Kyle Spaans
@kspaans.bsky.social
Of Code ⌨️ (spaans.ca)
Bass 🔊,
and Brew ☕️
(and urbanism🔰)
Bass 🔊,
and Brew ☕️
(and urbanism🔰)
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
WATCH: If you really STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, please watch this EXCELLENT video by #NotJustBikes helped by #UrbanThree & @StrongTowns.org. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
November 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
WATCH: If you really STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, please watch this EXCELLENT video by #NotJustBikes helped by #UrbanThree & @StrongTowns.org. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
LÉGALISONS ceci dans tous les quartiers au Québec ! Densification incrémentielle, six étages, une cage d'escaliers et commerce au rez-de-chaussée. Ceci est le rêve YIMBY ! architizer.com/projects/inc...
November 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
LÉGALISONS ceci dans tous les quartiers au Québec ! Densification incrémentielle, six étages, une cage d'escaliers et commerce au rez-de-chaussée. Ceci est le rêve YIMBY ! architizer.com/projects/inc...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 Reasons Why Everyone Should Want More Walkable Streets
From making you live longer to making cities more resilient: If you want a reason to make your city more walkable, it's in here.
www.fastcompany.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:40 AM
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Building housing is a left issue.
Taxing housing to build housing means less housing.
Less housing means more pressure on your housing market and higher rents.
Build the housing. And don’t let NIMBYs stop or slow us downs
Taxing housing to build housing means less housing.
Less housing means more pressure on your housing market and higher rents.
Build the housing. And don’t let NIMBYs stop or slow us downs
@wilsonforseattle.bsky.social
1. Get rid of min. parking requirements
2. Temporarily end MHA to spur building for 3 yrs
3. Get rid of design review temporarily for 3 yrs
4. Don’t allow NIMBYs in wealthy areas to slow down development; sue them every time as a deterrent for future efforts
1. Get rid of min. parking requirements
2. Temporarily end MHA to spur building for 3 yrs
3. Get rid of design review temporarily for 3 yrs
4. Don’t allow NIMBYs in wealthy areas to slow down development; sue them every time as a deterrent for future efforts
November 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Building housing is a left issue.
Taxing housing to build housing means less housing.
Less housing means more pressure on your housing market and higher rents.
Build the housing. And don’t let NIMBYs stop or slow us downs
Taxing housing to build housing means less housing.
Less housing means more pressure on your housing market and higher rents.
Build the housing. And don’t let NIMBYs stop or slow us downs
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Good to remember that a bedroom is a bedroom. Structural type is secondary.
A bedroom is a bedroom – Mountain Doodles
How can we compare density for differnt types of dwellings? Just look at the bedrooms!
doodles.mountainmath.ca
November 16, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Good to remember that a bedroom is a bedroom. Structural type is secondary.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
The neighbourhood retail report as amended CARRIES 23-2.
Toronto Council votes to permit corner stores in all Old Toronto & East York wards, and expands permission for retail on some (but not all) major streets city-wide.
Toronto Council votes to permit corner stores in all Old Toronto & East York wards, and expands permission for retail on some (but not all) major streets city-wide.
November 13, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The neighbourhood retail report as amended CARRIES 23-2.
Toronto Council votes to permit corner stores in all Old Toronto & East York wards, and expands permission for retail on some (but not all) major streets city-wide.
Toronto Council votes to permit corner stores in all Old Toronto & East York wards, and expands permission for retail on some (but not all) major streets city-wide.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Yet more evidence that any given specific NIMBY objection to a project is, more often than not, a shell game for generalized opposition to change—it's merely the most compelling sounding argument—and addressing such individual concerns will usually not meaningfully reduce opposition.
November 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Yet more evidence that any given specific NIMBY objection to a project is, more often than not, a shell game for generalized opposition to change—it's merely the most compelling sounding argument—and addressing such individual concerns will usually not meaningfully reduce opposition.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
November 11, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Les pistes cyclables ne sont ni âgistes ni capacitistes.
Protected cycle tracks are not just for cyclists, they allow more freedom for those with mobility issues
November 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Les pistes cyclables ne sont ni âgistes ni capacitistes.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
"A distracted pedestrian might cause a minor inconvenience. A distracted driver, enabled by street design that encourages high speeds, can end a life. To treat these as equivalent is to ignore the fundamental physics of power and force." -Lanrick Bennett
An Open Letter to NPR: Our Streets Are No Accident
In a world where we are constantly seeking self-improvement, National Public Radio’s Life Kit positions itself as a friendly guide…
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"A distracted pedestrian might cause a minor inconvenience. A distracted driver, enabled by street design that encourages high speeds, can end a life. To treat these as equivalent is to ignore the fundamental physics of power and force." -Lanrick Bennett
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
you can not be tried for throwing the same sandwich twice, because of the double havardi rule
November 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
you can not be tried for throwing the same sandwich twice, because of the double havardi rule
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
#Montreal, under Mayor @valplante.bsky.social has been a beacon among North American cities.
City now has:
✅ 1,000 Bixi stands, with 12,600 bikes
✅ 1,083 kms of bike lanes
✅ 9.4 kms of streets pedestrianized
But there's an election on Nov. 2, and things are likely to change...
🧵
City now has:
✅ 1,000 Bixi stands, with 12,600 bikes
✅ 1,083 kms of bike lanes
✅ 9.4 kms of streets pedestrianized
But there's an election on Nov. 2, and things are likely to change...
🧵
October 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
#Montreal, under Mayor @valplante.bsky.social has been a beacon among North American cities.
City now has:
✅ 1,000 Bixi stands, with 12,600 bikes
✅ 1,083 kms of bike lanes
✅ 9.4 kms of streets pedestrianized
But there's an election on Nov. 2, and things are likely to change...
🧵
City now has:
✅ 1,000 Bixi stands, with 12,600 bikes
✅ 1,083 kms of bike lanes
✅ 9.4 kms of streets pedestrianized
But there's an election on Nov. 2, and things are likely to change...
🧵
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Canada has all these tech and biz groups who want to bring in more talent. The political barrier is a lack of housing. Yet, as far as I can tell, they're spending zero resources trying to fix the housing crisis. I really don't get it.
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Canada has all these tech and biz groups who want to bring in more talent. The political barrier is a lack of housing. Yet, as far as I can tell, they're spending zero resources trying to fix the housing crisis. I really don't get it.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
other affordability hack: no on site parking
i'll keep saying it til i'm blue in the face
the way to address the affordability crisis and get more housing diversity - with better and more family sized homes - requires single stair & elevator reform.
who's going to lead?
bsky.app/profile/holz...
i'll keep saying it til i'm blue in the face
the way to address the affordability crisis and get more housing diversity - with better and more family sized homes - requires single stair & elevator reform.
who's going to lead?
bsky.app/profile/holz...
i know politicians don't want to hear it - but if you actually want more family sized homes, the answer isn't increased FAR - it's legalizing taller point access blocks, and not limiting the number of instances per lot.
www.archdaily.com/1034936/50-s...
www.archdaily.com/1034936/50-s...
50 Social Housing Units – DE PEUS A TERRA i el cap pels núvols / Miel Arquitectos + MARMOLBRAVO + MADhel
Completed in 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Images by Jose Hevia. DE PEUS A TERRA (i el cap pels núvols) is a building with 50 social housing units in the Bon Pastor neighborhood of Barcelona, where common...
www.archdaily.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:04 AM
other affordability hack: no on site parking
i'll keep saying it til i'm blue in the face
the way to address the affordability crisis and get more housing diversity - with better and more family sized homes - requires single stair & elevator reform.
who's going to lead?
bsky.app/profile/holz...
i'll keep saying it til i'm blue in the face
the way to address the affordability crisis and get more housing diversity - with better and more family sized homes - requires single stair & elevator reform.
who's going to lead?
bsky.app/profile/holz...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Almost 600 people signed onto an emergency organizing webinar on tenant rights on a Sunday night that was organized with two days‘ notice, I’m genuinely really hopeful for this being a galvanizing moment for Ontario progressives and that Ford done fucked up.
Hey Ontario there’s a mass organizing call about this tomorrow, Sunday at 8pm, please come and tell everyone you know. If you’re not in Ontario please tell everyone you know in Ontario! www.tenantunion.ca/allout
October 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Almost 600 people signed onto an emergency organizing webinar on tenant rights on a Sunday night that was organized with two days‘ notice, I’m genuinely really hopeful for this being a galvanizing moment for Ontario progressives and that Ford done fucked up.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
“Being truly pro-cycling isn’t just about saying you like bikes. It’s about accepting that [...] we sometimes need to rebalance public space, which means, yes, removing a few parking spaces or reallocating a traffic lane.”
“If you love cycling, make room for it” by @jfrheault.bsky.social
“If you love cycling, make room for it” by @jfrheault.bsky.social
Vélo Québec | If you love cycling, make room for it
The election campaign that’s coming to an end has been difficult for those who care about cycling development. With all the challenges municipalities are
www.velo.qc.ca
October 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“Being truly pro-cycling isn’t just about saying you like bikes. It’s about accepting that [...] we sometimes need to rebalance public space, which means, yes, removing a few parking spaces or reallocating a traffic lane.”
“If you love cycling, make room for it” by @jfrheault.bsky.social
“If you love cycling, make room for it” by @jfrheault.bsky.social
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
What stings here is that prices are high because governments actively block the construction of denser housing.
We’re not talking about a force of nature that we all just need to accept! It’s specific policy choices.
We’re not talking about a force of nature that we all just need to accept! It’s specific policy choices.
who creates the lively art and music scenes if the rent is too high? who makes cultural life? who serves you food or washes your dishes? who creates the fancy little restaurants that draw you to urban living? affordable housing is at the heart of what makes city life worthwhile.
October 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
What stings here is that prices are high because governments actively block the construction of denser housing.
We’re not talking about a force of nature that we all just need to accept! It’s specific policy choices.
We’re not talking about a force of nature that we all just need to accept! It’s specific policy choices.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
From: @alexbozikovic.bsky.social: "Our building codes require every apartment to have two separate... stairs. If you eliminate that rule... everything changes. Buildings become... less bulky. Apartments gain light and fresh air in every room. This means a dramatic improvement in quality of life."
A dense, urban Canada? It’s possible
A specific, provocative proposal for how Toronto might evolve offers good ideas
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
From: @alexbozikovic.bsky.social: "Our building codes require every apartment to have two separate... stairs. If you eliminate that rule... everything changes. Buildings become... less bulky. Apartments gain light and fresh air in every room. This means a dramatic improvement in quality of life."
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Hey Ontario there’s a mass organizing call about this tomorrow, Sunday at 8pm, please come and tell everyone you know. If you’re not in Ontario please tell everyone you know in Ontario! www.tenantunion.ca/allout
October 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Hey Ontario there’s a mass organizing call about this tomorrow, Sunday at 8pm, please come and tell everyone you know. If you’re not in Ontario please tell everyone you know in Ontario! www.tenantunion.ca/allout
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Doug Ford is showing his true disdain for renters and is testing how much he can get away with.
We can’t let him.
Now is the time to get organized and fight back if you haven’t already!
YSW Tenant Union is hosting a mass zoom call Sunday Oct 26 8pm to fight back.
www.tenantunion.ca/allout
We can’t let him.
Now is the time to get organized and fight back if you haven’t already!
YSW Tenant Union is hosting a mass zoom call Sunday Oct 26 8pm to fight back.
www.tenantunion.ca/allout
October 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Doug Ford is showing his true disdain for renters and is testing how much he can get away with.
We can’t let him.
Now is the time to get organized and fight back if you haven’t already!
YSW Tenant Union is hosting a mass zoom call Sunday Oct 26 8pm to fight back.
www.tenantunion.ca/allout
We can’t let him.
Now is the time to get organized and fight back if you haven’t already!
YSW Tenant Union is hosting a mass zoom call Sunday Oct 26 8pm to fight back.
www.tenantunion.ca/allout
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Under Projet Montréal bike lanes were plowed quickly after snowfalls. Kept me and my kids riding safely year-round.
This Ensemble #Montréal candidate in Nov. 2 election is threatening to stop the practise. That's going to endanger cyclists' lives.
#polmtl
cultmtl.com/2025/09/late...
This Ensemble #Montréal candidate in Nov. 2 election is threatening to stop the practise. That's going to endanger cyclists' lives.
#polmtl
cultmtl.com/2025/09/late...
October 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Under Projet Montréal bike lanes were plowed quickly after snowfalls. Kept me and my kids riding safely year-round.
This Ensemble #Montréal candidate in Nov. 2 election is threatening to stop the practise. That's going to endanger cyclists' lives.
#polmtl
cultmtl.com/2025/09/late...
This Ensemble #Montréal candidate in Nov. 2 election is threatening to stop the practise. That's going to endanger cyclists' lives.
#polmtl
cultmtl.com/2025/09/late...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
"Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson says the average price of housing — not necessarily individual home values — must fall to restore affordability in Canada."
This is not possible. More homes or any type will impact some part of the market.
This is not possible. More homes or any type will impact some part of the market.
Average home price must fall in Canada to restore affordability, minister says
OTTAWA — Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson says the average price of housing — not necessarily individual home values — must fall to restore affordability in Canada.
www.biv.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:22 PM
"Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson says the average price of housing — not necessarily individual home values — must fall to restore affordability in Canada."
This is not possible. More homes or any type will impact some part of the market.
This is not possible. More homes or any type will impact some part of the market.