“Not density OR trees, density AND trees.” Better cities are climate action. URBAN Truth Collective

Remember, not density OR trees. Density AND trees.

Better cities are climate action. #UrbanTruth

The new Pine St bike lane connection between the Arbutus Greenway and Seaside looks pretty good. But it was pretty stunning to see that it was first passed by council in 2018, and construction *might* start next year, after 9 years of consultation.

(1/3)

Proud to be running as part of the OneCity Builders.

With the Progressive Victory Agreement in place, building a strong, aligned team matters more than ever.

Vancouver’s newest housing experiment aims to preserve affordable housing—permanently Community land trusts are emerging as a new housing model in Vancouver, aiming to preserve affordability and protect properties from speculation long-term.

One of the last stories I got to write before jumping into the deep end of the political pool (running for Vancouver city council, folks) was this one on community land trusts and the role they can play in preserving affordable housing and bolstering communities.
Enjoy.
bcbusiness.ca/real-estate/...

Such good news, and a model for other papers: A journalism nonprofit is buying the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and keeping it running, including two print editions a week. There was higher bidder--hedge fund?--but the family that owned the paper went with the nonprofit with a successful track record

How tariffs are driving up the cost of a 45-unit housing development in Maine The Freeport project will likely cost more than an identical one under construction roughly 20 miles away.

"When you look at the cost of residential development and how skinny margins are, especially for workforce housing, there’s no way you can pay that and find success continually. In the long term, this is going to make a huge impact on affordability..."
www.bangordailynews.com/2026/04/14/b...

My neighbour makes the world feel very spring-like

Two single-stair 12 plexes, one with bay windows and one with front balconies, amid 90s era vancouver single family homes with pedestrians and cars on the street.

We need to allow our urban 'single family' neighbourhoods to evolve.

Our vision: Accessible, zero emission, bright, social, bike oriented, #singlestair homes - allowed on individual residential lots - everywhere.

I couldn’t agree more. Drives me nuts that city requires apartment builders to assemble two lots or more. So you end up not having any cool one-lot developments. Not sure of the finances for them but would be great to find a way to encourage

This is just one of the attractive six-storey apartment buildings going up on side streets next to Nanaimo near Broadway. This is what I’d love to see more of in the city snd they are a big part of my OneCity program. Love the little library and bench the builder included

Okay, people, today and tomorrow are the last chances to join OneCity so you can vote for me in the party "primary" -- aka nomination election -- to ensure I'm on the ballot for the October election. Online voting will be May 3-10

francesbulaforcouncil.ca

A photo of a street with a generator parked in front of a building and a Pilon that has a sign saying C Mazin parking

They're filming The Last Of Us in the abandoned Hudson's Bay downtown!

A young teacher friend is helping organize this petition, which asks the Vancouver school board to provide after-school care for the thousands of young families on waiting lists, wreaking havoc on their work and home lives.

A northbound Canada Line train travels over the North Arm bridge spanning Vancouver, BC and Richmond, BC

Southbound, airport bound Canada Line skytrain pulling into Langara-49th Ave station.

I have been in Vancouver <24h and I can't stop thinking about how much criticism the Canada Line has gotten over the years, when in reality, every new metro line should aspire to achieve Canada Line levels of efficiency. I am not saying it's beyond reproach, but it's a masterclass in pragmatism!

Omg, my current fave grocery chain is opening a new store at the former London Drugs on Kingsway. A new place to get pea tips and gailan! And fresh clams! And mochi!

Thanks to the super-dedicated South False Creek residents who came out last night to talk to (quiz) me and fellow OneCity council candidate @jagglund Jarrett Hagglund last night. And we got this beautiful card at the end

The skyscrapers that NIMBYs and zoning couldn't stop Podcast Episode · Planet Money · March 28 · 22m

Woah!! NPR Planet Money did a podcast episode from Vancouver reporting on Senakw:

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...

Could everyone please go to Madame Danh on Fraser at 27th. Unique, creative items on contemporary Vietnamese menu. I have fallen in love with the squid-ink fried rice with scallops and tobiko. It’s not as packed as it should be for the great addition to the scene that they are

At Nettie Wild’s showing of her hypnotic, beautiful film about the salmon videos she projected onto the underside of the Cambie Bridge. A nice shout out from her to city engineering for their enthusiasm for the work, and OneCity William Azaroff for early Vancity money

Just called up a friend of my second cousin's, as one does when campaigning for Vancouver city council, and when she got on the phone, she said, "Yes, I heard you're running" and then laughed and laughed and laughed for a full minute.

Next to it

Oh no

OMG, you found it! That is hilarious. Yes, at the time, I could feel the vibes from certain copy editors that were like "What is this ridiculous nutty thing she is obsessing over?" Wonder if they remembered that as the internet came crashing in like a tsunami on the news biz 10 years later

1993), Larry Kuehn at the BCTF told me about a new comms tool activists were using to connect with each other. “The internet.” I did a story for the Sun. A few editors at the time thought it was too unreal to take seriously. Very satisfying thrilling to see Larry tonight irl.

B.C.’s tiny homes show big promise for homeless Housing advocate’s mini-village in Duncan looks to fight back against a worsening homelessness crisis, as 12 people move into first cluster

Don't know if you saw the story I did a while back on the Duncan village. (Attached here.) I hear that Dist of NV and Penticton also looking at something similar.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...

And the guy who sent it to me from Kelowna said there's been positive response in the city, even from local businesses, including a restaurant owner.

Kelowna mayor says 83% of tiny home residents have moved on to better things Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas says over 80% of the initial residents who moved into the city’s tiny homes have moved on to supportive housing, better c.

Oh, this is one of the potential housing initiatives I'd like to support if I get elected to Vancouver city council. Smaller size is key, I think. They have 180 homes on three sites.
www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/...

Looking forward to talking about plexes in-studio with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social early tuesday morning.

Weather is looking soggy, but fortunately it's a short ride in to downtown.

Yet again I love Mt. Pleasant.

What is Emmanuel Grégoire, the new Paris mayor, planning for the city over his new term in office?

—60,000 new social housing units
—15 express bus routes
—Completion of city's full bike network
—Transformation of ring highway into a boulevard
—1000 new pedestrian streets
—300 new hectares of parks