Robert WJ
@robertwalterj.bsky.social
Toronto-based urban planner. I write CitySteps: field notes on housing, planning systems, and the everyday mechanics of city-building.
Suburban life is a big part of Canadian urbanity. It is, in fact, a big part of global urbanity as well. There are models of vibrant and dense suburban ways of living from around the world mirrored in many ways in Canadian suburbs. #urbanism 🧵
January 21, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Suburban life is a big part of Canadian urbanity. It is, in fact, a big part of global urbanity as well. There are models of vibrant and dense suburban ways of living from around the world mirrored in many ways in Canadian suburbs. #urbanism 🧵
Ridgeway Plaza is the “problem” other cities wish they had: a suburban Mississauga plaza that became an informal food district with regional + international draw. It's a rare example of unruly, organic retail success in the suburbs Naturally, our impulse is to regulate away what makes it unique
Shawn Micallef: Ridgeway Plaza is a problem other cities can only dream of having. Here’s how to stop it from becoming a nightmare
What’s happening at the popular Mississauga plaza is quite special and should be fixed, not scrapped.
www.thestar.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Ridgeway Plaza is the “problem” other cities wish they had: a suburban Mississauga plaza that became an informal food district with regional + international draw. It's a rare example of unruly, organic retail success in the suburbs Naturally, our impulse is to regulate away what makes it unique
New on CitySteps: Three signals of change I’m watching in 2026.
1) The developer pivot to small-scale housing
2) Finally unlocking single-exit stairs
3) The “problem” of success at Ridgeway Plaza (and why we struggle to handle it)
Read the full story here: open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
1) The developer pivot to small-scale housing
2) Finally unlocking single-exit stairs
3) The “problem” of success at Ridgeway Plaza (and why we struggle to handle it)
Read the full story here: open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
January 19, 2026 at 4:58 PM
New on CitySteps: Three signals of change I’m watching in 2026.
1) The developer pivot to small-scale housing
2) Finally unlocking single-exit stairs
3) The “problem” of success at Ridgeway Plaza (and why we struggle to handle it)
Read the full story here: open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
1) The developer pivot to small-scale housing
2) Finally unlocking single-exit stairs
3) The “problem” of success at Ridgeway Plaza (and why we struggle to handle it)
Read the full story here: open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
I had fun writing this one.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
The Ivory Tower Broker
Why the Next Robert Moses Will Have Tenure
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
I had fun writing this one.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
Reposted by Robert WJ
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget?
#Opinion from Star contributor John Lorinc
#Opinion from Star contributor John Lorinc
John Lorinc: There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget?
A 1970s tax incentive resulted in the building of rental buildings that are still seen around the city. Is it time for MURB-2
www.thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget?
#Opinion from Star contributor John Lorinc
#Opinion from Star contributor John Lorinc
This piece has been doing well on my Substack and I think it’s worth a read. Canada’s housing policy debate keeps missing how different parts connect and it's hard to wade through dogmatic beliefs of different camps. I tried to put the pieces together.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
Putting the Pieces Together on the Canadian Housing Crisis
We misread the crisis for a decade. A system that turns every home into an asset and every project into a bet on approvals is at the core of the problem.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This piece has been doing well on my Substack and I think it’s worth a read. Canada’s housing policy debate keeps missing how different parts connect and it's hard to wade through dogmatic beliefs of different camps. I tried to put the pieces together.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
Lessons for Urban Planning in Ontario from Jamaica.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
The View from Jamaica
In the wake of a devastating storm, a World Town Planning Day reflection on Jamaica's lessons in purposeful planning and post-colonial resilience
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Lessons for Urban Planning in Ontario from Jamaica.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
"Here in late 2025, we have enough empirical evidence to know that these technologies are bad for us, and we should avoid them if we can."
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
You should quit social media for good
Platforms optimized for engagement warp our politics, erode attention, and harm our wellbeing. Here’s how I minimize time on the (anti‑)social web.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"Here in late 2025, we have enough empirical evidence to know that these technologies are bad for us, and we should avoid them if we can."
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
Reposted by Robert WJ
New from me at TVO: Ontario's highest court has issued a decision that could impact how municipalities build for cyclist safety — just not the decision you're thinking of. www.tvo.org/article/anal...
TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts
www.tvo.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM
New from me at TVO: Ontario's highest court has issued a decision that could impact how municipalities build for cyclist safety — just not the decision you're thinking of. www.tvo.org/article/anal...
“The substantial shift in housing starts following last year’s levy driven activity highlights how policy interventions can create volatility in the construction pipeline,” said Dave Thompson, vice-president for UK and Ireland at CIS.
Housing starts drop to lowest level since Covid lockdowns as Government readies new plan
Housing starts drop to lowest level since Covid lockdowns as Government readies new plan
Data on housing commencements raise fresh doubt about housing targets
www.irishtimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
“The substantial shift in housing starts following last year’s levy driven activity highlights how policy interventions can create volatility in the construction pipeline,” said Dave Thompson, vice-president for UK and Ireland at CIS.
Reposted by Robert WJ
As plans for new regional rail stations advance, Toronto is reckoning once again with SmartTrack, a campaign promise that never really went away.
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
The revenge of SmartTrack
Metrolinx is looking to serve new Kitchener Line SmartTrack stations with its UP Express trains only. It’s only fair that the transit agency comes clean to transit riders on how it will make …
seanmarshall.ca
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
As plans for new regional rail stations advance, Toronto is reckoning once again with SmartTrack, a campaign promise that never really went away.
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
Working on my laptop and sat in front of the TV this aft watching the Canadian budget announcement. Hopeful for something that signals a clear way forward for affordable housing in Canada.. Happy to have seen the feds step forward into a federal role in housing but oh boy there's a lot to be done...
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Working on my laptop and sat in front of the TV this aft watching the Canadian budget announcement. Hopeful for something that signals a clear way forward for affordable housing in Canada.. Happy to have seen the feds step forward into a federal role in housing but oh boy there's a lot to be done...
Reposted by Robert WJ
An Air Canada flight right now
November 2, 2025 at 1:38 AM
An Air Canada flight right now
Toronto folks: curious about a development? I wrote a quick guide to using the City’s Application Information Centre like a planner: how to find the file, read the docs, track meetings, and ask smarter questions.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
How to Use Toronto’s Application Information Centre (AIC) Like a Planner
A guide to decoding plans, reports and development files and finding what matters
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Toronto folks: curious about a development? I wrote a quick guide to using the City’s Application Information Centre like a planner: how to find the file, read the docs, track meetings, and ask smarter questions.
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
open.substack.com/pub/citystep...
Game 4 of the World Series + Public Meeting. This community has got its priorities in order. Go Jays! ⚾️
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Game 4 of the World Series + Public Meeting. This community has got its priorities in order. Go Jays! ⚾️
Reposted by Robert WJ
Canada has all these tech and biz groups who want to bring in more talent. The political barrier is a lack of housing. Yet, as far as I can tell, they're spending zero resources trying to fix the housing crisis. I really don't get it.
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Canada has all these tech and biz groups who want to bring in more talent. The political barrier is a lack of housing. Yet, as far as I can tell, they're spending zero resources trying to fix the housing crisis. I really don't get it.
Reposted by Robert WJ
Reposted by Robert WJ
Unexpectedly fast.
October 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Unexpectedly fast.
Reposted by Robert WJ
Ont govt not moving forward to changes to ongoing leases.
October 26, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Ont govt not moving forward to changes to ongoing leases.
Our team took a walking tour of Regent Park with our founder John Gladki, who helped shape its revitalization in the early 2000s. The walk became a reflection on our firm’s history and one of the city’s most important projects since St. Lawrence.
October 26, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Our team took a walking tour of Regent Park with our founder John Gladki, who helped shape its revitalization in the early 2000s. The walk became a reflection on our firm’s history and one of the city’s most important projects since St. Lawrence.
Excellent video. The lack of sociable spaces contributes to anti-social behaviour. It shifts the rhythm of spaces and removes oversight by folks who are dwelling or resting. To remain in place becomes to linger or loiter.
youtube.com/shorts/KB8RW...
youtube.com/shorts/KB8RW...
Why City Benches Are Becoming More Hostile
YouTube video by The New York Times
youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Excellent video. The lack of sociable spaces contributes to anti-social behaviour. It shifts the rhythm of spaces and removes oversight by folks who are dwelling or resting. To remain in place becomes to linger or loiter.
youtube.com/shorts/KB8RW...
youtube.com/shorts/KB8RW...
Reposted by Robert WJ
"sunlight suite" is great branding we should all be plagiarizing
I’m at the launch of Oregon’s design competition for sunlight suite buildings - neighborhood-scale mulifamily buildings designed around one central staircase.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
“This is one of those innovations whose time has come,” says Gil Kelley of @1000oregon.bsky.social.
October 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"sunlight suite" is great branding we should all be plagiarizing