Zach
@zachmathurin.bsky.social
urban planner in gatineau, québec, canada
currently working on neighbourhood planning, transit (tram), and housing
previously e-bike share on the north shore in metro vancouver
currently working on neighbourhood planning, transit (tram), and housing
previously e-bike share on the north shore in metro vancouver
First it was the metaverse, then it was NFTs, now it’s AI, soon it’ll be something else. They have all this compute just laying around, which they’ve sunk all their capital into, so they keep coming up with new uses for it while also inventing new ad-delivery models to keep their businesses afloat.
Three years into the generative-AI wave, demand for the technology seems surprisingly flimsy
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
Recent surveys point to flatlining business adoption
econ.st
December 1, 2025 at 4:51 PM
First it was the metaverse, then it was NFTs, now it’s AI, soon it’ll be something else. They have all this compute just laying around, which they’ve sunk all their capital into, so they keep coming up with new uses for it while also inventing new ad-delivery models to keep their businesses afloat.
Reposted by Zach
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Reposted by Zach
Cassini NAC natural color view taken on 2011-04-25 19:34 UTC.
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
January 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Cassini NAC natural color view taken on 2011-04-25 19:34 UTC.
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
Reposted by Zach
This fantastic overview of the obstacles and opportunities for missing middle housing is a greatest hits list of our favourite topics: single-stair, gentle density, zoning reform, will-it-pencil.
All described in a wonderfully accessible manner that sums up to: How do we get more quality housing.
All described in a wonderfully accessible manner that sums up to: How do we get more quality housing.
November 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This fantastic overview of the obstacles and opportunities for missing middle housing is a greatest hits list of our favourite topics: single-stair, gentle density, zoning reform, will-it-pencil.
All described in a wonderfully accessible manner that sums up to: How do we get more quality housing.
All described in a wonderfully accessible manner that sums up to: How do we get more quality housing.
Reposted by Zach
I wish there was a way to convey how much of a big deal this is to me, I wish you could feel it.
Our work on housing policy, condensed in a single report, has finally been translated to English. You can download it here:
carrefour.vivreenville.org/publication/...
(Click "Télécharger le PDF")
Our work on housing policy, condensed in a single report, has finally been translated to English. You can download it here:
carrefour.vivreenville.org/publication/...
(Click "Télécharger le PDF")
Opening Doors | Publications | Carrefour Vivre en Ville
Consultez notre publication « Opening Doors ». Carrefour Vivre en Ville
carrefour.vivreenville.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I wish there was a way to convey how much of a big deal this is to me, I wish you could feel it.
Our work on housing policy, condensed in a single report, has finally been translated to English. You can download it here:
carrefour.vivreenville.org/publication/...
(Click "Télécharger le PDF")
Our work on housing policy, condensed in a single report, has finally been translated to English. You can download it here:
carrefour.vivreenville.org/publication/...
(Click "Télécharger le PDF")
Reposted by Zach
Fantastic piece by Don Iveson on what Edmonton is doing right on housing. There are lots of lessons here for other communities.
The big picture on housing, density and affordability
How Edmonton's approach fights for affordability and fiscal efficiency
civicgood.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Fantastic piece by Don Iveson on what Edmonton is doing right on housing. There are lots of lessons here for other communities.
Reposted by Zach
Fun fact: despite the enormous land mass, the population-weighted density of Canada — basically the density experienced by the average person — is the same as Denmark and close to the Netherlands.
Canada and Denmark are 3,000 people per km², while the Netherlands is 3,400/km².
Canada and Denmark are 3,000 people per km², while the Netherlands is 3,400/km².
Mapping Population Density Across the Globe
Explore the detailed geography of population across the globe with interactive mapping and statistics. Identify global megacity regions and the growth and diversity of urban forms. Data is from the Gl...
luminocity3d.org
October 11, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Fun fact: despite the enormous land mass, the population-weighted density of Canada — basically the density experienced by the average person — is the same as Denmark and close to the Netherlands.
Canada and Denmark are 3,000 people per km², while the Netherlands is 3,400/km².
Canada and Denmark are 3,000 people per km², while the Netherlands is 3,400/km².
Reposted by Zach
The Venn diagram of urban density and average household GHG emissions is pretty much a circle. Interesting study on “Mapping household GHG emissions in the Greater Golden Horseshoe” from the University of Toronto School of Cities schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/mapping-hous...
October 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The Venn diagram of urban density and average household GHG emissions is pretty much a circle. Interesting study on “Mapping household GHG emissions in the Greater Golden Horseshoe” from the University of Toronto School of Cities schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/mapping-hous...
Reposted by Zach
When there is a topic that people have spent a long time thinking about, be it climate change or as in this case housing, and you think you found a simple trick to solve it all that everyone else somehow missed, there is a very good chance you don’t know what you are talking about.
What a great proposal, I can't wait for the government to "unlock" all these empty units so we can have true affordable housing: uninsulated cottages in Haliburton.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
September 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
When there is a topic that people have spent a long time thinking about, be it climate change or as in this case housing, and you think you found a simple trick to solve it all that everyone else somehow missed, there is a very good chance you don’t know what you are talking about.
Reposted by Zach
Great short video by TransLink explaining “the empty bus lane myth”
September 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Great short video by TransLink explaining “the empty bus lane myth”
Reposted by Zach
An innovative feature is the inclusion of rainwater channels that drain water from the roadway to the tree trenches across the cycle track.
August 21, 2025 at 3:38 PM
An innovative feature is the inclusion of rainwater channels that drain water from the roadway to the tree trenches across the cycle track.
Reposted by Zach
This "Little Red Hood" bus+bike/ped-only network of shortcuts through the wood b/w suburban neighborhoods is very interesting, a Nordic take on the Dutch 1970s "busbaan" concept, the the modernist idea of neighborhoods irrigated by separate modal networks, the opposite of the complete street concept
August 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This "Little Red Hood" bus+bike/ped-only network of shortcuts through the wood b/w suburban neighborhoods is very interesting, a Nordic take on the Dutch 1970s "busbaan" concept, the the modernist idea of neighborhoods irrigated by separate modal networks, the opposite of the complete street concept
Reposted by Zach
[Calgary, AB] “We're going to be able to rent every single studio unit, 84 studios in there, for under $1,100 a month.” -
@AttainableHomes
on #ModularHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@AttainableHomes
on #ModularHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Piece by piece, cranes lift 84 prefabricated rentals into place in downtown Calgary | CBC News
Along a busy street on the west end of downtown, another new rental building is going up — but instead of being built from scratch, prefabricated units are being craned into place, piece by piece.
www.cbc.ca
August 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM
[Calgary, AB] “We're going to be able to rent every single studio unit, 84 studios in there, for under $1,100 a month.” -
@AttainableHomes
on #ModularHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@AttainableHomes
on #ModularHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Zach
Italy has invested heavily in passenger rail, but is increasing freight capacity and mode share at the same time. This is the kind of win-win investment we want to see in Canada:
It's a truism that while passenger rail is generally better in Europe, freight rail is more effective in North America.
However, it often goes unnoticed that Europe is making a significant effort to catch up. Italy, for example, is investing a a lot into making room for heavier and longer trains
However, it often goes unnoticed that Europe is making a significant effort to catch up. Italy, for example, is investing a a lot into making room for heavier and longer trains
July 26, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Italy has invested heavily in passenger rail, but is increasing freight capacity and mode share at the same time. This is the kind of win-win investment we want to see in Canada:
Reposted by Zach
With the Manito Six in Spokane, we have proof of concept that stacked flats are viable to develop, give residents a wonderful quality of living, and fit nicely in established neighborhoods. Contact me about bringing stacked flat/middle housing to your neighborhood!
July 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
With the Manito Six in Spokane, we have proof of concept that stacked flats are viable to develop, give residents a wonderful quality of living, and fit nicely in established neighborhoods. Contact me about bringing stacked flat/middle housing to your neighborhood!
Reposted by Zach
It's interesting to contrast South Wales Metro Project's priorities (electrification and basic stations accessibility) with Ottawa's Trillium line modernization (faregates and architectural features).
June 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's interesting to contrast South Wales Metro Project's priorities (electrification and basic stations accessibility) with Ottawa's Trillium line modernization (faregates and architectural features).
Reposted by Zach
Imagining a 4 storey #SingleStair 8 plex with "family size units" that could fit 'everywhere'.
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
June 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Imagining a 4 storey #SingleStair 8 plex with "family size units" that could fit 'everywhere'.
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
Reposted by Zach
This is being translated right now and I really can’t wait to break the language barrier with this information. We have an actual experiment with well-designed, inflation-pegged rent control. It doesn’t stop rental construction, relative to other markets without controls.
May 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This is being translated right now and I really can’t wait to break the language barrier with this information. We have an actual experiment with well-designed, inflation-pegged rent control. It doesn’t stop rental construction, relative to other markets without controls.
Reposted by Zach
Québec, the Canadian province with the most exhaustive and expansive rent *and* vacancy controls, has built more rental units in the absolute and per 1000 than any other province in the past 40 years. Exemptions apply only for 5 years after construction.
I agree. The Science shows that rent control is a reasonable policy that works fine if you design it properly (eg, new builds can charge market rates initially) jwmason.org/slackwire/co...
May 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Québec, the Canadian province with the most exhaustive and expansive rent *and* vacancy controls, has built more rental units in the absolute and per 1000 than any other province in the past 40 years. Exemptions apply only for 5 years after construction.
Top Canadian universities (and really any and all Canadian universities) should move quickly to reopen admissions to foreign students from Harvard and other top US schools with full recognition of completed credits. Time for some brain gain.
The Trump Administration told Harvard University it can’t enroll international students, delivering a major blow to the school after the government froze billions of dollars of federal funding
Harvard Blocked by Government from Enrolling Foreign Students
The Trump Administration told Harvard University it can’t enroll international students, delivering a major blow to the school after the government froze billions of dollars of federal funding.
bloom.bg
May 22, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Top Canadian universities (and really any and all Canadian universities) should move quickly to reopen admissions to foreign students from Harvard and other top US schools with full recognition of completed credits. Time for some brain gain.
Reposted by Zach
One of the truly baffling aspects of suburbanism in North America is that, despite its prevalence, it's seldom innovative in terms of urban design, unlike the surburbs you see in France.
This suburban development in Nantes from the 1970s is light years ahead of the boring New Urbanism stuff
This suburban development in Nantes from the 1970s is light years ahead of the boring New Urbanism stuff
May 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
One of the truly baffling aspects of suburbanism in North America is that, despite its prevalence, it's seldom innovative in terms of urban design, unlike the surburbs you see in France.
This suburban development in Nantes from the 1970s is light years ahead of the boring New Urbanism stuff
This suburban development in Nantes from the 1970s is light years ahead of the boring New Urbanism stuff
Reposted by Zach
I like how the French implement cheap daylighting of intersections without relocating the drainage line, simply by installing a small, raised curb extension detached from the sidewalk, accompanied by bollards to deter the most daring drivers.
Hostile architecture, but for cars.
Hostile architecture, but for cars.
May 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I like how the French implement cheap daylighting of intersections without relocating the drainage line, simply by installing a small, raised curb extension detached from the sidewalk, accompanied by bollards to deter the most daring drivers.
Hostile architecture, but for cars.
Hostile architecture, but for cars.
Reposted by Zach
Creekside Crest
Elyse Dodge
2024
Elyse Dodge
2024
April 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Creekside Crest
Elyse Dodge
2024
Elyse Dodge
2024