Jon Lorenc
@jonathanlorenc.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
The Growth Ponzi Scheme:
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The Growth Ponzi Scheme:
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Call me crazy but "we're forced to take away your food because they won't let us take away your healthcare" doesn't seem like a winning strategy. That whole situation is so weird
November 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Call me crazy but "we're forced to take away your food because they won't let us take away your healthcare" doesn't seem like a winning strategy. That whole situation is so weird
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
I hope council is this eager to make freeloaders pay their share of tax burden when discussing a new property tax class for surface parking lot. #yqrcc
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I hope council is this eager to make freeloaders pay their share of tax burden when discussing a new property tax class for surface parking lot. #yqrcc
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Food insecurity in Regina is getting really bad. The line for the food drop off in the church parking lot has already started at 8am. The truck doesn't come until noon.
Consider donating to the Regina Food Bank or other mutual aid groups this holiday season. These are our neighbors.
Consider donating to the Regina Food Bank or other mutual aid groups this holiday season. These are our neighbors.
October 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Food insecurity in Regina is getting really bad. The line for the food drop off in the church parking lot has already started at 8am. The truck doesn't come until noon.
Consider donating to the Regina Food Bank or other mutual aid groups this holiday season. These are our neighbors.
Consider donating to the Regina Food Bank or other mutual aid groups this holiday season. These are our neighbors.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Saturday, November 8th: Coffee Chat with Rashovich and Froh. McDonalds South (4651 Albert) from 10-12pm
Saturday, November 15th: Beautify the City - Restorative Justice, Public Policy & the Inner Life (Research & Innovation Centre, U of R RI 119) from 9:30-12pm. RSVP Here:
Saturday, November 15th: Beautify the City - Restorative Justice, Public Policy & the Inner Life (Research & Innovation Centre, U of R RI 119) from 9:30-12pm. RSVP Here:
Beautifying the City: Panel Discussion RSVP
Thank you for your interest in attending the panel. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to complete the following RSVP form for catering and communication purposes.
docs.google.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Saturday, November 8th: Coffee Chat with Rashovich and Froh. McDonalds South (4651 Albert) from 10-12pm
Saturday, November 15th: Beautify the City - Restorative Justice, Public Policy & the Inner Life (Research & Innovation Centre, U of R RI 119) from 9:30-12pm. RSVP Here:
Saturday, November 15th: Beautify the City - Restorative Justice, Public Policy & the Inner Life (Research & Innovation Centre, U of R RI 119) from 9:30-12pm. RSVP Here:
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Hey #YQR! There are a LOT of opportunities to be active in budget/urbanism issues coming up:
TOMORROW, October 29th - QCIB Anniversary Show at The Artesian from 7-9pm
Saturday, November 1st - Municipal Alternative Budget Organizing Meeting at Malty National (1130 15th Ave) at 4pm
TOMORROW, October 29th - QCIB Anniversary Show at The Artesian from 7-9pm
Saturday, November 1st - Municipal Alternative Budget Organizing Meeting at Malty National (1130 15th Ave) at 4pm
October 29, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Hey #YQR! There are a LOT of opportunities to be active in budget/urbanism issues coming up:
TOMORROW, October 29th - QCIB Anniversary Show at The Artesian from 7-9pm
Saturday, November 1st - Municipal Alternative Budget Organizing Meeting at Malty National (1130 15th Ave) at 4pm
TOMORROW, October 29th - QCIB Anniversary Show at The Artesian from 7-9pm
Saturday, November 1st - Municipal Alternative Budget Organizing Meeting at Malty National (1130 15th Ave) at 4pm
Got a sneak peak of the new seating area for 33 & 1/3 / the new Easy Wine Bar. It's looking GREAT! So nice to have a new chill hang out spot in the neighbourhood.
October 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Got a sneak peak of the new seating area for 33 & 1/3 / the new Easy Wine Bar. It's looking GREAT! So nice to have a new chill hang out spot in the neighbourhood.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
People want to have kids and live downtown. Can they? - Western City Magazine
For decades, planners focused on attracting young singles to dense urban cores. That dynamic has shifted, in part because ...
www.westerncity.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Few things did more critical damage to North American downtowns than the demolishing of old buildings to build massive expanses of surface parking, along with the widening of roads to create huge one-way “car sewers,” all based on the failed theory that surrendering to cars would “save Downtown.”
September 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Few things did more critical damage to North American downtowns than the demolishing of old buildings to build massive expanses of surface parking, along with the widening of roads to create huge one-way “car sewers,” all based on the failed theory that surrendering to cars would “save Downtown.”
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
He also seems wildly against spending money, but is aggravated that residential streets don't get plowed as often.
Listen to me very closely my guy : if we had less streets, this would be less of an issue. If we had greater property tax rates from densification, we could pay to plow everything!
Listen to me very closely my guy : if we had less streets, this would be less of an issue. If we had greater property tax rates from densification, we could pay to plow everything!
September 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
He also seems wildly against spending money, but is aggravated that residential streets don't get plowed as often.
Listen to me very closely my guy : if we had less streets, this would be less of an issue. If we had greater property tax rates from densification, we could pay to plow everything!
Listen to me very closely my guy : if we had less streets, this would be less of an issue. If we had greater property tax rates from densification, we could pay to plow everything!
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Rule 99: Start Code Reform Now
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Rule 99: Start Code Reform Now
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
New poster, new style 😎#YQR
September 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
New poster, new style 😎#YQR
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
For 2 decades or so, since before I became Vancouver’s chief planner, I’ve been championing and working on ways to effectively and successfully PRIORITIZE walking, biking and public transit over individual car use, stating that “balance” is too often code for the status quo only slightly better. 2/
September 5, 2025 at 8:52 PM
For 2 decades or so, since before I became Vancouver’s chief planner, I’ve been championing and working on ways to effectively and successfully PRIORITIZE walking, biking and public transit over individual car use, stating that “balance” is too often code for the status quo only slightly better. 2/
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
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 Jon Lorenc
What does it take to move 1000 people? Better infrastructure supporting mobility choices that don’t take up so much space (or produce so much emissions/pollution, cost so much public money, etc).
Graphic via Seattle Subway based on a Sydney graphic I spread around years ago.
Graphic via Seattle Subway based on a Sydney graphic I spread around years ago.
September 2, 2025 at 5:13 AM
What does it take to move 1000 people? Better infrastructure supporting mobility choices that don’t take up so much space (or produce so much emissions/pollution, cost so much public money, etc).
Graphic via Seattle Subway based on a Sydney graphic I spread around years ago.
Graphic via Seattle Subway based on a Sydney graphic I spread around years ago.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Rule 94: Do a Walkability Study
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Rule 94: Do a Walkability Study
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Really pisses me off when Regina City Councilors like Rashovich say "I always see empty buses! They must not being used efficiently, therefore I can defund them."
If a bus is carrying 4 people, it looks empty. But that's 4 cars off the road. Now multiply that per hour. #YQR
If a bus is carrying 4 people, it looks empty. But that's 4 cars off the road. Now multiply that per hour. #YQR
August 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Really pisses me off when Regina City Councilors like Rashovich say "I always see empty buses! They must not being used efficiently, therefore I can defund them."
If a bus is carrying 4 people, it looks empty. But that's 4 cars off the road. Now multiply that per hour. #YQR
If a bus is carrying 4 people, it looks empty. But that's 4 cars off the road. Now multiply that per hour. #YQR
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Land that had an obsolete, one-story printing press building was transformed into a mixed-use area; where the land was previously bringing in only $70,000 in property tax, it now brings in $700,000.
August 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Land that had an obsolete, one-story printing press building was transformed into a mixed-use area; where the land was previously bringing in only $70,000 in property tax, it now brings in $700,000.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
According to Pensacola’s nominating team for the 2019 Strongest Town Contest, if you went on a walking tour of the city, you would see a community that has improved its properties, especially by rehabbing buildings that were once sitting vacant.
August 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
According to Pensacola’s nominating team for the 2019 Strongest Town Contest, if you went on a walking tour of the city, you would see a community that has improved its properties, especially by rehabbing buildings that were once sitting vacant.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Remember, when it comes to the actual likelihood that a vehicle crash will occur at all, AND whether the consequences of a crash are serious, or even deadly, or not, speed is ALWAYS a factor. Including when the legal speed limits are currently too high. #SpeedKills #VisionZero
October 18, 2023 at 2:30 AM
Remember, when it comes to the actual likelihood that a vehicle crash will occur at all, AND whether the consequences of a crash are serious, or even deadly, or not, speed is ALWAYS a factor. Including when the legal speed limits are currently too high. #SpeedKills #VisionZero
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
“We’ve been designing downtowns to virtually repel children, & then saying, ‘See, families don’t want to live downtown,’” @brenttoderian.bsky.social says. “We’ve been creating the perfect self-fulfilling prophecy.”
I’m interviewed in this.
Design urban places for kids & families. You’ll get them.
I’m interviewed in this.
Design urban places for kids & families. You’ll get them.
Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds
Traditional business districts in cities like Chicago and Portland are still waiting for office workers to return. Can younger residents and families fill the gap?
www.bloomberg.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:09 PM
“We’ve been designing downtowns to virtually repel children, & then saying, ‘See, families don’t want to live downtown,’” @brenttoderian.bsky.social says. “We’ve been creating the perfect self-fulfilling prophecy.”
I’m interviewed in this.
Design urban places for kids & families. You’ll get them.
I’m interviewed in this.
Design urban places for kids & families. You’ll get them.
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Purdy is saying that it doesn't make sense for it to take six year to do capital projects. Counterpoint, we have low taxes and no money to pay additional staff to do work faster. That's the tradeoff we make.
August 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
Big empty parking lot in the heart of downtown that, as far as I can tell, is open to the public and free on weekends. But sure, there’s never any parking. #yqrcc
August 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Big empty parking lot in the heart of downtown that, as far as I can tell, is open to the public and free on weekends. But sure, there’s never any parking. #yqrcc
Reposted by Jon Lorenc
