@brianch.bsky.social
Reposted
December 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
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Your regular reminder that the province intervened in municipal land use regulation because cities have and are very inclined to continue to strongly curb the right to build housing for people.
(And that the soft approach that leaves cities a lot of wiggle room has failed.)
(And that the soft approach that leaves cities a lot of wiggle room has failed.)
holy @!#
It looks like the final adopted update to Burnaby's R1 zoning is really bad.
The allowable footprint area for a house and LWH is now capped at either 30% or 40% of the lot.
This change appears to kill the current design for one of our projects, and the housing library designs.
It looks like the final adopted update to Burnaby's R1 zoning is really bad.
The allowable footprint area for a house and LWH is now capped at either 30% or 40% of the lot.
This change appears to kill the current design for one of our projects, and the housing library designs.
December 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Your regular reminder that the province intervened in municipal land use regulation because cities have and are very inclined to continue to strongly curb the right to build housing for people.
(And that the soft approach that leaves cities a lot of wiggle room has failed.)
(And that the soft approach that leaves cities a lot of wiggle room has failed.)
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There's been a flurry of housing policy announcements in recent years, but much of it is less than meets the eye.
In a new report for @bcpolicy.bsky.social, I outline why BC’s housing crisis and shortage is solvable—and key structural changes we still urgently need.
bcpolicy.ca/housing-cris...
In a new report for @bcpolicy.bsky.social, I outline why BC’s housing crisis and shortage is solvable—and key structural changes we still urgently need.
bcpolicy.ca/housing-cris...
This is why BC’s housing crisis hasn’t been solved yet
The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge, the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable.
Throughout the province and country, the housing crisis is marked by high rents and prices, ...
bcpolicy.ca
December 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
There's been a flurry of housing policy announcements in recent years, but much of it is less than meets the eye.
In a new report for @bcpolicy.bsky.social, I outline why BC’s housing crisis and shortage is solvable—and key structural changes we still urgently need.
bcpolicy.ca/housing-cris...
In a new report for @bcpolicy.bsky.social, I outline why BC’s housing crisis and shortage is solvable—and key structural changes we still urgently need.
bcpolicy.ca/housing-cris...
Marco's article should be required reading for every rapid transit discussion in #yyj. As examples like Toronto and San Francisco show, we should be honest about how weight we give to bringing back the nostalgia of streetcars, versus enticing more people to stop driving to or from the Westshore.
Speed Matters.
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Marco's article should be required reading for every rapid transit discussion in #yyj. As examples like Toronto and San Francisco show, we should be honest about how weight we give to bringing back the nostalgia of streetcars, versus enticing more people to stop driving to or from the Westshore.
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Speed is one of the most important characteristics for higher order transit, because it directly translates to better access for transit users.
Designing transit to sacrifice speed (and thus access) is tantamount to intentionally sabotaging that transit service from achieving its best potential.
Designing transit to sacrifice speed (and thus access) is tantamount to intentionally sabotaging that transit service from achieving its best potential.
Just realized that the 50km end to end travel time of the Montreal REM is the same as the 10km end to end travel time of Toronto's Finch W Tramway (55 min).
December 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Speed is one of the most important characteristics for higher order transit, because it directly translates to better access for transit users.
Designing transit to sacrifice speed (and thus access) is tantamount to intentionally sabotaging that transit service from achieving its best potential.
Designing transit to sacrifice speed (and thus access) is tantamount to intentionally sabotaging that transit service from achieving its best potential.
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No such thing as an "Orphan Lot" any more.
Single stair stacked flats can fit on small lots (like this 50x70 corner lot). This could be 12 small 1Br, or six family size flats.
Just allow 50% lot coverage and 3FSR and away you go.
Single stair stacked flats can fit on small lots (like this 50x70 corner lot). This could be 12 small 1Br, or six family size flats.
Just allow 50% lot coverage and 3FSR and away you go.
December 13, 2025 at 12:57 AM
No such thing as an "Orphan Lot" any more.
Single stair stacked flats can fit on small lots (like this 50x70 corner lot). This could be 12 small 1Br, or six family size flats.
Just allow 50% lot coverage and 3FSR and away you go.
Single stair stacked flats can fit on small lots (like this 50x70 corner lot). This could be 12 small 1Br, or six family size flats.
Just allow 50% lot coverage and 3FSR and away you go.
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It's so useful that I can now point at Finch West as I say: "will this be faster than the bus?"
cheknews.ca/first-nation...
cheknews.ca/first-nation...
First Nations and mayors sign 'reconciliation corridor' agreement, reviving hopes for Westshore–Victoria rail
A long-stalled vision for commuter rail between the Westshore and downtown Victoria took a significant step forward Monday as local mayors and First Nations leaders signed a new agreement aimed at mov...
cheknews.ca
December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It's so useful that I can now point at Finch West as I say: "will this be faster than the bus?"
cheknews.ca/first-nation...
cheknews.ca/first-nation...
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For example, Kelowna did this work years ago and found that the dense core brought in a lot more tax revenue than it cost in infrastructure while the low density suburbs were a drag on city finances
December 12, 2025 at 3:57 AM
For example, Kelowna did this work years ago and found that the dense core brought in a lot more tax revenue than it cost in infrastructure while the low density suburbs were a drag on city finances
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I really want to emphasize that TSP isnt just a setting or some parameters. Sometimes helping buses is adding detection on the side street so you dont have to recall phases which allows you to utilize more flexible signal operation.
December 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
I really want to emphasize that TSP isnt just a setting or some parameters. Sometimes helping buses is adding detection on the side street so you dont have to recall phases which allows you to utilize more flexible signal operation.
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Your daily reminder that the most effective transit priority strategy at intersection is... not having an intersection at all.
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Your daily reminder that the most effective transit priority strategy at intersection is... not having an intersection at all.
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I dont think we've been challenged to think about signals from a transit perspective. You have to find the handful of engineers who work on signals, have a stake in transit operations, and are willing to try new things.
December 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I dont think we've been challenged to think about signals from a transit perspective. You have to find the handful of engineers who work on signals, have a stake in transit operations, and are willing to try new things.
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See, I think so many of our problems in North America re transit come down to ignoring that speed is REALLY important. I *don't* think its hard to believe that *getting places quickly* is peoples top priority!
This is especially true because most people have access to a car!
This is especially true because most people have access to a car!
It seems hard to believe but speed is probably the number 1 thing users want.
December 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
See, I think so many of our problems in North America re transit come down to ignoring that speed is REALLY important. I *don't* think its hard to believe that *getting places quickly* is peoples top priority!
This is especially true because most people have access to a car!
This is especially true because most people have access to a car!
Reposted
I wrote a thing.
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams. But build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I wrote a thing.
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
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“[En France] un tramway 10 fois moins cher qu’à Québec ou à Montréal”
« Durant toute la réalisation de ce projet, à chaque choix, on se demandait si on en avait besoin ou si on savait faire avec moins »
...alors qu'ici j'ai l'impression q'avec chaque choix on se demande comment on pourrait gonfler davantage la facture...
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
...alors qu'ici j'ai l'impression q'avec chaque choix on se demande comment on pourrait gonfler davantage la facture...
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
La Presse en France | Un tramway 10 fois moins cher qu’à Québec ou à Montréal
Il ressemble à n’importe quel autre tramway, roule comme n’importe quel autre tramway et transporte des passagers comme n’importe quel autre tramway. Seule différence : son coût.
www.lapresse.ca
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
“[En France] un tramway 10 fois moins cher qu’à Québec ou à Montréal”
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The Transit Death Spiral is something that desperately needs to be avoided, but can be easily kickstarted during budget crunches.
Stagnant budgets are actively damaging to transit service. As an extension to this video, my thoughts on "schedule maintenance": bettercolumbia.ca/2025/12/02/f...
Stagnant budgets are actively damaging to transit service. As an extension to this video, my thoughts on "schedule maintenance": bettercolumbia.ca/2025/12/02/f...
December 3, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The Transit Death Spiral is something that desperately needs to be avoided, but can be easily kickstarted during budget crunches.
Stagnant budgets are actively damaging to transit service. As an extension to this video, my thoughts on "schedule maintenance": bettercolumbia.ca/2025/12/02/f...
Stagnant budgets are actively damaging to transit service. As an extension to this video, my thoughts on "schedule maintenance": bettercolumbia.ca/2025/12/02/f...
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Oak Bay has voted down yet another housing proposal 😞
As the applicant put it, “Uplands is not a museum… it is an early 20th century idea conceived in a cooler, much less crowded world.”
It’s time for choices that reflect today’s reality, not 1920’s nostalgia.
As the applicant put it, “Uplands is not a museum… it is an early 20th century idea conceived in a cooler, much less crowded world.”
It’s time for choices that reflect today’s reality, not 1920’s nostalgia.
November 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Oak Bay has voted down yet another housing proposal 😞
As the applicant put it, “Uplands is not a museum… it is an early 20th century idea conceived in a cooler, much less crowded world.”
It’s time for choices that reflect today’s reality, not 1920’s nostalgia.
As the applicant put it, “Uplands is not a museum… it is an early 20th century idea conceived in a cooler, much less crowded world.”
It’s time for choices that reflect today’s reality, not 1920’s nostalgia.
Reposted
Blasting past rush hour traffic on the completed portion of Dufferin RapidTO (up to Dundas)
November 27, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Blasting past rush hour traffic on the completed portion of Dufferin RapidTO (up to Dundas)
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Could Dawson Creek, BC eliminate their transit network?
If you know anyone up there, please tell them to reach out to city council.
www.cjdctv.com/news/article...
If you know anyone up there, please tell them to reach out to city council.
www.cjdctv.com/news/article...
Comments during city council meeting raise concerns about future of BC Transit in Dawson Creek
The contract between the city and BC Transit expires in Spring 2026.
www.cjdctv.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Could Dawson Creek, BC eliminate their transit network?
If you know anyone up there, please tell them to reach out to city council.
www.cjdctv.com/news/article...
If you know anyone up there, please tell them to reach out to city council.
www.cjdctv.com/news/article...
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“Homes for All” is the theme of this year’s Gingerbread Showcase
Lots of great housing messages and examples of homes that should be legal everything
Support our friends at Habitat for Humanity www.habitatvictoria....
Lots of great housing messages and examples of homes that should be legal everything
Support our friends at Habitat for Humanity www.habitatvictoria....
November 23, 2025 at 9:35 PM
“Homes for All” is the theme of this year’s Gingerbread Showcase
Lots of great housing messages and examples of homes that should be legal everything
Support our friends at Habitat for Humanity www.habitatvictoria....
Lots of great housing messages and examples of homes that should be legal everything
Support our friends at Habitat for Humanity www.habitatvictoria....
While Reece is right that articulated trolleybuses could work for a number of routes in Victoria, the most pressing corridor for higher-order transit (Downtown to Westshore) is unfortunately not a great candidate. Why? See bettercolumbia.ca/2025/11/13/n... or 🧵⤵️
November 21, 2025 at 1:27 AM
While Reece is right that articulated trolleybuses could work for a number of routes in Victoria, the most pressing corridor for higher-order transit (Downtown to Westshore) is unfortunately not a great candidate. Why? See bettercolumbia.ca/2025/11/13/n... or 🧵⤵️
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www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
TransLink had 11% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and they rolled out the biggest bus expansion since 2018.
Victoria had 8% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and our expansion funding was cut to the point where it doesn't even pay for schedule maintenance. 🙃
TransLink had 11% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and they rolled out the biggest bus expansion since 2018.
Victoria had 8% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and our expansion funding was cut to the point where it doesn't even pay for schedule maintenance. 🙃
www.bctransit.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 AM
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
TransLink had 11% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and they rolled out the biggest bus expansion since 2018.
Victoria had 8% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and our expansion funding was cut to the point where it doesn't even pay for schedule maintenance. 🙃
TransLink had 11% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and they rolled out the biggest bus expansion since 2018.
Victoria had 8% weekday bus overcrowding in 2024, and our expansion funding was cut to the point where it doesn't even pay for schedule maintenance. 🙃
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Grateful to receive support for Bill M216 from Homes for Living YYJ. A community housing advocacy group.
“To meet affordability goals, we must ensure that it is faster and easier to build dense infill housing rather than suburban sprawl.”
#bcpoli #Nanaimo #Lantzville #Victoriabc
“To meet affordability goals, we must ensure that it is faster and easier to build dense infill housing rather than suburban sprawl.”
#bcpoli #Nanaimo #Lantzville #Victoriabc
November 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Grateful to receive support for Bill M216 from Homes for Living YYJ. A community housing advocacy group.
“To meet affordability goals, we must ensure that it is faster and easier to build dense infill housing rather than suburban sprawl.”
#bcpoli #Nanaimo #Lantzville #Victoriabc
“To meet affordability goals, we must ensure that it is faster and easier to build dense infill housing rather than suburban sprawl.”
#bcpoli #Nanaimo #Lantzville #Victoriabc
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Our letter to BC MLAs in support of @georgeandersonbc.bsky.social's private members' bill to streamline housing approvals.
November 17, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Our letter to BC MLAs in support of @georgeandersonbc.bsky.social's private members' bill to streamline housing approvals.
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We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
www.bctransit.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
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We're happy to announce that we're looking for a volunteer to lead our advocacy efforts for the TTC Streetcar network. Our streetcars are some of the slowest in the world, and on time performance was just 61% last month. As our streetcar lead, you will have the responsibility of:
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November 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We're happy to announce that we're looking for a volunteer to lead our advocacy efforts for the TTC Streetcar network. Our streetcars are some of the slowest in the world, and on time performance was just 61% last month. As our streetcar lead, you will have the responsibility of:
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