John
@johnhiemstra.bsky.social
ottawa urbanism enjoyer. opinions are my own.
Reposted by John
Lansdowne disaster will result in injury or death for a pedestrian or cyclist. A thread of traffic of heavy equipment. A driver almost rear ending someone, then honking at them, then not looking for pedestrians to the right @shawnmenard.bsky.social @mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Lansdowne disaster will result in injury or death for a pedestrian or cyclist. A thread of traffic of heavy equipment. A driver almost rear ending someone, then honking at them, then not looking for pedestrians to the right @shawnmenard.bsky.social @mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social
Attending the Alliance to End Homelessness event about Lessons in Emergency Shelter Transformation with Sandra Clarkson, Micheal Lethby, and Jennifer McKelvie tonight. Will share quotes and takeaways in this thread.
January 29, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Attending the Alliance to End Homelessness event about Lessons in Emergency Shelter Transformation with Sandra Clarkson, Micheal Lethby, and Jennifer McKelvie tonight. Will share quotes and takeaways in this thread.
In an Acquisition Update provided to council we learn the total cost of the Boundary Road waste management site was $95 million with an additional $1 million for taxes and land transfer costs.
January 28, 2026 at 4:34 PM
In an Acquisition Update provided to council we learn the total cost of the Boundary Road waste management site was $95 million with an additional $1 million for taxes and land transfer costs.
Sutcliffe on taxes: “Our tax increases have averaged about 3% per year, the lowest of any major city in the country”
January 28, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Sutcliffe on taxes: “Our tax increases have averaged about 3% per year, the lowest of any major city in the country”
Sutcliffe on homelessness: “We have dramatically increased capacity so this winter fortunately we’re not running out of space to support vulnerable residents”
January 28, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Sutcliffe on homelessness: “We have dramatically increased capacity so this winter fortunately we’re not running out of space to support vulnerable residents”
Sutcliffe: “In a few months we’ll be considering a new bylaw to protect religious and cultural spaces, hospitals, schools, retirement centres. From protests that harass residents.”
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Sutcliffe: “In a few months we’ll be considering a new bylaw to protect religious and cultural spaces, hospitals, schools, retirement centres. From protests that harass residents.”
Sutcliffe: “We’re continuing to work towards uploading the LRT to the provincial government”
January 28, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Sutcliffe: “We’re continuing to work towards uploading the LRT to the provincial government”
Sutcliffe on transit: “I know it’s been very difficult … but the system will get better and better in the weeks and months ahead, it will get more reliable” #ottpoli
January 28, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Sutcliffe on transit: “I know it’s been very difficult … but the system will get better and better in the weeks and months ahead, it will get more reliable” #ottpoli
Mayor Sutcliffe’s opening remarks to council about residents’ priorities in 2022:
Building Affordable Housing
Fixing Public Transit
Improving Transportation Throughout the City
Building Affordable Housing
Fixing Public Transit
Improving Transportation Throughout the City
January 28, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Mayor Sutcliffe’s opening remarks to council about residents’ priorities in 2022:
Building Affordable Housing
Fixing Public Transit
Improving Transportation Throughout the City
Building Affordable Housing
Fixing Public Transit
Improving Transportation Throughout the City
This would be an incredible step towards making Ottawa feel like a real city and not four suburbs in a trench coat
January 17, 2026 at 2:05 PM
This would be an incredible step towards making Ottawa feel like a real city and not four suburbs in a trench coat
Reposted by John
Last week, there were days where 41% of scheduled trips were missing from the roads
OC Transpo is now cutting some trips to be more honest, but we're still seeing a significant number of delays and cancellations — and there aren’t enough buses on order to fill the gap.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
OC Transpo is now cutting some trips to be more honest, but we're still seeing a significant number of delays and cancellations — and there aren’t enough buses on order to fill the gap.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 16, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Last week, there were days where 41% of scheduled trips were missing from the roads
OC Transpo is now cutting some trips to be more honest, but we're still seeing a significant number of delays and cancellations — and there aren’t enough buses on order to fill the gap.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
OC Transpo is now cutting some trips to be more honest, but we're still seeing a significant number of delays and cancellations — and there aren’t enough buses on order to fill the gap.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by John
As the weather continues to get colder the people who have to sleep outside are on my mind. At the start of this year I had the chance to speak with CFRA about the demand at shelters in Ottawa and the unfortunate reality that some people are sleeping outside.
But what can we do about it?
(Thread)
But what can we do about it?
(Thread)
OAW: 'Demand is really high' -- cold snap sees surge in need at Ottawa shelters - 580 CFRA
Significantly lower temperatures than we've seen most of this winter will persist through the rest of this week, with local shelters seeing a spike in already high demand amid some residents sleeping ...
omny.fm
December 7, 2024 at 7:11 PM
As the weather continues to get colder the people who have to sleep outside are on my mind. At the start of this year I had the chance to speak with CFRA about the demand at shelters in Ottawa and the unfortunate reality that some people are sleeping outside.
But what can we do about it?
(Thread)
But what can we do about it?
(Thread)
Reposted by John
Just a reminder that on the bike & footh paths here in Oulu 🇫🇮, 2 cm of new snowfall must always be gone within 3 hours, on entire 166 km main 🚲🚶 network, 24/7. Maintenance needs to be fast, reliable & efficient 👌 Join our Urbanism Masterclasses to learn more! 🤗
#MeanwhileInOulu #CityMasterclass
#MeanwhileInOulu #CityMasterclass
January 10, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Just a reminder that on the bike & footh paths here in Oulu 🇫🇮, 2 cm of new snowfall must always be gone within 3 hours, on entire 166 km main 🚲🚶 network, 24/7. Maintenance needs to be fast, reliable & efficient 👌 Join our Urbanism Masterclasses to learn more! 🤗
#MeanwhileInOulu #CityMasterclass
#MeanwhileInOulu #CityMasterclass
Very frustrating to take Line 1 and sit at each station for a couple minutes with the doors open. “Rapid” transit in action.
December 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Very frustrating to take Line 1 and sit at each station for a couple minutes with the doors open. “Rapid” transit in action.
Reposted by John
Cars might work fine in California or Florida, but they’re not practical here in Canada. We have winter.
More than 300 collisions reported as early season snow slams parts of Ontario
YouTube video by CTV News
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Cars might work fine in California or Florida, but they’re not practical here in Canada. We have winter.
Reposted by John
The Auditor General recently released her second sprint audit for Lansdowne 2.0. The risks are very concerning and if realized will lead to tens of millions more in costs for the city of #Ottawa.
November 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Auditor General recently released her second sprint audit for Lansdowne 2.0. The risks are very concerning and if realized will lead to tens of millions more in costs for the city of #Ottawa.
Reposted by John
Another awesome urban transformation in Montreal!
This was originally a parking lot. It was transformed into a pedestrian plaza with a temporary design (quick-build seating, greenery, art, etc.).
Then it was upgraded to a really nice permanent design that was completed recently.
(Place Boyer)
This was originally a parking lot. It was transformed into a pedestrian plaza with a temporary design (quick-build seating, greenery, art, etc.).
Then it was upgraded to a really nice permanent design that was completed recently.
(Place Boyer)
July 23, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Another awesome urban transformation in Montreal!
This was originally a parking lot. It was transformed into a pedestrian plaza with a temporary design (quick-build seating, greenery, art, etc.).
Then it was upgraded to a really nice permanent design that was completed recently.
(Place Boyer)
This was originally a parking lot. It was transformed into a pedestrian plaza with a temporary design (quick-build seating, greenery, art, etc.).
Then it was upgraded to a really nice permanent design that was completed recently.
(Place Boyer)
Reposted by John
Want to beat traffic? Build automated elevated metros.
July 1, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Want to beat traffic? Build automated elevated metros.
Reposted by John
How it should be:
Continuous paths that stay elevated over car entrances are safer and signal driver awareness. They slow cars, reduce conflict, and simplify maintenance.
Prioritizing people, not cars, with smoother, uninterrupted design.
Continuous paths that stay elevated over car entrances are safer and signal driver awareness. They slow cars, reduce conflict, and simplify maintenance.
Prioritizing people, not cars, with smoother, uninterrupted design.
May 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
How it should be:
Continuous paths that stay elevated over car entrances are safer and signal driver awareness. They slow cars, reduce conflict, and simplify maintenance.
Prioritizing people, not cars, with smoother, uninterrupted design.
Continuous paths that stay elevated over car entrances are safer and signal driver awareness. They slow cars, reduce conflict, and simplify maintenance.
Prioritizing people, not cars, with smoother, uninterrupted design.
Reposted by John
Super simple. Want to see #Daylighting working as advertised? Watch how well you see pedestrians/road users when you can see the curb. @openplans.org
April 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Super simple. Want to see #Daylighting working as advertised? Watch how well you see pedestrians/road users when you can see the curb. @openplans.org
Reposted by John
This Canadian city drew people to public transit by ... making it more comfortable, fast and dependable. Not magic, just an investment in human experience: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How Did This Suburb Figure Out Mass Transit?
Transit ridership is off the charts in Brampton, Ontario, despite its typical low-density suburban layout. Here’s how the city got residents to get on the bus.
www.bloomberg.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This Canadian city drew people to public transit by ... making it more comfortable, fast and dependable. Not magic, just an investment in human experience: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by John
A parking lot transforms into a flexible parklet hosting a weekly farmers market in Ottawa, Canada
2015 ➡️ 2021 ➡️ 2024
2015 ➡️ 2021 ➡️ 2024
April 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A parking lot transforms into a flexible parklet hosting a weekly farmers market in Ottawa, Canada
2015 ➡️ 2021 ➡️ 2024
2015 ➡️ 2021 ➡️ 2024
Reposted by John
"Down with the BRT, long live the bus."
I've just published an unusually polemical, argumentative post on my Substack explaining why I think Bus Rapid Transit is a failed planning concept.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I've just published an unusually polemical, argumentative post on my Substack explaining why I think Bus Rapid Transit is a failed planning concept.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Down with the BRT, long live the Bus
Why Bus Rapid Transit is a failed planning concept
open.substack.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
"Down with the BRT, long live the bus."
I've just published an unusually polemical, argumentative post on my Substack explaining why I think Bus Rapid Transit is a failed planning concept.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I've just published an unusually polemical, argumentative post on my Substack explaining why I think Bus Rapid Transit is a failed planning concept.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Reposted by John
New NBER paper shows dramatic effects of NYC's congestion pricing in contrast with a set of control cities: A large reduction in travel times on roadways—average speeds increased by 15%—combined with a substantial reduction in vehicular emissions. www.nber.org/system/files...
March 17, 2025 at 3:57 PM
New NBER paper shows dramatic effects of NYC's congestion pricing in contrast with a set of control cities: A large reduction in travel times on roadways—average speeds increased by 15%—combined with a substantial reduction in vehicular emissions. www.nber.org/system/files...