http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/Calgarians+spending+much+time+money+commuting/5299228/story.html
This shouldn't come as a shock. Calgary needs a major infrastructure overhaul (which it's sorta getting with the half-assed West LRT and the 3/4 assed ring road) but more importantly, Calgarians need an attitude overhall. Driving a truck or SUV because you "like to have your own space" is ridiculous and will not help the community at all. We need to band together, get a little more comfy, and really invest in public transit before this city's urban sprawl gets out of control.
A blog written mostly about Calgary happenings, including infrastructure, politics and more!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
New Calgary.ca !
Calgary recently spent a lot of money on a new site. I've had a little look at the new layout and I love it. Dollars well worth it to present a proffessional, world class city to our online visitors, while maintaining usefulness for citizens. To use it, I highly reccommend a quick tour of the available buttons, then try a couple of searches. That's how it's designed to be used.
http://calgary.ca
http://calgary.ca
Interesting And Pertinant TED Talk
Ran accross an interesting video that says that all cities are destined to die and fail over time. Interesting theory with a couple of graphs that contrast some questionable things. But a seemingly strictly mathematical view does provoke questions about how to avoid his predictions.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Diverging Diamond Intersection
Stumbled across an interesting article about "Diverging Diamond Intersections" It seems pretty similar to the setup that we have on many overpasses in Calgary (Shaganappi and Crowchild for example) but with a very different twist. The roads on the overpass are reversed. Read the article for more information - I think that this might be a solution for shitstorms in Calgary like 16th avenue and Deerfoot.
http://www.slate.com/id/2300425/
http://www.slate.com/id/2300425/
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Calgary Sun (I'm surprised too): Calgary Transit Growth Stalled
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/07/25/calgary-transit-growth-stalled-report
Take a look at this article outlining that Calgary Transit's ridership increased the least amongst Canada's largest cities last year. I'll bet that the bigger heads at CT are hoping that the West LRT will change all that.
Take a look at this article outlining that Calgary Transit's ridership increased the least amongst Canada's largest cities last year. I'll bet that the bigger heads at CT are hoping that the West LRT will change all that.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wayy too long for an update, but: Slugging it is!
Hello,
Came across this! Around the D.C. area, they've got those High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, and the citizens have really put them to use! In short, drivers need passengers in order to get into the HOV lanes, and passengers like cheaper and quicker alternatives to the bus! There is a whole list of rules and etiquette, and the whole thing seems like a great idea with a weird name! Check out the link for more information. Do you think that this would be a workable solution in Calgary? I'm a little wary only because none of Calgary's major roads actually go downtown or to transportation hubs. HOV lanes would have to be added to roads like Bow Trail, Memorial Drive, McLeod Trail & 14 street, and even then, these roads don't particularly lead anywhere useful train or bus-wise.
http://www.slug-lines.com/
Came across this! Around the D.C. area, they've got those High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, and the citizens have really put them to use! In short, drivers need passengers in order to get into the HOV lanes, and passengers like cheaper and quicker alternatives to the bus! There is a whole list of rules and etiquette, and the whole thing seems like a great idea with a weird name! Check out the link for more information. Do you think that this would be a workable solution in Calgary? I'm a little wary only because none of Calgary's major roads actually go downtown or to transportation hubs. HOV lanes would have to be added to roads like Bow Trail, Memorial Drive, McLeod Trail & 14 street, and even then, these roads don't particularly lead anywhere useful train or bus-wise.
http://www.slug-lines.com/
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Secondary Suites in Calgary
Hello Some!
As a former resident of quite a few houses with secondary suites, some legal, others dubious. Mayor Nenshi makes a strong argument on leasing secondary suites in Calgary.
This seems to me to be a good idea. Rental prices in Calgary are already high, and landlords are a pretty shady bunch (how many times did you ask your landlord to fix your furnace/toilet/stove/sink/window etc before you fixed it yourself?)Legalizing secondary suite rentals with an application process protects us renters in a few ways based on the criteria set out:
As a former resident of quite a few houses with secondary suites, some legal, others dubious. Mayor Nenshi makes a strong argument on leasing secondary suites in Calgary.
This seems to me to be a good idea. Rental prices in Calgary are already high, and landlords are a pretty shady bunch (how many times did you ask your landlord to fix your furnace/toilet/stove/sink/window etc before you fixed it yourself?)Legalizing secondary suite rentals with an application process protects us renters in a few ways based on the criteria set out:
- Suite must meet fire and safety code - I have definitely seen a lot of rental houses where fire codes were obviously not met, ensuring that suites are up to snuff will make us a lot safer. No more windows screwed shut, faulty/questionable wiring, or lack of smoke detectors!
- Off street parking - I don't agree as much with this sentiment because I would estimate that a sizable portion of the demographic renting secondary suites would not have cars anyways, and the rest that do would only have 1 vehicle ergo not cluttering the streets too much. The concession is made however, that if the suite is close to transit that this could be waved. I would include suites within 1 km of at least 3 different bus routes, which is probably a lot less stringent than Nenshi is planning, but I aim to try and encourage more transit use.
- The owner must live in the dwelling - While personally I don't think I would ever like to live with my landlord, this does address an issue that is going to be very prevalent in the coming years. Our populace is getting older, and this does offer a much cheaper alternative to assisted living. My grandparents, for example, could probably use a lot of help around the house and I've got cousins that could a)help them out with chores and such and b)enjoy a cheaper alternative to renting a full house to themselves.
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