Jacob Loo Dawang
@jacobdawang.com
(he/him) 📊 by trade, 🚴♂️ by tweet | housing advocacy @growtogetheryeg.bsky.social
📍 Edmonton, AB
https://www.jacobdawang.com
📍 Edmonton, AB
https://www.jacobdawang.com
Pinned
2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
Edmonton’s zoning reform is working. In 2025, newly legalized eight-home rowhomes drove a record increase in homebuilding, achieved by redeveloping only 0.39% of properties in mature neighbourhoods.
www.jacobdawang.com
NEW POST
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
$10 million withheld from Toronto's Housing Accelerator Funds. Congratulations to all of the councillors who confidently assured their colleagues that this wouldn't happen when they refused to allow sixplexes in their wards. www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
January 16, 2026 at 8:58 PM
$10 million withheld from Toronto's Housing Accelerator Funds. Congratulations to all of the councillors who confidently assured their colleagues that this wouldn't happen when they refused to allow sixplexes in their wards. www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
This could be us, Edmonton! Our snow clearing pain is a policy choice!
Confirming this. It snowed today and my residential street was plowed at least twice over the course of the day.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
In Montreal I would typically expect my residential street to be plowed the day of the storm, including the sidewalks.
Maybe a sprawler city won’t be able to provide that level of service. But I’ve seen so many comments like this from people who don’t see a problem at all and just want low taxes!
Maybe a sprawler city won’t be able to provide that level of service. But I’ve seen so many comments like this from people who don’t see a problem at all and just want low taxes!
January 16, 2026 at 2:52 AM
This could be us, Edmonton! Our snow clearing pain is a policy choice!
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Confirming this. It snowed today and my residential street was plowed at least twice over the course of the day.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
In Montreal I would typically expect my residential street to be plowed the day of the storm, including the sidewalks.
Maybe a sprawler city won’t be able to provide that level of service. But I’ve seen so many comments like this from people who don’t see a problem at all and just want low taxes!
Maybe a sprawler city won’t be able to provide that level of service. But I’ve seen so many comments like this from people who don’t see a problem at all and just want low taxes!
January 16, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Confirming this. It snowed today and my residential street was plowed at least twice over the course of the day.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
No “X hours/days *after* the snow ends”.
Snow clearing is one really clear example where density results in better quality municipal services.
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Montreal already charges owners of big SUVs more to park. It’s a very sensible policy.
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Montreal already charges owners of big SUVs more to park. It’s a very sensible policy.
You know I think it's good that we don't overuse salt in Edmonton but maybe we should use some salt.
January 15, 2026 at 11:13 PM
You know I think it's good that we don't overuse salt in Edmonton but maybe we should use some salt.
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Zoning in theory:
You can’t build housing next to the pollution source 😊
Zoning in reality:
You can only build housing next to the pollution source, also daycares are illegal
You can’t build housing next to the pollution source 😊
Zoning in reality:
You can only build housing next to the pollution source, also daycares are illegal
January 14, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Zoning in theory:
You can’t build housing next to the pollution source 😊
Zoning in reality:
You can only build housing next to the pollution source, also daycares are illegal
You can’t build housing next to the pollution source 😊
Zoning in reality:
You can only build housing next to the pollution source, also daycares are illegal
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
To underline the point that a lot of Americans have a cartoon understanding of dictatorships, consider that even Hitler had to worry about public opinion and in fact one of the key functions of the gestapo was assessing the mood of the country.
January 15, 2026 at 8:41 PM
To underline the point that a lot of Americans have a cartoon understanding of dictatorships, consider that even Hitler had to worry about public opinion and in fact one of the key functions of the gestapo was assessing the mood of the country.
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
If you want to know why students complain about housing, read this piece
Opinion: For a young city, Calgary sure seems to loathe its young people calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
January 15, 2026 at 3:56 PM
If you want to know why students complain about housing, read this piece
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
One frustrating thing about governments now saying "Housing isn't our fault. Developers just aren't building!" is that, years ago, I met with multiple politicians who assured me that it was fine to add requirements and costs, saying "Do you really think developers are just going to stop building?"
Good piece for people to think through. If you want housing prices to stay where they are now or (gasp) decrease further, we need to reduce construction costs and so you have to pick the pathways to push on. Your menu of options is here.
New piece! Governments have a choice: either lower construction costs today, or have homeprices spike tomorrow. As much as governments might like to, they can't ignore "Q".
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
January 15, 2026 at 5:12 PM
One frustrating thing about governments now saying "Housing isn't our fault. Developers just aren't building!" is that, years ago, I met with multiple politicians who assured me that it was fine to add requirements and costs, saying "Do you really think developers are just going to stop building?"
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Imagining what Canada’s mid-sized cities would look like if we could build transit more affordably.
You know, like France, Spain, or Korea.
We’d have much better light rail coverage. Maybe even some metros?
Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Quebec City, Hamilton, etc.
You know, like France, Spain, or Korea.
We’d have much better light rail coverage. Maybe even some metros?
Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Quebec City, Hamilton, etc.
January 14, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Imagining what Canada’s mid-sized cities would look like if we could build transit more affordably.
You know, like France, Spain, or Korea.
We’d have much better light rail coverage. Maybe even some metros?
Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Quebec City, Hamilton, etc.
You know, like France, Spain, or Korea.
We’d have much better light rail coverage. Maybe even some metros?
Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Quebec City, Hamilton, etc.
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
We cannot agree more with today's @theglobeandmail.com editorial.
"Edmonton would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to roll back its zoning reforms. The city found a policy that is working – councillors should not abandon that success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
"Edmonton would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to roll back its zoning reforms. The city found a policy that is working – councillors should not abandon that success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: Edmonton’s clear blueprint for density
The city would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to roll back its zoning reforms
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM
We cannot agree more with today's @theglobeandmail.com editorial.
"Edmonton would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to roll back its zoning reforms. The city found a policy that is working – councillors should not abandon that success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
"Edmonton would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to roll back its zoning reforms. The city found a policy that is working – councillors should not abandon that success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Thanks to @theglobeandmail.com for featuring Edmonton and my data!
The magic of density is amazing in just how many homes can be built with few properties.
#yeg #yegcc
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
The magic of density is amazing in just how many homes can be built with few properties.
#yeg #yegcc
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
January 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Thanks to @theglobeandmail.com for featuring Edmonton and my data!
The magic of density is amazing in just how many homes can be built with few properties.
#yeg #yegcc
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
The magic of density is amazing in just how many homes can be built with few properties.
#yeg #yegcc
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Love to see my good friend and incredible housing activist @jacobdawang.com given a well deserved shout out in the @theglobeandmail.com today, for providing evidence of the success of Edmonton’s recent housing reforms.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Love to see my good friend and incredible housing activist @jacobdawang.com given a well deserved shout out in the @theglobeandmail.com today, for providing evidence of the success of Edmonton’s recent housing reforms.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Not enough money to pay for snow clearing is the result of too many roads and not enough people. We can achieve better snow clearing if we welcome more neighbours into our core communities!
Taking weeks to plow residential streets? “No money in the budget for tow trucks”?
Is snow maintenance in Edmonton really as bad as it seems?
I guess it’s low taxes and low density, but I don’t get how anyone could accept this level of service.
This isn’t to even mention sidewalks!
Is snow maintenance in Edmonton really as bad as it seems?
I guess it’s low taxes and low density, but I don’t get how anyone could accept this level of service.
This isn’t to even mention sidewalks!
Edmonton begins residential snow clearing without towing budget
YouTube video by CityNews
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Not enough money to pay for snow clearing is the result of too many roads and not enough people. We can achieve better snow clearing if we welcome more neighbours into our core communities!
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
People not in Minnesota: please read this excellent summary of what life is like in Minneapolis since the murderous scum ICE swarmed here. And more are on their way. By local reporter / writer / bike dude / legend @dbrauer.net .
January 13, 2026 at 10:38 PM
People not in Minnesota: please read this excellent summary of what life is like in Minneapolis since the murderous scum ICE swarmed here. And more are on their way. By local reporter / writer / bike dude / legend @dbrauer.net .
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
ICMYI - take 2 minutes to protect our housing progress!
🚨 Action Alert 🚨
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Feedback on Proposed Changes to Infill Development | City of Edmonton
The City is asking for feedback on proposed changes to infill development that will be presented in two reports to Urban Planning Committee on February 10, 2026.
www.edmonton.ca
January 13, 2026 at 8:07 PM
ICMYI - take 2 minutes to protect our housing progress!
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Blocking new housing doesn't stop rich people from moving in. Instead, it means unleashing them on the existing housing stock.
In SF, increased demand from the tech boom was not met with new supply, so landlords withdrew their rentals to sell to tech workers.
1/
In SF, increased demand from the tech boom was not met with new supply, so landlords withdrew their rentals to sell to tech workers.
1/
January 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Blocking new housing doesn't stop rich people from moving in. Instead, it means unleashing them on the existing housing stock.
In SF, increased demand from the tech boom was not met with new supply, so landlords withdrew their rentals to sell to tech workers.
1/
In SF, increased demand from the tech boom was not met with new supply, so landlords withdrew their rentals to sell to tech workers.
1/
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
One of the things that progressives/liberals have a tendency to forget is that authoritarian regimes tend to actually believe the weird conspiracist beliefs they promulgate. They are rarely purely cynical.
Hitler really believed that the Jews controlled FDR.
1/
Hitler really believed that the Jews controlled FDR.
1/
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
One of the things that progressives/liberals have a tendency to forget is that authoritarian regimes tend to actually believe the weird conspiracist beliefs they promulgate. They are rarely purely cynical.
Hitler really believed that the Jews controlled FDR.
1/
Hitler really believed that the Jews controlled FDR.
1/
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Don't mess with success!
January 13, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Don't mess with success!
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
If you or anyone you know lives in Edmonton, pass this along.
🚨 Action Alert 🚨
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Feedback on Proposed Changes to Infill Development | City of Edmonton
The City is asking for feedback on proposed changes to infill development that will be presented in two reports to Urban Planning Committee on February 10, 2026.
www.edmonton.ca
January 13, 2026 at 1:00 AM
If you or anyone you know lives in Edmonton, pass this along.
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
Fill out the survey for Motion 1, and keep it simple:
✅ NO to cutting units (keep the limit at 8).
✅ NO to increasing site area (keep it at 75m²).
✅ NO to height reductions (maintain 10.5m).
Here's a sample response you can use as a starting point: sharetext.io/8d4423a7
✅ NO to cutting units (keep the limit at 8).
✅ NO to increasing site area (keep it at 75m²).
✅ NO to height reductions (maintain 10.5m).
Here's a sample response you can use as a starting point: sharetext.io/8d4423a7
Shared Text 8d4423a7
ShareText is a simple way to share text and code with others for free online with Markdown support.
sharetext.io
January 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Fill out the survey for Motion 1, and keep it simple:
✅ NO to cutting units (keep the limit at 8).
✅ NO to increasing site area (keep it at 75m²).
✅ NO to height reductions (maintain 10.5m).
Here's a sample response you can use as a starting point: sharetext.io/8d4423a7
✅ NO to cutting units (keep the limit at 8).
✅ NO to increasing site area (keep it at 75m²).
✅ NO to height reductions (maintain 10.5m).
Here's a sample response you can use as a starting point: sharetext.io/8d4423a7
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
🚨 Action Alert 🚨
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Feedback on Proposed Changes to Infill Development | City of Edmonton
The City is asking for feedback on proposed changes to infill development that will be presented in two reports to Urban Planning Committee on February 10, 2026.
www.edmonton.ca
January 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
🚨 Action Alert 🚨
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Don’t let Edmonton backslide on housing! 🏘️
A new Administration report proposes cutting the maximum number of homes per lot from 8 to 6, and adding punitive lot size requirements. We need more homes, not less!
Take 2 mins to say NO to these cuts 👇
www.edmonton.ca/residential_...
Reposted by Jacob Loo Dawang
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.