Welcome to

My Urban Curious Blog: 

Authoritative, Affectionate, and Occasionally Absurd

I have been writing about cities, urban design, and the quirks of how people live together for more than twenty-five years. Some of that writing has been technical, or professional. Some has been quirky, or heartfelt. Some has been—let’s be honest here—slightly absurd, usually after an unusually strong espresso.

PlanGirl Travels: Housing and Equity Lessons from Baltimore
PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin

PlanGirl Travels: Housing and Equity Lessons from Baltimore

In Baltimore, I reflect on urban redevelopment as both a beacon and battleground for housing equity, racial justice, and community resilience. Observing initiatives like Eager Park’s redevelopment, I draw parallels to British Columbia, highlighting the need for investments that advance affordable housing and address systemic inequities without displacing local communities.

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PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home… From Stockholm
PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin

PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home… From Stockholm

This article captures a city planner’s journey through Stockholm, experiencing Sweden’s unique balance of urban design, social equity, and cultural principles. Through encounters with everyday city scenes, public spaces, and even Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, I explore how Sweden’s social policies, parental leave, and gender equity deeply influence its urban landscape.

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PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home
PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin

PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home

Installment #13:
High-Tech Cycling Infrastructure

This article advocates for a more robust cycling infrastructure in British Columbia, highlighting the importance of promoting low-GHG transportation. Drawing inspiration from European cities, I explore both high-tech solutions — like Trondheim’s bike lift and Copenhagen’s Cycle Snake — and lower-cost alternatives like separated bike lanes.

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PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home… From Puerto Rico
PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin PlanGirl Travels Emilie K. Adin

PlanGirl Travels: Lessons to Bring Home… From Puerto Rico

Installment #16:
Recovery Planning in Puerto Rico

North America is struggling under a confluence of steep challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic; the legacy of systemic racism; and the climate crisis, including the massive forest fires along the west coast of the United States. Each threat compounds and complicates the others. I studied Puerto Rico for lessons to bring home to British Columbia.

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