Streetcars of Metro Vancouver (Part One)
Many languages lent words to Chinook Wawa: Nootka Jargon, French Canadien, Salishan Chehalis, English, and, of course, Chinook. | Kumtuks videos
Urban Issues
Political Factions in Early Vancouver
Before the evolution of political parties in Vancouver, politicians organized themselves in loose political factions. These were related to earlier political factions that had already developed in Victoria.
Urban Density in BC
In the 1970s, British Columbia cities adopted policies and processes to resist densification. As Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan started the EcoDensity Initiative to counter these.
Better Governance Model for Cities
Good urban planning and densification is often stymied by political processes that allow small groups with vested interests to veto good proposals. Fixing this design flaw will improve municipal governance and allow better urban planning.
Third Wave Urban Reform: Planning History in British Columbia & Vancouver
The emphasis on technology and professionals arising out of the Second Wave of urban reform was not the panacea we had hoped for. Citizen groups pushed back against experts in Canada’s Third Wave of urban reform.
Second Wave Urban Reform: Planning History in British Columbia & Vancouver
The Progressive Movement arose in the late 1800s in the US. It was a reaction against the corruption and incompetence that came out of earlier democratic reforms. Science, technology and professionals were revolutionizing life; people were hopeful about applying these to civic government.
First Wave Urban Reform: Planning History in British Columbia & Vancouver
The Municipal Reform Act of 1835 initiated by Earl Grey brought cities in the UK into the modern world. This reform wave hit Canada in the form of the Baldwin Act of 1849 which set the standard for all Canadian cities.
Three Waves of Urban Reform
The story of urban reform in Canada can be understood in terms of waves. Vancouver history can be better understood through this analysis.
Living in Gunter’s World
How was Metro Vancouver laid out? This video helps understand urban planning for Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, etc.