Mark (he/him)
@markedwardson.com
Civil engineering, transit, active transportation, housing, and Civ 6 shill | @WilfulAlpaca on twitter. | Vancouver/Victoria
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
There’s a lot of divergences between land use and transit reform but a consistency is that the practitioners (developers/transit agencies) themselves have substantially more near term priorities for reform than advocates.
December 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
There’s a lot of divergences between land use and transit reform but a consistency is that the practitioners (developers/transit agencies) themselves have substantially more near term priorities for reform than advocates.
Something I've always found fascinating is the South Fraser Perimeter Road bike route, which is the major trucking corridor built in 2013 but also features thoughtful details like this multi-use path connecting to *squints at map* the Delta landfill
December 27, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Something I've always found fascinating is the South Fraser Perimeter Road bike route, which is the major trucking corridor built in 2013 but also features thoughtful details like this multi-use path connecting to *squints at map* the Delta landfill
Curved tactile warning plates in downtown
December 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Curved tactile warning plates in downtown
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
This New West project checks all the boxes:
✅ Fully protected bike lane
✅ Vehicle access maintained
✅ No lost parking (I don't care about this but it's often the main concern)
✅ One-way orientation reduces rat running on this residential street
Should be the standard for all local bikeways!
✅ Fully protected bike lane
✅ Vehicle access maintained
✅ No lost parking (I don't care about this but it's often the main concern)
✅ One-way orientation reduces rat running on this residential street
Should be the standard for all local bikeways!
December 27, 2025 at 9:43 PM
This New West project checks all the boxes:
✅ Fully protected bike lane
✅ Vehicle access maintained
✅ No lost parking (I don't care about this but it's often the main concern)
✅ One-way orientation reduces rat running on this residential street
Should be the standard for all local bikeways!
✅ Fully protected bike lane
✅ Vehicle access maintained
✅ No lost parking (I don't care about this but it's often the main concern)
✅ One-way orientation reduces rat running on this residential street
Should be the standard for all local bikeways!
Something I like about the west end is that it predates the manicured frontages associated with Vancouverism, and it's so much better as a result
There's a handful of new buildings that have the hallmark Beasley look, and they're... somewhat worse imo
There's a handful of new buildings that have the hallmark Beasley look, and they're... somewhat worse imo
Vancouver’s West End is the densest neighbourhood in Canada. Its mix of housing includes lots of apartment towers.
I highly recommend anyone who thinks tall buildings ruin neighbourhoods to visit. It really is a nice experience.
I highly recommend anyone who thinks tall buildings ruin neighbourhoods to visit. It really is a nice experience.
As a resident of Canada's Greatest Neighbourhood, I am often thinking about ways it could be better
December 25, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Something I like about the west end is that it predates the manicured frontages associated with Vancouverism, and it's so much better as a result
There's a handful of new buildings that have the hallmark Beasley look, and they're... somewhat worse imo
There's a handful of new buildings that have the hallmark Beasley look, and they're... somewhat worse imo
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
As a resident of Canada's Greatest Neighbourhood, I am often thinking about ways it could be better
December 24, 2025 at 3:08 AM
As a resident of Canada's Greatest Neighbourhood, I am often thinking about ways it could be better
Seems sub-optimal to double down on a housing form and business model inherently tied to eviction, rather than build more apartment buildings in residential areas
December 21, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Seems sub-optimal to double down on a housing form and business model inherently tied to eviction, rather than build more apartment buildings in residential areas
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
It is time to stop protecting the status quo and start building the housing they actually need. I am running for Mayor to lead a city that will unlock land and build homes for all kinds of people, in every neighbourhood. We need a Vancouver where the people who care for us can afford to live here.
December 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
It is time to stop protecting the status quo and start building the housing they actually need. I am running for Mayor to lead a city that will unlock land and build homes for all kinds of people, in every neighbourhood. We need a Vancouver where the people who care for us can afford to live here.
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
There were some earlier discussion of alternative routes though orangeraisin.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/s...
A SkyTrain historical footnote: The Edmonds-Cariboo extension.
To my handful of regular readers: I apologize for these articles about Vancouver’s SkyTrain that are of very slight interest to local transit nerds, and of no interest at all to anyone else. …
orangeraisin.wordpress.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
There were some earlier discussion of alternative routes though orangeraisin.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/s...
Same here fwiw, I think Azaroff really Gets It on housing and has the experience required to push through meaningful reforms in a reasonable timeframe
I'm going to be voting for William Azaroff as OneCity's mayoral candidate in February; I think he's the best chance we have at a mayor who will be great on housing. I'd strongly encourage you to join the party and do the same.
Exciting news - I’m seeking the mayoral nomination with @OneCityVan! 1 / 5 youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc
December 16, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Same here fwiw, I think Azaroff really Gets It on housing and has the experience required to push through meaningful reforms in a reasonable timeframe
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
My Tyee article is out - on the stalewasem bridge: thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
December 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
My Tyee article is out - on the stalewasem bridge: thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
For example, Kelowna did this work years ago and found that the dense core brought in a lot more tax revenue than it cost in infrastructure while the low density suburbs were a drag on city finances
December 12, 2025 at 3:57 AM
For example, Kelowna did this work years ago and found that the dense core brought in a lot more tax revenue than it cost in infrastructure while the low density suburbs were a drag on city finances
It's Oak Bay OCP night! First speaker is the amazing
@jstewgie.bsky.social who points out that the proposed OCP doesn't go far enough in legalizing new housing
2nd speaker is from the Uplands Neighbourhood Association, who is concerned about development ruining the mansion district
@jstewgie.bsky.social who points out that the proposed OCP doesn't go far enough in legalizing new housing
2nd speaker is from the Uplands Neighbourhood Association, who is concerned about development ruining the mansion district
Gie. (@gie.bsky.social)
gie.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 2:42 AM
It's Oak Bay OCP night! First speaker is the amazing
@jstewgie.bsky.social who points out that the proposed OCP doesn't go far enough in legalizing new housing
2nd speaker is from the Uplands Neighbourhood Association, who is concerned about development ruining the mansion district
@jstewgie.bsky.social who points out that the proposed OCP doesn't go far enough in legalizing new housing
2nd speaker is from the Uplands Neighbourhood Association, who is concerned about development ruining the mansion district
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
"The City’s own data indicate that conflicts involving right-turning vehicles are among the most common types of pedestrian collisions ... If adopted, these changes would mark one of the most significant intersection-safety reforms in Vancouver in years."
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
Ban right turns on red at intersections, proposes Vancouver city councillor | Urbanized
OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney is pushing for a ban on right turns during the red-light traffic signal at intersections across Vancouver.
dailyhive.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
"The City’s own data indicate that conflicts involving right-turning vehicles are among the most common types of pedestrian collisions ... If adopted, these changes would mark one of the most significant intersection-safety reforms in Vancouver in years."
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
I think the funniest SSMU implementation in BC is View Royal, which wrote a very detailed report where they're very clear their goal is to keep homes as small as possible.
www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Busin...
www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Busin...
November 30, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I think the funniest SSMU implementation in BC is View Royal, which wrote a very detailed report where they're very clear their goal is to keep homes as small as possible.
www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Busin...
www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Busin...
Jack is great and a fellow housing enthusiast; I strongly encourage people to consider voting for him
Many of you already know, but for those who don’t,
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
November 30, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Jack is great and a fellow housing enthusiast; I strongly encourage people to consider voting for him
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
Many of you already know, but for those who don’t,
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
November 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Many of you already know, but for those who don’t,
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
I’m running for Victoria city council!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my campaign launch, it was great to see so many friendly faces.
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
This speaker disclosed that they themselves live in a $2M home. And yet they came to Council to say that a laneway home for someone else is a "monstrosity."
Burnaby had allowed up to four storey "multiplexes," with up to 50% lot coverage. They are rolling that back to appease this opposition.
Burnaby had allowed up to four storey "multiplexes," with up to 50% lot coverage. They are rolling that back to appease this opposition.
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 AM
This speaker disclosed that they themselves live in a $2M home. And yet they came to Council to say that a laneway home for someone else is a "monstrosity."
Burnaby had allowed up to four storey "multiplexes," with up to 50% lot coverage. They are rolling that back to appease this opposition.
Burnaby had allowed up to four storey "multiplexes," with up to 50% lot coverage. They are rolling that back to appease this opposition.
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
Tonight, Burnaby City Council is considering a motion to reduce the amount of housing you can build, and to increase the amount of parking you must build.
I turned on the hearing to hear the owner of a $2M home describe her "horror" at a laneway home next door— a "monstrosity" she called it.
I turned on the hearing to hear the owner of a $2M home describe her "horror" at a laneway home next door— a "monstrosity" she called it.
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Tonight, Burnaby City Council is considering a motion to reduce the amount of housing you can build, and to increase the amount of parking you must build.
I turned on the hearing to hear the owner of a $2M home describe her "horror" at a laneway home next door— a "monstrosity" she called it.
I turned on the hearing to hear the owner of a $2M home describe her "horror" at a laneway home next door— a "monstrosity" she called it.
IMO Antwerp is badly underrated as a cycling city (or wrt urbanism generally, I've never seen it talked about here). Extensive protected bike network while also being, in my (limited) experience, much more urban in nature than a bunch of the other cities on this list, including Utrecht/Amsterdam
November 24, 2025 at 12:31 AM
IMO Antwerp is badly underrated as a cycling city (or wrt urbanism generally, I've never seen it talked about here). Extensive protected bike network while also being, in my (limited) experience, much more urban in nature than a bunch of the other cities on this list, including Utrecht/Amsterdam
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
Many fire departments around the world use ladder trucks with outriggers that fully deploy in far less than 26 feet of width. In fact, many have outriggers that work just fine on streets with far less than 20’ of clear width.
For more info on this topic, read this.
For more info on this topic, read this.
If You Want Safe Streets, Buy a Better Fire Engine - Opticos Design
If you want safe streets, you need to buy fire engines that fit on safe streets. The same goes for ladder trucks, foam tenders, HazMat rigs, and other fire department vehicles.
opticosdesign.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Many fire departments around the world use ladder trucks with outriggers that fully deploy in far less than 26 feet of width. In fact, many have outriggers that work just fine on streets with far less than 20’ of clear width.
For more info on this topic, read this.
For more info on this topic, read this.
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
Hey all you community folks watching the Oak Bay OCP process- (I see you!) just a heads up that the public hearing will be pushed back a week- likely to the 9/10 of December. Date to be finalized next Monday.
November 18, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Hey all you community folks watching the Oak Bay OCP process- (I see you!) just a heads up that the public hearing will be pushed back a week- likely to the 9/10 of December. Date to be finalized next Monday.
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
Exciting news - I’m seeking the mayoral nomination with @OneCityVan! 1 / 5 youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc
My name is William Azaroff and I'm seeking the mayoral nomination with OneCity
YouTube video by William for Vancouver
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Exciting news - I’m seeking the mayoral nomination with @OneCityVan! 1 / 5 youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc
Reposted by Mark (he/him)
We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
www.bctransit.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...