Archive for October, 2007
« Previous EntriesEl Paso and federal policy
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007The governments, citizens and businesses of many cities around the world struggle against the policies and practices of higher levels of government. As I’ve written before, laws, taxes and philosophies often hamper city development and the everyday lives of citizens.
Some cities’ citizens and businesses have roots and daily lives connected to more than one […]
Dubai - a microcosm of globalization?
Monday, October 29th, 2007What does globalization really mean? It’s a loaded term with many meanings. Perhaps one way to understand what the shrinking distances between people, economies, cities and countries really means is to look at life in one city that exists in its current form because of global trade and travel - Dubai.
Dubai is a […]
Risks for cities from investor-owned condos
Sunday, October 28th, 2007The popularity of downtown condominium living has generated a building and buying frenzy in many North American cities. There are tremendous benefits to metropolitan areas of having more people living in the inner core — less pollution, less congestion, more home ownership options (beyond the single family house). Concentrating more people in an […]
Insider and outsider perspectives
Sunday, October 28th, 2007Urban residents including politicians and the business community as well as the media often fall into “group think” when considering their city or aspects of it. That is, they either praise the successes, all donning rose coloured glasses. Or, they all tend to nit pick at every last problem, assuming the city is […]
Home renovations and urban sustainability
Friday, October 26th, 2007Ecological responsibility has not reached the home renovation trend — or so it would appear.
Earlier this year the city of Victoria BC reported that it’s Hartland Landfill was experience a significant increase in demand caused by home renovations. Deposits of old flooring, carpets, furniture, etc. had increased. As a percentage, only 36% of recyclable waste […]
Fattest and fittest cities
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007Why do some cities tend to have overweight residents and others fit ones?
A recent study uncovered that New York residents tended to live longer than the average American; why? some have speculated that certain personality types who like to exercise and are high achievers in whatever they do are drawn to New York; others suggest […]
Toronto on the rise?
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 Toronto is changing fast. No longer is it just Canada’s financial and business hub, but it’s becoming a world centre as well, with many of the spin off benefits and challenges.
This is the argument or observation of Dr. Sherry Cooper, the Chief Economist at BMO Capital Markets and BMO Nesbitt Burns in […]
Purpose of large city squares
Monday, October 22nd, 2007Are large city squares a waste of good real estate?
Last week Brendan at the Where Blog posted a link to a new Wikipedia list of the largest city squares. I immediately scanned the list for squares I’ve visited and recognized about 20 of 80 on the list. Some were memorable. […]
Ending an era and new beginnings
Thursday, October 18th, 2007The rapid revitalization of downtowns and urban cores has driven up demand for housing in many North American (and especially Canadian) cities, raising property values and pushing some uses out. New townhouse and condominium developments often require long-standing businesses to close - as can new retail projects to serve the growing population.
Toronto Star columnist […]
Housing markets (and cities) quietly thriving
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007What do the following metropolitan areas have in common:
Dallas-Fort Worth
Indianapolis
New Orleans
Atlanta
Montgomery
Memphis
Mobile
Austin
Houston
St. Louis
According to Business 2.0, they are cities where the housing market is poised for either a rebound or continued appreciation in 2008 and 2009. Article author Paul Kaihla writes that most of these cities did not see large housing bubbles in recent years, […]
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