Steve Hurst
@stvh.bsky.social
Urbanist, multi-modalist, land development. Non-profit res-dev in Victoria.
Pinned
Steve Hurst
@stvh.bsky.social
· Apr 30
There is no predictable process to create non-profit affordable housing.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Cycling through the Rijksmuseum passage in Amsterdam, through one of the world’s most iconic museums. Local residents fought to keep it open when renovation plans nearly closed it, and today it’s used by thousands of cyclists every day. A truly unique piece of cycling infrastructure.
January 15, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Cycling through the Rijksmuseum passage in Amsterdam, through one of the world’s most iconic museums. Local residents fought to keep it open when renovation plans nearly closed it, and today it’s used by thousands of cyclists every day. A truly unique piece of cycling infrastructure.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
1/ For those who think that homelessness in Victoria is caused by a permissive "clownsil" and our warm climate, and not a scourge across all of Canada, here's an article about the dramatic increase of homelessness in rural, Northern, Ontario.
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
Homelessness in rural, Northern Ontario surging, outpacing rest of province, report says
Homelessness in the north has increased by about 117.5% since 2021, Association of Municipalities of Ontario says
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
1/ For those who think that homelessness in Victoria is caused by a permissive "clownsil" and our warm climate, and not a scourge across all of Canada, here's an article about the dramatic increase of homelessness in rural, Northern, Ontario.
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
January 13, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem | Sightline Institute
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
www.sightline.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Which kind of land use is the most financially productive: roads, parking, or buildings?
Looking at this comparison, it isn't even close.
Info courtesy of our friends at Urban3.
Looking at this comparison, it isn't even close.
Info courtesy of our friends at Urban3.
January 6, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Which kind of land use is the most financially productive: roads, parking, or buildings?
Looking at this comparison, it isn't even close.
Info courtesy of our friends at Urban3.
Looking at this comparison, it isn't even close.
Info courtesy of our friends at Urban3.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
NEW: This is very interesting — Seattle City Council has allowed 8-unit buildings up to 3 storeys, or 10 apartments up to 4 storeys (they call them “stacked flats”) if they add green features (like bioswales or green roofs) or preserve trees, in all residential zones across the entire city!
Seattle Council Approves Eight-Unit Apartment Buildings Everywhere - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Maybe calling them “stacked flats,” rather than “apartments,” was a stroke of genius. On Tuesday, the…
publicola.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:41 AM
NEW: This is very interesting — Seattle City Council has allowed 8-unit buildings up to 3 storeys, or 10 apartments up to 4 storeys (they call them “stacked flats”) if they add green features (like bioswales or green roofs) or preserve trees, in all residential zones across the entire city!
Reposted by Steve Hurst
winner of that competition in buchs was baumschlager hutter.
17 point access blocks.
development has a FAR of just 1.6, and ~25% lot coverage
baumschlagerhutter.com/arbeiten/rhe...
17 point access blocks.
development has a FAR of just 1.6, and ~25% lot coverage
baumschlagerhutter.com/arbeiten/rhe...
December 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
winner of that competition in buchs was baumschlager hutter.
17 point access blocks.
development has a FAR of just 1.6, and ~25% lot coverage
baumschlagerhutter.com/arbeiten/rhe...
17 point access blocks.
development has a FAR of just 1.6, and ~25% lot coverage
baumschlagerhutter.com/arbeiten/rhe...
Reposted by Steve Hurst
single stair 12-plex on a small site in tokyo
our housing crisis is due to a lack of will and imagination
www.archdaily.com/1037101/esce...
our housing crisis is due to a lack of will and imagination
www.archdaily.com/1037101/esce...
Escenario Hanabusayama / Ryuichi Sasaki + Sasaki Architecture
Completed in 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Images by Takumi Ota Photography. Carving architecture from the earth – Surrounded by undulating terrain and historic residential zones dating back to the Edo period...
www.archdaily.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
single stair 12-plex on a small site in tokyo
our housing crisis is due to a lack of will and imagination
www.archdaily.com/1037101/esce...
our housing crisis is due to a lack of will and imagination
www.archdaily.com/1037101/esce...
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Luxury Apartments Are Bringing Rent Down in Some Big Cities
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Luxury Apartments Are Bringing Rent Down in Some Big Cities
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Visiting Crosstown!
54 supportive housing units, 100 mixed affordable, commercial space, a YMCA ten dollar a day child care centre, AND a community health clinic under construction. Thank you Cool Aid!
54 supportive housing units, 100 mixed affordable, commercial space, a YMCA ten dollar a day child care centre, AND a community health clinic under construction. Thank you Cool Aid!
December 18, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Visiting Crosstown!
54 supportive housing units, 100 mixed affordable, commercial space, a YMCA ten dollar a day child care centre, AND a community health clinic under construction. Thank you Cool Aid!
54 supportive housing units, 100 mixed affordable, commercial space, a YMCA ten dollar a day child care centre, AND a community health clinic under construction. Thank you Cool Aid!
Reposted by Steve Hurst
December 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Steve Hurst
One of the biggest drivers of high housing costs is that a small, highly motivated group of incumbent homeowners block new housing in their neighborhoods and almost no one is organized to push back.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
December 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
One of the biggest drivers of high housing costs is that a small, highly motivated group of incumbent homeowners block new housing in their neighborhoods and almost no one is organized to push back.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
One of the other benefits of a building with an external single-stair: the stair and hallway can combine in a way that makes it much easier for fire services to work around residents who are being evacuated.
This is one of the many values of a #SocialStair that is the centre of a building's life.
This is one of the many values of a #SocialStair that is the centre of a building's life.
December 5, 2025 at 11:04 PM
One of the other benefits of a building with an external single-stair: the stair and hallway can combine in a way that makes it much easier for fire services to work around residents who are being evacuated.
This is one of the many values of a #SocialStair that is the centre of a building's life.
This is one of the many values of a #SocialStair that is the centre of a building's life.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Not once have I seen this compact arrangement of plumbing fixtures in a double loaded corridor building. I see this all the time in single stair buildings though. This can eliminate so much lost energy waiting for hot water, as well as water supply and drainage piping.
November 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Not once have I seen this compact arrangement of plumbing fixtures in a double loaded corridor building. I see this all the time in single stair buildings though. This can eliminate so much lost energy waiting for hot water, as well as water supply and drainage piping.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
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 Steve Hurst
Investing smartly in public transit checks ALL the boxes right now, @mark-carney.bsky.social. It’s a credible example of both real nation-building & climate action. It’s a proven cost SAVER with a great ROI that makes Canadian cities more successful & competitive. It supports equity & affordability.
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Investing smartly in public transit checks ALL the boxes right now, @mark-carney.bsky.social. It’s a credible example of both real nation-building & climate action. It’s a proven cost SAVER with a great ROI that makes Canadian cities more successful & competitive. It supports equity & affordability.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
The only way to move more people through McKenzie Avenue faster is with bus lanes paired with cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
It would be paired with community and regional growth as well as rapid transit from BC Transit!
It would be paired with community and regional growth as well as rapid transit from BC Transit!
Nothing to see here, just me and my 26 taking 8 minutes to travel the 500m from Saanich/McKenzie to McKenzie/Quadra. On a Saturday. 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃
October 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
The only way to move more people through McKenzie Avenue faster is with bus lanes paired with cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
It would be paired with community and regional growth as well as rapid transit from BC Transit!
It would be paired with community and regional growth as well as rapid transit from BC Transit!
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Mind. Blown. What I wouldn't give to be able to use one of these Site Covers for my projects. Absolutely next level.
Seeing this construction project was mind blowing:
in Copenhagen, multiple apartment buildings are being built INDOORS and on-site, in a single “Site Cover” temporary shelter.
in Copenhagen, multiple apartment buildings are being built INDOORS and on-site, in a single “Site Cover” temporary shelter.
October 27, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Mind. Blown. What I wouldn't give to be able to use one of these Site Covers for my projects. Absolutely next level.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Fortunately, council supported it and we are moving this project ahead, as long as the many new city fees still make sense for this build.
Hopefully, the official community plan will be amended to allow these in the future. Small socially connected neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods are needed.
Hopefully, the official community plan will be amended to allow these in the future. Small socially connected neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods are needed.
October 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Fortunately, council supported it and we are moving this project ahead, as long as the many new city fees still make sense for this build.
Hopefully, the official community plan will be amended to allow these in the future. Small socially connected neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods are needed.
Hopefully, the official community plan will be amended to allow these in the future. Small socially connected neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods are needed.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Courtyard buildings are the answer.
October 26, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Courtyard buildings are the answer.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
American cities have stagnated. Residential neighborhoods, transportation systems, and commercial districts have changed little in 50+ years.
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
The Unfinished Metropolis: Igniting the City-Building Revolution
www.amazon.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
American cities have stagnated. Residential neighborhoods, transportation systems, and commercial districts have changed little in 50+ years.
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Study after study shows that it's remarkably cheap and easy to solve the problems of homelessness and poverty with low-barrier supportive housing and universal basic income, but our own fear that someone, somewhere will get something they didn't "earn" keeps us looking for other (punitive) options.
“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
October 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Study after study shows that it's remarkably cheap and easy to solve the problems of homelessness and poverty with low-barrier supportive housing and universal basic income, but our own fear that someone, somewhere will get something they didn't "earn" keeps us looking for other (punitive) options.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
NEW: “Toderian says it’s easy to be distracted by futuristic innovations like electric cars, drone delivery networks & hyperloops. ‘The real solutions are a lot less sexy and a lot more common sense… Tech won’t save us if we get the fundamentals wrong.”
I was 1 of 3 urban experts asked to weigh in.
I was 1 of 3 urban experts asked to weigh in.
A world without traffic? Three urban experts rethink how cities move
Gridlock is costing us billions, but bold solutions like bus-only lanes, congestion charges and flexible work hours could get cities moving again
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
NEW: “Toderian says it’s easy to be distracted by futuristic innovations like electric cars, drone delivery networks & hyperloops. ‘The real solutions are a lot less sexy and a lot more common sense… Tech won’t save us if we get the fundamentals wrong.”
I was 1 of 3 urban experts asked to weigh in.
I was 1 of 3 urban experts asked to weigh in.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
A few months ago, a friend visited me in Utrecht. As we biked around to do daily errands, she kept saying, "This is like a dream. This is like a dream."
I do believe all cities the world over to soon come to their senses, limit car movement, and build a dream of safe, abundant streets for people.
I do believe all cities the world over to soon come to their senses, limit car movement, and build a dream of safe, abundant streets for people.
October 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
A few months ago, a friend visited me in Utrecht. As we biked around to do daily errands, she kept saying, "This is like a dream. This is like a dream."
I do believe all cities the world over to soon come to their senses, limit car movement, and build a dream of safe, abundant streets for people.
I do believe all cities the world over to soon come to their senses, limit car movement, and build a dream of safe, abundant streets for people.
Reposted by Steve Hurst
Reading Impossible Toronto, on how Toronto’s side streets can be redeveloped with a denser, more European form. Applicable really to almost anywhere in North America though. Free here: impossibletoronto.ca
October 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reading Impossible Toronto, on how Toronto’s side streets can be redeveloped with a denser, more European form. Applicable really to almost anywhere in North America though. Free here: impossibletoronto.ca