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.

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 ...

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 - 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 ...

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.

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.

[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.

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 ...