Toon Dreessen
@toondreessen.bsky.social
Architect Husband Dad he/him; past pres @oaarchitects.bsky.social; president @architectsdca.bsky.social; writer, public speaker, advocate for #procurement reform; #climatepoli @riseforarch
Pinned
Toon Dreessen
@toondreessen.bsky.social
· Dec 28
The Problems of Public Procurement in Canada: Rule Layering, Strategic Purchasing, and Risk Aversion as a Toxic Stew
This article analyzes persistent challenges in Canadian public procurement, examining in particular the federal government's complex, multi-layered purchasing processes which have contributed to high....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Thanks to a dear friend who very patiently listens to my procurement rants for boosting this into my feed. I and many others, including @alexbozikovic.bsky.social and @novakovicto.bsky.social have been saying this for years. #ReformProcurement 1/ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
For example, "[...] centerlines give drivers comfort [...] Studies have shown that, when a centerline is removed from a street, drivers become more wary of approaching traffic and drive an average of [11 kph] slower.
This is low-hanging fruit. Remove centre lines from residential collectors.
This is low-hanging fruit. Remove centre lines from residential collectors.
November 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
For example, "[...] centerlines give drivers comfort [...] Studies have shown that, when a centerline is removed from a street, drivers become more wary of approaching traffic and drive an average of [11 kph] slower.
This is low-hanging fruit. Remove centre lines from residential collectors.
This is low-hanging fruit. Remove centre lines from residential collectors.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
Whereas Calgary is contending with a rise in motorist collisions with pedestrians;
Whereas deaths among all road users is rising; and
Whereas #YYCCC is in budget week:
BE IT RESOLVED that council refers to Jeff Speck's 10 tactics on improving walkability, road safety:
www.cnu.org/publicsquare...
Whereas deaths among all road users is rising; and
Whereas #YYCCC is in budget week:
BE IT RESOLVED that council refers to Jeff Speck's 10 tactics on improving walkability, road safety:
www.cnu.org/publicsquare...
Why your city needs a downtown ‘walkability plan’
Here are 10 tactics to plan for better walkability with immediate implementation, improving safety and reviving a city center in the process.
www.cnu.org
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Whereas Calgary is contending with a rise in motorist collisions with pedestrians;
Whereas deaths among all road users is rising; and
Whereas #YYCCC is in budget week:
BE IT RESOLVED that council refers to Jeff Speck's 10 tactics on improving walkability, road safety:
www.cnu.org/publicsquare...
Whereas deaths among all road users is rising; and
Whereas #YYCCC is in budget week:
BE IT RESOLVED that council refers to Jeff Speck's 10 tactics on improving walkability, road safety:
www.cnu.org/publicsquare...
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
Stop worrying about terraforming Mars and start preventing the venusification of Earth.
Humans will NEVER colonize another planet. Never.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
November 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Stop worrying about terraforming Mars and start preventing the venusification of Earth.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
I’m one of many who believe our Vancouver waterfront should have more things to go to. Here’s one I’ve been advising & helping with— HAVN now has a proposed site in Vancouver for a floating sauna boat. They have one in Victoria already. I’ve experienced similar in Helsinki & Oslo! www.havnsaunas.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I’m one of many who believe our Vancouver waterfront should have more things to go to. Here’s one I’ve been advising & helping with— HAVN now has a proposed site in Vancouver for a floating sauna boat. They have one in Victoria already. I’ve experienced similar in Helsinki & Oslo! www.havnsaunas.com
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
The City of Ottawa deploys pedestrian-calming infrastructure.
Salt speed bumps by Sutcliffe.
Salt speed bumps by Sutcliffe.
November 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The City of Ottawa deploys pedestrian-calming infrastructure.
Salt speed bumps by Sutcliffe.
Salt speed bumps by Sutcliffe.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
Seeing a tent doesn’t put anyone in danger. Being uncomfortable is not the same as being unsafe.
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Seeing a tent doesn’t put anyone in danger. Being uncomfortable is not the same as being unsafe.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
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 Toon Dreessen
Landsdowne 2.0 is really becoming a clear clusterfuck. Now the PWHL is ready to leave.
@toondreessen.bsky.social
@neilsara.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@toondreessen.bsky.social
@neilsara.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ottawa Charge won't play at smaller Lansdowne arena, PWHL says | CBC News
"We'd like to find a solution that works for us to stay in Ottawa," a league executive says of the Ottawa Charge. "But the city hasn't made it easy for us."
www.cbc.ca
November 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Landsdowne 2.0 is really becoming a clear clusterfuck. Now the PWHL is ready to leave.
@toondreessen.bsky.social
@neilsara.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@toondreessen.bsky.social
@neilsara.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
As an entrepreneur, business owner, etc this is a hard lesson to learn. But slowly getting there. Years ago a coach asked me to imagine taking 3m off. I couldn’t imagine 3 days. I’m now down to a 55h week and can actually begin to imagine time away. This is largely thanks to great staff.
Having down time and rest should be more of a badge of honour than being busy.
November 22, 2025 at 1:16 PM
As an entrepreneur, business owner, etc this is a hard lesson to learn. But slowly getting there. Years ago a coach asked me to imagine taking 3m off. I couldn’t imagine 3 days. I’m now down to a 55h week and can actually begin to imagine time away. This is largely thanks to great staff.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
The Witkoff-Dmitriev pact is one of those deeply corrupt, follow-the-money deals. See Anne Applebaum below.
(gift link)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
(gift link)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The Witkoff-Dmitriev pact is one of those deeply corrupt, follow-the-money deals. See Anne Applebaum below.
(gift link)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
(gift link)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Have the same devices. Often I’m sitting in my office or walking down the street and ppl think I’m just talking to myself.
At the special live audience taping of Q with Tom Power in St. John's, Rick Mercer's hilarious take on modern hearing aids drew big laughs from the crowd. #RickMercer
#Canada
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
#Canada
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Why is Rick Mercer tapping his head twice to answer the door?
At the special live audience taping of Q with Tom Power in St. John's, Rick Mercer's hilarious take on modern hearing aids drew big laughs from the crowd.
www.cbc.ca
November 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Have the same devices. Often I’m sitting in my office or walking down the street and ppl think I’m just talking to myself.
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
“In my work with cities, one of my messages that resonates most is that the truth about the cities aspirations isn’t found in its plans and visions. It’s found in its budget.
A budget may be the most powerful public policy lever a Council has, and the most authentic one because It reveals so much.”
A budget may be the most powerful public policy lever a Council has, and the most authentic one because It reveals so much.”
November 20, 2025 at 12:26 AM
“In my work with cities, one of my messages that resonates most is that the truth about the cities aspirations isn’t found in its plans and visions. It’s found in its budget.
A budget may be the most powerful public policy lever a Council has, and the most authentic one because It reveals so much.”
A budget may be the most powerful public policy lever a Council has, and the most authentic one because It reveals so much.”
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
This guy can get fucked
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This guy can get fucked
Is anyone/organization looking for a donation for a holiday auction/charity? I have a piece of art/limited run print that I’ve never gotten around to framing (and minimally worth a few hundred dollars) that I’d be happy to donate to support a cause.
November 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Is anyone/organization looking for a donation for a holiday auction/charity? I have a piece of art/limited run print that I’ve never gotten around to framing (and minimally worth a few hundred dollars) that I’d be happy to donate to support a cause.
Imagine if our struggling ByWard was closed to car, but open to people. How much more would local ppl visit, shop, let alone boost tourism. Build a #BetterByWard
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Imagine if our struggling ByWard was closed to car, but open to people. How much more would local ppl visit, shop, let alone boost tourism. Build a #BetterByWard
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
vacationing in Sydney (Australia) this week has left me nearly in tears about the state of public washrooms in Canada several times. I have used them:
-at the beach
-at train stations
-in parks
-at circular quay
-at an indoor/outdoor mall
all were spotless, well-equipped, and without big lineups.
-at the beach
-at train stations
-in parks
-at circular quay
-at an indoor/outdoor mall
all were spotless, well-equipped, and without big lineups.
Reminder that #OttCity ph1 LRT only got 3 washrooms at 13 ph1 stations; 2 (each end) forced on city by prov and 1 at Bayview due to advocacy; 1 was added at Line 2; AFAIK there are none added to rest of ph2; most are closed more often than open. This is a gender and equity issue. 1/
Transit stations should have public bathrooms.
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
vacationing in Sydney (Australia) this week has left me nearly in tears about the state of public washrooms in Canada several times. I have used them:
-at the beach
-at train stations
-in parks
-at circular quay
-at an indoor/outdoor mall
all were spotless, well-equipped, and without big lineups.
-at the beach
-at train stations
-in parks
-at circular quay
-at an indoor/outdoor mall
all were spotless, well-equipped, and without big lineups.
Reminder that #OttCity ph1 LRT only got 3 washrooms at 13 ph1 stations; 2 (each end) forced on city by prov and 1 at Bayview due to advocacy; 1 was added at Line 2; AFAIK there are none added to rest of ph2; most are closed more often than open. This is a gender and equity issue. 1/
Transit stations should have public bathrooms.
November 20, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Reminder that #OttCity ph1 LRT only got 3 washrooms at 13 ph1 stations; 2 (each end) forced on city by prov and 1 at Bayview due to advocacy; 1 was added at Line 2; AFAIK there are none added to rest of ph2; most are closed more often than open. This is a gender and equity issue. 1/
This is unjust. I’ve had honor to be involved w/ @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social and related, including supporting Waterloo’s forensic #architecture 2016 Biennale presentation; denial of the Holocaust is wrong on so many levels. Keep the memory alive so we never forget this horror nor deny it.
Hello @ec.europa.eu , or whoever is responsible for enforcing the rules, X's AI, Grok, is denying the Holocaust. Holocaust denial is illegal in France. Please don't make an exception when it comes to a billionaire, as usual.
Please take concrete and firm action against this cruel disinformation.
Please take concrete and firm action against this cruel disinformation.
November 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This is unjust. I’ve had honor to be involved w/ @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social and related, including supporting Waterloo’s forensic #architecture 2016 Biennale presentation; denial of the Holocaust is wrong on so many levels. Keep the memory alive so we never forget this horror nor deny it.
Wait..you’re saying that an opaque P3 deal where all the risk is transferred to the private sector doesn’t provide cost certainty, and is delivered late… wow.. call me shocked…. Glad we signed on to yet another P3 for Lansdowne….
O-Train Stage 2 budget cracks 5 billion dollars as delays and legal fees push up cost #ottpoli #ottnews
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
O-Train Stage 2 budget cracks $5B as delays and legal fees pile up | CBC News
The city is asking for more than $150 million in extra funding for the O-Train next year as delays and legal fees push up costs, while a contingency buffer needs to be padded again.
www.cbc.ca
November 19, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Wait..you’re saying that an opaque P3 deal where all the risk is transferred to the private sector doesn’t provide cost certainty, and is delivered late… wow.. call me shocked…. Glad we signed on to yet another P3 for Lansdowne….
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
“As pickups transitioned from farm/ranch workhorses to lifestyle vehicles, their design shifted accordingly: Cabs expanded to accommodate more passengers, while beds shrank. The first generation of F-150s were 36% cab & 64% bed by length. By 2021, the ratio had flipped.
www.axios.com/local/housto...
www.axios.com/local/housto...
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
“As pickups transitioned from farm/ranch workhorses to lifestyle vehicles, their design shifted accordingly: Cabs expanded to accommodate more passengers, while beds shrank. The first generation of F-150s were 36% cab & 64% bed by length. By 2021, the ratio had flipped.
www.axios.com/local/housto...
www.axios.com/local/housto...
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
"If we want a public space where you feel safe and welcome, and where you have a sense of ownership, we have to change mobility."
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
November 19, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"If we want a public space where you feel safe and welcome, and where you have a sense of ownership, we have to change mobility."
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Major changes are taking place in cities worldwide in the areas of housing, safety, and sustainability. And women are the forefront of these initiatives: bit.ly/44jk3QR
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
I answered “strongly agree” on VIA’s customer feedback survey when they ask if I share my opinions about travel on social media
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I answered “strongly agree” on VIA’s customer feedback survey when they ask if I share my opinions about travel on social media
Reposted by Toon Dreessen
enjoyable little video on how wool gets graded and sorted
IG community_clothing and campaignforwool
IG community_clothing and campaignforwool
November 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
enjoyable little video on how wool gets graded and sorted
IG community_clothing and campaignforwool
IG community_clothing and campaignforwool