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.
Planning Institute of British Columbia
President’s Report - Winter 2025
Staying at the leading edge of planning requires continuous learning. In this message, I outline ways in which the Planning Institute of British Columbia & Yukon supports planning practitioners throughout their careers, and how, by looking at and learning from the work of others, we can build better communities.
I Love These Streets. Come Walk with Me
The Tyee
See ‘the Drive’ through an urban planner’s eyes. I write a love letter to my imperfect neighbourhood, and ask readers to look around themselves, and share what they see, what they know. By sharing observations with their city — through surveys, public meetings or neighbourhood associations — all residents can advocate for thoughtful interventions that make their community more walkable and vibrant.
A World Planning Congress That Was Out of This World
Feature Article,
Planetizen Magazine
I attended the 60th Anniversary World Planning Congress in Siena, Italy. This is my take on the city and the experience, spanning between the noble goals and successes of the conference, to the fault lines that have arisen in the International Society of Community and Regional Planning.
Dialogue on Housing Supply and Public Engagement
This article presents a dialogue between a city planner and an engagement specialist, emphasizing the need for empathy-driven dialogue, moving away from polarized "us vs. them" dynamics and superficial consultations. By fostering trust, relationships, and values-based discussions, the authors advocate for transforming public engagement to better address community needs and complex tradeoffs.