Davis Kyle
@daviskyle.bsky.social
https://www.kyleforkelowna.ca/
Procurement & Contract Analyst
Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition, Past President
Vice Chair of the RDCO Planning Advisory Committee
Prize-winning housing policy author
Views do not reflect those of my employer.
Procurement & Contract Analyst
Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition, Past President
Vice Chair of the RDCO Planning Advisory Committee
Prize-winning housing policy author
Views do not reflect those of my employer.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
Minimum depth requirement for a commercial space only makes sense if you're trying to regulate small businesses out of existence. We need more small spaces, like <200sqft that don't cost an arm and a leg to rent.
November 29, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Minimum depth requirement for a commercial space only makes sense if you're trying to regulate small businesses out of existence. We need more small spaces, like <200sqft that don't cost an arm and a leg to rent.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
Completely unrelated, but this little shop wouldn’t be compliant in new construction in Seattle where retail mandates a 30’ depth for some arbitrary reason. Zoning codes and city planners do not know how to make good buildings.
Soon small businesses won’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to get attention from their Mayor.
Some changes that they can look forward to:
Some changes that they can look forward to:
November 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Completely unrelated, but this little shop wouldn’t be compliant in new construction in Seattle where retail mandates a 30’ depth for some arbitrary reason. Zoning codes and city planners do not know how to make good buildings.
A very important point from kendal
Renters are part of a community too.
Grinds my gears when someone says that an apartment is going to disrupt, or often you hear destroy, a “residential” neighbourhood.
What is an apartment, but not a residence? A rental is a place to live.
Renters are part of a community too.
Grinds my gears when someone says that an apartment is going to disrupt, or often you hear destroy, a “residential” neighbourhood.
What is an apartment, but not a residence? A rental is a place to live.
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
A very important point from kendal
Renters are part of a community too.
Grinds my gears when someone says that an apartment is going to disrupt, or often you hear destroy, a “residential” neighbourhood.
What is an apartment, but not a residence? A rental is a place to live.
Renters are part of a community too.
Grinds my gears when someone says that an apartment is going to disrupt, or often you hear destroy, a “residential” neighbourhood.
What is an apartment, but not a residence? A rental is a place to live.
In WW2, once you sank the submarine that happened to have surfaced due to depth charge damage, you would stop firing at the life rafts and pick up the POWs.
The US is treating these people worse than they did Wehrmacht soldiers fighting for the Nazis.
The US is treating these people worse than they did Wehrmacht soldiers fighting for the Nazis.
“.. As the smoke cleared, they got a jolt: Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck.
“The Special Operations commander .. ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions .. The two men were blown apart ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“The Special Operations commander .. ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions .. The two men were blown apart ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
In WW2, once you sank the submarine that happened to have surfaced due to depth charge damage, you would stop firing at the life rafts and pick up the POWs.
The US is treating these people worse than they did Wehrmacht soldiers fighting for the Nazis.
The US is treating these people worse than they did Wehrmacht soldiers fighting for the Nazis.
Thanks to Common Wealth Canada and Ken Yang for putting this on, along with Janning, Martin, and @1alexhemingway for being excellent panelists
Lots of good discussion on the importance of revenue neutral tax shifts to improve productivity, spur economic growth, and reduce costs
Lots of good discussion on the importance of revenue neutral tax shifts to improve productivity, spur economic growth, and reduce costs
November 28, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Thanks to Common Wealth Canada and Ken Yang for putting this on, along with Janning, Martin, and @1alexhemingway for being excellent panelists
Lots of good discussion on the importance of revenue neutral tax shifts to improve productivity, spur economic growth, and reduce costs
Lots of good discussion on the importance of revenue neutral tax shifts to improve productivity, spur economic growth, and reduce costs
Reposted by Davis Kyle
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Downzoning Chicago: How Local Land Use Policy Has Reduced Housing Construction and Reinforced Segregation | Published in Findings
By Yonah Freemark, George Kisiel. Downzonings were used by US cities in the postwar period to preserve neighborhood character. These land-use policies were associated with lower housing supply, higher...
findingspress.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Hope to see you there tonight.
Panel on tax and housing policy policy at SFU.
Panel on tax and housing policy policy at SFU.
November 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Hope to see you there tonight.
Panel on tax and housing policy policy at SFU.
Panel on tax and housing policy policy at SFU.
BC Electoral Reform Committee has released their report.
Includes a recommendation for a citizen's assembly on electoral reform and consultation with local government on the appetite for electoral reform in local elections (such as ranked ballots)
www.leg.bc.ca/committee-co...
Includes a recommendation for a citizen's assembly on electoral reform and consultation with local government on the appetite for electoral reform in local elections (such as ranked ballots)
www.leg.bc.ca/committee-co...
www.leg.bc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
BC Electoral Reform Committee has released their report.
Includes a recommendation for a citizen's assembly on electoral reform and consultation with local government on the appetite for electoral reform in local elections (such as ranked ballots)
www.leg.bc.ca/committee-co...
Includes a recommendation for a citizen's assembly on electoral reform and consultation with local government on the appetite for electoral reform in local elections (such as ranked ballots)
www.leg.bc.ca/committee-co...
Reposted by Davis Kyle
Our design also suggests that 701 assistance is linked:
- To more complex zoning!
- With greater adoption of quotas on permits, and of inclusionary zoning!
- To more bargaining for community benefits, where we leverage newspaper reports!
- To more complex zoning!
- With greater adoption of quotas on permits, and of inclusionary zoning!
- To more bargaining for community benefits, where we leverage newspaper reports!
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Our design also suggests that 701 assistance is linked:
- To more complex zoning!
- With greater adoption of quotas on permits, and of inclusionary zoning!
- To more bargaining for community benefits, where we leverage newspaper reports!
- To more complex zoning!
- With greater adoption of quotas on permits, and of inclusionary zoning!
- To more bargaining for community benefits, where we leverage newspaper reports!
Tom is an excellent housing economist (PHD, Applied Economics, Wharton) and a good friend. Very excited to see him and his coauthor publish this today.
A great hire for any organization looking for detailed housing analysis.
A great hire for any organization looking for detailed housing analysis.
We're preparing a bunch of updates for a revised draft next month, so we're happy to hear your comments.
On my end, I'm eager to continue my research agendas as I look for work in academic or policy positions. More on that at my site: tom-cui.com
Thanks for reading!
On my end, I'm eager to continue my research agendas as I look for work in academic or policy positions. More on that at my site: tom-cui.com
Thanks for reading!
Home
Personal Webpage
tom-cui.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Tom is an excellent housing economist (PHD, Applied Economics, Wharton) and a good friend. Very excited to see him and his coauthor publish this today.
A great hire for any organization looking for detailed housing analysis.
A great hire for any organization looking for detailed housing analysis.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
Why are many U.S. cities building less? Why have they insisted on a "thicket" of regulations that make housing hard to build?
In a new #EconJMP with Beau Bressler (beaubressler.github.io), we study how much of the answer lies with a forgotten federal program that taught cities to restrict growth
In a new #EconJMP with Beau Bressler (beaubressler.github.io), we study how much of the answer lies with a forgotten federal program that taught cities to restrict growth
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Why are many U.S. cities building less? Why have they insisted on a "thicket" of regulations that make housing hard to build?
In a new #EconJMP with Beau Bressler (beaubressler.github.io), we study how much of the answer lies with a forgotten federal program that taught cities to restrict growth
In a new #EconJMP with Beau Bressler (beaubressler.github.io), we study how much of the answer lies with a forgotten federal program that taught cities to restrict growth
www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna...
IMO, Crime perception is up in particular due to homelessness being dispersed further into the community after the OS4 enforcement changes.
Leon was in really rough shape when I was downtown for a haircut today. I'll spare the graphic details.
IMO, Crime perception is up in particular due to homelessness being dispersed further into the community after the OS4 enforcement changes.
Leon was in really rough shape when I was downtown for a haircut today. I'll spare the graphic details.
As the city gets ready to spend more on public safety, Kelowna residents perceive crime is getting worse - Kelowna News
The City of Kelowna has more than doubled its policing budget over the past 10 years with more expected to be added when council debates the 2026 budget next week.
www.castanet.net
November 26, 2025 at 1:26 AM
www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna...
IMO, Crime perception is up in particular due to homelessness being dispersed further into the community after the OS4 enforcement changes.
Leon was in really rough shape when I was downtown for a haircut today. I'll spare the graphic details.
IMO, Crime perception is up in particular due to homelessness being dispersed further into the community after the OS4 enforcement changes.
Leon was in really rough shape when I was downtown for a haircut today. I'll spare the graphic details.
Discovering a vice tonight.
Very good stuff.
Very good stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Discovering a vice tonight.
Very good stuff.
Very good stuff.
This is cowardly.
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
This is cowardly.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
Municipal corruption has been a huge issue in many times and places in U.S. history (Tammany Hall etc.).
But in terms of presidents, Trump is by far the most personally corrupt ever, and it’s not even debatable. Shame on the Beeb. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
But in terms of presidents, Trump is by far the most personally corrupt ever, and it’s not even debatable. Shame on the Beeb. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reith lecturer accuses BBC of censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Municipal corruption has been a huge issue in many times and places in U.S. history (Tammany Hall etc.).
But in terms of presidents, Trump is by far the most personally corrupt ever, and it’s not even debatable. Shame on the Beeb. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
But in terms of presidents, Trump is by far the most personally corrupt ever, and it’s not even debatable. Shame on the Beeb. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Kelowna Transit Supportive Corridor document was presented to council today.
I prefer concentric TOAs to linear paths, and providing increased flexibility instead of a fair bit of rigidity (on the built form and mandating commercial in some circumstances) but it’s decent.
I prefer concentric TOAs to linear paths, and providing increased flexibility instead of a fair bit of rigidity (on the built form and mandating commercial in some circumstances) but it’s decent.
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Kelowna Transit Supportive Corridor document was presented to council today.
I prefer concentric TOAs to linear paths, and providing increased flexibility instead of a fair bit of rigidity (on the built form and mandating commercial in some circumstances) but it’s decent.
I prefer concentric TOAs to linear paths, and providing increased flexibility instead of a fair bit of rigidity (on the built form and mandating commercial in some circumstances) but it’s decent.
Check out this high quality (and unique) new build ATC in Neuvo Vallarta.
All the intersections are U or Roundabout so the centre-running nature works. 4 lane road, 2 lanes per side.
Level crossings or good curbing for smoothness.
Very popular with shoppers and tourists. Bad trees for shade.
All the intersections are U or Roundabout so the centre-running nature works. 4 lane road, 2 lanes per side.
Level crossings or good curbing for smoothness.
Very popular with shoppers and tourists. Bad trees for shade.
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Check out this high quality (and unique) new build ATC in Neuvo Vallarta.
All the intersections are U or Roundabout so the centre-running nature works. 4 lane road, 2 lanes per side.
Level crossings or good curbing for smoothness.
Very popular with shoppers and tourists. Bad trees for shade.
All the intersections are U or Roundabout so the centre-running nature works. 4 lane road, 2 lanes per side.
Level crossings or good curbing for smoothness.
Very popular with shoppers and tourists. Bad trees for shade.
Grocery stores do not have 30-40% margins this is silly.
If you want to talk about food costs you need to begin with supply management.
Still require top quality, without supply controls.
If you want to talk about food costs you need to begin with supply management.
Still require top quality, without supply controls.
November 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Grocery stores do not have 30-40% margins this is silly.
If you want to talk about food costs you need to begin with supply management.
Still require top quality, without supply controls.
If you want to talk about food costs you need to begin with supply management.
Still require top quality, without supply controls.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
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 Davis Kyle
In today’s least surprising local news, speed display signs aren’t enough to make our roads safer.
Speed display signs only slow drivers down by 1km/h: Halifax report
Halifax has installed nearly 50 speed display signs around the municipality, but on average they only slow down drivers by less than one km/h, according to a new staff report.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 22, 2025 at 12:04 PM
In today’s least surprising local news, speed display signs aren’t enough to make our roads safer.
Ogopogo spotted in Bucerias!
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Ogopogo spotted in Bucerias!
Credit to the majority.
Webber, Cannan, Dyas are an unlikely alliance making the wrong vote here.
www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/...
By far the most affordable (and environmental) large building Kelowna has ever had. Subsidized units. Mass timber.
Frustrating to see them vote to reject.
Webber, Cannan, Dyas are an unlikely alliance making the wrong vote here.
www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/...
By far the most affordable (and environmental) large building Kelowna has ever had. Subsidized units. Mass timber.
Frustrating to see them vote to reject.
18-storey project approved 15 months after Kelowna council was told the site wasn’t big enough
A 221-unit building in the heart of downtown with less than 50 parking spaces has been approved by city council.
In August 2024, a parking lot.
www.kelownanow.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Credit to the majority.
Webber, Cannan, Dyas are an unlikely alliance making the wrong vote here.
www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/...
By far the most affordable (and environmental) large building Kelowna has ever had. Subsidized units. Mass timber.
Frustrating to see them vote to reject.
Webber, Cannan, Dyas are an unlikely alliance making the wrong vote here.
www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/...
By far the most affordable (and environmental) large building Kelowna has ever had. Subsidized units. Mass timber.
Frustrating to see them vote to reject.
Reposted by Davis Kyle
New dry supportive housing, for people who've been sober for >60 days and have completed detox and treatment.
With peer-supported coaching, referrals to other services, and help with independent living skills to prepare for transitioning into long-term housing.
cheknews.ca/b-c-announce...
#yyj
With peer-supported coaching, referrals to other services, and help with independent living skills to prepare for transitioning into long-term housing.
cheknews.ca/b-c-announce...
#yyj
B.C. announces new ‘dry’ supportive housing facility in Victoria
A new “dry” supportive housing facility is coming to Victoria, meaning the building will be free of substance use.
cheknews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
New dry supportive housing, for people who've been sober for >60 days and have completed detox and treatment.
With peer-supported coaching, referrals to other services, and help with independent living skills to prepare for transitioning into long-term housing.
cheknews.ca/b-c-announce...
#yyj
With peer-supported coaching, referrals to other services, and help with independent living skills to prepare for transitioning into long-term housing.
cheknews.ca/b-c-announce...
#yyj
No coincidence that Montreal has a very different infrastructure funding model, better zoning and building codes, and, frankly, infrastructure investment that is tied to better housing performance and community planning.
November 18, 2025 at 10:56 PM
No coincidence that Montreal has a very different infrastructure funding model, better zoning and building codes, and, frankly, infrastructure investment that is tied to better housing performance and community planning.
Important work from @russilwvong.bsky.social on the “zoning tax” that our regulatory barriers are adding to the cost of housing.
While directly reducing supply cost it’s important, it’s important to look at the indirect friction and implicit costs of supply
morehousing.substack.com/p/zoning-tax
While directly reducing supply cost it’s important, it’s important to look at the indirect friction and implicit costs of supply
morehousing.substack.com/p/zoning-tax
How large is the zoning tax?
Estimates from Australia (Kendall and Tulip 2018) and BC (Zemp 2025)
morehousing.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Important work from @russilwvong.bsky.social on the “zoning tax” that our regulatory barriers are adding to the cost of housing.
While directly reducing supply cost it’s important, it’s important to look at the indirect friction and implicit costs of supply
morehousing.substack.com/p/zoning-tax
While directly reducing supply cost it’s important, it’s important to look at the indirect friction and implicit costs of supply
morehousing.substack.com/p/zoning-tax