Archive for February, 2009
Wal-Mart, the Independent Retailers, and the Recession
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Two interesting phenomena seem to be happening in this downturn: Wal-Mart is thriving but so is shopping local. On the latter: Richard Layman from Urban Places and Spaces Blog notes that he has been:
somewhat more conscious and [shopping locally] myself, such as buying toys as gifts from Sullivan’s Toy Store on Wisconsin Avenue NW, or […]
Best cities to ride out the recession
Friday, February 20th, 2009A few unemployed readers have e-mailed me asking where their families should move to ride out the recession. Finally, I found a couple approaches to consider if you’re going to relocate during these challenging times.
First, for Canadians, the Conference Board’s director of city forecasting, Mario LeFebvre, says that Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina will outperform other […]
Trailer parks
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009Apparently trailer parks could become an affordable yet highly livable housing options.
They do offer some advantages over apartment block living, but providing similar density levels:
fresh air flow with windows on all walls;
accessibility for those who struggle with stairs;
expandability (you can add up as well as out);
options to own or rent;
with good landscaping the possibility of […]
Edmonton: Where Oil and Sustainability Meet?
Friday, February 6th, 2009Edmonton is an intriguing place. It sits next to the world’s 2nd largest oil reserves and the economy is dominated directly and indirectly by the oil extraction industry. Yet, it has also been ranked the most sustainable large city in Canada by Corporate Knights Magazine:
With the lowest unemployment rate of all cities [below 4% ] […]