Kyle Spaans
@kspaans.bsky.social
Of Code ⌨️ (spaans.ca)
Bass 🔊,
and Brew ☕️
(and urbanism🔰)
Bass 🔊,
and Brew ☕️
(and urbanism🔰)
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
The great thing about February is that it has only 28 days, unlike January which had 10,000
February 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The great thing about February is that it has only 28 days, unlike January which had 10,000
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Ottawa, Canada’s capital & 4th largest city (1.1 m residents) just passed a substantial zoning reform that:
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
New zoning bylaw that could reshape city passes unanimously at council | CBC News
Ottawa city council passed a sweeping overhaul of zoning rules on Wednesday, capping off a years-long process that’s supposed to make it easier to build housing in the city.
www.cbc.ca
January 28, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Ottawa, Canada’s capital & 4th largest city (1.1 m residents) just passed a substantial zoning reform that:
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Today on UCLA Housing Voice, I talk with @kevinerdmann.bsky.social about about the mid-2000s housing market pre-crash, resulting changes in federal mortgage lending standards, and their catastrophic effects on homeownership, rental affordability, and production. www.lewis.ucla.edu/2026/01/21/1...
Episode 106: Mortgage Lending Standards with Kevin Erdmann (Incentives Series pt. 8) - UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
We built too much housing in the mid-2000s, right? Kevin Erdmann says no, explaining how this misunderstanding is at the root of unaffordability today.
www.lewis.ucla.edu
January 21, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Today on UCLA Housing Voice, I talk with @kevinerdmann.bsky.social about about the mid-2000s housing market pre-crash, resulting changes in federal mortgage lending standards, and their catastrophic effects on homeownership, rental affordability, and production. www.lewis.ucla.edu/2026/01/21/1...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Bien sûr, au lieu de trouver des moyens de réduire l'emballage de leurs produits, les fabricants veulent refiler la facture aux consommatrices et consommateurs 🤷🏻♀️
♻️
♻️
January 27, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Bien sûr, au lieu de trouver des moyens de réduire l'emballage de leurs produits, les fabricants veulent refiler la facture aux consommatrices et consommateurs 🤷🏻♀️
♻️
♻️
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Si seulement le Gouvernement n'avait pas tabletté le projet pilote de caméras à bord des autobus scolaires... 🤦🏻♀️
#sécuritéroutière #visionzéro #polqc
#sécuritéroutière #visionzéro #polqc
January 26, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Si seulement le Gouvernement n'avait pas tabletté le projet pilote de caméras à bord des autobus scolaires... 🤦🏻♀️
#sécuritéroutière #visionzéro #polqc
#sécuritéroutière #visionzéro #polqc
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Toronto! We're coming to the modern birthplace of The War on Cars to rally the troops in their fight against Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Presale tix are available right now for our Patreon members as well as supporters of @cycletoronto.bsky.social. Sign up to get the promo code. This one will be big!
Live in Toronto! Patreon Presale. | The War on Cars
Get more from The War on Cars on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Toronto! We're coming to the modern birthplace of The War on Cars to rally the troops in their fight against Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Presale tix are available right now for our Patreon members as well as supporters of @cycletoronto.bsky.social. Sign up to get the promo code. This one will be big!
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
"the transportation department’s budget shows that the percentage of local roads in decent condition is projected to fall from more than 70 per cent today to less than 50 per cent by 2035." Time for a municipal parking or vehicle registration tax for road maintenance. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Olivia Chow’s low tax hike budget shows she’s skilled at ‘bare knuckle’ politics. There’s just one problem
The new city budget shows that Mayor Olivia Chow is making sure she isn’t giving any gifts to her likely opponents in the coming mayor’s race.
www.thestar.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:36 PM
"the transportation department’s budget shows that the percentage of local roads in decent condition is projected to fall from more than 70 per cent today to less than 50 per cent by 2035." Time for a municipal parking or vehicle registration tax for road maintenance. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
"Toronto doubled its number of speed cameras from 75 to 150 last year, a measure that studies show did change driving habits. By the end of 2025, the city saw its fewest fatalities and serious injuries since the beginning of the Vision Zero program."
'Hogwash': Ford downplays speed camera effect as Toronto traffic fatalities hit record low in 2025
In 2025, Toronto’s streets were the safest in over a decade but not everyone is convinced that speed cameras were largely responsible
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM
"Toronto doubled its number of speed cameras from 75 to 150 last year, a measure that studies show did change driving habits. By the end of 2025, the city saw its fewest fatalities and serious injuries since the beginning of the Vision Zero program."
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Toronto is generally allergic to data when it comes to traffic planning, but the NYC congestion pricing experiment has basically been a slam dunk: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Congestion pricing after one year: How life has changed.
How life has changed in the New York area, according to data on traffic, transit and the responses of 600 readers.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Toronto is generally allergic to data when it comes to traffic planning, but the NYC congestion pricing experiment has basically been a slam dunk: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
This is exactly what I mean. Every single day Canada picks and chooses when international law applies and when we can safely ignore it. Pretending otherwise is willful ignorance.
This is a dangerous and irresponsible response.
Cheering the illegal abduction of a foreign head of state and celebrating U.S. control over another country is wrong.
Canada cannot pick & choose when international law applies. If the rules only matter when it’s convenient, they don’t protect anyone
Cheering the illegal abduction of a foreign head of state and celebrating U.S. control over another country is wrong.
Canada cannot pick & choose when international law applies. If the rules only matter when it’s convenient, they don’t protect anyone
January 3, 2026 at 11:45 PM
This is exactly what I mean. Every single day Canada picks and chooses when international law applies and when we can safely ignore it. Pretending otherwise is willful ignorance.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
It's actually important that, to the extent you are able, you stop using oil
January 3, 2026 at 3:13 PM
It's actually important that, to the extent you are able, you stop using oil
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Today is Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.
As unhoused people are brutalized, criminalized, and vilified nationwide—and with so much invested in obscuring the root causes of homelessness—it's important to be clear: people are homeless because they have been deprived of housing they can afford.
As unhoused people are brutalized, criminalized, and vilified nationwide—and with so much invested in obscuring the root causes of homelessness—it's important to be clear: people are homeless because they have been deprived of housing they can afford.
December 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Today is Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.
As unhoused people are brutalized, criminalized, and vilified nationwide—and with so much invested in obscuring the root causes of homelessness—it's important to be clear: people are homeless because they have been deprived of housing they can afford.
As unhoused people are brutalized, criminalized, and vilified nationwide—and with so much invested in obscuring the root causes of homelessness—it's important to be clear: people are homeless because they have been deprived of housing they can afford.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Thinking today about this sentence:
"Every $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9 percent increase in the estimated homelessness rate, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office."
"Every $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9 percent increase in the estimated homelessness rate, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office."
Inflation is making homelessness worse
Rising housing costs, combined with persistent inflation for basic necessities like gas and food, have left more Americans newly homeless and millions more fearing they’ll soon lose their homes.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Thinking today about this sentence:
"Every $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9 percent increase in the estimated homelessness rate, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office."
"Every $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9 percent increase in the estimated homelessness rate, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office."
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
@ohtheurbanity.bsky.social Shows us the importance of showcasing how much our cities are regularly changing for the better. 🚲🚶🚌
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDq...
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:49 PM
@ohtheurbanity.bsky.social Shows us the importance of showcasing how much our cities are regularly changing for the better. 🚲🚶🚌
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDq...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
I feel as though there should be a law that says if Pierre Poilievre gets defenestrated as CPC leader in January then he has to move to Battle River—Crowfoot and live there until the next election because I think this would teach everyone involved an invaluable lesson about shenanigans.
December 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I feel as though there should be a law that says if Pierre Poilievre gets defenestrated as CPC leader in January then he has to move to Battle River—Crowfoot and live there until the next election because I think this would teach everyone involved an invaluable lesson about shenanigans.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
The port has existed in its current form since the 1970's. The Peninsula had its peak population in 1956.
If congestion and movement of people and goods are being impacted today, the only cause is the number of cars on the road. the only solution is to reduce the count.
If congestion and movement of people and goods are being impacted today, the only cause is the number of cars on the road. the only solution is to reduce the count.
December 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The port has existed in its current form since the 1970's. The Peninsula had its peak population in 1956.
If congestion and movement of people and goods are being impacted today, the only cause is the number of cars on the road. the only solution is to reduce the count.
If congestion and movement of people and goods are being impacted today, the only cause is the number of cars on the road. the only solution is to reduce the count.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Our new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
Can speed cameras make streets safer? Quasi-experimental evidence from New York City | PNAS
Each year, approximately 40,000 people die in vehicle collisions in the United States,
generating $340 billion in economic costs. To make roads saf...
www.pnas.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Our new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Interest-rate hikes do little to lower the price of oil or food, yet they raise debt costs and weaken labor markets, amplifying inequality. Using blunt monetary tightening against supply shocks is both inefficient and regressive. 15/16
December 8, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Interest-rate hikes do little to lower the price of oil or food, yet they raise debt costs and weaken labor markets, amplifying inequality. Using blunt monetary tightening against supply shocks is both inefficient and regressive. 15/16
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
For decades, sustainable & responsible cities haven’t just been possible — they’ve been common sense, logical, ridiculously obvious! And yet we’ve failed to act. A better future through better cities is STILL possible with real leadership at every level. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 AM
For decades, sustainable & responsible cities haven’t just been possible — they’ve been common sense, logical, ridiculously obvious! And yet we’ve failed to act. A better future through better cities is STILL possible with real leadership at every level. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
I was one of the humans in the chain!
(Come and be a link in the next protest. Cars already have enough space in #Montreal: we need to protect our bike lanes, before the new "Ensemble" Montréal administration tears them all out.)
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
(Come and be a link in the next protest. Cars already have enough space in #Montreal: we need to protect our bike lanes, before the new "Ensemble" Montréal administration tears them all out.)
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
Outremont residents form human chain to protest bike path’s removal
Dozens of community members formed a chain along a bike path in Outremont to protest the Montreal borough’s decision to replace the section for parking spaces.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I was one of the humans in the chain!
(Come and be a link in the next protest. Cars already have enough space in #Montreal: we need to protect our bike lanes, before the new "Ensemble" Montréal administration tears them all out.)
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
(Come and be a link in the next protest. Cars already have enough space in #Montreal: we need to protect our bike lanes, before the new "Ensemble" Montréal administration tears them all out.)
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
The Big Take Away: We DONT have a condo collpase. Its an ALL new homes collpase, of every type.
Ontario home buyers can no longer afford what it costs to build new homes. We have to get costs under control and do it yesterday. Thousands of jobs depend on this.
Ontario home buyers can no longer afford what it costs to build new homes. We have to get costs under control and do it yesterday. Thousands of jobs depend on this.
New report! Our Q3 GTA and Greater Golden Horseshoe report is out, and it's bleak. Pre-construction apartment sales down 89%, ground-oriented pre-sales down 65%, guaranteeing an even deeper downturn in 2026 and beyond.
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
December 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Big Take Away: We DONT have a condo collpase. Its an ALL new homes collpase, of every type.
Ontario home buyers can no longer afford what it costs to build new homes. We have to get costs under control and do it yesterday. Thousands of jobs depend on this.
Ontario home buyers can no longer afford what it costs to build new homes. We have to get costs under control and do it yesterday. Thousands of jobs depend on this.
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
Small 4-6 unit multiplexes shouldn't require the same governance and reserve requirements as 200-unit condos.
Other jurisdictions (including BC) have simpler, more lightweight ownership structure for small multi-residential buildings. ON and Toronto should take a look!
Other jurisdictions (including BC) have simpler, more lightweight ownership structure for small multi-residential buildings. ON and Toronto should take a look!
Multiplexes are finally legal to build in Toronto, but the rules for how they can be owned and sold haven't caught up.
November 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Small 4-6 unit multiplexes shouldn't require the same governance and reserve requirements as 200-unit condos.
Other jurisdictions (including BC) have simpler, more lightweight ownership structure for small multi-residential buildings. ON and Toronto should take a look!
Other jurisdictions (including BC) have simpler, more lightweight ownership structure for small multi-residential buildings. ON and Toronto should take a look!
Reposted by Kyle Spaans
The thing is we've known that housing the homeless is cheaper than neglect, we've known that Ubi is effective at eliminating poverty, we've known that heavily subsidized housing and education leads people into the middle class, we've known all of these things in some cases for 70 years.
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
It costs a lot less to house people.
It costs a lot less to house people.
Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me
In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.
thebetter.news
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The thing is we've known that housing the homeless is cheaper than neglect, we've known that Ubi is effective at eliminating poverty, we've known that heavily subsidized housing and education leads people into the middle class, we've known all of these things in some cases for 70 years.