James Hansen
@jameshansen.bsky.social
Director at Strong Towns Langley. Advocate for walkable live-work communities 🏢, public transit 🚊, active transit 🚲 & more housing.
M.A. in Public Policy Student.
https://strongtownslangley.org/
📍 Langley, British Columbia, Canada
M.A. in Public Policy Student.
https://strongtownslangley.org/
📍 Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Pinned
James Hansen
@jameshansen.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Created this starter pack of urbanists and active community figures here in Langley, British Columbia! Feel free to reply if you wish to be removed or added.
(and apologies if I missed anyone obvious!)
go.bsky.app/9ngpGyP
(and apologies if I missed anyone obvious!)
go.bsky.app/9ngpGyP
Reposted by James Hansen
My column today: 2026 might be an inflection point. When complete, construction in downtown Winnipeg that is both underway and soon to begin will create new homes for more than 5,000 people, increasing the population of downtown by nearly 30 per cent.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
Opinion: Winnipeg and a rush to downtown growth
Renowned urbanist Jane Jacobs once said, “You can’t rely on bringing people downtown, you have to put them there.” Planners and politicians have long understood that prosperity and renewal for downtow...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:48 PM
My column today: 2026 might be an inflection point. When complete, construction in downtown Winnipeg that is both underway and soon to begin will create new homes for more than 5,000 people, increasing the population of downtown by nearly 30 per cent.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
Reposted by James Hansen
I’ve been working on this video with HUB Cycling since last summer and I’m incredibly excited to share it with you soon! It looks at the growing divide in how cities approach bikeshare and scootershare, and the messy history of how we got to this point.
January 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM
I’ve been working on this video with HUB Cycling since last summer and I’m incredibly excited to share it with you soon! It looks at the growing divide in how cities approach bikeshare and scootershare, and the messy history of how we got to this point.
Reposted by James Hansen
Reposted by James Hansen
It is to Canada's shame we have not spoken out or supported a Canadian judge being sanctioned by the US
Her life is frozen. She cannot use credit cards, travel, move money, or access email. This is not sustainable
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Her life is frozen. She cannot use credit cards, travel, move money, or access email. This is not sustainable
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘It’s surreal’: US sanctions lock International Criminal Court judge out of daily life
Canadian judge Kimberly Prost is unable to use credit cards, transfer money or book everyday services in what she calls an attack on the independence of the judiciary
www.irishtimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:26 PM
It is to Canada's shame we have not spoken out or supported a Canadian judge being sanctioned by the US
Her life is frozen. She cannot use credit cards, travel, move money, or access email. This is not sustainable
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Her life is frozen. She cannot use credit cards, travel, move money, or access email. This is not sustainable
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Reposted by James Hansen
In none of the rural places where I grew up can I imagine a large share of adults choosing to go car-free.
But can we make it safer for families to walk/bike to school or around their neighbourhood? Can we make the main streets nicer to walk along, even if you arrive by car?
But can we make it safer for families to walk/bike to school or around their neighbourhood? Can we make the main streets nicer to walk along, even if you arrive by car?
January 1, 2026 at 3:31 AM
In none of the rural places where I grew up can I imagine a large share of adults choosing to go car-free.
But can we make it safer for families to walk/bike to school or around their neighbourhood? Can we make the main streets nicer to walk along, even if you arrive by car?
But can we make it safer for families to walk/bike to school or around their neighbourhood? Can we make the main streets nicer to walk along, even if you arrive by car?
Reposted by James Hansen
The most under-reported story of the year, IMO, is about the national implications of the extreme and wildly popular success of congestion pricing in New York City.
When you remove cars from cities, you not only make money for things the city needs; you make people in the city much, much happier.
When you remove cars from cities, you not only make money for things the city needs; you make people in the city much, much happier.
It's hard to think of another policy that is so fundamentally a free lunch as congestion pricing is
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The most under-reported story of the year, IMO, is about the national implications of the extreme and wildly popular success of congestion pricing in New York City.
When you remove cars from cities, you not only make money for things the city needs; you make people in the city much, much happier.
When you remove cars from cities, you not only make money for things the city needs; you make people in the city much, much happier.
Awkward moment when monopoly legalizes housing before your city.
December 26, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Awkward moment when monopoly legalizes housing before your city.
Witnessed the aftermath of this terrible collision this morning. A car crossed the grass highway median into oncoming traffic.
globalnews.ca/news/1158789...
In most European countries this kind of incident wouldn't have ended in such tragedy, the entire stretch would have to have crash barriers.
globalnews.ca/news/1158789...
In most European countries this kind of incident wouldn't have ended in such tragedy, the entire stretch would have to have crash barriers.
Fatal head-on Monday crash closes Highway 1 in Surrey, 3 vehicles involved - BC | Globalnews.ca
'This collision was immediately and obviously serious, and that caused a complete shutdown of the highway,' Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol said.
globalnews.ca
December 23, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Witnessed the aftermath of this terrible collision this morning. A car crossed the grass highway median into oncoming traffic.
globalnews.ca/news/1158789...
In most European countries this kind of incident wouldn't have ended in such tragedy, the entire stretch would have to have crash barriers.
globalnews.ca/news/1158789...
In most European countries this kind of incident wouldn't have ended in such tragedy, the entire stretch would have to have crash barriers.
Reposted by James Hansen
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
December 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
Reposted by James Hansen
Employment in oil and gas is in terminal decline and won’t be saved no matter what Carney and Smith cook up, according to new research from the Centre for Future Work provided exclusively to @nationalobserver.com.
The only responsible choice for governments is to plan for the transition.
The only responsible choice for governments is to plan for the transition.
Exclusive: Fossil fuel workers won’t be saved by Carney’s oil and gas boosterism
A new pipeline won’t lead to new jobs in the oil and gas sector, and the only question for government officials is whether or not to plan for the inevitable energy transition, according to new researc...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Employment in oil and gas is in terminal decline and won’t be saved no matter what Carney and Smith cook up, according to new research from the Centre for Future Work provided exclusively to @nationalobserver.com.
The only responsible choice for governments is to plan for the transition.
The only responsible choice for governments is to plan for the transition.
The letter from Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley to David Eby, co-signed by other Metro Vancouver mayors, asking for the province to repeal its housing legislation, means that housing unaffordability in BC is officially a wicked problem. We should all be on the same page about this, but clearly we’re not.
December 8, 2025 at 4:42 AM
The letter from Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley to David Eby, co-signed by other Metro Vancouver mayors, asking for the province to repeal its housing legislation, means that housing unaffordability in BC is officially a wicked problem. We should all be on the same page about this, but clearly we’re not.
My wife happened across this fabulous new bicycle intersection and had to show me! Sherbrooke and E. Columbia, New Westminster. Keep up the great work @pjnewwest.bsky.social !
November 16, 2025 at 11:49 PM
My wife happened across this fabulous new bicycle intersection and had to show me! Sherbrooke and E. Columbia, New Westminster. Keep up the great work @pjnewwest.bsky.social !
Reposted by James Hansen
It’s a FREEDOM strategy! Just stopped to talk w a middle age-ish man at China Beach about his folding ebike. He & his wife both have e-bikes & like us 2 seniors, got rid of their car. He: So freeing not to worry about parking tickets, street cleaning days, etc. Healthier for people & planet #bike
A complete, connected, comfortable network of protected bike-lanes is a climate mitigation strategy. It’s a healthy cities strategy. It’s a social equity strategy. It’s an affordability strategy. It’s an economic devt strategy. It’s a smart mobility & space saving strategy.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Etc.
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It’s a FREEDOM strategy! Just stopped to talk w a middle age-ish man at China Beach about his folding ebike. He & his wife both have e-bikes & like us 2 seniors, got rid of their car. He: So freeing not to worry about parking tickets, street cleaning days, etc. Healthier for people & planet #bike
Reposted by James Hansen
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 James Hansen
still not over getting the front skytrain seat with the sunrise this morning
almost enough to make you forget how expensive it is to stay here
almost enough to make you forget how expensive it is to stay here
October 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
still not over getting the front skytrain seat with the sunrise this morning
almost enough to make you forget how expensive it is to stay here
almost enough to make you forget how expensive it is to stay here
The latest Strong Towns Langley video doing the numbers on TikTok! (I filmed/edited)
October 21, 2025 at 4:36 AM
The latest Strong Towns Langley video doing the numbers on TikTok! (I filmed/edited)
Reposted by James Hansen
It's voting time in Langley Township!
Here is your complete candidate guide for the Township's Oct 25 byelection. Compare all seven candidates on housing, transit, debt, safety, and more.
www.langleyunion.ca/the-omnibus-...
#Langley #FraserValley #LangleyTownship #byelection #bcpoli
Here is your complete candidate guide for the Township's Oct 25 byelection. Compare all seven candidates on housing, transit, debt, safety, and more.
www.langleyunion.ca/the-omnibus-...
#Langley #FraserValley #LangleyTownship #byelection #bcpoli
Complete 2025 Langley Township Byelection Guide
Compare all seven candidates in Langley Township's October 25 byelection across 11 key issues. See where Sabti, Whitmarsh, Aldag, van den Broek, Watson, Chhina, and Seth stand on housing, fiscal respo...
www.langleyunion.ca
October 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
It's voting time in Langley Township!
Here is your complete candidate guide for the Township's Oct 25 byelection. Compare all seven candidates on housing, transit, debt, safety, and more.
www.langleyunion.ca/the-omnibus-...
#Langley #FraserValley #LangleyTownship #byelection #bcpoli
Here is your complete candidate guide for the Township's Oct 25 byelection. Compare all seven candidates on housing, transit, debt, safety, and more.
www.langleyunion.ca/the-omnibus-...
#Langley #FraserValley #LangleyTownship #byelection #bcpoli
Reposted by James Hansen
The standard for advocacy has to be higher than just saying "streets are dangerous".
We need to be the ones who can explain why a design like this is safe and then demand it. That's the real work that gets good projects built and I'd like to see more safe streets advocates learn more about design.
We need to be the ones who can explain why a design like this is safe and then demand it. That's the real work that gets good projects built and I'd like to see more safe streets advocates learn more about design.
How to design safer intersections:
1. Near-sided signals. Placed before the bike/ped crossing, they prevent drivers from creeping into the path.
2. Pavement differentiation. High-contrast, colored crossings (like this red asphalt) clearly establish priority and command driver attention.
1. Near-sided signals. Placed before the bike/ped crossing, they prevent drivers from creeping into the path.
2. Pavement differentiation. High-contrast, colored crossings (like this red asphalt) clearly establish priority and command driver attention.
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The standard for advocacy has to be higher than just saying "streets are dangerous".
We need to be the ones who can explain why a design like this is safe and then demand it. That's the real work that gets good projects built and I'd like to see more safe streets advocates learn more about design.
We need to be the ones who can explain why a design like this is safe and then demand it. That's the real work that gets good projects built and I'd like to see more safe streets advocates learn more about design.
Reposted by James Hansen
The whole idea of micromanagement of density ploy by plot is silly, honestly.
October 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The whole idea of micromanagement of density ploy by plot is silly, honestly.
Reposted by James Hansen
This should be an unremarkable streetscape found in nearly every decent sized city across the country.
I finally found some genuinely well-designed shared streets here in New York City.
October 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This should be an unremarkable streetscape found in nearly every decent sized city across the country.
Reposted by James Hansen
Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags.
Exclusive: Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Exclusive: Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags
Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags.
Exclusive: Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Exclusive: Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by James Hansen
This is vile. I am so angry. So many gave their entire lives—not just their deaths, but hard lives—over centuries to make this a country where this doesn’t happen. Masked, uniformed government men trying to kidnap a hard-working human being because of his color alone.
Pure evil.
Pure evil.
ICE Nazis in Chicago tried to kidnap a food delivery worker but my man was too fast for those slow bastards
September 29, 2025 at 3:46 AM
This is vile. I am so angry. So many gave their entire lives—not just their deaths, but hard lives—over centuries to make this a country where this doesn’t happen. Masked, uniformed government men trying to kidnap a hard-working human being because of his color alone.
Pure evil.
Pure evil.