bridge
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As Toronto and Ottawa roll out their new Bixi bike sharing programs this Spring, in the birthplace of Bixi there is controversy surrounding a municipal bailout for the organization behind the bike share. Alanah Heffez outlines the debate around the bailout and puts the question of whether or not it was a good idea to Spacing readers.
Joel Thibert takes a fascinating look into Urban Agriculture based on the premise that while coverage of the issue may be increasing, the actual phenomenon is far more than just a fad. Through this discussion Thibert examines the nature of what Urban Agriculture is really about; ultimately concluding that it may not be about cultivating produce but about cultivating gardeners.
Section 37 of the Ontario Planning Act allows municipalities to require that a developer provide community benefits in exchange for rezoning to allow larger buildings, yet few cities take advantage. With the City of Ottawa studying the issue, Jay Baltz makes a compelling case about why aggressively pursuing section37 benefits is absolutely necessary.
As part of the Walkspace series Eric Darwin chronicles the tale of a proposed multipurpose trail along the O-Train corridor. While construction has begun on an underpass, other parts of the trail, and some local landmarks along its route remain in bureaucratic limbo.
The Fort York pedestrian and cycle bridge was a hot topic in Toronto this week and two posts on Spacing aim to capture the essence of the issue. As part of the Headspace series Luca de Franco interviews activist Richard Douglas to get his take on why the bridge should be saved. Shawn Micallef takes a step back to see what the debate says about Toronto itself.
Dylan Reid highlights the Walkability Slide Show that has come out of this month's Jane's Walks and is being shown at the Urbanspace Gallery. The show highlights walkability issues in Toronto's low income tower neighbourhoods and the effect this has the lives of residents.
May 22nd, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
NEW BRUNSWICK - Rubber hits road June 6 [The Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's aims for massive expansion [CBC]
HALIFAX - Time for city’s leaders to do more to prevent violent crime [The Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - Mayor says spread cuts around [The Daily Gleaner]
DEVELOPMENT
ST. JOHN'S - Who, what, where, when and Y [The Telegram]
DARTMOUTH - Sportsplex makeover [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - COMMUNITY IN BRIEF [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Feeding folks on Gottingen [The Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - Revitalizing the west end of downtown [The Telegram]
FREDERICTON - City weighs pros, cons of new tourism map [The Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - Construction delays St. John's YMCA opening [CBC]
HALIFAX - Building height, road widening top of mind [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's OK's indoor skatepark plan [CBC]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - Debris on bridge raises concerns [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Hydrostone: A national gem [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Pippy Park third in great public place contest [The Telegram]
CHARLOTTETOWN - New Homburg hotel facing design criticism [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Town and city still working on resolving water issue [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Store fire shuts down street [Metro]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown will fix sewage system: mayor [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - The housing slog [The Telegram]
May 24th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: First Corner
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Dean Bouchard, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Making Space for Our Sacred Cows
By Josh Lepawsky // 3 Comments
"Machine Space, or territory devoted primarily to the use of machines, shall be so designated when machines have priority over people in the use of territory" - Horvath, Ronald J. 1974. "Machine Space." Geographical Review 64 (2): 167-188.
Photo by Danny Cornelissen, Creative Commons
ST. JOHN'S - Writing almost 40 years ago, Ronald Horvath wanted to translate technological questions into questions that were explicitly spatial and political. Today linking technology, space, and politics may not seem so strange, but even with Lewis Mumford’s writing preceding Horvath’s, this was still heady stuff at the time.
What Horvath does so well is to give our taken for granted assumptions a good shake: the car is not just a technical object, a mere tool to get us from point A to point B. The car is urban North America’s sacred cow, he writes, but “[would] an Indian imagine devoting 70 percent of downtown Delhi to cow trails and pasturage, as we do for our automobiles in Detroit and Los Angeles?”.
The language of the comparison might seem a bit anachronistic now – and Delhi's machine space has exploded since the 70’s – but students at Memorial University (MUN) in St. John's, where I teach Geography, love it. Suddenly the technology of the car becomes a lively thing suffused with meaning, symbolism, and myth as well as its own political and economic geographies:
“Each year we sacrifice more than 50,000 Americans to our sacred cow in traffic accident fatalities. In search of fodder to perpetuate the existence of our sacred cow, we support despotic governments in oil-rich lands”, writes Horvath.
May 25th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: The Whitney, LeafSnap, Climate Change and Tornadoes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Construction crews broke ground this week on the new home of New York City's Whitney Museum. Check out this video on Architizer to learn more about the Whitney collection and the new space. While clearing space for the new Whitney, the Gansevoort Pumping Station in the city's Meatpacking district was removed. AsVanishing New York reports, old signage from the station will be donated to the FDNY. According to the Whitney press office, "[Architect] Renzo Piano was especially concerned with creating a building appropriate to its milieu and sensitive to its surroundings, but it was determined not to try to incorporate aspects of the old building in the design for the new one."
• GOOD shares the story of Vivian Maier, a street photographer, and the 26-year-old real estate who discovered her photographic canon of Chicago in a repossessed storage locker sale.
• LeafSnap - a new mobile field guide for smart phones allows users to identify tree species by photographing the leaves. As Garden Design notes, the app allow citizens to collect and share data on local tree species.
May 27th, 2011
Don’t Stop: Weekend Events Guide – Bus Rides, Shelter Walks and Street Parties
By Crystal Melville // 2 Comments
With lots of neat-o, community urban events taking place this weekend - from Metro transit bus rides discussing sprawl, Mobile Art project unveilings, the final walk with Aimee Brown in Point Pleasant Park to Open Street parties - I thought I would consolidate the Events Guides, so you can map out your weekend plans in advance.
WHAT: Taking development issues on the bus: Ecology Action Centre's 37th Day of Action
WHERE: Metro Transit Route 14, meet and jump on at Barrington & Duke, South
WHEN: Saturday, May 28, 12:48pm, SHARP!!
HOW MUCH: $2.25
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY (HRM) - As part of Ecology Action Centre's 40 days of Action to celebrate the organizations 40th year of operation, grab your bus pass and join EAC’s Built Environment Committee for a healthy debate about the past and future of Halifax' city’s growth. This event is all about jumping on a bus and riding through various HRM development types - from the city’s core through the subdivisions to the edges of metro - while having a discussion on growth and development. What do our neighbourhoods say about us? The event encourages dialogue regarding HRM development and the impact it has had on the city's economics, the environment, and the notion of community.
The bus tour is organized by the Built Environment Committee at the Ecology Action Centre, but all residents of the city are invited. Special “on the bus” guests include: Jennifer Watts, City Councillor of HRM district 14; Andrew Murphy, Accountant and developer who worked on the proposed changes to HRMs' regional tax structure; and two more guests that have yet to be announced.
May 28th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Artscape, Machine Space and Philly’s Waterfront
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Alanah Heffez posts the results of Spacing reader's reaction to Bixi Bailout and finds the split to similar to the actual council vote. Heffez argues that this shows how Montrealers consider the service beneficial to the city.
Guillaume St-Jean continues the Montage de Jour series, this week looking at the changes in the corner of Sherbrooke West and Metcalfe between 1967 and today.
In response to Adam Bentley's fantasy transit map, Clive Doucet uses his column to advocate that the thinking on transit shift from fantasy to reality. Using examples from the Turkish cities of Istanbul and Ankara, Doucet makes the case that critical parts of the fantasy map could easily become reality.
While street meat may be an iconic part of many North American cities Emily Sinclair uses to two recent debates on outdoor patios and food carts to make the case of how food can play an essential role in creating vibrant, healthy public spaces.
Through another installment in the Headspace series, Luca De Franco interviews Tim Jones, President and CEO of Artscape, a Toronto based non-profit that creates live-work spaces for artists. Jones discusses past successful projects such as the Wychwood Barns and gives some details about exciting new projects including the community arts centre in the new Regent Park and the conversion of the magnificent century old Shaw Street School.
Alex Bozikovic reflects on the disheartening waterfront talk coming from the Fords in City Hall by highlighting the success that Philadelphia is finally having on its waterfront after decades of stalled mega-projects. The lessons being learned in Philly speak to the importance of improving infrastructure and public space.
May 29th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - Port official mulls run for mayor [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Winter parking ban changes to be considered [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - What’s happening to this place? [The Scope]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City lifts boil-water order [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - "Third party" impedes Coast request for Common concerts documents [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for May 24, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - New group to lobby against urban sprawl [Metro]
HALIFAX - Neighbours upset about proposed Fairview development [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton approves pension reforms [CBC]
HALIFAX - Stage set for concert report [Metro]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Gottingen Street changing in big ways [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - New multipurpose arts centre, here we come? [The Scope]
MONCTON - Public- private projects stir debate [Times & Transcript]
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth bus terminal plan stuck in traffic [Metro]
FREDERICTON -City OKs 35-lot subdivision on south side [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Target coming to city in 2013 [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - 4 Blockbuster stores closing [CBC]
May 30th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Street Racing
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Dean Bouchard, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Events Guide: Free Concert, Save the Bedford Basin
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
WHAT: Outdoor Concert, Save the Bedford Reef
WHEN: Monday, May 30 6:30 - 8:30 pm
WHERE: DeWolf Park, Bedford
HOW MUCH: Free
BEDFORD - Alongside the Ecology Action Centre and the Sackville River Association, join Save the Bedford Reef advocates and musicians this evening for a Free Outdoor Concert at DeWolf Park in Bedford, NS. Tonights' concert will showcase talented local musicians including Singer-Songwriter Dusty Keleher performing his new song "Mile of Ocean" with Amy Lounder and Jeff Harper. The concert also features Cassie & ...
May 31st, 2011
Events Guide: Cycling Infrastructure Ideas from Across the Country, HRM Bike Week
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
WHAT: Cycling Infrastructure Ideas from Across the Country
WHERE: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Bldg, 6100 University Avenue, Rm 1009
WHEN: May 31st, 2011, 6:30–8:00pm
HOW MUCH: Free
HALIFAX - Since May 27th, HRM Bike Week has organized Bike Auctions, Safety Classes, Tune-Ups, Bike to the Movies' events and so much more. As part of HRM Bike Week, join cycling infrastructure experts this evening from across the country at Dalhousie University, to discuss innovative bikeway projects. Panelists will share ideas from recent projects and field questions from the public, as well. Visiting panelists, include
Norma Moores, IBI Group: Behind the Curb: Innovative Approach to Constructing Cycle Tracks
Meghan Whitehead, McCormick Rankin Corporation: Segregated Bicycle Lane Pilot Project - Ottawa, ON
John McGill, Hatch Mott MacDonald: Dynamic Cycling Trip Planners
June 1st, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: City games and urban hackery
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The Pop-Up City has a great roundup of urban games hosted by Berlin's Invisible Playground. Have fun with transparencies to decode a message in the urban landscape or play a real life version of farmville (life imitating web imitating life). In contrast to virtual games, Invisible Playground's games "focus on the people in the city instead of the stuff.
• What if changing a city was as simple as changing software? That's the principle behind Renew Newcastle, a not-for-profit company which seeks to incubate small initiatives in vacant spaces in Newcastle, Australia. They achieve this goal using the model of hacking. Rather than creating a new operating system, they created new rules, contracts and relationships to open up space through barter arrangements. "We made the city work for people for whom it had not worked in a long time." (Grist)
June 4th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: the magazine launches first national issue
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This weekend's Spacing Saturday is a special one: we focus on the magazine's first national issue that is set to hit newsstands on Monday.
While the look and feel of the magazine is no different than the local Toronto edition, the content has expanded to look at the joys, obstacles, and politics affecting all of Canada's large urban centres. Articles touch on topics like street performing in Victoria, Calgary's plans to support its arts community, how Ottawa's marathon is becoming more urban, and why the seasonal pedestrian mall on rue Ste.-Catherines has been a boon for local businesses.
We even created four regional covers for Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver (see the slideshow above).
The magazine is being launched on Tuesday in Toronto at the Design Exchange. All across Canada, starting this Monday, you'll be able to pick up an copy of the issue at all of our regular stores plus 85 new locations: every Chapter's/Indigo store across the country.
To celebrate this special issue, Spacing is hitting the road and hosting a series of events in 10 cities across the country — called the Spacing Road Show — in June and July. Hopefully you can catch us in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. Keep an eye on our blogs, Facebook page and Twitter account to learn more about these parties.
Check out the web page to find out about the articles and features in this special national issue.
June 5th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
CAPE BRETON - CBRM council size under debate [CBC]
HALIFAX - New gag order at City Hall [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Clean for company [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Civic Elections: Politicians Need Not Apply [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Conference: the city should regulate sex work [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Municipal issues need federal focus — Layton [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - Citizens rallying again to save church [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Women on council still a minority [Metro]
HALIFAX - Halifax holds municipal leaders meeting [Metro]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Girl Guides camp on Halifax's Citadel Hill [CBC]
MONCTON - Determined artist borrows $1,600 for full-sized billboard project [Telegraph Journal]
SYDNEY - Summer tar ponds smell promised to improve [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Car slams into St. John's home [CBC]
SACKVILLE - HRM quest to rename confusing streets zeroes in on Sackvilles [Metro]
SAINT JOHN - More heritage buildings in peril [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City taking precautions for airborn dust during pool work [The Guardian]
TRANSPORTATION
HALIFAX - Here’s to Bike Week and a safer ride to the grocery store [Metro]
ST. JOHN'S - Roll it Out [The Scope]
NOVA SCOTIA - NS car insurance review recommends timid changes [The Coast]
MONCTON - Free bus rides to be offered [Times & Transcript]
ST. JOHN'S - Moose accident in St. John's [The Telegram]
June 7th, 2011
New HRM Alliance Talks Sprawl
By Matt Neville // No Comments
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Suburban development, Kingswood, Hammonds Plains, HRM."][/caption]
HALIFAX - The Ecology Action Center's Jen Powley has been busy since she presented the idea of an HRM greenbelt at Dalhousie's School of Planning Imagine Conference in March. There, Powley positioned the potential greenbelt as providing common ground among residents and a mechanism to achieve the goals and objectives laid out in the Regional Plan.
On May 25, 2011 — a short two months later — Powley took centre stage yet again (with other project partners) to announce the formation of Our HRM Alliance. The Alliance aims to shine light on the social, environmental, and financial costs associated with sprawl, while proposing mechanisms to curb it. In addition to the establishment of a greenbelt, this would mean changes to the commercial tax structure. The proposed changes would go a long way in strengthening existing community centres by encouraging reinvestment and better defining growth boundaries within HRM. “We want to see liveable suburbs and viable town centres, including downtown Halifax,” says Powley in a recent press release for the Alliance.
June 8th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Three-way streets, Before I Die, Public Space Music Videos
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Kottke highlights Ron Gabriel's video - 3-way Street - a look at bad interactions between cars, bikes, and pedestrians at a typical NYC street intersection. It offers a visually interesting perspective on the ways modes interact and conflict.
• Artist Candy Chang shares some notes on her recent public space project, Before I Die. With permission from the building's owner, Chang's chalkboard invited citizens to share their preferred ending to the sentence "before I die…". Says Chang of her project, "I believe the design of our public spaces can better reflect what’s important to us as residents and as human beings."
June 11th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Capital Bixi, Turkish Transit and the Cycling Etiquite Debate
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Launched its first National Issue this week in Toronto, Todd Harrison gives those who couldn't be there a look at the party and introduces the Spacing Roadshow which will take the magazine across the country this summer.
Alanah Heffez reports on the very early brainstorming processes for for how Montreal will celebrate its 375th anniversary in 6 years time. For now, organizers are soliciting input for any kind of ideas.
Guilllame St-Jean uses the Montage du Jour series to show a striking effect of road widening between 1979 and today.
Clive Doucet followed up on his previous insights on public transit in Turkey by examining the essential role that transit plays in other parts of the world and the lessons that Canada could learn in terms of thinking about moving people as opposed to advancing marquee projects and truly making the most out of capital investment.
As part of the Clickshift series, Kathryn Hunt reflects on her own surprise about how quickly Bixi has been taken up by the City.
Spacing played host to an interesting debate this week past week that drew the attention of CBC Radio's Metro Morning. While Emma Woolley argued that cyclists need to embark on a fundamental shift in their respect for the rules of the road, Lisan Jutras retorted that perhaps if no one follows a law, the law itself may be the problem.
This week also saw the launch of an exciting new series that will appear every Wednesday on the Toronto Blog. David Miller: Transit Mayor is a series of candid interviews with the former Mayor that look into his life and leadership.
Dylan Reid analyzed to two fascinating new interactive maps of pedestrian safety and volumes across the entire city this week that provide an unprecedented look at where pedestrianism reigns and where pedestrians are in the most danger.
June 12th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Halifax Panorama
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Rob Lantz, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
SAINT JOHN - Saint John council holds confidential meeting [CBC]
HALIFAX - Peter Kelly is the Sarah Palin of Halifax [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - NoGo NoTow sues city, police officer [The Daily Gleaner]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for June 6, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Report advises council to issue $335,000 in grants [The Chronicle Herald]
FREDERICTON - Group says city not fulfilling contract [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John union worried by pension change rejection [CBC]
HALIFAX - Concert report slams Peter Kelly, Wayne Anstey, Fred MacGillivray and Scott Ferguson [The Coast]
MONCTON - Moncton High rally attracts 100 [CBC]
HALIFAX - What happens in Halifax stays in Halifax [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Mayor looks back at years of highs, lows [Metro News]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SAINT JOHN - City gets more ammunition [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Charlottetown couple blindsided by heritage rules [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Work to start on Saint John Harbour Bridge [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Councillor supports heritage building decision [CBC]
HALIFAX - Historic north-end home may be demolished [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Construction season has begun [The Guardian]
HALIFAX - City works to limit Common damage during summer concert season [Metro News]
CHARLOTTETOWN - University Ave to be repaved [CBC]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - Halifax waterfront redevelopment designs unveiled [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Fortis concerned over Peel Plaza project [CBC]
HALIFAX - City Hall gets an erection [CBC]
HALIFAX - Citadel Hotel to close [Metro News]
June 13th, 2011
Spacing Road Show starts this week!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week marks the start of the Spacing Road Show!
Spacing's publisher Matthew Blackett is setting out on a 10,000km journey across Canada in June and July to promote the new national issue and to host launch parties/discussion panels in 10 cities (senior editor Shawn Micallef joins the tour in Edmonton). There are two parts to this tour: a western swing from Winnipeg to Victoria (June 16-July 5), and an eastern swing from Toronto to Halifax (July 12-25).
First up: Winnipeg on Thursday, June 16th at the RAW Gallery.
Events on the western swing will take place in Saskatoon (June 20th), Edmonton (June 22nd), Calgary (June 24th), Vancouver (June 28th), and Victoria (July 5th). The eastern swing starts in Toronto (July 12th), and heads to Ottawa (July 19th), Montreal (July 21st), and Halifax (July 25th).Check out the Spacing Road Show micro site for all the details of each event. You can also visit Spacing's Facebook page to RSVP to the events in your city.
June 14th, 2011
Connecting the Dots: Mapping Charlottetown’s Cycling Infrastructure
By Melanie LaBelle // 4 Comments
[caption id="attachment_9621" align="alignnone" width="400" caption=" Map #2 - "Existing Cycling Infrastructure""][/caption]
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI - PEI is well known as a cycling destination. Tourists come from far and wide to bike along the scenic highways that overlook the Atlantic Ocean from the tops of gentle rolling hills. The Confederation Trail, an old railway track now converted to a multi-use trail, is another popular choice. It connects Charlottetown to both the east and west coasts of the island. The Confederation Trail is teeming with wildlife such as foxes and finches which emerge regularly from the adjacent brush.
Charlottetown itself is a really pretty city. It charms tourists and delights the locals, with its views of the sprawling harbor, magnificent Victoria Park, daintily outfitted and brightly colored historic homes, trees with branches that overhang the streets and manicured flower beds at every corner.
The City of Charlottetown has the aesthetic appeal and the small scale (44 km²), to make it a lovely place to bike around. One could, in one day, take in the harbor vistas, explore the historic buildings, stop for fresh oysters fresh out of Malpeque Bay, do some shopping and take in a theatrical production. In theory, this city has all it could ever need to attract a ton of cyclists. The truth is that cyclists in the downtown area are few and far between. Tourists are not choosing this as a method of exploration. Even locals commuting to work are seen in fewer numbers than you might expect.
But why?
June 15th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: International streetscapes, Montreal parks and too many bikes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Montreal artist, Martin Reisch, is celebrating vintage girls in classic Montreal parks. His series of thirty second shorts showcases beautiful Montreal bands in the city's spectacular parks.
• Portland, OR - famous for its cycling infrastructure and spinoff cycling industry - is the proud home of a new "bike bar", Hopworks. The small restaurant features a variety of bike-friendly features including: a bike frame canopy, 75 bike parking spaces, bike tools and loaner u-locks. (BikePortland.org)
• Vélo Quebec wants to invite cars and bikes to the same venue. Copenhagenize shares a cute video from Vélo Quebec asking if these vehicles get along so well in our garages, why not on the road?
Events Guide: Up for Review – Saint John’s Draft Municipal Plan
By Abad Khan // 2 Comments
SAINT JOHN - In early 2010, the City launched PlanSJ to develop a new Municipal Plan to guide development over the next 25 years. We've been following it closely from the beginning and now, it’s almost here.
A draft Plan is being introduced to the public with an Open House today. It's available here [PDF] for your reading pleasure, all 150+ pages of it.
Here's an excerpt:
Policies contained in the Municipal Plan will help guide:
Capital expenditure and investment decisions by the City;
Decisions about where and ...
June 16th, 2011
Events Guide: Halifax Cycling Coalition AGM
By Abad Khan // No Comments
HALIFAX – Over the last three years, HCC has made a significant contribution by lending a unique voice to the city’s active transportation discussions and encouraging all-season bicycle use in the greater Halifax region. Though the organization has a wide base of support, this is your chance to get further involved with the organization as it attempts to build a broader coalition.
The Annual General Meeting will include a quick presentation on activities and projects concluded over the past year. Working groups will be formed at the meeting surrounding various topics of ...
June 17th, 2011
From the Vaults: To market, to market
By Lauren Oostveen // 4 Comments
The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website.
Established in 1750, the Halifax Farmers' Market is the oldest continuously running market in North America. Sitting at the entrance to the Halifax Harbour, the Halifax Seaport Market is the market's fourteenth location since its creation by Royal Proclamation in 1750.
Market Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bedford Row and Cheapside, ca. 1869
June 18th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Greenbelts, Historic Markets and Festival Space
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As a growing coalition of actors in the Montreal Region continue to push for a greenbelt Joel Thibert looks into the history of greenbelts to explore their nature as simultaneously populist and elitisit, pro-urban and anit-urban and progressive and regressive.
Guillaume St-Jean's Montage du Jour feature this week captures the restoration of two beautiful century old houses in the city's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood and provides a detailed description of how the restorations paid respect to the specific history of each home.
Jay Baltz takes a fascinating close up look at the detailed design features of an almost ideal Ottawa urban residential street to examine why the street's potential is being hampered by high traffic speeds and an unwise fear or on-street parking.
Eric Darwin questions our societal practice of not naming cycling and pedestrian pathways, noting that this practice denies them legitimacy and relegates them to a secondary status. Preliminary attempts in Ottawa could show the way for branding pathways to build constituency and prominence.
John Lorinc uses the legacy and thinking of the individual for whom a prominent downtown public space was recently renamed as the basis for showing how such spaces can be transformed by the changing city and interplay of the arts. In doing so he challenges City Hall to consider the economic benefit of pubic investment in festival space.
Having recently come under fire from Doug Ford, Waterfront Toronto is the subject of this week's Headspace feature as Luca De Franco interviews Waterfront Toronto CEO John Campbell about the complexities of the agency's work and the scope of its benefit to the public.
June 19th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DEVELOPMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - 'I think it looks ugly' [The Guardian]
SAINT JOHN - Grants given to neighbourhood organizations [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Waterfront group seeks your feedback on designs [Metro]
MONCTON - Moncton explores options for $100M centre [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - City's future outlined in municipal plan [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Council overrules heritage bylaw [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Three development projects seek approval [Telegraph Journal]
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Kelly must quit, says province’s former AG [Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - City officials contemplate suing Trade Centre Limited [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Enterprise Saint John keeps city support [CBC]
HALIFAX - Both Peter Kelly and Scott Ferguson should resign [The Coast]
HALIFAX - MacKay says he owes nothing [Chronicle Herald]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for June 13, 2011 [The Scope]
HALIFAX - Council votes against concert scandal inquiry [CBC]
HALIFAX - More of Peter Kelly's verbal diarrhea [The Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CHARLOTTETOWN - Sewage closes shellfishery again [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Unsung Heroes of the Old North End [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Parking to improve at Holland College [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax Walking Tour: A peninsula of parks and trees [The Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - $17.4M announced for schools' mould repairs [CBC]
June 20th, 2011
ROAD SHOW: In Saskatoon tonight, Edmonton & Calgary this week
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
To coincide with the launch of Spacing's first national issue, the magazine is hosting events in 10 Canadian cities this summer. The Spacing Road Show is sponsored by BMO SmartSteps for Homeowners and supported by Autoshare and the Canada Council for the Arts.
This week the Spacing Road Show kicks into high gear with events in Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Calgary.
SASKATOON
When: Monday, June 20, 7-10pm
Where: Persephone Theatre, 100 Spadina Crescent East
Cost: $5 (gets you copy of magazine)
Facebook: RSVP to our event listing
PARTNER: ...
June 22nd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Swings, Shifts and Copycat Towns
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• At Project for Public Spaces, Gary Toth writes about an exciting initiative he's been part of called the Strategic Highway Research Program. The program breaks the traditional highway planning paradigm to embrace ideas such as shared-decision making and community building.
• The awesomeness of swings is undeniable. NOTCOT celebrates artist Jeff Waldman's project to install swings in all sorts of unexpected locations. The playful results are captured in pictures and videos.
• Spurred by numerous pedestrian fatalities, Chicago is beginning to develop a Pedestrian Master Plan. The city is home to some of the highest pedestrian fatality figures in the U.S. To combat these numbers, planners will consider countdown timers, curb bump-outs and medians - among other interventions. (Chicago Tribune)
ROAD SHOW: Edmonton tonight! Calgary on Friday, Vancouver on Tuesday
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
To coincide with the launch of Spacing's first national issue, the magazine is hosting events in 10 Canadian cities this summer. The Spacing Road Show is sponsored by BMO SmartSteps for Homeowners and supported by Autoshare and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Over the next week the Spacing Road Show is kicked into high gear with events in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS AN EVENT IN EDMONTON TONIGHT
EDMONTON
When: Wednesday, June 22, ...
June 24th, 2011
ROAD SHOW: Calgary tonight & Vancouver on Tuesday!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
To coincide with the launch of Spacing's first national issue, the magazine is hosting events in 10 Canadian cities this summer. The Spacing Road Show is sponsored by BMO SmartSteps for Homeowners and supported by Autoshare and the Canada Council for the Arts.
The Spacing Road Show has kicked into high gear with events in Calgary tonight and Vancouver on Tuesday. The Victoria event is the following Tuesday.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS AN EVENT IN CALGARY TONIGHT...
June 25th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Bike lane removal, City of Design and Transit for the Dogs
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
In a new installment of the Montreal Lit series, Gregory McCormick profiles the Carmine Starnino's This Way Out, a book of poetry dedicated to the very relatable gripes of urban life.
Natascia Lypny profiles a new public exhibit at Place Ville Marie which celebrates the anniversary of Montreal's UNESCO designation as a City of Design and discusses how the city has worked to grow into that designation over the past five years.
Clive Doucet takes another lesson from the Instanbul Transit system and challenges the dominant Canadian assumption that efficient transit must operate its own right of way. Instead of pushing for expensive infrastructure investments to bury LRT, Doucet advocates five main principles for efficient urban transportation.
Jake Tobin Garret covered the evolving story of Toronto Council's new bike plan this week documenting first the comprehensive report that went to council and then the surprise move later in the week to remove lanes on several important streets.
Dylan Reid takes a look at the City's proposals for the project to transform John Street and reflects on the process of trying to successfully accommodate all users of the street. Despite a push for bike lanes to be included in the plans, Reid argues this could jeopardize the entire project.
June 26th, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Urban renewal may require some urban demolition first [Telegraph Journal]
DARTMOUTH - Buyer sought for Dartmouth furniture plant [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John to double derelict building demolition [CBC]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Council meets developer over derelict building [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - 'The Overpass' coming down in St. John's [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Glen Falls relocation plan nixed by council [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax Harbour Solutions project declared complete [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Councillor worried about costs [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - No way to start Homburg hotel again: councillor [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Visionary eyes future on city's upper floors [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Against all evidence, Harbour Solutions is declared a success [The Coast]
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Meeting for heritage property stirs up emotion [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax isn’t Orlando [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Council rejects attempt to suspend mayor [CBC]
HALIFAX - Halifax mayor endorses smaller council [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Search and Rescue centre rally draws thousands [CBC]
HALIFAX - Want a small council? Let's just let Peter Kelly run things. [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Concert concerns not new: ex-HRM manager [CBC]
HALIFAX - Council won't hold Peter Kelly accountable [The Coast]
HALIFAX - Peter's pants on fire [The Coast]
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
HALIFAX - Bayers Road may add up to six lanes [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Marsh Creek project may end foul smell [CBC]
HALIFAX - Hammonds Plains residents to rally for road paving [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - Overpass comes tumbling down [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Halifax founder's name to disappear from school [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Construction blast sends rock hurtling into cars [CBC]
HALIFAX - Debate on widening roads gets deferred [Metro]
June 28th, 2011
ROAD SHOW: Spacing hits Vancouver tonight!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
To coincide with the launch of Spacing's first national issue, the magazine is hosting events in 10 Canadian cities this summer. The Spacing Road Show is sponsored by BMO SmartSteps for Homeowners and supported by Autoshare and the Canada Council for the Arts.
When: Tonight! 7-10pm
Where: Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings St.
Cost: $5 (gets you copy of magazine)
Facebook: RSVP to our event listing
PARTNER: City of Vancouver
Panelists: Erick Villagomez (Spacing Vancouver), Gordon Price (SFU City Centre), Erin O'Melinn (Vancouver Public Space ...
Events Guide: It’s More Than Buses
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
WHAT: It's More Than Buses - Public Forum on Public Transit
WHEN: Tuesday, June 28th (July 19 & Sept. 7), 6pm-8pm
WHERE: World Trade and Convention Centre
HOW MUCH: Free
HALIFAX - Waiting for the bus each morning to start my short daily morning commute to work in Downtown Halifax, I observe the regular bottle-necking on Robie Street, whereby cars are narrowly packed together carrying generally one driver each. In much larger cities, transit is used more often by commuters and helps to create a more active, efficient and accessible transit system and urban culture.
If you have ever used Metro Transit in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), then you have likely thought of ways that the infrastructure could be improved. As a daily bus commuter, I really enjoy the transit system - but it has only come with time of understanding the way it works in Halifax, particularly, by having a cell phone to check the exact time in which I can expect the bus to arrive. I have also been privy to peoples opinions about the HRM transit system - referencing specifically (in)frequency of buses and (in)consistent schedules.
June 29th, 2011
Spacing Vancouver has finally arrived!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Today, the Spacing family would like to welcome our newest sibling: Spacing Vancouver!
The editors and contributors of Spacing Vancouver will take a critical look at how Canada's third largest urban region is building and designing its city. Cities across Canada have a lot to learn about how Vancouver is designing one of the most livable and beautiful cities in North America.
Spacing is lucky to not be starting this Vancouver blog from scratch — we've absorbed the wonderful team at ...
World Wide Wednesday: Brains, Sprints, Ads and Bridges
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• City brain, country brain. The impact of city life on mental health has been a favourite topic of social scientists for some time. Now neuroscientists are taking up the cause. Nature describes the work of Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg of the University of Heidelberg's Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany. Studying images of urban and rural brains, Meyer-Lindberg is demonstrating that neural structures respond differently to stress in these two populations.
• Seven interns from the D.C. area completed the Smithsonian Sprint this week. The challenge: visit 17 Smithsonian museums in one day. While the interns took in some of the region's greatest cultural opportunities, they don't recommend the Sprint to others. Facing transportation hold ups, the interns spent a mere 15 minutes in each. (Smithsonian Mag)
• Paris is taking strong steps to reduce advertising on city streets. The new rules place restrictions on the size, location and illumination of future signage. (The Guardian)
June 30th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Storm and Main
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's Flickr Pool.
July 2nd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Walk the Region, Moving Day and the World’s Biggest Bike Share
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Saturday celebrates Canada Day by going coast to coast. Welcome to west coast readers on the brand new Spacing Vancouver!
The Vancouver Public Space Network responds to the selection of Vancouver's top ten spaces in the current issue of the Spacing Magazine with a reflection of what the selection says about our psyche towards public space.
Caroline Toth launched the Video Vancouver feature this week with a link to an incredible video about the hugely successful and innovative bike share program in the historic city of Hangzhou, China. The program aims to expand to 175,000 bikes by 2020.
Regional planning was a big theme on the Montreal blog this week as organizers push forward with Walk the Region, a three day walking tour across the entire Montreal Region from Oka to Mont Saint-Hilaire. Alanah Heffez also provided an update on a snag in planning for the event while Joel Thibert used The Regionalist column to make the case for why Montreal needs a regional plan.
Alanah Heffez looks into the seemingly curious tradition of Montreal's July 1st moving day by examining the day's origins over 260 years of advocacy for tenant's rights.
While researching the best cycling route to the Ottawa airport Eric Darwin discovers the best way is not one mapped by the City but one where space for cyclists exists in practicality but isn't officially recognized.
As part of the upcoming bicentennial of the War of 1812, a team of archeologists have begun searching for the ruins of Government House in the heart of Fort York. Bronwyn Clement launches the first of a four part series following the excavations.
As one million people converge on Church Street for Pride Week, Shawn Micallef uses powerful stories, collected during the installation of the Murmur posts on the street, to reflect on why Pride is still important.
July 3rd, 2011
Headlines: This Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - Concert promoter agrees to pay HRM thousands [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for June 28, 2011 [The Scope]
NEW BRUNSWICK- Municipalities pitch fiscal overhaul [CBC]
HALIFAX - Protesters demand resignation of Halifax mayor [CBC]
FREDERICTON -City promotes Macpherson [The Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - City embarrasses itself with Metallica fiasco [The Coast]
ST. JOHN'S - Council votes against heritage recommendations [The Telegram]
HALIFAX - Epstein not ruling out run for mayor’s seat [Metro]
DEVELOPMENT
HALIFAX - HRM seeks buyers for 2 schools [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John Convention Centre to get facelift [CBC]
HALIFAX - QEH demolition contract cancelled [CBC]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton community college campus opens [The Daily Gleaner]
MONCTON - Moncton cathedral hits 'roadblock,' faces closure [CBC]
July 6th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Renegade infrastructure funding, Brazilian street art, ant planning
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• A group of injured cyclists in Seattle is so mad about poor infrastructure at the city's most dangerous intersection that they are willing to pay the cost of the improvements themselves. Their winnings from a recent lawsuit will more than cover the $13,000 price tag to fix the intersection where it's estimated that one cyclist is injured every day. (Seattle Times)
• This Blog Rules showcases some amusing street art from Brazil's 6emeia Project.
• Are ants genius urban designers? BLDGBLOG poses the question, after the work of Professors Graham Currie and Martin Burd from Melbourne's Monash University suggests that ants may be on to something: "Ants [move] in an orderly fashion, and never [seem] to panic, even when there [is] danger or congestion."
July 8th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Have a Seat
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Randal Tomada, member of Spacing Atlantic's Flickr Pool.
July 9th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Reallocating Laneways, Budapest Ubranism and Paddle the Don
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vanessa Kay brings readers the second part of her In Depth look at the challenges of accommodating families in an urban Canadian setting. Pointing to the need for diversity of habitat, Kay points to innovative and leading projects in both Vancouver and around the world.
Eric Villagomez showcases Paths to Plazas: Laneway Markets in Mount Pleasent, a series of events re-imagining laneway space as part of an effort to reallocate roadways for public space.
Devin Alfaro continues the Photo du Jour series with captivating photography of the beautiful city of Montreal.
Eric Darwin looks at the resources poured into landscaping along arterials in the post-war suburbs and points to efforts to replicate that commitment to landscaping on a pedestrian scale in urban areas as part of a better sidewalk experience.
In another reflection on his travels in Europe, Clive Doucet reflects on the city of Budapest, its public amenities, the resiliency of its beautiful city building and its relatively young history.
Sean Marshall traversed Mississauga this week to bring readers two installments in the Lost Villages feature exploring the history and legacy of the old settlements of Cooksville and Erindale. The series looks at the historic towns that have been swallowed up by Toronto's expanding suburbs.
Jessica Lemieux recounts takes readers on a new perspective of the city by recounting her canoe trip down the Don River as part of this year's Paddle the Don event.
July 11th, 2011
Headlines: The Past Week in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
HALIFAX - 20 years after race riot, faces of power still white [The Chronicle Herald]
HALIFAX - Dawn Sloane calls Bill Karsten out for repeated interruptions [The Coast]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John may cut 4 councillors [CBC]
HALIFAX - Media mis-report "showdown" between Richard Butts and Harold MacKay over Metallica show [The Coast]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John developer slams city's red tape [CBC]
FREDERICTON _ Fredericton restoring city hall [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Queen Court housing complex recieves enthusiastic welcome [Telegraph Journal]
CHARLOTTETOWN - Dominion Building to house high-end apartments [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - No use setting out without a good road map [The Scope]
FREDERICTON - A bridge not too far from ready [The Daily Gleaner]
SAINT JOHN - Saint John politicians list safe water as top priority [CBC]
MONCTON - Metro real estate giant forms new partnership [Times & Trancript]
SAINT JOHN - Developer joins opposition to overhead power line [Telegraph Journal]
July 13th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Transfer Accelerators, London Tube Map
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• A California man is facing jail time for disobeying local building codes in the construction of his home. The thirty year project includes a replica of a 16th century Viking house and a mobile home refashioned into an antique railroad car. (Salon)
• Passengers using the Overvecht railway station in Utrecht now have a more playful way to make their train on time. A new "transfer accelerator" (slide) has been installed and is getting positive reviews from passengers and the surrounding neighbourhood. (Pop-Up City)
July 14th, 2011
HRM’s Next Big Bad Idea – Widening Bayers Road
By Jim Guild // 7 Comments
This article is kindly cross-posted from the Halifax Media Co-op. Check out the original here.
HALIFAX - Bedford’s gain will be Bayers Road’s (and the taxpayer's) pain. And the pain will be considerable.
This was the warning that the HRM Peninsula Community Council provided at a public meeting at City Hall on Monday night.
July 16th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Bold Transit Funding, Neighbourhood Memories and the Car in the City
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing reports on the bold plan by mayors in the Vancouver area to implement a small increase in the gas tax to help fund construction of the Evergreen Line. The debate highlights the need for new ways to bring sustained revenue to fund transit expansion.
Continuing the transit theme, John Calimente reviews Kenneth W Griffin's 2004 book Building Type Basics for Transit Facilities, a comprehensive look at what makes the best stations around the world successful.
Feet hit the pavement for Walk the Region last weekend and Alanah Heffez provided two posts this week reflecting on the experience. The first gives some initial observations about the walk itself while the second discusses some great revelations regarding density and intricacy.
Spacing profiles a new exhibit at the Centre d’histoire de Montréal which looks at the personal memories of three Montreal neighbourhoods that were swept off the map between 1950 and 1970 to make way for modernist megaprojects.
In a city lacking in common street furniture, Eric Darwin reports on a recent spate of shop owners setting out their own informal public sidewalk seating along the lines of the approach taken in New York's Times Square. The project has been blessed by a blind eye from the City.
In cycling heavy downtown neighbourhoods, the City of Ottawa's recent removal of parking meters is causing a chronic shortage of bike storage space, something that Spacing's Eric Darwin predicted over a year ago.
My City Lives presents the sixth installment of the 'David Miller, Transit Mayor' series. This installment features a candid interview with Miller reflecting on the role of the automobile in the city during a winter drive to the lakeshore.
Perpetually stuck in 1973 Mayor Bert Xanadu takes readers through a thoughtful reflection on his experience with the conversion of Lower Yonge Street into a pedestrian only space in the summer of 1971. Xanadu shares the lessons learned from the project and plans moving forward.
July 18th, 2011
ROAD SHOW: Ottawa on Tuesday and Montreal on Wednesday!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
When: Tuesday, July 19, 7-10:30pm
Where: National Arts Centre, 4th Stage 53 Elgin St.
Cost: $5 (gets you copy of magazine)
Facebook: RSVP to our event listing
PARTNER: National Arts Centre
Panelists: Matthew Blackett (Spacing publisher) moderator, George Dark (partner at Urban Strategies, urban designer & landscape architect), Allegra Newman (community planning advocate), Evan Thornton (Spacing Ottawa editor)
MONTREAL
When: Wednesday, July 20, 6:30-9pm
Where: 690 Sherbrooke Street West with event on Victoria Street (adjacent to the McCord Museum) between Sherbrooke and President Kennedy
Cost: Free! $5 ...
Events Guide: Designing the Network – It’s More Than Just Buses
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
Still from Leonardo Dalessandri film Under the Lucan Sun
WHAT: Design the Network - Session #2, It's More Than Just Buses
WHERE: World Trade and Convention Centre, Argyle Street
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 6pm-8pm
HOW MUCH: Free!
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY - A bus stop could be an amazing thing (gardens, playgrounds, outdoor gym) is one point which came up in the first public session - "Exploring the Options" - at It's More Than Just Buses on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011. It's More Than Just Buses is a public discussion initiative that explores the options of public transit, designs a better network and mobilizes for support, organized by the Planning and Design Centre and Fusion Halifax.
Guest speaker Steven Dale, also raised another smart key point with regards to transit administration, which is the development of a staff policy for all Metro Transit employees, particularly the network planners, whereby they must take the bus at least once a week, if not more. Why I found this to be such a brilliant idea, is because you can only understand how something works in practice and how it could work better, by using it and taking part. This fact was evident at the public session, where all those that attended and rode the bus frequently, had lots to offer the discussion. Of course, there was frustration concerning the current infrastructure and digression from discussion questions, but only because people wanted their experiences and ideas to be heard and they were! Find more of the group discussion points here.
July 20th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Climate bowls, city cams and carmaggedon
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• For those of you wishing for an altered clime this week, consider the wisdom of your Inca ancestors. Over at BLDGBLOG, they've got a neat profile of enormous weather bowls - landscaped pits which created microclimates ideal for different Incan crops. The author questions to what extent the climate is a component of the historical of the value of the site. Is it a stretch to imagine that the fight against climate change could be seen as an act of historical preservation?
• If you're looking for a more modern solution, solar panels may be your answer. A recent study from UC San Diego found a 5°F reduction in temperature inside buildings with solar panels. Raised and tilted panels create an even more dramatic reduction, while white roofs are the most effective at reducing temperatures in the floors below. (GOOD)
• Fast Company profiles NYC's politically favourable alternative to congestion pricing: Midtown in Motion. The $1.6 million real-time traffic management system allows traffic engineers to adjust traffic signals in response to congestion data collected by sensors and cameras. This data is also available to drivers who want to avoid jams.
July 21st, 2011
Guerilla Urban Design on Agricola
By Daniel Rotsztain // No Comments
HALIFAX - This summer across the country, the idea that vegetables can and should be grown in the city continues to gain momentum. Urban agriculture is a lot of things, but as a formal movement promotes local, sustainable food systems, renewed inner-city social and physical health, and a shift toward people-oriented urbanism. Inner city food production has obvious impacts on the urban landscape, creating pleasant productive spaces in otherwise unproductive, sterile land.
Halifax has many lovely gardens, many of which can be found on the Halifax Garden Network’s user-generated map. You can, of course, engage in urban gardening in a variety of ways, ranging from formalized municipal allotments, to semi-private community gardens, to straight up guerilla gardens.
Spacing Road Show hit Halifax on Monday!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
The final stop on the Spacing Road Show hits Halifax on Monday. Make sure to come out!
When: Monday, July 25, 6:30-9pm (panel starts at 7pm)
Where: The Hub, 1673 Barrington St.
Cost: free ($5 gets you copy of magazine)
Facebook: RSVP to our event listing
Panelists:
• Matthew Blackett (Spacing publisher) moderator,
• Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker (partner at Urban Strategies, urban planner),
• Tim Bousquet (news & enviro editor at The Coast)
• Andy Fillmore (director of urban design, City of Halifax)
July 23rd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Transportation 2040, New Regionalism and Guerilla Gardening
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Brian Gould takes an in depth look at some of the exciting thinking that is coming out of the public input into Vancouver's upcoming Transportation 2040 Master Plan.
Jackie Wong takes a look at the origins of Critical Mass and its subsequent spread around the world. As the movement approaches its 20th anniversary its founders have issued a call for submissions towards a book celebrating the milestone.
Noting that cities no longer compete with their suburbs but with city regions around the world, Joel Thibert uses the The Regionalist column to reflect on the need for a new regional perspective that responsibly balances a common interest with effective government.
Alanah Heffez reflects on the immensely successful Spacing Roadshow stop in the city which saw observers spilling out of the building and great presentations about the intricacies of Montreal.
Continuing a series of posts from his European travels, Clive Doucet reflects on the Italian city of Ravenna and contrasts the candidate for European Cultural Capital to Bologna, its gritty neighbour.
Jessica Lemieux tracks Toronto's ambitious goal to double its tree canopy in the next 40 years by looking at the challenges and benefits of urban forestry as well as the efforts of local community groups.
In the final installment of David Miller: Transit Mayor, the former mayor talks about his favourite place in Toronto and what it says about the city's successes and the path it will need to take in the future.
July 24th, 2011
Headlines: The Past 2 Weeks in Review
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
POLITICS
CHARLOTTETOWN - Pesticide spraying prompts review [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John’s city council live blog for July 12, 2011 [The Scope]
SAINT JOHN - Low survey ranking should concern city, consultant says [Telegraph Journal]
DEVELOPMENT
SAINT JOHN - Saint John air quality report released [CBC]
HALIFAX - Bayers Road expansion plans target apartment buildings [The Coast]
FREDERICTON - Fredericton pays $500K for city's only strip club [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - City scrambles to save jobs [Telegraph Journal]
DARTMOUTH - Wrecking ball will aim at Shannon Park buildings [CBC]
MONCTON - New Artisan Village livens downtown [Times&Transcript]
HALIFAX - QEH demolition work gets new contractor [CBC]
SAINT JOHN - Commitment to infill development must be significant [Telegraph Journal]
HALIFAX - Bayers Road and bust [The Coast]
CHARLOTTETOWN - City to retool shed [The Guardian]
TRANSIT
HALIFAX - Halifax looks for faster ferry [CBC]
ST. JOHN'S - St. John's begins bike path construction [CBC]
FREDERICTON - City fed up with noisy vehicles, red-light runners [Daily Gleaner]
HALIFAX - Halifax to buy buses for airport run [CBC]
July 25th, 2011
ROAD SHOW: Spacing hosts event tonight in Halifax!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
The final stop on the Spacing Road Show hits Halifax on Monday. Make sure to come out!
When: Monday, July 25, 6:30-9pm (panel starts at 7pm)
Where: The Hub, 1673 Barrington St.
Cost: free ($5 gets you copy of magazine)
Facebook: RSVP to our event listing
Panelists:
• Matthew Blackett (Spacing publisher) moderator,
• Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker (partner at Urban Strategies, urban planner),
• Tim Bousquet (news & enviro editor at The Coast)
• Andy Fillmore (director of urban design, City of Halifax)
July 27th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bamboo bike, sea spires and quiet time
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Yes, Virginia, there is a bike tree. Design student Alexander Vittouris coaxed a bamboo stalk to grow into a bike frame shape - the Ajiro. Grist wonders whether we might see fields of bamboo bikes in the future.
• Artist Cliff Garten's Sea Spires installation in Long Beach, California gives new meaning to the "bus stop" concept. Commissioned by Long Beach Transit and the Arts Council for Long Beach, the sculpture enhances the transit experience at East 2nd Street and East Marina Drive. Officials in Long Beach hope that the installation "encourages pedestrians, drivers, and transit riders alike to reflect upon the power of art to enhance urban communities". (Contemporist)
• In Abu Dhabi, a new master plan for the suburban communities of Baniyas and South Wathba will revitalize and reintegrate the neighbourhoods with the metropolitan area. The neighbourhoods are currently separated by a major highway. The plan attempts to restore balance through growth and mixed use development. (The National)
July 28th, 2011
Urban density – Is what you see what you get?
By Sean Gillis // 4 Comments
SAINT JOHN - Many characteristics affect the look and feel of urban neighbourhoods. Two very important characteristics are building height and density. They can be related, but people often speak as if tall buildings and high density are the same thing. So what's the difference?
Height is easy: a building is so many stories or so many feet tall. People easily understand how big a 16 storey building is. Density – the number of people or housing units in a given area – pardon the pun, is less concrete.
July 30th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Urban Laneways, Rethinking Density and News Café
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Spacing Vancouver launched a new feature this week. Price Point will feature a weekly photo selection from SFU City Program Director Gordon Price his reasons why it represents something worth talking about in the city.
Liam Lahey profiles a laneway makeover and neighbourhood party put on by Livable Laneways and The Vancouver Design Nerds. The event aims to challenge Vancouverites to make better use of the city's laneways.
Guillaume St-Jean used the Montage du Jour feature this week to present a series of incredible comparisons, showing the evolution of Montreal streets over the last 50 years.
Jonathan Lapalme contributed some great photography from around Montreal to the Photo du Jour series.
In a little piece of car share geekery Spacing compares the design details of two leading car share organizations in Toronto and Ottawa.
Media organizations often set up shop is busy urban areas only to fail to engage with the street beyond using its activity as a backdrop. Evan Thornton uses the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe as an example of the kind of media hub that should be tried in a city like Ottawa.
The Globe and Mail announced plans this week to add to the skyline with a new office tower at the site of its headquarters at Front and Spadina. Alex Bozikovic uses the No Mean City architectural feature to talk about the history the site and its future potential.
Luca De Franco's Headspace feature this week talks with Eric Kamphof, general manager of Curbside Cycle, to share some great insights into the long running evolution of cycling in Toronto and how to achieve "barrier-free cycling."
August 2nd, 2011
Meet Me in the Middle / The Middle of the Town
By Daniel Rotsztain // 1 Comment
SACKVILLE - Last weekend saw Sappy Fest Six energize the otherwise quiet summer streets of beautiful Sackville, New Brunswick. The festival features a diversity of musical acts, workshops and art installations that take place in a variety of venues, including Uncle Larry’s Billiards Hall, the Royal Canadian Legion and a Main Stage Tent that closes down Bridge Street, downtown Sackville’s main commercial thoroughfare.
The effect is a unique experience of urban space, where otherwise ordinary features of the town become the backdrops of incredible musical experiences. The festival is an opportunity for Sackville to showcase itself, and submit its streets, structures and parks to transformation and reconsideration by visiting festival-goers and resident Sackvillers alike.
August 3rd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Container markets, miniature cities, all-door boarding
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• This weekend, Brooklyn saw the long awaited opening of the DeKalb Market - a collection of storefronts housed in discarded shipping containers. Inhabitat argues that the site functions as an outdoor community centre, hosting entrepreneurs of the new economy alongside relics of the borough's past.
• The Onion pokes fun at the disrepair of America's transportation infrastructure: "Al-Qaeda Claims U.S. Mass Transportation Infrastructure Must Drastically Improve Before Any Terrorist Attacks"
• German street artist EVOL has installed four blocks of cityscape below ground outside Hamburg. The installation provides a unique godzilla-esque experience for observers. (Colossal Art and Design)
August 4th, 2011
Charlottetown’s new ugly duckling
By Melanie LaBelle // 4 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - A brand new boutique hotel, the Holman Grand, is opening later this month in the city. As the final touches are being added to the rooms, atrium and lobby and exterior, it's causing quite a stir amongst Islanders. It was supposed to look like a heritage restoration of a department store from the 1850s with visually appealing upper floors. Instead, its façade has been muted and the upper floors look like they were built for a government agency in the late 1970s.
Overseen by Homburg Development, the project has morphed from conception to delivery. How then, did this come to be? Let the following photos be your guide and decide for yourself.
August 6th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Surprise Appearances, Making Space for Recreation and a Resident’s Alliance
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
In the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver Jo-Ann Pringle is leading a new kind of resident's association that aims to bring a conciliatory approach to the planning process. Yuri Artibise profiles the origins, successes and philosophy of the Marpole Area Resident's Alliance.
Brian Gould uses the Video Vancouver feature to showcase a day in the life of some of Vancouver's beautiful separated bike lanes on Dunsmuir and Hornby Streets.
Joel Thibert looks back to the work of planner Artur Dickson to make the case for a more integrated approach to planning for recreational space. Arguing that allocating exclusively to recreation degrades the natural landscape and its benefits to us, Thibert advocates for recreational planning that allows for both work and play within the urban environment itself.
In light of the spat of infrastructure failures in the Montreal area Alanah Heffez looks at the details of how our bridges are built, issues around their lifespan and the challenges to their upkeep and care.
Mike Bulthuis looks at the public square at the corner of Rideau and Colonel By which is currently subject to plans by the National Capital Commission to revamp the space into a monument to Lord Stanely. Bulthuis delves into the history of the space and the story of how it lost its role of hosting the memorial to Terry Fox.
Eric Darwin zooms in on the area surrounding Westboro Station on Ottawa's Transitway to look at the history of less-than-successful attempts at transit oriented development. The reflection comes as demolition of old buildings near the station presents a new opportunity for successful intensification.
Jake Schabas looks at the similarities between rumored attempts to replace the Chief General Manager of the TTC and the recent decision of the Chairman of New York's MTA to pack his bags for Hong Kong, using both cases as evidence of the high value of people who can manage financially strained transit systems.
Alex Bozikovic uses the No Mean City architectural feature to discuss a recently adopted Toronto policy requiring buildings greater than 1000 square meters to clearly display the name of their architect. Bozikovic hopes this will help call out bad architects as well as celebrate good ones.
August 8th, 2011
Spacing Atlantic wants your photos!
By Abad Khan // 1 Comment
Captivated by the landscape of Canada's east coast cities? Obsessed with the beauty of a public space, the dirty grime of a back alley, a sidewalk's everyday dramas or the evolving skyline of your hometown?
Spacing Atlantic wants your urban photos. Please add them to our photo pool and we will select the best photos to be featured on our blog in our articles and in our Atlantic Snapshot series.
Expose yourself and shoot away Atlantic Canada (and don't forget to focus!).
Sorry, couldn't help myself. ...
August 9th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: A Study in Planes
By The Photographers // No Comments
Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo by Gillian Barfoot, member of Spacing Atlantic's Flickr Pool.
August 10th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Luminaires, Luminato, Graffiti Surge
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The New York Times covers the surge in graffiti being reported in many US cities. Officials from L.A., Portland, OR, Nashville, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Seattle attribute the increase to a tough economy, the summer recess, and the glorification of street art in popular culture.
• A new traffic device called the "Intersector" is attracting new cyclists to the streets of Pleasanton, CA. The military-developed technology detects approaching cyclists and holds lights green until they pass through the intersection. City officials report that the device has been well received by cyclists and drivers. (Toronto Star)
• New York City has set a new standard for scaffolding design following an international competition. The winning design, the "Urban Umbrella" lifts the structure above the pedestrian head and allows more natural light to reach the sidewalk. (NY1)
August 13th, 2011
Events Guide: “Culture Not Convention” photo exhibition launch Monday!
By Emma Feltes // 8 Comments
HALIFAX - This Monday will launch an exhibition of black and white photos dubbed "Culture Not Convention" to be featured at The Khyber all week. The work is a collective, community-based response to plans by all three levels of government to spend up to $375 million in tax dollars on a proposed high rise convention centre in the downtown core. It also includes two water colours by Kyle Jackson.
Borrowing its name from a previous fence weave project, the photo initiative started back in December, when an ad-hoc group of ...
August 15th, 2011
Events Guide: Parchetypes, Point Pleasant Park
By Crystal Melville // No Comments
WHAT: Parchetypes, Public Performance - HRM Open Project
WHEN: Starting today, August 15th, 11am-1pm - September 11, 2011
WHERE: Point Pleasant Park
HOW MUCH: Free
HALIFAX, NS - Parchetypes is a site-specific performance created by artist, William Robinson for Point Pleasant Park and supported through the Halifax Regional Municipalities Open Projects program.
In concert with this project, Robinson explains,
Parchetypes is based on two real-life personalities who define the experience of attending Point Pleasant Park through their musical performances. These two parchetypes or fathers of the park use this extraordinary urban forest in order to nurture the park’s natural elements and entertain park-goers with their musical expressions.
The first I have encountered as an anonymous bag piper. His disembodied sounds are a common auditory occurrence and are part of the Point Pleasant Park experience on any given summer day. Like a living ghost nestled in the park’s forest this musical patriarch offers up his kinship with the park by leaving only trace chanters and drones from his pipes into the wind.
The second is an elder who provides an embodied auditory experience. Like a guardian to the park he plays fiddle music on his small portable cassette tape stereo at the Tower Road entrance. As the park’s proverbial gatekeeper he provides a transitional point by projecting a unique tone onto the park experience.
August 17th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Cycling monuments, Endangered places, Pop-Up Playgrounds
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The Guardian's Jane Madembo offers a moving portrait of the role of the bicycle in liberating her from the ordeals of Harare's public transit system.
• ArchiCentral shares the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of the most endangered places in the US. Among the sites at risk: John Coltrane's house in Dix Hills, NY; China Alley, CA; Bear Butte Meade County, SD.
• Pop-up stores are a low cost way for companies to test out a location temporarily. In New York, public health and transportation advocates are appropriating the model to increase physical activity in low-income areas. Pop-up playgrounds shut down streets temporarily to provide play space and recreation facilities to children who need it most. (NYT)
August 18th, 2011
Saint John Airport takes on Plan SJ
By David Drinnan // 6 Comments
SAINT JOHN - PlanSJ, Saint John's community exercise to produce a new Municipal Plan, is coming under criticism from the region's airport for being 'unnecessarily restrictive' and threatening the airport's long term viability. To survive, the airport hopes to diversify its revenue sources by also becoming an industrial park, and fears that PlanSJ may prevent such development. Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase sounded the alarm bell by suggesting the airport may close in five years if action isn't taken.
The presentation to Common Council on Monday is available here [PDF], page 185.
August 19th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Early Morning Halifax
By The Photographers // No Comments
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo by Stephen Cushing, member of Spacing Atlantic's flickr pool.
August 20th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Rental Housing, Haphazard Development and Underpass Park
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Waterfront Toronto Rendering of the Future West Don Lands Neighbourhood
As the Vancouver Region is engaged in an important discussion about funding transit expansion, Paul Hillsdon questions why bridge tolls are not being seriously considered even though they have proven a very effective way to raise revenue elsewhere.
In a fascinating look at Vancouver's rental housing shortage crisis Jackie Wong talks to several veterans of the rental housing debate to explore what needs to change to open up the market to providing new rental properties.
Alanah Heffez shares a fantastic video, dug up from the CBC archives, of Jane Jacobs making observations on Toronto and Montreal in 1969. Jacob's compliments Montreal for its lack of slum clearance while criticizing Toronto for its political elite's love affair with expensive mediocrity.
Joel Thibert clarifies his position following a recent Op-Ed piece in La Presse regarding haphazard development in the Montreal periphery, including how this development comes to be and what it says about our collective responsibility.
While a City can lay out grand plans for a fantastic new pedestrian realm, small decisions can quickly add up to negate these improvements. Eric Darwin reflects on how this is playing out in Ottawa with the awkward placement of large traffic signal control boxes.
Clive Doucet reflects on the experience of taking in a concert in a 1500 year old Roman Amphitheater and wonders what the continued use of such buildings can tell us about building longevity and how our modern structures will be used in the future.
Bronwyn Clement continues her Park City series highlighting some of the exciting new public spaces opening in Toronto over the next few years. This week Clement profiles Underpass Park, Toronto's first attempt at utilizing underpass space for neighbourhood connectivity in the new West Don Lands Community.
A recent cover story in Toronto Life Magazine caused a stir this week by claiming the city is in the midst of new wave of suburban flight. John Lorinc systematically refutes the article's claims.
August 22nd, 2011
Jack Layton in 1982, winning his first Toronto City Council victory
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Editor's Note - Cross-posted from Spacing Toronto
Memories, memorials and raw thoughts are flowing across the city and country this morning remembering Jack Layton. Here's the moment where it all started in Toronto for Jack, when he won his city council seat in 1982.
There will be a memorial today in the East Garden at Toronto City Hall at 4PM.
Here's the text of the letter Jack Layton's family just released to Canadians:
August 24th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bike lights, car decline, rail lines
By Hilary Best // 1 Comment
http://vimeo.com/27280439
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• It's time for a bike light revolution! Or so say the inventors of Revolight - a bike light which mounts directly to the wheel rims for a sleek and safe design. The team is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter to further refine their prototype.
• A report out last week from the Brookings Institute notes a new trend in American urban life - 10% of households in the largest US cities do not have access to a private vehicle. Fred Pearce at New Scientist points to economic challenges, demographic shifts, a change in our approach to work and the embrace of a culture of urbanism as reasons why vehicle-km have declined across the west.
• High-speed rail could be a lifeline for Buffalo. A recent plan to develop the network in Western New York offers the possibility of improved economic integration with the Greater Golden Horseshoe, faster travel times, and a revitalized downtown area. But according to Ian Carlino at Artvoice, Buffalo's perception of itself as a car-town could derail these plans.
August 27th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Suburban Transit, Gentrification Agents and Neighbourhood Watch
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vancouver's Skytrain turned 25 this week, read about it on Spacing Vancouver
Liam Lahey introduced readers to the Neighbourhood Watch feature this week giving readers a fascinating look at the issues being tackled in municipalities across British Columbia.
John Calimente reviews Paul Mees' book Transport for Suburbia and finds it a surprisingly honest and convincing analysis of the problems and potential solutions to bring effective ...
August 30th, 2011
Urban art is not graffiti
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Editor's Note: Halifax resident Allison Sparling writes a guest post for Spacing Atlantic on Urban Art.
HALIFAX - Recently, Halifax Councillor Linda Mosher and chairwoman of HRM graffiti task force suggested the Hip-Hop Hopscotch Festival should cancel it's urban art component because it resembles graffiti. It was unclear what she actually said; the Chronicle Herald piece which reported her views was incredibly sparse; the Huffington Post also picked up the story. The anti-urban art sentiment was enough to upset some, enrage others, and question whether she truly understood what urban art is, and how it impacts our city. Then of course, came the question: How many people really do?
August 31st, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Slow streets, city centre, airport bees
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Are slower streets more popular? Flickr user Eric Fischer attempts to quantify the relationship through a series of graphs which plot the number of photos/tweets per 100-ft sq. area and the indicated vehicle speed. By his calculation, 9 miles per hour is the ideal speed for a photograph/tweet-worthy street.
• Modern airports have lots of unused space. At Chicago's O'Hare airport, some of that space is being put to use for a beekeeping program. Local community groups have installed a 2,400 sq. ft. apiary, complete with 23 hives which will produce 575 pounds of honey. Other program benefits: the program trains felons in the art of bee keeping and the bees provide a useful indicator of air quality. (GOOD)
• NYT writer, Jeff Gordiner, comments on the possibility for high and low speed urban living created by NYC's High Line. On the High Line, the pace of life slows down, people sit, stroll and contemplate. Below the High Line, the loud clubs of the Meatpacking District thump. "It’s all New York, of course, both the manic and the muted; the city thrives on opposition."
September 1st, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Blast from the past
By Abad Khan // 3 Comments
VIEW-5490
Barrington Street, Halifax, NS, about 1915
Wm. Notman & Son
About 1915, 20th century
Description
"Halifax, N.S.: Capital and commercial centre of the picturesque province of Nova Scotia, Halifax is charmingly situated on one of the most magnificent natural harbors of the world. It is one of Canada's two Atlantic winter ports, with important trade to Europe, the United States, the West Indies, etc., and is also a large naval and military station. It is strongly fortified, chief of the fortifications being the Citadel, elevated 256 feet above sea-level, and commanding the city ...
September 7th, 2011
Events Guide: It’s More Than Buses – Final Session
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
WHAT: It's More Than Buses - Mobilize Public Support
WHEN: Wednesday, September 7 – 6:00pm
WHERE: Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre
HOW MUCH: Free
The third and final It's More Than Buses session will focus on mobilizing public support to implement the ideas developed by participants at the previous two sessions. We will also review our high-frequency transit network concept for HRM, a synthesis of the ideas mapped out by participants at session 2.
Guest speaker Paul Bedford, former Chief Planner for the City of Toronto, will open session 3 ...
World Wide Wednesday: Open source planning, test cities, Change by Us
By Hilary Best // 1 Comment
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• According to the International Federation of Surveyors, approximately 70% of urban growth occurs outside of formal planning channels. Researchers at MIT have recently released an open source urban planning software to help reduce inefficiencies resulting from haphazard planning. (Fast Company)
• Place Pulse, another planning software platform out of MIT Media Labs, is also making waves. The platform uses a "hot or not" set-up, asking users to identify which of two images appears to be the safest environment. The data collected allows administrators to better understand collective perceptions of space. (Pop-Up City)
September 12th, 2011
Atlantic Canada’s Densest Neighbourhoods – St. John’s
By Sean Gillis // 5 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on feedback from an earlier post on urban density, Spacing Atlantic will feature one of the top five dense residential neighbourhoods in Atlantic Canada each week. No case of the Mondays here!
So, why density? Residential density, the number of people living in a given area, is one of the most important characterisitcs of urban areas. High densities create vibrant streets, support main street commercial areas, and encourage walking, biking and transit use. But how dense should our neighbourhoods be? What types of buildings create high densities? What do high density neighbourhoods look like?
Hopefully this series encourages people to look around their neighbourhood and ask: how does density affect the quality of my neighbourhood?
Without further ado...
September 13th, 2011
Transit can be a more moving experience than road widening
By Jim Guild // No Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is kindly cross-posted from the Halifax Media Co-op. Check out the original here.
Also, Spacing Atlantic has created a Facebook Event to easily notify and inform others of the Public Meeting on Bayers Road Expansion, please help us get the word out! https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114181238686810
HALIFAX - There's no way to get around it. Metro needs better transit. Fortunately, the It's More Than Buses group have big ideas of how to fix that. After several public meetings, this week they unveiled a proposed High-Frequency Public Transit Network [PDF] and a set of guiding principles.
It's an exciting and promising approach led by the Planning and Design Centre (PDC) in Halifax in partnership with Fusion Halifax. More than 100 members of the urban and suburban public participated in the meetings. Also present were Eddie Robar, the new head of Metro Transit, and Richard Butts, HRM's Chief Administrative Officer.
September 14th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Safe Cities, LA Bike Lanes, Park(ing) Day
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Brent Todarian, Vancouver's Director of City Planning, comments on the balance between liberty and security in urban design. Focusing in on the rebuilding efforts in New York, Todarian contrasts the high-security approach of Lower Manhattan with the inspirational successes of place-making elsewhere on the island. "Places that try to be totally safe tend to lack life, and usually fail as people-places," he writes on Planetizen.
• Congratulations to Los Angeles, which last week opened 2.2 miles of new bike lanes along Catalina Avenue! Carving the lane, part of the city's transformative bike plan, out of vehicle space is seen as a politically daring move in a city where the car has long been king. (LA Times)
Events Guide: Public meeting on proposed Bayers Road expansion
By Abad Khan // No Comments
Editor's Note: From the desk of District 14 Councillor Jennifer Watts. Read her op-ed piece in the Chronicle-Herald here.
WHAT: Bayers Road Widening Public Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, September 14, 7:00pm
WHERE: St. Andrew's Community Centre, 6955 Bayers Road, Halifax
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114181238686810
HALIFAX - A public meeting on the proposed Bayers Road widening will be at 7 pm on Wednesday September 14 at St Andrew's Community Centre, Bayers Road, organized by Councillors Jerry Blumenthal and Jennifer Watts. Staff will give an overview of two items before ...
September 15th, 2011
Is the city a sketchbook? JJ Steeves tackles our ideas about graffiti
By Katie Toth // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Councillor Linda Mosher’s recent comparison of street art to vandalism and graffiti has brought a variety of reactions. One of the most extreme counterarguments? That all street art is legitimate, and that the city itself is a sketchbook.
We wanted to ask a street artist how they felt about the recent attack on graffiti art. Jei Jei Steeves is both within and staunchly unique from the Halifax urban art milieu. She’s a Halifax artist whose stickers of stray kittens have been popping around the city's streets to say things like "Your lopsided breasts are really beautiful," "I support the troops but I don't support the war," and "I don't like the way you're looking at my tits."
September 16th, 2011
Park(ing) Day!
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Today, Friday, September 16th, is PARK(ing) Day!
In cities around the globe, artists, activists and citizens will transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks and other social spaces, as part of the annual event.
PARK(ing) Day invites people to rethink the way streets are used and promotes discussion around the need for broad- based changes to urban infrastructure.
In recent years, PARK(ing) Day has inspired city governments to create legal mechanisms to extend the public realm into the parking lane. In San Francisco, the Pavement to Parks “Parklet” program provides a permit system for businesses, community groups and individuals to transform metered parking spaces into small “parklets” that are open to the public. In New York City the “pop up café” program offers similar permit system for local cafes wishing to offer sidewalk service.
A listing of events scheduled for Canadian cities follows. For more information, visit the PARK(ing) Day project website.
HRM Council take heed – Bayers Road expansion criticized
By Jayme Melrose // No Comments
HALIFAX - “In HRM, we have a traffic problem. We need to get people out of their cars,” one HRM resident succinctly surmised at the public meeting regarding the potential widening of Bayers Road held Wednesday evening.
“Let’s put money into sustainable, accessible, community-building strategies” which include transit and active transit routes, was the overwhelming message voiced by the 300 or so citizens that attended the public meeting. They demanded that the widening be removed from the Road Network Functional Plan, which is due to be approved by Council later this month.
September 17th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Toronto Portlands, Quartier des Spectacles and Collecting Scraps
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Gordon Price's Price Points feature takes a look at Jack Poole Plaza, the public space on top of the new convention center expansion. Price examines how the space has stood up to its post-olympic role of hosting small gatherings as well as large.
Eric Villagomez profiles the Urban Food Scraps Collection Project, an effort to use farmer's markets and other centralized locations in high density neighbourhoods to collect organic waste in areas currently excluded by municipal pick up.
As cities around the world start to look more seriously at the idea of urban gondolas, Adam Bentley considers the possibility of running such a system across the Ottawa River at Parliament Hill.
Evan Thornton takes readers along a perfect cycling shortcut between two busy Centretown corridors and highlights some of the Easter eggs that can be found a long the way including the 'Google centre' of Ottawa.
Spacing Montreal put a spotlight on the new Quartier des Spectacle improvements this week. Alanah Heffez looks at revisions to the new infrastructure after a year of public exposure and profiles an initiative to get Montrealer's to share their visions and memories of the area. Joel Thibert looks at the processes and struggles of the City's stated commitment to keeping all forms of transportation open in the area during extensive renovations.
Devin Alfaro reflects on a summer of cycling infrastructure improvements in Montreal that included the city's first bike boxes and innovative strategies to solve conflicts between bike lanes and bus stops. Alfaro discusses the new infrastructure and solicits feedback on its effectiveness.
The controversial new proposal for development in the Toronto Port Lands was addressed by both Matt Blackett and John Lorince this week. Lorinc questioned whether backing out of the understanding with upper levels of government will hurt the City's credibility as a partner. Matt Blackett posted a 24 reality check prepared by the group Code Blue that questions the logic for abandoning the existing plan.
Through a fluke of Science, Mayor Bert Xanadu once again speaks out from 1973 with his response to Doug Ford's proposed Port Lands plan. Impressed by the proposal, Xanadu parlays Ford's thinking into a strategy that will also eradicate the barren park landscape of the Toronto Islands in favour of aninternational tourist mecca of kitschy commerce.
September 19th, 2011
Atlantic Canada’s Densest Neighbourhoods – Saint John
By Sean Gillis // 2 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on feedback from an earlier post on urban density, Spacing Atlantic will feature one of the top five dense residential neighbourhoods in Atlantic Canada each week. Last week's neighbourhood: Downtown St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador.
So, why density? Residential density, the number of people living in a given area, is one of the most important characterisitcs of urban areas. High densities create vibrant streets, support main street commercial areas, and encourage walking, biking and transit use. But how dense should our neighbourhoods be? What types of buildings create high densities? What do high density neighbourhoods look like?
Hopefully this series encourages people to look around their neighbourhood and ask: how does density affect the quality of my neighbourhood?
Without further ado ...
September 20th, 2011
Main Street and the Department of Cars
By Morgan Lanigan // No Comments
SAINT JOHN – We are now a few months into the City of Saint John’s experiment with bike lanes on Main Street in the city’s North End and, from all reports, the world hasn’t ended yet. Traffic has naturally slowed to non-freeway speeds without backing up (or really being noticed at all) and the route sees many cyclists use it every day. It has even been popular enough with pedestrians that the City thought it was necessary to issue a statement saying that the bike lanes are approved for – you guessed it – bicycles only. Too bad for the pedestrians in need of a safer walking route, but that’s another story.
September 21st, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Shovel ready, transit garden, museum advocacy
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Infrastructurist asks: "what is shovel ready and why does it matter?" In a classic case of buzzword overuse, "shovel ready" projects have lost meaning for the public and politicians looking for instant job creation from infrastructure projects.
• On Design Observer, MoMA's Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, Barry Bergdoll, explores the advocacy and laboratory functions of museums. He writes: "we have an important opportunity to foster new research and fresh thinking ... about the collaborative prospects for architects and landscape designers, and about the fact that design can be a forum for imagining new solutions rather than a means of decorating solutions found by others."
• A Chicago transit rail car has been turned into a mobile public garden. The native garden car will have regular service around Chicago for a month, pending financial support. (Colossal)
September 22nd, 2011
Hipsters Are Changing Our World
By Christina MacLeod // 12 Comments
CHARLOTTETOWN - Like them or not, Hipsters are changing North America. The Maritimes has seen glimpses of this fad but nothing like what is happening around United States and the rest of Canada. On a recent cross-continent excursion, I saw the changes that Hipsters are creating for our transportation system firsthand—and it’s all because their top accessory is the bicycle. Whether it was in Portland, Oregon or Williamsburg, New York, I could plainly see that Hipsters have taken over the streets—literally. Charlottetown, you are next.
September 23rd, 2011
Watch NFB: God’s Lake Narrows
By Julie Matlin // No Comments
Editor: Spacing is pleased to continue our partnership with the National Film Board of Canada to showcase films and interactive projects from their online screening room. Julie Matlin of the NFB will be occasionally posting films here on Spacing that explore public spaces, Canadian or international cities and anything urban. The NFB is one of Canada's greatest resources. Click here to view their entire online collection.
Over the ...
September 26th, 2011
Atlantic Canada’s Densest Neighbourhoods – North End Halifax
By Sean Gillis // 5 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on feedback from an earlier post on urban density, Spacing Atlantic will feature one of the top five dense residential neighbourhoods in Atlantic Canada each week. Previous neighbourhoods: Uptown Saint John, New Brunswick and Downtown St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador.
So, why density? Residential density, the number of people living in a given area, is one of the most important characteristics of urban areas. High densities create vibrant streets, support main street commercial areas, and encourage walking, biking and transit use. But how dense should our neighbourhoods be? What types of buildings create high densities? What do high density neighbourhoods look like?
Hopefully this series encourages people to look around their neighbourhood and ask: how does density affect the quality of my neighbourhood?
Without further ado ...
September 28th, 2011
How MESH is changing cities
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Long-time supporter of Spacing, Robert Ouellette, wants residents of Canadian cities to take part in his new project called MESH Cities.
Whether they knew it or not, anyone who followed Toronto’s Port Land debacle over the last few weeks got a first-hand introduction to the power MESH Cities have to shape our communities.
Let me explain.
We’ve been hearing a lot about so-called “smart” cities in the news recently as the major computing and infrastructure players like IBM, Cisco, GE, and Siemens look at the next frontier in the trend towards ubiquitous computing. That new frontier is our cities.
Whatever you might think about a computer-driven modernity, MESH Cities are not just smart cities. MESH Cities go beyond the management of infrastructure to the heart of what makes cities worthwhile—their livability. Metaphorically, MESH Cities are the offspring of an improbable marriage between Jane Jacobs' ideals and ubiquitous city computing.
Their kids, in this context, are named MESH: M=Mobile, E=Efficient, S=Subtle, H=Heuristics
This is how the www.meshcities.com website introduces the concept.
World Wide Wednesday: Road ecology and city night moves
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The growing field of road ecology brings together experts from diverse academic backgrounds to investigate interactions between roads and the natural environment. An article on Design Observer examines some of the unique and affordable infrastructure solutions proposed by road ecologists to facilitate the movement of plants, animals, water and soils around highway infrastructure.
• NPR reporter David Greene speaks to Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett about the needs of cities in an era of federal budget cuts.
September 30th, 2011
Halifax’s Macdonald Bridge – a cycling headache
By Spacing Atlantic // 3 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is cross-posted from the Halifax Media Co-op by Rocky Lis. Check out the original here.
HALIFAX - A multi-million dollar upgrade involving re-painting and repaving of the Macdonald Bridge is currently underway. One of the goals of the Halifax Harbour Bridges authority that operates the bridge is to become a recognized leader in sustainable transportation demand management (TDM). Vehicular traffic is becoming more congested around the Macdonald Bridge as the HRM population rapidly grows, making sustainable TDM particularly pertinent. Encouraging cycling commuting by improving infrastructure ought to be a key component in pursuit of any sustainable TDM program.
October 1st, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Infrastructure, Cycling and Intensification
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Christopher Porter breaks down incredibly detailed cycling data collected by the City of Vancouver to examine the cycling traffic patterns of the downtown core and analyze the effects of new infrastructure on cycling numbers.
Eric Villagomez profiles a new exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver looking into the history of neon signs in the city and the movement that arose in the 70's to rid the city of them.
With Canadian cities pushing headlong towards intensification, Spacing Ottawa presents counter points questioning if this really is the path to better cities. Planner Alain Miguelez presented five reasons that intensification will succeed. Community activist Jay Baltz countered with reasons that intensification could fail.
Clive Doucet reports from France on a different paradigm towards local development that is producing growth in small villages throughout the countryside and incredible new investments in public transit infrastructure.
Facts are often surprising in considerations over bike lanes, Alanah Heffez looks into some fascinating results of bike counters on new bike paths in Montreal and Ottawa. The counters reveal that on some streets bikes trips have reached the same volume as car traffic was before bike lanes were installed.
Joel Thibert looks at criticism of regional planning and addresses the question of whether regionalism is an ideological stance or something completely different.
Hilary Best profiles an exciting and innovative community led project to build a cricket field in Toronto's high density Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood. The project has already built bridges in the community while the design of the field will promote sustainability and improve the Don River watershed.
Fred Sztabinski ponders the relation between cycling infrastructure and local governance structure and wonders what amalgamation has meant for Toronto's ability to produce an enhanced cycling network.
October 3rd, 2011
Atlantic Canada’s Densest Neighbourhoods – Quinpool Road
By Sean Gillis // No Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on feedback from an earlier post on urban density, Spacing Atlantic will feature one of the top five dense residential neighbourhoods in Atlantic Canada each week. Previous neighbourhoods: North End Halifax, Nova Scotia; Uptown Saint John, New Brunswick; Downtown St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador.
So, why density? Residential density, the number of people living in a given area, is one of the most important characteristics of urban areas. High densities create vibrant streets, support main street commercial areas, and encourage walking, biking and transit use. But how dense should our neighbourhoods be? What types of buildings create high densities? What do high density neighbourhoods look like?
Hopefully this series encourages people to look around their neighbourhood and ask: how does density affect the quality of my neighbourhood?
Without further ado ...
October 4th, 2011
The Great Disconnect: Another Bike Lane to Nowhere?
By Matt Neville // 7 Comments
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Currently designated a "primary bike route" in the city's Active Transportation network, proposed changes to Lower Water Street suggest that HRM has no intention of supporting their own plan."][/caption]
HALIFAX - On September 19, 2011, traffic patterns in Downtown Halifax were altered in an attempt to ease congestion in the city's core. In this first of three planned phases, a number of streets that currently allow two-way traffic now only permit one-way traffic (including sections of Blowers, Market, Sackville, George, and Granville streets), while a section of Grafton Street will now allow two-way traffic. Subsequent phases in October and March will see Lower Water Street becoming one-way north bound, signals added to the Duke and Lower Water Street intersection, and bike lanes added to both Lower Water and Hollis streets.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Phase 1 came into affect September 19, 2011. "][/caption]
In a report to Council, HRM Staff claim that “the highlight of this plan is the creation of new bike lanes on Hollis Street and Lower Water Street”. Why then does this plan sacrifice the safety of cyclists and efficiency of both its active transportation and public transit network?
October 5th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Participatory budgeting and underground parks
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The first of a series of participatory budgeting assemblies begins this week in four New York City districts. During the assemblies, members of the public will be free to propose community improvement priorities. In March, votes will be held to decide which projects will be funded by the $1 million in discretionary capital funds available for allocation in each district (PBNYC).
• You've heard of the High Line, but are you up on the Low Line? A team in New York City is proposing an underground park be fashioned out of the former Delancey trolley terminal. Initial reaction in the public space-hungry city has been positive. (WebUrbanist)
October 6th, 2011
A history mystery
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
Over a year ago, the Nova Scotia Archives began a pretty standard scanning project. We have close to 100,000 images on our website and every year we add thousands more... that amounts to many, many hours spent scanning.
The photos in question were nitrate negatives, not prints. Nitrate refers to a type of film base. It was one of the first transparent bases made available commercially, way back in the 1880s. Photos developed from nitrate negatives are gorgeous, but there is a bit of a problem with the ...
October 8th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: French Highways, Yaletown Park and Collective Imagination
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Clive Doucet continues his observations from Europe using the French model of privately funded tolled highways as basis for discussing the shape that nations take as a result of the long term philosophies and decisions.
Commemorating the recent passing of Elmaks, an artist who did much to enliven public space in Ottawa, Spacing re-posts an interview from last year talking about the innovative 'Swap Box' project.
Allanah Heffez asks a series of questions to open up and continue a discussion exploring the relationship between urban design and collective imagination.
Guillaume St-Jean's Montage du jour feature this week presented another fascinating look at the evolution of Montreal and the striking buildings lost to history.
Andrew Cuthbert uses a Cartographically Speaking feature to map distinct elements of street feel in the famously troubled and rapidly changing Downtown Eastside, revealing insights into the effects of change on Hastings Street.
Gordon Price uses the Price Points feature to analyze the design failings of the maturing Yaletown Park which despite its potential fails to entice users to stop and animate its space.
Spacing's Dylan Reid reports back from the opening lecture of the UofT Cities Centre 'Toronto in Question' lecture series addressing the question "Is Toronto Broke?"
Alex Bozikovic uses the No Mean City architectural feature to talk about the meaning of representational forms in contemporary architecture, highlighting new projects similar in appearance to the recent expansion of the Royal Ontario Museum.
October 11th, 2011
Atlantic Canada’s Densest Neighbourhoods – Spring Garden / Queen Street
By Sean Gillis // 6 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: Based on feedback from an earlier post on urban density, Spacing Atlantic will feature one of the top five dense residential neighbourhoods in Atlantic Canada each week. Previous neighbourhoods: Quinpool Road Halifax, Nova Scotia; North End Halifax, Nova Scotia; Uptown Saint John, New Brunswick; Downtown St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador.
So, why density? Residential density, the number of people living in a given area, is one of the most important characteristics of urban areas. High densities create vibrant streets, support main street commercial areas, and encourage walking, biking and transit use. But how dense should our neighbourhoods be? What types of buildings create high densities? What do high density neighbourhoods look like?
Hopefully this series encourages people to look around their neighbourhood and ask: how does density affect the quality of my neighbourhood?
Without further ado...on to number one!
A history mystery: island identified
By Lauren Oostveen // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Last week we told you about the Nova Scotia Archives' crowd-sourcing project on Flickr. Since then, the project has received 50,000 views and a number of photographs have been identified.
This weekend, one of the most mysterious photos of the bunch now has a name and a location.
This eerie photo of seemingly abandoned buildings on a tiny island had everyone guessing:
October 12th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Stolen bridges and brutalist preservation
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• At FastCompany, urban designer Ryan Gravel speaks to power of catalyst projects to revitalize urban communities. He cites the example of the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile rail route turned linear park, as a possible model.
• At The Atlantic Cities, Allison Arieff reflects on the industrial re-design of NYC's Times Square. Architect Craig Dykers muses, “There’s that film noir quality that some people have about Times Square… and the grittiness of the street is a part of it... It’s not taking its cues from pretty little things in Europe or something. It’s kind of like the heart of New York City. It’s a heavy, muscular thing.”
• Thieves in North Beaver Township, Pennsylvania, raised the (re-)bar this past week when they stole a 50 by 20 foot bridge for scrap metal. The bridge dated back to the early 1900s and was primarily used for rail traffic. (CNN)
October 13th, 2011
Atlantic Snapshots: Ship at foot of King Street, Saint John, NB, 1915
By Abad Khan // No Comments
VIEW-8198
Ship at foot of King Street, St. John, NB, 1915 (?)
Wm. Notman & Son
Probably 1915, 20th century
Notman photographic Archives - McCord Museum
To see the image file on the McCord Museum website, click on the following link:
www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/VIEW-8198
Photo courtesy of the McCord Museum.
October 14th, 2011
Events Guide: Nocturne Magic Bus
By Veronica Simmonds // No Comments
HALIFAX - The spirit of Nocturne is access to art. This is a noble and worthy venture, but one that needs a bit of tweaking. Taking art into the street for passersby to engage with is exciting and shines a new light on the city that we love. However, the realities of building and urban infrastructure make many public and private spaces in Halifax inaccessible. This is felt at Nocturne, where we are invited into spaces, and yet not all of us can ...
October 15th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: CanU, Safe Cycling and the Legg Residence
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Brian Gould reports back from the third annual conference of the CanU, the Council for Canadian Urbanism. Both the conference and the make up of the group itself are reasons for high optimism about this budding organization.
Erick Villagomez highlights a troubling application to demolish the Legg Residence, one of Vancouver's significant heritage buildings, and the rising efforts to save it.
Allegra Newman profiles the results of last month's Next City Cafe event engaging a wide variety of interests on the issue of how to make cycling better in Ottawa.
In light of a highly publicized deadly cycling accident in Downtown Ottawa this week Spacing highlights a compelling video response to a similar tragedy in Northern Ireland.
The Montage du Jour featured several interesting contrasts in commercial buildings this week, including the evolution of a grocery store over the past several decades.
For several days Guillaume St-Jean's Montage du Jour focused on the fascinating changes brought about by the construction of the massive Maison Radio-Canada complex in the early 1970's.
Two posts this week complimented the upcoming release of the food issue of the Spacing Magazine. Jessica Lemieux tells the story of how a vegetable garden built community for a newcomer to the city. Luca de Franco uses the Headspace feature to interview Debbie Field, executive director of the innovative organization Foodshare.
Alex Bozikovic uses the No Mean City column to profile a fascinating New York City program pre-qualifying high quality architects for local public works projects to support local firms and make the most of limited budgets.
October 18th, 2011
Saint John – a tale of two projects
By Abad Khan // 1 Comment
This feature first appeared in the Summer 2011 National Issue of Spacing Magazine.
SAINT JOHN - Saint John, like many other cities its size, has suffered immensely from suburbanization over the past few decades. The city has struggled with skyrocketing property taxes and inadequate service delivery as thousands have moved away from the core — the city’s population is an estimated 70,000, yet the daytime population is approximately 122,000 once people from the surrounding bedroom communities arrive downtown for work. However, two major projects currently underway in Saint John could reinvigorate the city and serve as a model for other Maritime communities that are facing similar predicaments.
October 19th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bankruptcy, transit pass, commute times
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Harrisburg, PA filed for bankruptcy protection last week after failing to make debt servicing payments on its trash-to-energy incinerator. Bloomberg reports that Harrisburg is the second and largest American city to file for protection this year.
• In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will require city employees to take transit when travelling on official business. The new policy is expected to save $1 million (in expense claims for car washes and parking tickets). (Grist)
• UK-based researchers are exploring the potential of synthetic protocells to capture atmospheric CO2. While scalability and commercial production remain concerns, the team suggests that such materials may one day improve the carbon footprint of the buildings they coat. (CNN)
October 21st, 2011
FAVOURITE FRIDAY: Which piece of local public art is your favourite?
By Matthew Blackett // 3 Comments
Across the Spacing Blog Network today we are asking our readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Otttawa, and the Atlantic cities to let us know which work of local public art is your favourite (feel free to name more than one). We want to hear back from our readers on what they like/dislike about our shared public spaces so we plan to run this feature with regularity.
If possible, please provide a link to a photo you are commenting about. We suggest using Flickr as the photographers ...
October 22nd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Walk 21, Local Food Systems and YIMBYism
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
At the closure of nominations for Vancouver's upcoming municipal election, Brian Gould takes a look at the early candidates and issues; asking if there is Rob Ford equivilant, who will back streetcars or bike lanes and providing a glimpse into Vancouver's interesting electoral system.
Brian Gould used the In Depth feature to highlight some of his experiences from the Walk 21 Conference. Themed around "Transforming the Auto City" the conference placed a heavy emphasis on public health and attracted a wide range of professionals and ideas.
An estimated 700 people took part in a tribute ride along Ottawa's Queen Street this week in memory of Danielle Naçu who was tragically killed while cycling on the street; Spacing shows a video of the procession.
Having been involved in local food systems in both Ottawa and her current residence of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kathleen Courtney is able to provide a fascinating comparison of food systems between 'advanced' Canadian cities and the highly traditional systems in Ethiopia.
Guillaume St-Jean's Montage du Jour feature takes a look at the changing retail face of St Catherine Street as well as long vanished theaters and the former site of the Marché St-Laurent.
John Lorinc used his column this week to pick apart Rob Ford's assertions about the cost of the municipal civil service in response to the Mayor's escalating posturing ahead of upcoming contract negotiations.
Spacing profiles this weekend's YIMBY - Yes in My Backyard Festival which aims to turn the tables of the relationship between developers, politicians and community groups in order to build momentum for positive change.
October 26th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Bridges, record playing bikes, Libyan development
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Transportation for America reports that communities across the U.S. are demanding repairs to aging and unsafe bridges. A staggering 9.8% of bridges in the Chicago metropolitan area are considered structurally deficient.
• The UBC School of Public Affairs profiles a recent report on the impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The study used 126 IOC-mandated indicators to assess the social, economic and environmental impacts of the Games. While the reported findings are somewhat vague, researchers note that the Games helped with the creation of new jobs and businesses and increases in visitor spending.
• At Next American City, Michael Hooper examines the role of public participation in infrastructure projects. While some prominent urbanists question the value of what they term 'excessive participatory requirements' - citing slower construction times, Hooper identifies other positive spillovers from public participation including user satisfaction, long-term economic and social sustainability and the development of social capital.
October 28th, 2011
FAVOURITE FRIDAY: What is your favourite pedestrian bridge?
By Spacing Atlantic // 3 Comments
Across the Spacing urban blog network each week we're asking our readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Otttawa, and the Atlantic cities to let us know their favourite things about their respective city.
THIS WEEK: What is your favourite pedestrian bridge(s) in your city?
If possible, please provide a link to a photo you are commenting about. We suggest using Flickr as the photographers that use this site usually provide the best quality images (and often with ...
November 2nd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Healthy cities, arenas, historic sites
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Three Southern California cities are taking dramatic steps to improve the health and well-being of residents. Using a program designed by Dan Buettner, the cities are attempting to make the healthy choice the easy choice for local residents. Measures include walking schools buses for children, improving access to healthy food, enhancing bike infrastructure and pedestrian access and encouraging personal interactions. (CNN)
• Edmonton moved one step closer to a new home for the Oilers this week when council voted in favour of a new arena cost-sharing arrangement with team owner Daryl Katz. The new rink is the centrepiece of a slate of revitalized commercial-residential downtown development. But with the deal $100 million short and both the provincial and federal governments refusing to pony up tax dollars to fund private enterprise, the way forward for the new rink is somewhat unclear. (Globe and Mail)
• Meanwhile in L.A., plans to build a downtown football stadium as a way to boost the city's bruised economy are being met with scorn by Joel Kotkin at New Geography. Kotkin says "urban vanity projects like sports teams and convention centers add little to permanent employment or overall regional economic well-being... Certainly mega-stadiums have done little to boost sad-sack, depopulating cities such as St. Louis, Baltimore or Cleveland."
November 3rd, 2011
Spacing’s next national issue will be national
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
With the success of Spacing's first national issue — our special summer edition has sold twice as well as any previous issue we've ever published — our editors have decided that we will continue to provide our readers with pan-Canada coverage of everything urban.
Since 2003, Spacing has published 22 issues with all but one of them focused exclusively on Toronto urbanism. As we've expanded our blog network across Canada — Montreal in 2007, Ottawa and the Atlantic cities ...
November 8th, 2011
Contribute photos to Spacing’s next national issue
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
As we mentioned last week, Spacing will continue to publish a national edition of the magazine twice a year (plus two Toronto-centric editions a year). That means we need to expand our cast of contributors (more specifically photographers).
If you love to photograph your city — wherever that may be in Canada — we want to see your images. You can add us as a contact on Flickr, or if you really want to be helpful to our production team, you can add your photos to the national issue's Flickr group. ...
November 9th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Station art, transportation bills, health care savings
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Canadian transit stations are pretty, but we just can't compete with the likes of the Stockholm metro station pictured above which features pixel-art inspired by classic games. (BoingBoing)
•“Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century”, the US federal transportation authorization bill is up for debate in the Senate. Complete streets advocates were pleased to see that the draft bill makes bicycling and walking projects eligible under the core funding program and defines ‘road users’ as including people who walk and bicycle and use public transportation, as well as people with disabilities and older adults. (CompleteStreets.org)
November 12th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Lost Villages, Election Distraction and World Heritage Sites
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As part of Spacing Votes Brian Gould looks at the media fixation on the Occupy movement at a recent mayoral debate and how coverage for this one issue comes at the expense of other issues such as transit funding.
Eric Villagomez reports on the upcoming launch of Vancouver's Interactive Building Permits Database which will unlock and disseminate the story of many of the city's historic buildings and sites.
In his final report from abroad before returning to home to Canada, Clive Doucet takes a look at the remarkably well preserved city of Bath, England as a case study in the markedly different way that Europeans and North Americans regard the 'UNESCO World Heritage Site' designation.
Dwight Williams continues his Street Names feature, looking at sections of Ottawa streets named around the Riel Rebellions and the favourite fictional characters of the builders of the turn of the century Britannia Highlands neighbourhood.
Chris Warden begins a look at Ottawa's often neglected modernist architecture by examining the centennial era Library and Archives Canada Building. Recent government policy changes threaten the public accessibility of the building and underscore the intricate relation between 'town and crown.'
Jacob Larson raises the alarm bell on a growing disparity between funding allocations for highways versus public transit. Despite a long standing trend of 10:1 spending, a recent funding push towards highways is dramatically tipping the balance in undesirable ways.
Following pressure from the Montreal Ouvert group, the City of Montreal has created a platform for open data and begun releasing data sets to the public. As Allanah Heffez reports, the move is promising but will depend on following through with promises.
As part of the continuing transformation of Toronto's transit heart, Dylan Reid reports back on early plans for pedestrianization and an expanded public square in front of Union Station, along with an update of other pedestrian news in the city.
Sean Marshall brings a ghostly installment of the Lost Villages series from the former Hamlet of Clairville in Toronto's far northwest corner. Obliterated by shifting transportation infrastructure, the hamlet's few remaining elements lie abandoned or forgotten, isolated amongst industrial storage lots.
November 16th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Avenue towards heaven, biking broadway
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Not for the faint of heart - if the top of China's Tianmen Mountain is your destination, your options are 1) The Avenue Towards Heaven - 99 turns and 1500m of elevation gain or 2) the world's longest cable car ride. (Kuriositas)
• Ever wondered what it is like to bike the length of Broadway? This video compresses the 13 mile ride into 5 minutes. The video includes great shots of some of the city's recent bike lane improvements. (Observer)
November 19th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: The Fourth Wall, Affordable Housing and Montréalophobie
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
An infographic showing a 390 square foot apartment from Jason Pfeifers look at a Vancouver affordable housing program
Affordable housing has become a major ...
November 23rd, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Occupy, Pocket Parks, Traffic Fatalities
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Sarah Fine at Next American City responds to recent incidents at the Occupy Oakland protest where drivers used their vehicles to injure and intimidate protestors. She considers the lessons from the Occupy movement for Complete Streets advocates.
• By its own standards, LA is park-poor (15,717 acres of parkland despite a standard of 10 acres for every 1,000 residents). But with a lack of available open space, LA will take the small is beautiful approach as it seeks to open 50 new "pocket parks" in urban neighbourhoods over the next two years. (LAist)
• Streetsblog DC has a powerful map of America's traffic fatalities, produced by British firm ITO World. The WHO reports 12.3 annual traffic deaths per 100,000 residents in the US.
November 26th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Good Neighbours, Unbuilt Toronto and Urban Screens
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vancouver's Director of City Planning, Brent Toderian, shares his take on the early results of an exciting public design and ideas competition ...
November 28th, 2011
Watch NFB: Territories
By Julie Matlin // No Comments
Editor: Spacing is pleased to continue our partnership with the National Film Board of Canada to showcase films and interactive projects from their online screening room. Julie Matlin of the NFB will be occasionally posting films here on Spacing that explore public spaces, Canadian or international cities and anything urban. The NFB is one of Canada's greatest resources. Click here to view their entire online collection.
Over the weekend, in conjunction with ...
November 30th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Lots to Parks, Sidewalks to Roads, New Transit and Play
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Can a little greenspace reduce crime? That's the thesis advanced by a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology which analyzed a ten-year project in Philadelphia to turn 4,436 empty lots into park space. Researchers suggest the significant drop in crime is attributable to the way potential criminals view and interpret the space. (Grist)
• In London, traffic planners are experimenting with reduced barriers between motor vehicles and pedestrians on Exhibition Road. The planners are attempting to draw pedestrians back to the cultural centre of the city, using visual cues and textures to communicate proper behaviours while encouraging all road users to slow down. (GOOD)
• The New York Times explores three unconventional but highly successful modes of transportation. In Maine, the Brunswick Explorer is a small fare bus that affords independence to people living in rural communities without access to a car. In Brooklyn, private dollar vans provide an option to folks travelling where other options don't exist. Across the country, the Independent Transportation Network allows users to share rides with those unable to get around on their own. Users can transfer rides earned to those in need or bank them for a future time when they are unable to drive. These alternative models demonstrate that transit solutions require ingenuity and not necessarily major infrastructure investments.
December 3rd, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Downtown Schools, Participatory Budgeting and Development Wars
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Gordon Price used his Prince Points column this week to talk about the drawn out of history of a West End ...
December 7th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Digital placemaking, highway canopy, ferris wheel
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Project for Public Spaces is experimenting with digital placemaking in revitalization efforts for downtown San Antonio. The online platform, Placemap, allows residents to suggest interventions and illustrate their ideas with links and pictures. Participants have noted the advantages of the digital placemaking approach over limited public meetings.
• In 2012, a 5km stretch of Germany's Autobahn 7 will be transformed into a public park - the largest of its kind. The 10 ft tall canopy will reconnect districts divided when the highway was built thirty years ago. (The Weather Network)
• Canadian firm, Bombardier, is piloting a wireless above-ground transit vehicle that recharges its batteries from cables embedded underneath the track. The technology, Primove, eliminates the need for overhead wires or stationary charging stations. Transportation experts anticipate cost and winter-readiness concerns. (Globe and Mail)
December 14th, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Power washed murals, bike couriers, pavillions
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• In Leuven, Belgium, street artist Strook uses moss and a power washer to shape living murals on bare walls. (Colossal)
• Officials in Flanders are taking a serious look at the role that bike couriers can play in reducing vehicle traffic and emissions. Recent studies of local bike courier firms highlight the additional flexibility and reliability of this mode of delivery. Moving forward, the Flemish government will evaluate which packages could be switched over to delivery by bike couriers. (Dutch Mobility)
December 17th, 2011
Spacing Saturday: Downtown Moves, Cosmopolitanism and Ho Chi Minh City
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Erick Villagomez recaps the results of the exciting re:CONNECT design competition to rethink the space currently occupied by Vancouver's downtown traffic viaducts. The story includes links to the winning designs.
As part of the ongoing Video Vancouver series Caroline Toth features an incredible video by Rob Whitworth of the captivating flows of traffic in Vietnam's emerging metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City....
December 19th, 2011
Spacing now offering national issue subscription
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
That's right, Spacing is now offering a subscription to readers who only want to get our national edition! It'll cost you $15 for 2 issues, or $25 for 4 issues. Even better, you can buy it as a gift subscription for someone else!
Up until the summer of 2011, the print edition of Spacing had been primarily focused on Toronto urban issues. We happily launched a special national issue in June (we even had an event at The Hub in Halifax to celebrate the release).
The editors of Spacing have decided to continue ...
December 21st, 2011
World Wide Wednesday: Busways, SMS tickets and haikus
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The Atlantic Cities looks at some key lessons learned from America's busway systems (segregated roads left exclusively to bus traffic) - Boston's Silver Line, Los Angeles' Orange Line, the Miami Busway and the Pittsburgh Busway. Best practices include off-board fare collection, elevated boarding platforms and signal priority at intersections with auto traffic.
• Belgian transportation company, De Lijn, is pioneering the SMS ticketing system on public transit systems in Antwerp and Gent. Users text a number and receive confirmation of their purchase by text message which they can then show to the driver and use to transfer between lines. SMS tickets are applied to mobile bills and save users up to 28% of the cost of standard tickets. (Dutch Mobility)
• It's "poetry in motion" according to NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. Known for her innovative approach to safer streets, JSK's new poster campaign to improve road safety uses haikus and bold images by artist John Morse to catch attention. (Transportation Nation)
January 4th, 2012
World Wide Wednesday: Ghettos, hospitals and green zoning
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• Which Canadian cities are seeing the fastest ghettoization? Researchers from Queen's University, University of Toronto and StatsCan released a working paper in December showing increasing segregation by income in virtually all of the country's major cities. (Huffington Post)
• Cradled next to the State Department, the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, architect Moshe Safdie's design for the U.S. Institute of Peace transformed a navy parking lot into a monument for humanity. (Huffington Post)
• Behold Boxpark - the world's first pop-up shopping mall. The London retail location is comprised of 60 shipping containers (five wide, two high). Owner Roger Wade calls it the most environmentally friendly shopping mall ever built and promises "after five years, we'll return the land back to its owners in exactly the same condition as we got it, and then the community can decide if it wants a more permanent retail space there." (CNN)
January 11th, 2012
World Wide Wednesday: Dark and empty places, neighbourhood names and parking lots
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• While most global cities boast round the clock activity, made possible by armies of streetlights, many cities are moving to reduce nighttime lighting to save money on electrical bills. Citizens have expressed concern about safety, environmentalists welcome a darker night sky and others are exploring solar or concentrated lighting systems to reduce costs and focus the illumination where it is needed. (NYTimes)
• A photographer in London, a city famous for 24-hour hustle and bustle, captured what happens when the streets are empty on Christmas morning. (Flickr)
• Forget the metropolis. The new unit of urbanity ought to be the megapolitan area, argue Arthur Nelson and Robert Lang, authors of the new book Megapolitan America. By 2040, they forsee a United States carved up into 23 "megapolitan" areas - large regions of interconnected metropolitan areas. While issues such as housing and education will be controlled at a smaller scale, the authors argue that the megapolitan area will be the unit of choice for transportation, economic development, and environmental planning. (The Atlantic Cities)
January 14th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Urban Screen, City Place and the Family Motel
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Toronto's City Place Neighbourhood Rises
Don Schuetze continues the theme of urban screen, sharing his experience of stumbling across the opening night of a Surrey art exhibition and witnessing the reactions to it.
Yuri Artibise reviews The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver written largely by Chuck Davis, the city's unofficial historian, and completed posthumously by friends and admirers. Artibise concludes that the book ...
January 16th, 2012
A tale of two cities: Moncton Vélos vs. Halifax Bicycles
By Abad Khan // 2 Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was previously published in Spacing Magazine's fall issue.
HALIFAX -- Both Moncton and Halifax have their unique challenges in implementing a sustainable development path for their respective regions. This diversity of tactics was on full display during debates this past summer in both cities about road alteration projects.
In Halifax, a decision on the proposed expansion of two-lane Bayers Road has been delayed. The project called for a four-to-six-lane widening along significant portions of the street, essentially turning it into a highway corridor for suburban communities leading into peninsular Halifax.
January 17th, 2012
Responding to Town Square
By Adria Young // 5 Comments
HALIFAX - The process by which Rank Inc.’s new business super-complex, Nova Centre, was approved by HRM Council has lacked significant public input since the early stages of development in 2005. The investment of over $50 million dollars per government has, over the last year, prompted community interest groups, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, journalists, and Halifax MP Megan Leslie to direct attention to the lack of due public consultation, especially since the majority of those polled are against it. The unanimous municipal, provincial and federal funding raises questions about government responsibility to public interest.
HRM Open Projects gave artist Scott Saunders the space and means to address this conflict. His installation of Town Square, 100 mannequin figures wearing business suits strewn across the rubble foundation of the former Chronicle Herald building, is an artwork that is not a solution to the outcome of private wheeling and dealing, but is one response to it.
January 18th, 2012
Urban Planet: How the Dutch Got Their Cycle Paths
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Today, World Wide Wednesday becomes Urban Planet (please no jokes!), a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• The Netherlands has the world's largest number of cyclists. But this low-lying country wasn't always a two-wheel paradise. This video, posted by markeniel, documents the country's tumultous cycling history: a focus on car travel, the proliferation of surface parking lots, protests, the oil crisis, and the advent of pro-cycling policies.
For more stories from around ...
January 19th, 2012
Atlantic Snapshots – Retro Prince and Vintage Market
By Stephen Archibald // No Comments
HALIFAX - Lately I have been looking at “snapshots” I took of downtown Halifax about 1967. It made me realize that for most of my life there have been big holes as lots were cleared and remained empty for years and sometimes decades. These not very clear pictures show the corner of Prince and Market Streets looking south east. I did not take them as a real panorama but they almost fit and together they give a more comprehensive sense of the site.
The desirable little brick building remained ...
Urban Planet: Saving Modernism’s Treasures
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
They are the buildings you love to hate. "The machines for living in". The brutal structures of High Modernism, constructed in the 1960s and 70s, are beginning to show their age. Now, historic preservation laws in many countries will attempt to keep these buildings in tact - protecting their ...
January 20th, 2012
Urban Planet: Smart Cities
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Fast Company asks: what makes a city smart? Boyd Cohen, author of this ranking of the top ten smartest cities on the planet, defines them as "cities [that] use information and communication technologies (ICT) to be more intelligent and efficient in the use of resources, resulting in cost and ...
January 21st, 2012
Spacing Saturday: The Golden Rule, Planning Politics and Little Mountain Rennoviction
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Following the recent release of new redevelopment plans, Andrew Witt tells the story of the controversial Little Mountain social housing redevelopment. The project has been criticized for decade late return dates, encouraging gentrification and falling short of new affordable housing units.
As part of his Price Points feature Gordon Price looks at the history of the Burnaby Metrotown as a harbinger of a growing regional awareness and planning initiative in the 1970's in light of thesis work by David Pereira.
While praising Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan, Alex Devries synthesizes a golden rule that cycling advocates in the city must work around: "No change to drivers at any cost." Devries uses a lists of successful project to show how cycling advocates have worked around this rule.
Alexandre Laquerre used his Maintenant & Avant feature this week to show off 110 years of change on the upper Rideau Canal showing a city that has both matured greatly and moved away from the railway.
Devin Alfaro correctly predicted that the island of Montreal would be a battle ground in last spring's federal election. Predicting a similar groundswell of change in Quebec's coming provincial vote, Alfaro paints a picture of how all parties will vie for votes in Montreal and what this will benefit the city.
As declining patronage and financing force the conversion of churches across Quebec into other uses, Alexandre Campeau-Vallée asks the question of what will happen to the sound of church bells, noting that such bells are some of the last sounds to enjoy immunity in our quest to reduce urban noise.
Spacing's Dylan Reid reports back from the fascinating proceedings of a recent University of Toronto conference "Is there Planning Law or just City Politics?" The conference provided a lot of insight and opinions on Ontario's convoluted planning process.
Niki Siabanis continues taking readers along her summer cycling journey from Toronto to Montreal, with the second day including a brief stint on the 401 and the beauty of the thousand islands.
January 23rd, 2012
Urban Planet: Flash! Comics Explain Transportation Demand Management
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
If there's too much congestion, why not build more roads? The laws of congestion and transportation demand management aren't necessarily intuitive. Which is why Brent Toderian, chief planner for the City of Vancouver, was so pleased to see comic book hero The Flash discuss ...
January 24th, 2012
Urban Planet: Pedestrian behaviour
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
When trying to plan pedestrian environments, the answer may be to follow the crowd. Mehdi Moussaid of the Max Planck Institute and Dirk Helbing of ETH Zurich study pedestrian behaviour. Using computer models and particle theory, they analyze decision making patterns of people travelling by foot. ...
January 25th, 2012
Urban Planet: Temporary Architecture
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
We often think of architecture as a permanent art form, but temporary installations are becoming more and more pervasive. Think pop-up shops, post-disaster shelters, mobile food carts, streets cafes and pocket parks. Allison Arieff at the New York Times considers the challenges and advantages that ...
January 26th, 2012
Atlantic Snapshots: Halifax’s hidden gem
By Stephen Archibald // No Comments
HALIFAX - You've probably never seen the most important mid-19th century building in town.
In the 1850s, it must have seemed like today’s “Ship Start Here” contract. A huge government building project that at one stage employed 300 men: so large it required the contractor to build a modern brickyard in Eastern Passage and a steam powered woodworking factory on the waterfront. And where is it?
Behind the walls of Canadian Forces Base Halifax - Stadacona, is the block long Wellington Barracks. What survives is the officer’s residence and it ...
Urban Planet: Rem Koolhaas
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Spiegel speaks with starchitect Rem Koolhaas about the magazine's new building, generic urban design, the changing role of the architect and the negative outcomes of commercial and bureaucratic impulses.
Image from Spiegel
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do ...
January 27th, 2012
Urban Planet: Highway Caps
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Highways can carve up and scar urban neighbourhoods, which is why many North American cities are looking for ways to cover this infrastructure and restore community. The Chicago Tribune explores the experience of Columbus, Ohio which saw increased pedestrian traffic and business for local stores following the ...
January 28th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Wellington Barracks, a Leslie Street Gateway and Dispatches from Edmonton
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
The Video Vancouver feature presented its first original video this week, capturing the atmosphere of Vancouver at the winter solstice, a feeling described as unique amongst Canadian cities.
Yuri Artibise reviews new work by Emmanuel Buenviaje who uses mix of photography and graphic design to create images of his Mount Pleasant neighbourhood that capture the intricacy and history of Vancouver's older and industrial districts.
Members of the Spacing Ottawa diaspora returned this week with posts from their new home cities. David McClelland writes about his observations of Niagara Region's new inter-city regional bus service as a prime example of the question of what comes first: the transit or the riders?
Adam Bentley, a Spacing Ottawa contributor who recently moved to Edmonton, shares his observations of his first several months in the city including its good and planning history. His central conclusion: Edmonton doesn't suck.
Jacob Larson gives an update on the latest twist in the saga to replace Montreal's aging Turcot Interchange which involves a significant delay caused by sinking ground and wonders if this could be an opportunity for sober second thought.
With an opportunity to share her findings at an upcoming conference, Alanah Heffez seeks reader feedback on Montreal's electronic fare payment system initiating a conversation about intricacies of the City's OPUS fare card.
Like the ends of many north-south streets in Toronto, the bottom of Leslie Street presents a fantastic opportunity to become a gateway to the waterfront. Dylan Reid presents a detailed plan to capitalize on an excellent opportunity at the bottom of Leslie despite heel dragging from the City.
Niki Siabinis completes the tale of her three day cycling journey from Toronto to Montreal within a marathon last day that includes construction obstacles, night riding and lots of sore muscles.
January 30th, 2012
Urban Planet: Citizen Cartography
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
“The map user has now become the map creator,” says Fraser Taylor, Director of the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre at Carleton University. In a recent article on This Big City, author Christine McLaren explores the phenomenon of citizen cartographers. With the proliferation of ...
January 31st, 2012
City and Country: A Tale of Zoning Regulations
By Morgan Lanigan // 7 Comments
SAINT JOHN - It’s official. The City has finally implemented a new municipal plan to replace the outdated 40 year-old plan whose policies have ransacked the city. Sprawl, encouraged under the old municipal plan, has shifted the population around, outside the city’s borders, and created a doughnut hole where a densely populated city once stood. Of course, this is an easy conclusion to reach with hindsight at our disposal but, to be fair, I’m sure the Council, city staff and consultants of the day had the best interests of the city at heart. In the prevailing 40 years, however, the trends and practices in urban planning have made a massive about-face. No more of this idyllic “city-country” state, the suburbs, but a focus on density, walkability, and sustainability. The residents of Saint John appear to have sensed the impact of these old outdated policies and have begun rejuvenating the city even in the absence of a new municipal plan. The city is seeing a natural resurgence and the new crowd-sourced municipal plan will be a fantastic guiding document and development tool reaffirming the direction the city is already heading in.
Urban Planet: Anamorphic Gardens
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
The Smithsonian Magazine explores Who to Believe?, a Parisian garden in front of City Hall designed by Francois Abelanet. Playing with the traditions of the French garden and Anamorphosis, Abelanet shows that the view of City Hall is quite different depending on where you stand.
Video from WorldScott
For more stories from around ...
February 1st, 2012
Spacing party in Vancouver this Friday!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
WHAT: Spacing's 2nd national issue release party
WHEN: Friday February 3rd, 2012, 9pm-1am
WHERE: Canvas Lounge (99 Powell St. in Gastown)
HOW MUCH: free! (mag costs $5)
RSVP: Let us know if you can come at our Facebook event listing
The editors of Spacing and contributors of Spacing Vancouver are excited to announce that the magazine will host a release party at the Canvas Lounge in Vancouver to celebrate the publication of the newest national issue. We will have some fun activities and a few door prizes.
This event is held in conjunction with the annual conference for the Canadian Association of Planning Students (CAPS).
Urban Planet: Urban Highway Removal
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Anthony Flint at The Atlantic Cities explores the expansion of urban highway removal across more North America centres and notes the cultural tensions that can flare when such a major piece of infrastructure is slated for demolition. Also worth checking out, the Atlantic Cities has ...
February 2nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Witold Rybcyznski vs Richard Florida
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Grist talks to urbanist Witold Rybczynski about his recent efforts to call out Richard Florida for playing "fast and loose" with income statistics for American urban centres. Florida posited a positive relationship between density and household income, using figures for metropolitan areas rather than city ...
Sim City: Welcome to Spacington
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Well, here it is: Spacington. The new look of 21st century urbanism- well, kind of. The truth is there is nothing here yet, and that is because this is just the beginning. Every week this plot of land, slowly or quickly, will become our Sim City version a 21st century urban city.
During the week the Spacing team and myself will attempt to develop Spacington into a walkable, densely populated, diverse cityscape. Borrowing some suggestions from urban theorists such as Jane Jacobs, Jan Gehl, and Ken Greenberg, as well as the LRT focus of 21st century urbanism, Spacington will become a simulated version urban city we all want. Check the blogs every Thursday and keep on track with our city's evolution.
February 3rd, 2012
Urban Planet: Super tall
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Mark Lamster and Alexandra Lange at Places:The Design Observer discuss Supertall - a recent exhibit on the world's tallest buildings at New York's Skyscraper Museum. The exhibition focuses on buildings built between 2001 and 2016 that are taller than the Empire State Building (100 stories ...
February 4th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Transit Planning, the Tall Building Century and Founding Spacington
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
A new city was founded this week, the city of Spacington . Spacing staffers will use Sim City to attempt to turn Spacington into a 21st century utopia over the coming weeks using feedback from reader commentary. Comment early, comment often and help build the city.
Gordon Price uses the Prince Points feature to look into the story of a cluster of towers at Lougheed Town Centre. Through the work of David Pereira, Price explores the tower's connections to Simon Fraser University and why such density was built in the midst of what was significant greenfield at the time.
While many questioned the future of the skyscraper after September 11th, Sean Ruthen shows that the last decade may have precipitated a century in which the tall building will be zeitgeist. Through his review of Andres Janser's new book Highrise Idea and Reality, Ruthen discusses the global phenomenon which has seen the number of high rise buildings on earth double in the past 10 years.
Jay Baltz reports on the ongoing effort to enact guidelines on Ottawa's use of Section 37, the portion of Ontario's Planning Act that facilitates density bonusing, and criticizes how the guidelines have changed over a year of consultations.
Eric Darwin uses the Walkspace feature to highlight some of the difficulties Ottawa pedestrians face this time of year through a photo series of a good samaritan getting no respect from drivers.
Joel Thibert explores the hotly debated question of what really influences people's decisions on where to live. Delving into a variety of related studies conducted around the world Thibert proposes ways to make increased density more acceptable to the next generation.
Devin Alfaro provides a glimpse inside Montreal's complex municipal governance, analyzing the potential outcomes in an upcoming by-election that promises to be a tough fight with implications for the city's opposition parties.
As disagreement on council continues to leave Toronto's transit planning in shambles, John Lorinc weighs in on the roles of various actors in the debate and who needs to step up to restore order.
Shawn Micalleff uses the Toronto Flaneur feature to react to John Tory's appointment to head up the revitalization of Ontario Place, making a compelling argument that the rethink should stay rooted in the site's rich past while emphasizing its role as a public space.
February 6th, 2012
Urban Planet: Pedestrian Desire Lines
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Two major road revitalization projects in London, England have planners talking about pedestrian priority and behaviour. As The Economist reports, improvements to Oxford Circus and Exhibition Road have required a fundamental re-examination of pedestrian "desire lines" - the paths individuals choose to take, as ...
February 7th, 2012
Urban Planet: White Ribbons in Moscow
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
In Moscow last week, drivers adorned their vehicles with white flags and ribbons to show their support for protests against Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The city's Garden Ring highway was jammed with cars, demonstrating the widespread involvement of the urban middle class in ...
February 8th, 2012
Urban Planet: Walking, talking and texting
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Can you walk and text? Researchers at Stony Brook University suggest that while you may be able to multi-task, you likely walk a bit differently when you do. Participants in the study walked 16 per cent slower while talking and 33 per cent slower ...
February 9th, 2012
Urban Planet: Pedestrian Signals
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Walk. Don't Walk. Could urban designers get a bit more creative when it comes to pedestrian signals? This cute animation by designer Li Ming Hsing illustrates the possibilities when pedestrian signals are given free reign. (...
February 10th, 2012
Urban Planet: Demolition Dilemmas
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Many American cities, facing shrinking populations and vacant buildings, are deconstructing and redeveloping large swaths of land. But as Next American City reports, while the vision of revitalization has been sold to the masses, communication about the hazards of demolition have not been so ...
Sim City: Week One in Spacington
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
It's not much of 21st century urban city yet, but in the first week of Spacington's developments we have focused on a couple things.
With the amount of great suggestions we received since Spacington's launch last week, we have taken the majority of them into consideration (skipping over some of the more anti-Rob Ford suggestions such as adding ferris wheels and extensive subway to low-density neighbourhoods) and added the Network Addon Mod, the Street Addon Mod, and additional LRT stations ensuring the best possible results.
February 11th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Ontario Place, Suburban Versailles and Imperial Kitsch
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Building on the idea of the 100 mile diet which encourages consuming local foods, Eric Villagomez profiles an ideas competition into the design of a 100 mile house. The competition aims to explore ways that a modern house could be constructed from local materials.
Gordon Price brings readers the story of how the towers and striking gardens of the City in the Park ...
February 13th, 2012
Urban Planet: Extending the Lives of Bridges
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
The U.S. is home to nearly 73,000 structurally deficient bridges. Though you'd think that such bridges would be high priority infrastructure projects, the waiting list for replacement spans several decades. Enter Mohamed Saafi, a civil engineer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, who has developed ...
February 14th, 2012
Attention all map lovers: Spacing’s Creative Mapping Contest!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE?
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc....)
DEADLINE: Monday, April 30th, 2012
KEEP UP TO DATE: Visit the Creative Mapping Contest web page for updates and feel free to "RSVP" to our event listing on Facebook in order to receive reminders about the deadline and other announcements.
Urban Planet: Outdoor Ad Ban in São Paulo
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
This 10 minute documentary explores São Paulo's experiences in banning outdoor advertising and the political maneuvers that led to the implementation and evolution of its Clean City law.
Video from pansouthproductions
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have an Urban Planet worthy article you'd like ...
February 15th, 2012
Urban Planet: Where the Sidewalk Ends
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
L.A. has never been known as a sidewalk friendly city, but with a recent spate of lawsuits, sidewalk users are beginning to fight back. In several cases before the courts, disabled plaintiffs contend that the broken sidewalks which make it impossible for them to ...
Urban Planet: Before & After Photos of London Riots
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Riots in London, England caused massive damage this past summer. The Guardian's interactive photo feature allows users to fast forward six months to see the way buildings, streets and neighbourhoods have recovered.
Image from The Guardian
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on ...
February 16th, 2012
Urban Planet: Jay Walkers
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
On Mother Nature Network, Chris Turner asks, where did the term "jay walker" come from? Back in the early twentieth century, "jay walkers" were those who carelessly wandered in the way of other pedestrians and later motorists. 'Jay' was a derogatory term for a ...
February 17th, 2012
Sim City: Walking and LRT in Spacington
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Spacington is slowly getting bigger. The population is still low at around 1,500 residents, but nevertheless the city has adopted it's first LRT system. The current LRT system consists of only one line, but the square-shaped route replaces previous car commutes to the opposite side of the city. Although thet LRT in Spacington isn't heavily used, it more importantly initiated the groundwork for future transit.
The city is divided into mixed use streets and sections. Therefore, the majority of residence commute by walking at most a couple of blocks or in some cases only across the street (shown in the picture above).
Urban Planet: Best Cities for Street Food
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
It's lunch time. Are you angling for some street meat? Chances are good that you'll have to wander a little further from home if you are looking for a great street meal. Food and Wine Magazine profiles the top ten cities for street food, including ...
February 18th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Affordability, Lighting Winter Space and LRT
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
European Lights Festivals may be a way to enliven public space in the Canadian winter.
With Vancouver having been many times named one of the world's least affordable cities Mayor Gregor Robinson has appointed a 'Blue Ribbon Affordability Task Force.' Sean Antrim profiles the appointees to the task force and critiques its composition.
The theme of affordability was tied heavily with a discussion about the Downtown East Side, another ...
February 21st, 2012
Urban Planet: Public Perception and the Economic Benefits of Light Rail Transit
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
It's generally accepted that light rail transit spurs positive economic impacts along the length of the planned corridor. Property values rise, commercial sites experience more customer traffic, and further development is encouraged. But as a recent article in The Atlantic Cities points out, the window of time one looks ...
February 22nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Chattanooga’s Type Face
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
GOOD asks "can a font help a city make a comeback"? Designers D.J. Trischler and Jeremy Dooler are trying to do just that. They believe their font, "Chatype", to be the first of its kind - a grassroots font developed specifically for city ...
February 23rd, 2012
Urban Planet: London’s New Recycling Bins
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
A new fleet of recycling bins are coming to the streets of London. The Renew bins feature two LCD screens which will provide news updates to pedestrians. The designs are intended to improve recycling and reduce the threat of terrorism. Each unit costs £30,000 ...
A new mayor, a new agenda
By Jake Schabas // 2 Comments
HALIFAX - With the news that after 12 years in office Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly won’t seek re-election this October, HRM has a chance to inject some fresh thinking and revisit some old ideas to improve the quality of public space in Halifax. Although I've lived away from Halifax for two years, here is my list of priorities I’d look for in a new mayor:
Walking
With the Metro Transit strike dragging on, transportation is definitely on the radars of most HRM residents. For starters though, Halifax has long been due for some pedestrian infrastructure, like pedestrian scrambles at major intersections downtown, road islands and sidewalk bulb outs to make crossing wide streets safer, benches, street trees and the pedestrianization of streets like Argyle, University or others, either on a permanent, seasonal, weekly or trial period like Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market in Toronto.
Cycling
For cyclists and cycling advocates, the laundry list of needs is long.
February 24th, 2012
Urban Planet: Unique Manhole Covers
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Manhole covers can be the most mundane pieces of urban infrastructure. But as this collection of photographs at The Atlantic Cities shows, they can also be the most distinctive.
Image from The Atlantic Cities
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing ...
Sim City: Heritage buildings in Spacington
By Dylan Collie // 3 Comments
It’s development time here in Spacington and we've made the jump from small town to big town. To celebrate the small but substantial development, Spacington has designated a few of its own historical buildings.
One of our favourite features in Sim City is the “make historical” option which allows for any building to be designated as heritage. This feature proves to be very similar to the work of heritage preservation acts and allows us to choose particular buildings that we wish to preserve. The home shown above is designated “historical” and is preserved not only architecturally but in its current zoning of high density residential.
February 25th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Gary Webster, Brent Toderian and Transit Futures
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Brent Toderian has been in focus in the urbanist community ever since the visionary and articulate former Vancouver Planning Director's contract was terminated early several weeks ago. Spacing Vancouver sat down with Toderian this week and presents the conversation in a two part interview about his legacy in Vancouver and the trajectory of Canadian urbanism. [Part One] [Part Two]
Vancouver has set the ambitious goal of having over 50% of all trips in the city taken by biking, walking or transit. Spacing presents part two in a series showing the results of work by a team of UBC planning and landscape architecture students on how the city can realize this goal.
Alexandre Laquerre shows the startling impact of grandiose public projects over a century of transformation at one of Canada's most monumental intersections: Elgin and Sparks.
In a nod to this weekend's Montreal Nuit Blanche, Andrew Emond profiles an event that will pay tribute to the path of the Rivière St Pierre, one of the city's most significant buried rivers.
Allanah Heffez reports back on her presentation and other insights from this week's Conference on Urban Mobility in the Age of Electronic Payment .
Alex Bozikovik's No Mean City architectural profiles a fascinating addition to a historic home in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighbourhood that is beginning to collect some prestigious awards.
Gary Webster's termination as the Chief General Manager of the TTC continued a string of dramatic transit events in Toronto. John Lorinc provides some his characteristic political analysis on the decision and its broader context.
February 27th, 2012
Urban Planet: Alleyways
By Hilary Best // 2 Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
On The Atlantic Cities, Seattle architect Daniel Toole speaks about his passion for alleyways. These out-of-the-way infrastructure corridors, he argues, can pull together communities, improve service delivery and add colour to city-dwelling.
Image from The Atlantic Cities
For more stories from around the planet, ...
February 28th, 2012
Urban Planet: Underground Parks
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
New York City's High Line has been universally praised as an inventive re-imagining of urban infrastructure. But as Fast Company reports, developments underground are equally exciting. The LowLine, now seeking funding on kickstarter, is a 13-acre underground park located in former Delancey St. subway stations.
Image from Fast Company
For ...
March 1st, 2012
Urban Planet: Yarn Bombs
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Cracks and potholes rarely endear us to our cities, but artist Juliana Santacruz Herrera has made a valiant attempt. Her yarn bombs have added colour to Parisian streets. (ApartmentTherapy)
Image from ApartmentTherapy
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have an Urban ...
March 2nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Moscow’s Human Chain
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Thousands gathered on Moscow's 15-kilometer "Garden Ring" road last Sunday, attempting to form a human chain to express their discontent with Russia's disputed parliamentary elections. (CNN)
Image from CNN
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have an Urban Planet worthy article ...
Spacing Saturday: Transit Politics, Regional Migration and Olympic Legacy
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vancouver Olympic Village
Brent Toderian, former director of planning for the City of Vancouver, makes his debut post in part one of a new ongoing series looking at Vancouver's Olympic legacy and the challenges and opportunities of Olympic city-building in host cities around the world.
Victor Ngo presents the results of a study looking into the best sites with potential for major Transit Oriented Development along Vancouver's ...
March 5th, 2012
Urban Planet: Energy Use Mapping
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Inhabitat profiles the work of Columbia University engineering students who mapped the energy usage of buildings in NYC. It's hoped that the mapping project will allow planners to more effectively design and implement energy saving plans.
Image from Inhabitat
For more stories from around the planet, ...
March 6th, 2012
Atlantic Snapshots: Ironwork Art
By Stephen Archibald // 1 Comment
HALIFAX - Do you notice that central Halifax contains a lot of iron fences and railings? To the west of Citadel Hill full blocks of former Commons are surrounded by high iron railings: Camp Hill Cemetery, the Public Gardens and the Wanderers Grounds. This group of fences started to be installed early in the 1900s and their plain iron uprights combine strength and transparency – keep us out but allow us to see in. One of the things that make the Gardens special is the fact that our entry is controlled (and we love to complain about it).
Urban Planet: Historic Buildings as Parking Lots
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Is it better than paving paradise to put up a parking lot? Residents in Cleveland are of two minds about proposed plans for the May Company building, a historic site for which developers are seeking permission to convert four floors into parking. Does the ...
Sim City: A detailed look at Spacington
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
This weeks post is all about showing off Spacington to give readers a closer look at our newly established city. The images display an overview of Spacington as well as the details of what's going on at ground level.
This is our first photo update so give us your feedback on the current state of Spacington and what you'd like to see close up next time.
Here is Spacington from above, it's situation, and the available space for future growth.
March 7th, 2012
Events Guide: Switch Halifax – Open Street Sundays
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX - So what's Switch? Inspired by Bogotá, Columbia’s Ciclovia, Switch is a regular event that encourages people to enjoy their city by walking, biking, skating, dancing, and moving around their city safely and comfortably. Just like the skating oval on the Common was instantly embraced by the HRM community, Switch will offer the opportunity for everyone - pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, skaters, etc. - to get to many destinations on the Halifax peninsula in new, healthy and fun ways.
What: Switch Halifax
When: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Where: FRED salon & ...
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: New South China Mall
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Since it's opening in 2005, the New South China Mall in Dongguan has held the world record for largest mall in terms of gross leasable area, which is also the problem.
With Dongguan's population of over seven million people, developers projected the mall to attract ...
March 8th, 2012
Events Guide: Halifax, It’s Time to Shift
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
HALIFAX — As the debate rages regarding new urban developments such as Skye Halifax and the new Halifax YMCA, questions have arisen over the relevancy of HRM by Design, Halifax's own community-consulted planning document for the downtown region.
Dalhousie’s School of Planning is presenting a (timely) student-run conference, SHIFT 2012. A place to engage with urban planning practitioners, urban design enthusiasts and people just generally interested in shifting the cultural debate around peninsular Halifax.
Urban Planet: DIY Crosswalks in Baltimore
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Fed up with a lack of action on pedestrian infrastructure, citizens of Baltimore are taking to the streets to install their own crosswalks. And while some residents reported the incident as a destruction as civic property, authorities appeared indifferent to the development. (Baltimore Brew)
Image from Baltimore Brew
For more ...
March 9th, 2012
Urban Planet: Insull’s Chicago Transit Posters
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Salon.com explores the unlikely artistic legacy of Samuel Insull, former assistant to Thomas Edison, co-founder of General Electric and owner of many Chicago area utilities and regional transit lines. Borrowing from the style of London's underground posters, Insull's branding campaign enticed riders to take ...
March 10th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Downtown Halifax, Evolving Big Box and Demographic Bombs
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vancouver's astronomical housing prices are well documented, the effects of the situation are beginning to show in rapidly falling numbers of school-aged children as Patrick Condon explains in the third instalment of his series on a long term vision for Greater Vancouver.
Yuri Artibise profiles the new Constructing a Village, Creating a Community photography show by Leslie Hossack documenting the rise of the Vancouver's innovative and controversial Olympic Village neighbourhood.
Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood has continuously evolved along with the city, Alexandre Laquerre looks at the emergence of high density over 80 years on Sommerset Street.
Joel Thibert looks at the trend of big box retailers abandoning their large formats in favour of smaller, more efficient locations and wonders if this could actually be bad news for main streets.
Sharing an incredible find discovered while working on another story, Alanah Heffez flips the pages of the Montreal People's Yellow Pages an independently published guide to Montreal's underground from the 1970s.
As turmoil continues around leadership at the TTC, John Lorinc provides strategic advice for LRT advocates, making the case for keeping moral authority in the messy debate.
The No Mean City feature by Alex Bozikovic profiles a weekend architecture conference that will pay tribute to George Baird, a long time architecture professor and former Dean at UofT considered one of the most influential people in Canadian architecture.
March 12th, 2012
Urban Planet: The Urban Genome Project
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
In the video above, Urve Tiidus, mayor of the city of Kuressaare, Estonia, speaks of city's challenge to retain young people. Imagine if she could connect with the hundreds of other small cities facing this challenge and better yet, tap into a network of relevant solutions. Curated by Joseph Grima ...
March 14th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Grand Central’s dirty secret
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
High above commuter's heads, there is a small, black stain on the ceiling of Grand Central Station's main concourse.
The distinctive rectangle (half on the teal background of the astrological mural, half on the beige bordering) is what the ceiling looked like before restoration efforts in the mid '90s. The black residue was long thought to be caused from years of exposure to ...
March 15th, 2012
Urban Planet: Participatory Mapping
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
The City Fix examines the practice of participatory mapping - a consultation method that involves citizens in the spatial planning of their cities. From identifying common cycling routes in Moscow to group gatherings to sew a map of Bushwick, planners and citizens are ...
March 16th, 2012
Urban Planet: Pothole Advertising
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Are potholes the next frontier for outdoor advertising? In Montreal this week, morning commuters were caught off guard by a sedan which appeared to have been swallowed by an enormous pothole on de la Cathédrale. The stunt was the work of an ad agency ...
Sim City: Density Growth
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Spacington has grown from a little town to a city. Plenty of single-family homes in each of the neighbourhoods have changed their faces and transformed into residential buildings. We have pushed Spacington forward to try and able our city with what it needs to become a real simulated 21st century urban city.
March 17th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Food Hub, Market Street and Local Democracy
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Vancouver first lost its public market in 1897 when its building was converted into City Hall, Jeff Nield explains why the concept of a food system is still essential to a city's well being, profiling the hubbub around a soon to open new food hub.
Peacock sits down with Jak King, the unofficial historian of Commercial Drive, the 'back door to Vancouver.' King uses his ...
March 19th, 2012
Urban Planet: Beautiful Streets
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
What makes a beautiful street? Tree-lined sidewalks? Brightly coloured homes? OpenPlans is trying to crowd source the answer to this age old question. Their platform, Beautiful Streets, uses Google Street View to provide users with images of two randomly selected streets in ...
March 20th, 2012
Urban Planet: “Broken Windows” for Traffic Crimes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
"The running joke on blogs like Gothamist and Streetsblog is that if you want to kill somebody in New York and get away with it, a car should be your weapon of choice," writes Sarah Goodyear at The Atlantic Cities. Pointing ...
Urban Planet: “Broken Windows” for Traffic Crimes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
"The running joke on blogs like Gothamist and Streetsblog is that if you want to kill somebody in New York and get away with it, a car should be your weapon of choice," writes Sarah Goodyear at The Atlantic Cities. Pointing ...
March 21st, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesdays: Roadtown, history’s longest utopia
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
In 1910, Edgar Chambless released his plans for his utopia Roadtown, a completely linear city with everything the community needed housed in one miles-long stip and completely self-contained (picture an excessively large skyscraper laid on it's side).
The idea was for the building to be three storeys high, and two units wide, with three subway tunnels running directly beneath. ...
March 22nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Walk Raleigh Wayfinding Signs
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
In Raleigh, NC, neighbours and businesses are copying one resident's initiative to provide guerilla walking and wayfinding signage. The pop up signs direct residents to visit a neighbourhood businesses by providing estimated travel times to the destinations. (New Raleigh)
Image from New Raleigh
For ...
March 23rd, 2012
Urban Planet: Urbanology
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
"A company wants tax credits to convert a vacant skyscraper downtown to a juvenile detention center. Will you allow this?" The answer you select will determine the city you create in BMW Guggenheim Lab's new game, Urbanology. By answering a series of question ...
March 24th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Spacing Saturday: Robson Street, Water Politics and Regent Park
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Kathleen Corey presents a plan to address the lack of places to sit on busy Robson Street that builds on the area's traffic calming mini-parks, drawing inspiration from abroad to create an exciting and much needed new public space.
Patrick Condon presents the final instalment in a series of collaborative student work on the future sustainability of Vancouver, summarizing the group's push for new connections, good ...
March 26th, 2012
Sim City: Neighbouring Cities & Updates
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Spacington hasn't grown very much this week: the population is still sitting around 50,000 people, there was is no new major business or residential developments, and waterfront looks the same. However, there are some interesting things to talk about.
Spacington's empty waterfront.
Urban Planet: People-Powered Street Lights
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
In dense urban environments, can we harness the power generated by thousands of feet on the street? Viha thinks so. Their “producer" sidewalk slabs turn power generated by the movement of walking into electrical energy that is used to power LED street lamps. (Living Labs Global Awards)
Image from ...
March 27th, 2012
Urban Planet: Open Spending Budgeting App
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
An increasing number of cities are engaging their citizens in the budgeting process. Even so, many participatory budgeting initiatives present citizens with abstract choices and ask them to prioritize. OpenSpending.mobi - a public service delivery app tries to engage the public in a more tangible way. The mobile application ...
March 28th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Yemen’s 16th century skyscrapers
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
Residential high rises weren't exactly a "new" idea in the mid 1500s—Rome has its insulae since the days of the empire, and many medieval European and Middle Eastern cities had buildings in excess of ten floors—but the Yemeni city of Shibam bears special mention as one of the earliest examples of vertical urban planning.
While the area of Shibam has ...
March 29th, 2012
Urban Planet: Houston’s Crosswalks
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Houston, Texas is not known for its innovations in planning, but check out the vibrant crosswalks outside its Museum of Fine Art. This post on Drilling for Art examines the diversity of crosswalks across America (many of which are named after animals) and ...
March 30th, 2012
Urban Planet: Retrofitting Parisian Towers
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
French public housing, as in many other locales, has had mixed success. Low-income high rise communities are characterized by high unemployment and more recently, unrest. Like many American cities, the conventional approach to these planning failures was to destroy these buildings and start from ...
One month left to enter our Creative Mapping Contest!
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc...). The above map — featured in our current issue — is a good example of creative mapping.
DEADLINE: Monday, April 30th, 2012
April 2nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Train above the High Line
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
New York City's High Line may soon be home to a unique piece of public art. The sculpture, entitled 'Train', is the work of Jeff Koons. Train would be a full-size replica of a 1943 Baldwin 2900 steam locomotive, suspended in the air above ...
Sim City: Waterfront
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Spacington has gained a waterfront. Surprisingly, Spacington does in fact have a waterfront, and much like Toronto, we've endured little interaction with it. We have offices and homes next to the water, but have seen the type of little interaction most commonly seen between strangers sitting next each other on the TTC: not a peep, not a look; nothing. It's two separate worlds next to one another, existing individually without knowing the other exists — or at least pretending the other doesn't exist. Either way, we've fixed this problem and begun a waterfront to interact with, the type of space that Toronto's waterfront will hopefully soon become.
April 3rd, 2012
Urban Planet: Roll-Up Crosswalk
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Are you miles away from a streetlight? No problem. Just roll out this handy cross walk and you're all set. Artist Florian Rivière, part of the Démocratie Créative collective in Strasbourg, created the cross walks which sell for 10 Euros. While they don't change ...
April 4th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Hanshin Expressway
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
Ever heard of William O'Dwyer's proposal of running a Mid-Manhattan elevated expressway through the 10th and 11th floors of the Empire State Building? Crazy, right? Well, Japan did it.
In the mid '80s, the Hanshin Expressway Company needed land to build the Umeda Exit of the Ikeda Route of the expressway in Osaka. However, that land ...
April 5th, 2012
Urban Planet: Argentinian Book Patrol
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Argentinian artist, Raul Lemesoff, has transformed a 1979 Ford Falcon into a roving library. The vehicle, which used to belong to the Argentine armed forces, is now a 'Weapon of Mass Instruction.' While the Falcon generally roams the streets of Buenos Aires, it occasionally ...
April 6th, 2012
Sim City: Creating A Waterfront Community
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Since the name "The Beaches" has recently become available for the taking, we've transformed a piece of Spacington's waterfront into our very own The Beaches. Discussed and shown last week, we added a waterfront. New shoreline amenities are now part of the city. They allow Sims to interact with our waterfront, water gaze, and dive into some water activities. So in The Beaches it was all about providing a waterfront community to live in.
The community is not entirely residential; we've added a couple commercial spaces as well. A residential neighbourhood with a few restaurants and offices mixed in. In the end it's odd, but most of the new waterfront architecture resembles a southern California beach town during the 1980s. Wasn't our choice, but we like it.
A couple other great things happened as well.
April 7th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Public Squares, Gould Street and The Dominion Building
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
Canadian planning students gathered in Vancouver this past February for the annual CAPS Conference. Andrew Cuthbert recaps the keynote messages delivered there by various planning luminaries while Cameron Barker profiles some of the conference's walking tours.
Eve Lazarus looks at the interesting history of the eccentrically designed Dominion Building in downtown Vancouver, which for a brief period following its completion in 1909 was the tallest in the ...
April 9th, 2012
Urban Planet: Seasteading – Floating Tech Cities
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Silicon Valley has long been known as a hub for tech innovation, but unfriendly US immigration policies sometimes keep foreign innovators out. Marty Max, a Cuban immigrant, and Dario Mutabdzija, of the former Yugoslavia, have proposed a floating city for foreign innovators to get around ...
April 10th, 2012
Urban Planet: Chalktrail
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
What's more fun than sidewalk chalk and a bicycle? Scott Bauman of Washington has found an ingenious way to combine the two in Chalktrail - a bicycle attachment that allows a rider to leave a chalk trail behind them. Bauman is currently raising funds ...
April 11th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Plan your zombie escape route
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
Ever visit a new city and have a hard time getting the lay of the land? What will you do once you check into your hotel, turn on the news and find out that legions of undead picked your vacation week to rise up with brain-eating fervor?
Map of the Dead has you covered.
Using data ...
April 12th, 2012
Urban Planet: Jungles in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
The population of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward has decreased by 85% since 2000. Without owners to tend the lots and given the region's fertile soil, much of the neighbourhood has been reclaimed by nature. Nathaniel Rich at the New York Times writes, "trees that ...
April 13th, 2012
Urban Planet: Ikea Neighbourhood
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Move over Ektorp and Lack - Ikea is moving out of the living room and into the world of urban planning. The furniture giant's land development arm, LandProp, is developing a series of all-rental private neighbourhoods. The first, Strand East, will be located in ...
Sim City: A Better Look at Spacington.
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
While Spacington gets a little bit larger (the population is now up to 100, 000), and we try to get a jump start on the two things we are going to talk about next week — city slums and public transit — here are some photos to give a closer look at Spacington. Like always, let us know your feedback on what has been going on in Spacington.
High-density commercial building next to the university. This building is one of the few new business "tower" buildings in Spacington.
Just over 2 weeks left to enter Spacing’s Creative Mapping Contest
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc...). The above map — featured in our current issue — is a good example of creative mapping.
DEADLINE: Monday, April 30th, 2012
COST: Free!
April 14th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Vague Terrane, the Missing Middle and Place d’Armes
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As the Vague Terrain exhibit closed at the Surrey Art Gallery, Don Schuetze noticed the strange coincidence that another exhibit opened at the new downtown library in Surrey's emerging center; a fitting basis for a discussion of the relationship between city and suburbs.
Gordon Price uses his Price Points feature to show a surprisingly traditional looking easter home in the heart of Vancouver's West End. A further look at the ...
April 16th, 2012
Urban Planet: Comparing Transit in Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
What happens when a Los Angeleno rides Toronto's TTC and Montreal's Metro? Blogger Tim Adams did just that and his discovered some interesting contrasts between the three transit systems. Adams take-aways include: Canadian politicians don't take transit; our subways are graffiti-free; our stations leave ...
April 17th, 2012
Urban Planet: Remarkable Parking Garages
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
The classic brick and limestone building pictured above is a beautiful feature of Michigan State University’s campus. But would you believe that this gem is actually a 730 car parking facility? Rana Florida of the Creative Class Group catalogues some architectural beauties that serve ...
April 18th, 2012
Fredericton’s Municipal Election – Time for a Change?
By Hassan Arif // 2 Comments
FREDERICTON - To start, I cannot say I am a disinterested observer in the Fredericton municipal election. I have expressed through social media my preferences for several candidates at the council and mayoral level - including Cindy Miles (Ward 12), Misty McLaughlin (Ward 11), Leah Levac (Ward 10), and Matthew Hayes (Mayor). I even (very briefly) considered a run in Ward 9 (Hill Area/O'Dell Park) myself. As an op-ed columnist, I do not see any commentator as being truly neutral, however I will try my best to give an objective observation of the municipal race in Fredericton.
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: That’s elephants over the bridge
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
One year after it was opened, the Brooklyn Bridge was still a topic of skepticism for New Yorkers—many still believed that it would crumble into the East River under the weight of commuters.
In 1884, P.T. Barnum organized a publicity stunt to show off the structural integrity of the bridge. With much spectacle, he held a procession of elephants and ...
April 19th, 2012
Urban Planet: Old Maps Online
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Google Maps has revolutionized the way we approach cartography, but really old specimens have a je ne sais quoi that is tough to replicate in digital form. Old Maps Online, an initiative of the The Great Britain Historical GIS Project and ...
April 20th, 2012
Urban Planet: Scoring Walk Score
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Launched in 2007, Walk Score is a popular website for evaluating the walkability of a particular address or neighbourhood. Embraced (for the most part) by both the planning and real estate communities, Walk Score provides a single number which translates a variety of complex ...
Sim City: City Amenities, Inconveniences, Opportunities
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Among the many features in Spacington—A university, city hall, jail and courthouse, major league baseball station, golf course, harbour, boat docks and shops, a beach, medical research center, a municipal airport, a convention center, etc -there are some unique features readers may not be aware of. Some of these features are cherished amenities, a few of them are inconvenient eye sores, and some are simple opportunities for community rebirth, space for development or growth. Anyway, here are some things you maybe didn't know were in Spacington:
April 22nd, 2012
VIDEO: The Social Life of Small Places
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
William Whyte got it right: the legendary urbanist created the film "The Social Life of Small Places" that has become one of the best learning tools for students, professionals, and urbanists about understanding the dynamics of public spaces.
The films is almost an hour long, but its worth that watch on a Sunday afternoon.
April 23rd, 2012
Urban Planet: Dumpster Camera
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Colossal reports on the artistic exploits of a group of garbagemen in Hamburg, Germany. By drilling a hole and suspending a sheet of photo paper inside, this group has turned dumpsters into pinhole cameras. The results are incredible - check them out at ...
STRAPHANGER: A week of excerpts from Taras Grescoe’s new book
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents five excerpts from Straphanger, the new book by Montreal-based author Taras Grescoe. The book examines the success stories, challenges, and future hurdles of 14 transit systems from across the world, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
TODAY: Shanghai, China
For first-time car buyers on the floor of the Shanghai Auto Show, the future looks bright, if not downright dazzling. Throughout the cavernous showrooms, lithe motor-show girls in shimmering nylon evening gowns and leatherette mini skirts drape themselves over aerodynamic fenders, like molten watches drizzled over branches in a Dalí landscape. On rotating platforms, surrealistic concept cars languidly pirouette: the Geely McCar, a tiny hybrid with an outsized hatchback that pops up to release a three-wheeled electric motorcycle, and the chrome-grilled Engrand GE, which features a V-8 engine, rear seat massagers, and a built-in refrigerator that, according to the brochure, “gives access to mobile joy.”
Caught in the crush, a visitor is torn between amusement and awe; it’s hard not to chuckle at cars with names like the Great Wall Wingle Pick Up, the Jiangling Landwind, or the Book of Songs. At the same time, the audacity of China’s carmakers is impressive: the Noble is a near replica of Daimler’s Smart, the Lifan 320 appears to be a clone of a Mini Cooper, and the Dongfeng Crazy Soldier looks like the love child of a Humvee and a Tonka truck. Every few minutes, cameras flash and applause ripples through the showrooms as another “delivery ceremony” is completed: a proud owner is presented with flowers, a framed photo, and a bag of gift s as he is handed the keys to his brand-new Lavida, Cowin, or Beauty Leopard.
The lust to buy is almost palpable. Fourteen million cars were sold in China last year, which means the country has overtaken the United States as the world’s largest automobile market. Over eight days, three-quarters of a million people will pass through the seventeen hangar-like halls of the Shanghai Auto Show — which has now surpassed New York’s to become the world’s largest — lining up for their chance to caress vinyl, shift gears, and slam doors, publicly dreaming of owning modernity’s ultimate consumer item: the private automobile.
The big news at this year’s auto show is that subcompacts are no longer at center stage, and major manufacturers have relegated hybrids and electrics to the sidelines as they promote old-fashioned gasoline-powered sedans. For years, the Chery QQ, a fuel-efficient, jellybean-shaped bumper car that retailed for less than $5,000, was the nation’s most popular automobile. Lately, though, the aspiring middle class has set its sights higher. China’s best-selling car is now the BYD F3, a four-door sedan that bears more than a passing resemblance to a Toyota Corolla, with a sticker price of $9,300. The popularity of the F3, which sold over a quarter of a million units in 2010, is a sign that Chinese consumers have made the Great Leap Forward from economy to midsize.
April 24th, 2012
Urban Planet: Cracking Down on Chicago’s Food Trucks
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
“You can’t get me for premeditated selling of a cupcake,” says Chicago truck vendor Lupita Kuri. A police officer noted her intended location from a Facebook post and ticked her for parking in a loading zone. Food trucks are very popular in the windy ...
STRAPHANGER: Vancouverism and smart transit planning
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents five excerpts from Straphanger, the new book by Montreal-based author Taras Grescoe. The book examines the success stories, challenges, and future hurdles of 14 transit systems from across the world, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
TODAY: Vancouver
It’s hard not to see Vancouver, British Columbia, and Portland, Oregon, as the long-lost twins of Cascadia, separated when they were still young. Both were born as Gold Rush boomtowns, and both grew up as Pacific Northwest regional centers with thriving ports and economies based on logging and resource extraction. Both developed streetcar and interurban networks, and count smaller areas of postwar suburban sprawl than similar-size North American cities. Both opted for regional governance in the 1970s, Portland with Metro, Vancouver with the Greater Vancouver Regional District (now Metro Vancouver).
Vancouver doesn’t have a growth boundary, but it has de facto limits to growth, both geographical — the Pacific Ocean to the west, steep mountains to the north and east, and the United States border to the south — and legal, in the form of a large stock of agricultural land forever protected from development. Both have central city populations of 600,000 in regions of just over two million. It is only now, in their early adulthood, that the twins are showing signs of following distinct life paths. Portland remains a regional center, a city comfortable with incremental growth. Vancouver has lately become an international hub, a model for its own brand of urbanism, and a futuristic city of glass towers bound together by the soaring elevated tracks of streamlined rapid transit.
I grew up in Vancouver. It was here, working as a courier, that I witnessed one too many accidents, and developed a lifelong aversion to traffic and cars. My family arrived in the ’70s, settling in a neighborhood of single family homes near the university. Streamlined Brill trolley buses, drawing power from overhead wires, ran down the nearest major artery, Dunbar Street, where only recently streetcars had run. The local housing ran from Tudor-style manses in Shaughnessy Heights, a neighborhood built on an eccentric garden city street plan, to stucco-coated Vancouver Specials, boxy working-class homes with low-pitched roofs and second-floor balconies. Coming from Toronto, Vancouver felt like the edge of the world, an outpost of the British empire experiencing a few timid blooms of alternative culture. This was the place I became a pre-adolescent urbanist, pacing out our block and building a model showing how, if you removed the cars, city streets could be made into parks.
When I visit these days — my parents and sister still call Vancouver home — I barely recognize the place. The shock begins when I get off the plane, walk among the totem poles of the coolly West Coast–themed airport, and wheel my bags to the elevated SkyTrain station. The Canada Line, completed for the 2010 Winter Olympics, whisks passengers in Koreanmade electric trains at 50 miles an hour toward the West End. As the driverless light-rail train crosses the Fraser River, I marvel at how thickets of office and condo towers, each cluster corresponding to a SkyTrain station, have cropped up at intervals of about a mile and a half, where once there was only low-rise suburbia. The single-family homes on small lots, which make Vancouver’s west side so reminiscent of East Portland, still exist, but they are now bordered by slickly designed, European-inspired condo blocks with names like City Square and Arbutus Walk. Arriving at the station in Yaletown, once a downtown district of forlorn ware houses, I’m surrounded by “see-throughs,” the slender condominium towers of pale green glass that rise against the snow-dusted coast mountains. After Manhattan, Vancouver’s downtown is now the second densest in North America. In my absence, the backwater of my youth seems to have morphed into a temperate-zone Singapore, a transformation that has spawned a new buzzword among urbanists: “Vancouverism.”
Saint John’s Municipal Election – 3 Ps: PlanSJ, Peel Plaza and Pensions
By Abad Khan // No Comments
SAINT JOHN - As a new Municipal Plan era is ushered in, it creates a soft landing for what has been a tumultuous year in the Port City. The result of a two-year intensive community consultation termed "PlanSJ," the Plan provides a new direction for future development and investment to counteract the sprawl that has typified growth in Saint John for decades.
April 25th, 2012
STRAPHANGER: The Copenhagen Syndrome
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents five excerpts from Straphanger, the new book by Montreal-based author Taras Grescoe. The book examines the success stories, challenges, and future hurdles of 14 transit systems from across the world, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
TODAY: Copenhagen
I was prepared to admire Copenhagen, grudgingly, as you might a doughty Lutheran aunt who prides herself on her strong opinions and sensible shoes. I didn’t expect to become infatuated with the place, jealous of those who got to live there year-round, and, to my wife’s annoyance, an advocate for an eventual emigration to Scandinavian climes.
I’ve been to more striking cities. Copenhagen is like a greatest hits of more glamorous destinations: it has the canals of Amsterdam, the squares of Florence, and the Baroque architecture of Vienna; there is even a single, New York– style modernist skyscraper (the SAS building, all of twenty stories). I’ve been to more exciting cities. Copenhagen’s biggest attraction is the Tivoli Gardens, a nineteenth-century amusement park complete with Ferris wheel and carousel, though the Lego Store and the Bodum Hus, where you can splurge on interlocking plastic bricks and functional coffeepots, are close runner-ups. And I’ve definitely been to balmier cities.
Copenhagen is windblown and rainy, and because it is at the same latitude as Ketchikan, Alaska, the winter sunset — when the sun deigns to appear at all — tends to come at mid-afternoon. Yet the scale of the place is perfect: Copenhagen is big enough to keep you interested, but small enough that you feel comfortable. In truth, though, the depth of my affection probably comes from the way I discovered Copenhagen.
During my first couple of days in the city, I walked and rode the two-line Metro. The brand-new system has state-of-the-art platform doors in its deep underground stations, and gleaming automated Italian-made trains, the kind that allow kids to sit in the front and watch the lights in the tunnel rush by. This being Northern Europe, there are no turnstiles, and passengers board on the honor system. (When I blundered on ticket-free on my first day, a platform attendant smiled indulgently and rode the escalators back to street level to give me a lesson on the proper use of the ticket machines.) From the central train station, eleven commuter train lines, run by Danish State Railways, extend deep into the suburbs. Cheerful orange buses, with low floors to allow easy entry for strollers and wheelchairs, run along most major streets. In fact, Copenhagen is the only city I’ve been where people complain there is too much public transport. When the Cityringen, a circle line that will add fifteen new stations, is completed in 2018, only the residents of the city’s most isolated districts will be more than a 600-yard walk from a Metro station.
April 26th, 2012
STRAPHANGER: The Trouble with Downtown Los Angeles
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents five excerpts from Straphanger, the new book by Montreal-based author Taras Grescoe. The book examines the success stories, challenges, and future hurdles of 14 transit systems from across the world, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
TODAY: Los Angeles
In spite of heroic efforts at revival, downtown Los Angeles can be a pretty forlorn place, filled as it is with polo-shirted security guards on Smith & Wesson mountain bikes fruitlessly trying to herd panhandlers back to the “Nickel,” the city’s skid row. If you know where to look, though, you can catch glimpses of the future Los Angeles once imagined for itself, of enduring architecture and walkable public places, stitched together by rail rather than roads. My favorite piece of Southern California retro-tech is Angel’s Flight, a funicular railway whose two slant-floored cars still haul passengers 300 or so feet up to Bunker Hill, the skyscraper, museum, and concert hall — topped incline that is traditionally considered the heart of Downtown. On Broadway, a plaque in the sumptuously restored Bradbury Building, whose sky-lit interior is all lacquered filigree and exposed cog-works, informs visitors that its architecture was inspired by the 1888 novel Looking Backward, whose author imagined a future in which densely settled American cities would be full of colossal public buildings. One block away, on Hill Street, the words Subway Terminal Building are engraved in the pavement outside an old commercial building that has been converted into upscale condos and lofts. This was where the now-condemned Hollywood subway used to emerge from underground, a mile of tunnel completed in the 1920s in an attempt to solve the congestion problem once and for all by channeling streetcars beneath the pavement and out of the way of cars.
It is a reminder that Los Angeles was supposed to turn out a lot differently. Even as engineers were planning the freeway system that would blow the metropolis apart, ambitious rail schemes were being devised to reassert the hegemony of downtown. After the war, hundreds of business owners campaigned under the slogan “Rail Rapid Transit — Now!” to have mass transit rights-of-way built alongside freeways. In 1963, the Alweg Monorail company of Germany even offered to build Los Angeles a 43-mile monorail operation, for free. “Between 1948 and 1980,” writes transportation historian Martin Wachs, “at least six different plans that included some form of rail transit were placed before the citizens, and all failed to be enacted.”
Urban Planet: Unique Hydro Pylons
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Hydro pylons can be a bit of an eyesore. In response, Russian creative collective Design Depot has proposed a set of creative approaches to beautify this challenging piece of infrastructure. Spacing asks: is there potential to use these modified pylons in the urban environment? ...
April 27th, 2012
Sim City: Bus Shelters & International Buisness
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Bus transit is big in Spacington. The city has adopted new lines, extended a few, and created a multi-city connection. Not bad, eh? Still not great. The Spacington folks are still only using 40% of the bus transit- 40% of the different routes and overall capacity. We have observed the lines, relocated a few things, but still the number teeters under 50%. Why don't they like buses? We tried losing the amount of buses for the optimal transit system- LRT -but for some reason Simingtons were even less trilled to use it.
So here is a map of a bus route in Spacington. This great route connects folks to a baseball stadium, local jobs, and residences from all over the top northern tip of Spacington. The route is straight, on major roads and avenues, and connects a slew of amenties in the city.
Urban Planet: Detroit’s 40 Square Miles of Vacant Land
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
It's well known that Detroit has experienced a large population decline leaving large swaths of land abandoned. The oft cited number is 40 square miles. But as Kate Davidson at Changing Gears reports, nobody is quite sure where that number came from. New ...
STRAPHANGER: The Toronto tragedy
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents five excerpts from Straphanger, the new book by Montreal-based author Taras Grescoe. The book examines the success stories, challenges, and future hurdles of 14 transit systems from across the world, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
TODAY: Toronto (last excerpt)
I’d always planned to end up in Toronto. After all, it was the city where I started.
I was born at the old Women’s College Hospital, near Queen’s Park station on the Yonge-University line, in 1966. At the time, my parents were renting a top-floor flat in a house on Lytton Boulevard, a short stroller’s push from Yonge Street; an auspicious first address for a newborn, it turned out, as it had belonged to one of the inventors of Pablum (his widow spoon-fed me the vitamin-rich baby mush, which may explain why I never developed rickets). When I was only four years old, my parents joined the exodus to suburbia, and we moved to a cookie-cutter bungalow on a curvy street in Burlington, twenty-five miles west along the shore of Lake Ontario from Union Station.
I used to wonder if this early exile from the city was the foundational trauma that led to my lifelong bias against subdivisions, but my Kodachrome-hued memories of Riverside Drive—of netting crayfish in the nearby creek, of walking to Frontenac Elementary School, and of pretending I was Bobby Orr in street hockey games—are for the most part fond, and at worst emotionally neutral. My parents tell me they bought the house as a short-term investment, but if they were hoping the suburbs would be a healthier setting than the city, they seriously misjudged Southern Ontario. Less than a mile from our carport were the multimillion-gallon storage tanks of the Oakville refinery, where British Petroleum was busy making jet fuel, and beyond a tiny stand of oaks known as Sherwood Forest Park lay the Queen Elizabeth Way—six lanes of rushing traffic that, in the days before emissions controls, must have created a formidable cancer corridor of leaded gas exhaust. My parents lasted two years in Burlington, before giving up on the land of loops-and-lollipops and bundling my sister and me onto a westbound train.
Creative Mapping Contest deadline on Monday!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc...). The above map — featured in our current issue — is a good example of creative mapping.
DEADLINE: Monday, April 30th, 2012
COST: Free!
April 28th, 2012
Spacing Saturday: Large Urban Parks, Urban Alleyways and Transit Funding
By Marcus Bowman // No Comments
Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.
As cities around the world continue to push for titles of largest new urban parks, Christine McLaren looks at the pros and cons of large urban parks and in the process strikes at the comparative value of smaller parks that are responsive and well integrated to their specific community.
Ian Lowrie contributes to the Cartographically Speaking feature with the first two of three instalments in a series using mapping to show the relationship between crime an urban form in Greater Vancouver. First looking at broader areas of crime intensity and then focusing in on the details of these areas.
Alexandre Laquerre uses historical images to show how government office blocks have dramatically altered the urban context in Hull.
Alanah Heffez discusses how plans for rejuvenating a Montreal school yard were dashed when it was realized the green space will be expropriated for the impending expansion of the controversial expansion of the Turcot interchange.
A special guest contribution by Michael O'Shea reveals a fantastic winter use for underutilized urban alleys in the winter by showing an example of how one Montreal alley was converted into a hockey rink that created a neighbourhood gathering space.
My City Lives, takes readers on a three part guided tour of the historic 'Old Town Toronto' neighbourhood with guide Bruce Bell. The first installment introduces the broader neighbourhood, while the second looks at the iconic Gooderham Flatiron Building.
John Lorinc focuses on the topic of GTA transit funding, as the region looks to build off the momentum of the populist subway debates. Lorinc shares the results of a Spacing-Environics poll showing wide support for a gas tax and later goes into detail about the political difficulties ahead.
April 30th, 2012
Urban Planet: Street Vendors’ Guide
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
New York City's 10,000 street vendors face myriad rules and regulations. Add to that many first languages other than English and it becomes easy to see how cart owners could face steep penalties for simple infractions. To address this issue and empower the city's ...
Today is deadline for Creative Mapping Contest!
By Matthew Blackett // No Comments
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc...). The above map — featured in our current issue — is a good example of creative mapping.
DEADLINE: By the end of the day today! If you want to submit and cannot meet today's deadline please send us an email [ creativemapping@spacing.ca ] and we can work something out. We're more concerned with quality entries than with strident deadlines!
COST: Free!
May 1st, 2012
Urban Planet: LA’s First Pedestrian Plaza
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Welcome to Sunset Triangle - LA's first pedestrian plaza. The street-to-plaza conversion opened in March, modeled after the successful installations in NYC. The street is demarcated with green polkadots and planters, and first reports suggest that LA residents are enjoying their new open space. ...
HEADSPACE: Author Gabriel Campanario discusses the Art of Urban Sketching
By Noah van der Laan // No Comments
Sketching is a way of discovering communities, showing lively streetscapes, soaring architecture and intriguing faces. Gabriel Campanario's book The Art of Urban Sketching presents a visually arresting, storytelling take on urban life driven by artists drawing their cities and sharing their visual dispatches. Starting tomorrow, Spacing will showcase three excerpts from this book.
Spacing: What is the link between urban sketching and the public realm? How does urban sketching contribute to city building?
Gabi: Urban sketching connects space with the people who use it. It increases awareness of place. You need to spend time looking at something to be able to draw it. An urban sketcher always has his eyes peeled when out and about in the city. I see with those sketchers eyes, often tracing the skyline or the outline of buildings. One of the benefits of urban sketching is that it brings appreciation to the spaces one inhabits and the subtle beauty which can be found even in the texture of a wall or brick.
Spacing: Do you consider the visual art as an important tool for engaging citizens and bolstering public participation?
Gabi: Art is very individual. Sketching creates an interpretation of a space that is then shared with others. It's a very unique transaction. People like this book even if they don't draw, because they can see cities through the artists' eyes. I see art more as a communication tool, rather than meant to be put in a frame on the wall. My background is in journalism, and sketching is a way of communicating my experiences. If I can show you my experiences then I don't need to tell you, you see how I'm interpreting my own city. Art is important in experiencing your own city because anybody can understand it, it's in a universal language. it crosses borders, languages, and backgrounds.
May 2nd, 2012
The Art of Urban Sketching: Montreal
By Noah van der Laan // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents excerpts from The Art of Urban Sketching, the new book by Seattle-based artist and journalist Gabriel Campanario. The book examines a global movement driven by urban sketchers drawing their cities and sharing their visual dispatches.
MONTREAL
Montreal's small, walkable city center makes the second-largest city in Canada ideal for urban sketching. Local artist Marc Taro Holmes is drawn to the ornate architecture of French and English historic buildings around the Old Port, as well as the many intricate lines of cathedrals and churches.
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Kansas City’s Community Bookshelf
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
Parking garages usually don't make it very high on a city's list of urban beautification projects — most end up looking pretty similar to each other.
Kansas City, MO is one of the citys who have broken the mould. The parking garage of city's downtown public library branch has a 25-foot tall "bookshelf" facade made from signboard mylar that features the spines of a number of local stories as well as many famous works.
May 3rd, 2012
The Art of Urban Sketching: Toronto
By Noah van der Laan // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents excerpts from The Art of Urban Sketching, the new book by Seattle-based artist and journalist Gabriel Campanario. The book examines a global movement driven by urban sketchers drawing their cities and sharing their visual dispatches.
TORONTO
From red rockets to tall towers, Toronto's iconography is ubiquitous. Architect Eugene Zhilinsky likes to sketch while strolling with his family. Find artist and Spacing contributor Jerry Waese along Dundas Street, drawing streetcars. His column, Street Scene, appears twice a week on Spacing Toronto's site.
TODERIAN: Discovering the worlds of Twitter and urbanism
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
This special column is from Brent Toderian, the former chief urban planner of Vancouver.
Last week I had lunch with a friend and fellow urbanist, Bob Ransford. Lunches with Bob are never boring, as we get right into things, and often debate. Bob’s a communications specialist and a longtime member of the Twitteratti (@BobRansford), so amongst discussions about strengthening urbanism in the Cascadia Region, and affordability debates in Vancouver, I asked him a question that’s been on my mind for the last month: Is Twitter a positive tool for Canadian urbanism? Put another way, is twitter facilitating smarter discussions on the country’s urbanism, or are we all getting dumber, 140 characters at a time?
I had been very dubious about Twitter while I was a municipal leader, even though I had been blogging as the Director of City Planning for years (I had never sought official permission to do that, and there had been no official rebuke or order to desist, although there was some passive disapproval that I was generally aware of that never became an official issue).
A few of my planning, design and architecture friends working in other city halls were tweeting, some as “citizens”, and others referencing in various ways their official positions. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. I saw many public officials (mostly politicians) getting in big trouble from poorly thought-out tweeting. Although I’ve always had the disciplined approach that I don’t write or say anything in social media that I wouldn’t be prepared to say on the record to a reporter, or “shout from the street-corner at Robson and Burrard” (a thought process I used through 6 years of blogging from City Hall), I had always concluded that the risk wasn’t worth it when it came to Twitter.
As I was leaving the Vancouver Chief Planner role in February, one of my former colleagues took the liberty of setting up an account for me, strongly encouraging me to use it as part of the “free voice” I would have after leaving city leadership. Indeed, the reasons and circumstances under which I was leaving City Hall, I was told, were already “burning up the Twitter-verse” and if nothing else, I would want to monitor that.
Urban Planet: Mapping the World’s Road, Shipping and Air Routes
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Welcome to the Anthropocene - the era where human activity is the greatest single force shaping the surface of the earth. This video from Gizmodo charts the many ways we are changing the planet and the incredible connectivity we have achieved as a result. (LA Curbed)
Image from ...
May 4th, 2012
The Art of Urban Sketching: Victoria
By Noah van der Laan // No Comments
This week, Spacing presents excerpts from The Art of Urban Sketching, the new book by Seattle-based artist and journalist Gabriel Campanario. The book examines a global movement driven by urban sketchers drawing their cities and sharing their visual dispatches.
VICTORIA
For local architect Matthew Cencich, Victoria's Chinatown neighbourhood and downtown ornate architecture are favourite sketching subjects. The climate in the western Canadian city is relatively mild, but it's often wet and chilly, so sketching outdoors can be a challenge. Still, Cencich says he has done some of his best sketches in winter, often making it back to a coffee shop chilled to the bone and vowing not to return until spring.
Urban Planet: Changing Fault in Traffic Accidents
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Sarah Goodyear at The Atlantic Cities comments on our changing understanding of responsibility for traffic accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. Headlines from the 1930s suggest that the driver, by nature of their heavier vehicle and the purpose of a street, was nearly always ...
Sim City: Fire!
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
A fire broke out in Spacington. In fact, two fires broke out in the little city this week. There has been a couple close calls with fire before but this week with the combination of derelict buildings sitting side by side, the flames broke out and spread the neighborhood. Since this is the first semi-major disaster In Spacington, we thought we'd share:
May 7th, 2012
Urban Planet: Errors in New York’s Subway Map
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
In 1979, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled a redesign of its iconic subway system map. The redesign was an attempt to bring clarity to the tangle of colours and lines that crisscross the five boroughs. But as Matt Flegenheimer at the New ...
May 8th, 2012
Urban Planet: Growing Vegetables in Vancouver’s Parking Garages
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
What's tall and full and leafy all over? Vancouver's parking garages. Valcent Products recently signed an agreement with several garage owners to build the 6,000-square-foot vertical farm. The "VertiCrop" farming structure will feature 12-foot-high stacks of growing trays that will move around to catch ...
May 9th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Neft Dashlari, a community on the sea
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
While it looks like an unused set for the movie Waterworld, Neft Dashlari isn't just the world's first offshore oil rig, it's elevated platforms have become home to a fairly unique urban community with nothing but waterfront property.
May 10th, 2012
Urban Planet: Foursquare Checkins and the Structure of Cities
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Is a neighbourhood defined by geographical borders or by the set of people that flow in and out of it? This is the hypothesis being tested by researchers at the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Their platform, Livehoods, uses foursquare check ...
May 11th, 2012
Creative Mapping Contest deadline extended to May 31
By Spacing Atlantic // No Comments
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 31st
Spacing magazine presents the CREATIVE MAPPING CONTEST
Do you love maps? Are you an illustrator, graphic designer, or visual storyteller? Spacing wants you to submit your original creative maps inspired by a Canadian city.
To date we have received an amazing assortment of submissions. But we also had a whack-load of requests for late submissions. In the spirit of openness, we've extended the deadline until the end of May.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Thursday, May 31st, 2012
COST: Free!
WHAT MAKES A MAP CREATIVE (see examples at bottom of page)?
The art of map-making has taken tremendous strides in the digital age. In the last decade, there has been an explosion of maps that are not necessarily meant to be used for directions, but instead are considered works of art and inspired imagination. We want you to create an illustrative map that reflects a Canadian city (or a neighbourhood, community) or is inspired by the urban elements that make up a city (examples: waterfront, transit, cycling, walking, graffiti, parks, architecture, laneways/alleys, streets, traffic, taxis, weather, sewers, infrastructure, etc....)
Sim City: City Slums
By Dylan Collie // No Comments
Like we mentioned a few weeks ago, Spacington has developed a bit of a slum. As displayed above, this once thriving neighborhood has become an area of little growth, dirty abandoned buildings, and a limited amount of available work. We get it, this slum isn't nearly as "slummy" as it could be- there is still a strong mix of wealths, mixed use, and utilized transit- but the neighborhood has lost it's drive.
Usually in the game, a no job logo hovering above a building represents the lack of jobs in a commutable distance. Basically, it takes too long for a Sim to get to work, or they can't find work.
Urban Planet: Copenhagen Philharmonic Flash Mob
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
A Friday treat: listen to the sweet sounds of the Copenhagen Philharmonic serenading Danish commuters. (Huffington Post)
Image from Huffington Post
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have an Urban Planet worthy article you'd like to share? Send the link ...
May 14th, 2012
Urban Planet: Why Kids Don’t Ride to School Anymore
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Did you ride your bike to school as a kid? According to this piece on NPR, back in 1969 nearly half of children got to school on foot or by bike. Today, that figure is closer to 13%. Reporter David Darlington talks about ...
May 15th, 2012
Urban Planet: Bike Score
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
From the makers of Walk Score and just in time for "Bike to Work Week" comes Bike Score - the online tool for assessing neighbourhood bikeability. The tool uses data including the locations of bicycle infrastructure, amenities and hills. And Canadian cities are ...
May 16th, 2012
Urban Planet Weird Wednesday: Welcome to Fucking, Austria
By mikebulko // No Comments
Weird Wednesdays on Urban Planet takes a look at obscure, absurd, and curious things about cities around the world.
It's been in international headlines throughout the past few weeks over false reports that it will be changing its name, but this tiny Austrian hamlet has been "Fucking" (or close to it) since the Dark Ages.
May 17th, 2012
Urban Planet: Lego’s California Modern Paradise
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
If you've dreamed of living in LEGO paradise since you were a child, Dwell has the home for you. In partnership with ...
May 18th, 2012
Urban Planet: Japanese Manhole Covers
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Booooooom.com has a great collection of unique and colourful Japanese manhole covers.
Image from Boooooooom
For more stories from around the planet, check out Spacing on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have an Urban Planet worthy article you'd like to share? Send the link to urbanplanet@spacing.ca
May 22nd, 2012
Urban Planet: Subway System Patterns
By Hilary Best // No Comments
Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
Given the complexity and contentiousness of subway network design, it is tempting to think that there might be a science behind network development. An article published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface looks at hundreds of subway systems worldwide and defines some key patterns that the systems ...
