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 ...

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 ...

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]

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.