Bob (Robert) Summers
@rjsummers.bsky.social
Professor and Director, School of Urban and Regional Planning. University of Alberta. Also Director of the Sustainability Council at U of A. @rjscity on Twitter. Fun fact - I have the most popular comment in the history of the New York Times.
I’m explaining the whole “we change time twice a year” thing to my cat (because she thinks it’s feeding time) and realizing that my cat is more sensible on this than our governments are (Saskatchewan is also sensible like my cat).
November 2, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I’m explaining the whole “we change time twice a year” thing to my cat (because she thinks it’s feeding time) and realizing that my cat is more sensible on this than our governments are (Saskatchewan is also sensible like my cat).
Everything is up and working! We are a go!
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Everything is up and working! We are a go!
The federal government should be working with provincial governments and Universities across Canada to recruit targeted clusters of researchers to each major institution. This is a once in a centre to rapidly advance Canadian innovation.
We risk becoming a second rate power. Important piece. (gift article).
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | We Are Watching a Scientific Superpower Destroy Itself
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The federal government should be working with provincial governments and Universities across Canada to recruit targeted clusters of researchers to each major institution. This is a once in a centre to rapidly advance Canadian innovation.
Canada is in a tough spot now. Had other nations and institutions (Harvard , Law firms, CBS, etc) held firm, the economic and other consequences of Trump’s bullying would have started to really hurt the USA, but we find ourselves rather alone in the fight now which is not a great situation.
Did anyone think Trump was serious about an August 1 trade deal with Canada? He has relentlessly attacked our nation.
He hit us with harder tariffs than any other country.
He has continually threatened our sovereignty.
Canada needs to know this guy cannot be trusted.
www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps...
He hit us with harder tariffs than any other country.
He has continually threatened our sovereignty.
Canada needs to know this guy cannot be trusted.
www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps...
Trump says Canada backing statehood for Palestine makes it ‘very hard’ to negotiate U.S. trade deal
U.S. President Donald Trump says Canada backing statehood for Palestine makes it “very hard” for the United States to achieve a trade deal with its northern neighbour.
www.ctvnews.ca
July 31, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Canada is in a tough spot now. Had other nations and institutions (Harvard , Law firms, CBS, etc) held firm, the economic and other consequences of Trump’s bullying would have started to really hurt the USA, but we find ourselves rather alone in the fight now which is not a great situation.
There are folks who are upset that Edmonton councillor Tim Cartmell is on a vacation with his family. Being a councillor takes a huge amount of time in one’s life. I think it’s perfectly reasonable that these folks get a break to spend time with their family. It’s a non issue.
July 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
There are folks who are upset that Edmonton councillor Tim Cartmell is on a vacation with his family. Being a councillor takes a huge amount of time in one’s life. I think it’s perfectly reasonable that these folks get a break to spend time with their family. It’s a non issue.
This is a great example of why I prefer not having parties with party-line voting in local politics. Councilors are free to vote as they see fit and you get very unusual mixed outcomes like this. Nobody would speak about a Janz, Knack, Principe, Rice, and Salvador voting block.
July 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is a great example of why I prefer not having parties with party-line voting in local politics. Councilors are free to vote as they see fit and you get very unusual mixed outcomes like this. Nobody would speak about a Janz, Knack, Principe, Rice, and Salvador voting block.
Two things are true about Edmonton's zoning bylaw.
There is no 'right' decision today in council.
It's amazing that nearly every speaker is taking positions between 4 and 8 units across most of the city. I wouldn't have believed this could happen 5 years ago.
There is no 'right' decision today in council.
It's amazing that nearly every speaker is taking positions between 4 and 8 units across most of the city. I wouldn't have believed this could happen 5 years ago.
July 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Two things are true about Edmonton's zoning bylaw.
There is no 'right' decision today in council.
It's amazing that nearly every speaker is taking positions between 4 and 8 units across most of the city. I wouldn't have believed this could happen 5 years ago.
There is no 'right' decision today in council.
It's amazing that nearly every speaker is taking positions between 4 and 8 units across most of the city. I wouldn't have believed this could happen 5 years ago.
The relatively 'flat' RS (small residential) zone in Edmonton may (or may not) need to shift to allowing more or fewer units (perhaps per square meter). If that turns out to be the case, maybe a 'U' modifier gets added. RS u4, RS u6, RS u10...
July 8, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The relatively 'flat' RS (small residential) zone in Edmonton may (or may not) need to shift to allowing more or fewer units (perhaps per square meter). If that turns out to be the case, maybe a 'U' modifier gets added. RS u4, RS u6, RS u10...
Lots of discussion today in Edmonton City Council about the 'right number of units per lot'. Here is my take. There needs to be a huge surplus of potential sites for denser forms of development (towers, walks ups, row housing, etc).
July 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Lots of discussion today in Edmonton City Council about the 'right number of units per lot'. Here is my take. There needs to be a huge surplus of potential sites for denser forms of development (towers, walks ups, row housing, etc).
Aspiring planners should watch today's questions to administration from City of Edmonton council. Today's issue is a tough one with political and practical concerns. Admin is doing a really solid job at responding to the complexity if the issue.
July 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Aspiring planners should watch today's questions to administration from City of Edmonton council. Today's issue is a tough one with political and practical concerns. Admin is doing a really solid job at responding to the complexity if the issue.
"Nobody is going to want to live in these 8-plex units. They have no yard, and the rooms are small, and where will they park all of their cars"
a woman is sitting at a table in a living room talking to a man .
ALT: a woman is sitting at a table in a living room talking to a man .
media.tenor.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:27 PM
"Nobody is going to want to live in these 8-plex units. They have no yard, and the rooms are small, and where will they park all of their cars"
I presented to City Council today. My goal was to ensure that everyone was a little angry with me. I think I achieved that successfully. #jobwelldone
July 3, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I presented to City Council today. My goal was to ensure that everyone was a little angry with me. I think I achieved that successfully. #jobwelldone
With regards to the decision being made today at Edmonton City Council. I indicated a mild level of support for a reduction from mid-block developments from 8 to 6. This change will almost certainly reduce the number of units that are built as infill in mature neighbourhoods.
July 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
With regards to the decision being made today at Edmonton City Council. I indicated a mild level of support for a reduction from mid-block developments from 8 to 6. This change will almost certainly reduce the number of units that are built as infill in mature neighbourhoods.
Edmontonians. If you are wanting to watch the fireworks, make sure you can see the High Level Bridge. Otherwise you miss a lot of them. Many people are on the North side of the Legislature and they will miss most of them.
July 2, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Edmontonians. If you are wanting to watch the fireworks, make sure you can see the High Level Bridge. Otherwise you miss a lot of them. Many people are on the North side of the Legislature and they will miss most of them.
For those who follow Edmonton City Council hearings, I’m listed as “in favour” on item 3.1. That’s an error, I’m registered for item 3.32. If I were speaking to 3.1, I might be opposed (but I haven’t taken the time to fully evaluate it).
June 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For those who follow Edmonton City Council hearings, I’m listed as “in favour” on item 3.1. That’s an error, I’m registered for item 3.32. If I were speaking to 3.1, I might be opposed (but I haven’t taken the time to fully evaluate it).
Reposted by Bob (Robert) Summers
In BC, like in most places, zoning is a regulatory tool, not a fiscal tool. Selling zoning is illegal. For good reason. To get around that, municipalities ask for “voluntary” payments in exchange for changing zoning, but that’s a delicate line to walk. One judge thinks Langley Township crossed it.
Film studio wins lawsuit with Langley Township over millions in fees
Township will consider appealing, mayor says
www.surreynowleader.com
June 21, 2025 at 5:50 AM
In BC, like in most places, zoning is a regulatory tool, not a fiscal tool. Selling zoning is illegal. For good reason. To get around that, municipalities ask for “voluntary” payments in exchange for changing zoning, but that’s a delicate line to walk. One judge thinks Langley Township crossed it.
Other members of yegcc are free to like this in their heads if they don't want to publicly click 'like'.
Left wing, right wing, populist, or whatever. I'd appreciate it if Councilor Rice's ward would elect someone who has the slightest clue as to how municipal governance and council meetings work. It would also be nice if they appeared to pay attention to the issue being discussed.
June 4, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Other members of yegcc are free to like this in their heads if they don't want to publicly click 'like'.
Left wing, right wing, populist, or whatever. I'd appreciate it if Councilor Rice's ward would elect someone who has the slightest clue as to how municipal governance and council meetings work. It would also be nice if they appeared to pay attention to the issue being discussed.
June 4, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Left wing, right wing, populist, or whatever. I'd appreciate it if Councilor Rice's ward would elect someone who has the slightest clue as to how municipal governance and council meetings work. It would also be nice if they appeared to pay attention to the issue being discussed.
I am not in favour of 4 units for mid-block because that would not allow for MLI Select financing.
June 4, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I am not in favour of 4 units for mid-block because that would not allow for MLI Select financing.
This may upset some people, but I don't feel that Edmonton's zoning bylaw needs to stay at 8 units per site. Anything above 5 gets us CMHC MLI select & will still significantly drive densification. We may lose some important micro suites but it still will allow a lot of change.
June 4, 2025 at 2:58 AM
This may upset some people, but I don't feel that Edmonton's zoning bylaw needs to stay at 8 units per site. Anything above 5 gets us CMHC MLI select & will still significantly drive densification. We may lose some important micro suites but it still will allow a lot of change.
I'm back from soccer. I'm happy to geek out about Edmonton's zoning bylaw if others have questions/comments.
June 4, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I'm back from soccer. I'm happy to geek out about Edmonton's zoning bylaw if others have questions/comments.
I’ll miss speaking at today’s UPC meeting due to my role as a soccer coach. Here are my thoughts. Keeping housing affordable affects all aspects of life. It provides economic stability, improves mental & physical health, and helps people build stable families and lives.
June 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I’ll miss speaking at today’s UPC meeting due to my role as a soccer coach. Here are my thoughts. Keeping housing affordable affects all aspects of life. It provides economic stability, improves mental & physical health, and helps people build stable families and lives.
The City of Edmonton undertook a mass upzoning of 1286 properties in key nodes and corridors as part of it's ongoing effort to facilitate the supply of housing and commercial property in the city. Edmonton continues to be the leading city in terms of zoning reform in North America.
Priority growth area rezoning to standard medium-large density zones: www.edmonton.ca/city_governm...
Priority Growth Area Rezoning | City of Edmonton
Priority Growth Area Rezoning will target sites within priority nodes and corridors to incentivize demand and investment in these important areas.
www.edmonton.ca
May 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The City of Edmonton undertook a mass upzoning of 1286 properties in key nodes and corridors as part of it's ongoing effort to facilitate the supply of housing and commercial property in the city. Edmonton continues to be the leading city in terms of zoning reform in North America.
In cities like Edmonton and Calgary, commercial businesses at transit stations may not be commercially viable, however, they provide significant public benefit in terms of improved safety and vibrancy. As such it makes sense to provide vendors subsidized rents (perhaps payments).
May 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In cities like Edmonton and Calgary, commercial businesses at transit stations may not be commercially viable, however, they provide significant public benefit in terms of improved safety and vibrancy. As such it makes sense to provide vendors subsidized rents (perhaps payments).
Again, back to Edmonton City Council. I didn't mind Councilor Cartmell's suggestion to postpone. I will note that in large part this is an expansion of development rights and not a restriction on them.
May 21, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Again, back to Edmonton City Council. I didn't mind Councilor Cartmell's suggestion to postpone. I will note that in large part this is an expansion of development rights and not a restriction on them.