https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/linda-buchanan-north-vancouver-city-mayor-re-elected-2026
Its all an assortment of little cities.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-civic-election-mayoral-winners-results-2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Linda Buchanan re-elected as the City of North Vancouver mayor for third term
Mike Little wins third term as the mayor of the District of North Vancouver
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mike-little-district-of-north-vancouver-mayor-win-2026
North_Vancouver has been lacking in proper big city transportation infrastructure for several generations.
The inadequate 3 lane Lions_Gate_Bridge was never designed to eventually have an express bus or train deck. Nevertheless, the First_Narrows needs to have a bus and train tunnel built near it. Its absurd how such inept regional urban transportation planning hasn't allowed for a proper bus and LRT tunnel there.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=11273
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/atis/lgcws/index.html
drivebc.ca/cameras/18?pan=-122.917225601%2C53.926987800999996&zoom=5
Unfortunately, the 6 lane Ironworkers_Memorial_Bridge wasn't designed to have emergency lanes, no wide shoulders and especially no bus lanes. There was no provision for a lower deck to accommodate trucks, busses and LRT for what is supposed to be a major port region on the Pacific Rim.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironworkers_Memorial_Second_Narrows_Crossing
It is ridiculous that there is still no proper BRT and LRT link between the Horseshoe_Bay_ferry_terminal in West_Vancouver and Downtown Vancouver in the 2020s.
https://westvancouver.ca/arts-culture/heritage/national-historic-sites/lions-gate-bridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vancouver#Transportation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Vancouver#Transportation
The North_Shore_of Greater_Vancouver is only isolated and congested, because of decades of inept transportation planning.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The next mayor of West Vancouver
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/kirk-lapointe-west-vancouver-mayor-2026
WV is a strange part of urban Canada, that's because its so lacking with proper big city transportation infrastructure.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-civic-election-mayoral-winners-results-2026
A bunch of small cities adds up to 1 urban area.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
George Washington Bridge walkway now open for pedestrians
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/george-washington-bridge-walkway-now-open-for-pedestrians/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Bridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Bridge#Roadways_and_sidewalks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Bridge#New_York
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
From the end of Expo 86 in Vancouver to the post Expo 88 years in Brisbane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_86
After Expo 86, Vancouver opted to remain a provincial backwater for as long as possible. In contrast, Brisbane wasn't thwarted by anything like the imposed overlapping restrictions that have hindered backwards Vancouver for generations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Expo_88
Nothing like the extremely restrictive Vancouver planning mentality was ever adopted in Brisbane, or any major Australian city. Thus, Brisbane was able to have longer trains, taller buildings, wider bridges and roads than Vancouver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane#Urban_structure
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane#Transport
.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Hornibrook_april_2011_%28181%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original At least 3 lanes each way is pretty much standard for proper big cities. However, for backwards Vancouver, a 7 lane Georgia street is funneled into a 3 lane bottleneck-chokepoint that is the inadequate Lions_Gate_Bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_Bridge 6 lanes with a highway tunnel underneath it. So far, no bus and LRT tunnel has been built near the very narrow Lions_Gate_Bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Leo_Hielscher_Bridges Duplication, or twinning enabled a 12 lane crossing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane_Airport#Ground_transport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane_Airport_line While a long train to the Brisbane Airport is standard big city infrastructure, Vancouver is stuck with scaled back infrastructure.
Indeed, provincial Vancouver has a single track airport station and is still only running 2 car joke trains since 2009.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_International_Airport#Rapid_transit_(SkyTrain)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YVR-Airport_station Unfortunatly, foolish and inept planning meant that instead of building stations that could accommodate at least 5 car trains, they can only accommodate an eventual 2.5 car train. This is perhaps one of the best examples of the unofficial Vancouver & BC Mind Virus (VMV & BCMV).
_entering_Capstan_Station%2C_Vancouver_SkyTrain_20250927.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original)
NJ Transit riders face longer commutes during bridge work
https://abc7ny.com/post/no-midtown-direct-service-portal-bridge-work-continues/19934408/
https://www.njtransit.com/portalcutover
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_North_Bridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_New_Jersey#Rapid_transit
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Galata Bridge: The fifth (and current) bridge in Istanbul
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Bridge#The_fifth_(current)_bridge , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8WDaS5QHg0
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Galata+Bridge Such a nice bridge with very wide sidewalks, 2 tram tracks in the middle and 3 lanes each way. Fortunately, nothing like the Vancouver Mind Virus (VMV) reached Istanbul to scale back this nice big city crossing.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/galata-bridge/articleshow/53945022.cms
In contrast, the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver, BC used to have 6 lanes and had a provision for a lower deck for streetcars or tram-trains. Well, the lower deck was never completed and 2 lanes were removed, because the city wasn't interested in building a parallel bike bridge. Fortunately, several cities around the world have built bike bridges, instead of reducing traffic lanes on their bridges.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Toronto's DVP thunderstorm aftermath
'Almost a month’s worth of rain' in a day https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-storm-cleanup-9.7330581
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/why-torontos-don-valley-parkway-124416889.html
https://donrivervalleypark.ca/about-the-park/history , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_River_(Ontario)
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Friday, August 28, 2026
Red Tape and B$ in backwards BC
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/01/26/bc-healthcare-doctors-administrative-delays-patient-care/
https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/red-tape-reduction
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/16nb6rm/its_a_shame_vancouver_builder_says_red_tape/
The BC Mind Virus (BCMV) isn't supposed to be real, but there seems to be a reoccurring pattern of red tape B$ and imposed hindrances. Several overlapping restrictions and just not able to get things done efficiently or properly.
https://jf-databits.blogspot.com/search?q=Red+Tape+and+BS+in+backwards+BC
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Lighthouse Park , WV
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1w0g6jf/sunset_from_lighthouse_park_tonight Perhapse someday there might be a BRT and an LRT tunnel near the LGB. However, that would require proper big city thinking and planning.
https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/lighthouse-park
https://www.vancouversnorthshore.com/explore/parks/lighthouse-park/
https://vancouversbestplaces.com/north-shore/west-vancouver/lighthouse-park/
https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/lighthouse-park/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lighthouse+Park-in-West+Vancouver
Friday, August 21, 2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Monday, August 17, 2026
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Detroit’s Hudson Building
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vq4irz/thoughts_on_detroits_hudson_building/
https://visitdetroit.com/inside-the-d/new-hudsons-detroit/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson%27s_Detroit
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/look-inside-hudsons-detroit
https://www.hudsons-detroit.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Hudson_Department_Store_and_Addition
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vkfhsd/detroit_then_vs_now/
'Country hicks' were offered life-changing $26million for their farmland... now they're being hailed as heroes after telling buyer to 'kick rocks and don't come back' after change of heart
For some, a nice rural lifestyle is priceless.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast vs Canadas Stunted West Coast
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1lj6u5w/sydney_vs_melbourne_vs_gold_coast/
Unlike Canada, Australia has quite a towering presence on its Pacific Rim side. In many ways Vancouver is still stuck in a self-imposed provincial backwater trap. No office tower within the city of Vancouver has ever been permitted to have a 40 th floor. Unlike Vancouver, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have residential towers above 70 floors.
Mild winter Victoria, BC hasn't even been allowed to be as big as Halifax, NS. Halifax in turn, is so small when compared to Boston and Montreal. As a provincial backwater capital, Victoria is still smaller than Q. City, Winnipeg and Edmonton.
In the US, millions of people have moved to cities with mild winters. This has been going on for several generations. Thus, the urban infrastructure has tried to keep up. In Canada the opposite seems to be happening. Vancouver has been very reluctant to exist on a grand urban scale. Victoria has been reluctant to catch up to some other Canadian provincial capitals.
The Lions_Gate_Bridge (LGB) and the Johnson_Street_Bridge (JSB) are both 3 lane wonders. If it were possible, some people would like both bridges to only have 1 lane each way. Decades ago, there should have already been a parallel BRT and LRT tunnel next to the LGB. There didn't seem to be any interest in having a 2 lane bus-bridge next to the JSB.
The YVR-Canada_Line between Vancouver and Richmond should have opened with 5 car trains. Unfortunately, the 50 m station clearance can only accommodate a 2.5 car joke of a train. In contrast, the Skyline_(Honolulu) and REM train in Montreal can already run 4 car trains. The inadequate Canada_Line has still been running 2 car trains since 2009. It very difficult in backwards BC to properly plan and build big city infrastructure. Several cities around the world are able to do more, simply because they aren't affected by anything like the BC Mind Virus. (BCMV)
Ideally for some, Vancouver was always supposed to have shorter trains, shorter buildings and narrower bridges than the GTA, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. Think small and build on a small scale to symbolize a reluctance to build proper big city infrastructure.
Ideally, Victoria is always supposed to be on a smaller scale than Halifax, Quebec City, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Its like there is a real desire to keep it just as a provincial backwater capital.
Canada has less than half of 1% of the worlds population, despite its size.
Sydney's skyscrapers
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1lv53nw/sydneys_skyscraper_density/
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1loovc7/2025_sydney_skyline_australia_sydney_is_the/
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1rjjgtp/people_often_say_melbournes_skyline_is_better/
The Skyscrapers of SF
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vq3tuj/clouds_and_skyscrapers_sf/
Sydney, NSW might finally allow some buildings to be taller than what's in SF and LA.
Melbourne's skyline
Melbourne was very wise to not get rid of its trams. Just like SF, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and New Orleans kept some of their streetcar lines.
Of course backwards Vancouver and Victoria, BC were too quick to get rid of their streetcars and will likely be among the last cities to ever bring them back. Seattle and Portland were able to, because the BC Mind Virus (BCMV) has no effect on them.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Dubai's $12 Billion Man-Made Island Is Sinking Back Into the Sea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2bFQ3U8g6o
If a series of truck size boulders or concrete blocks were stacked up like giant Lego bricks, that would be a good start. Sometimes there is a need for a prefabricated concrete perimeter wall to hold it all in place.
This is a much better foundation.
How Dubai Built the $1B Impossible Burj Al Arab on Open Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vvpjUezn4
The Dark Side of Dubai’s SEVEN-STAR Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK4sRkIYHb4
The World's Only 7 Star Hotel - Burj Al Arab Dubai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_69g87Ilw
Downtown Los Angeles vs...
Well, downtown LA hasn't had several decades of high-rise living like in Manhattan, downtown Chicago, SF and Toronto...
Vancouver has lots of residential towers, but only one that's at least 200 m.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-has-one-of-deadest-downtowns-in-world/
https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/17gisbe/where_was_this_skyline_of_downtown_los_angeles/ Everything is kept so small in provincial Vancouver, even the mountains just north of Vancouver are shorter than the ones in LA.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXg8KC7vcnI The mountains like the buildings in downtown LA, are far away from the thwarting restrictions that are so common in provincial Vancouver. In backwater Vancouver, you are so conditioned to think small and behold such small urban infrastructure. There are several generations of various overlapping imposed restrictions, that its almost difficult to behold the BIG cities around the world.
https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/koqvvw/view_of_downtown_los_angeles_from_the_palos Just like the buildings and roads, the mountains north of Vancouver seem so small compared to the San_Gabriel_Mountains.
https://www.treehugger.com/special-places-in-the-san-gabriel-mountains-that-are-4868095
As big as the Greater LA area is, its still surrounded by mountains, wilderness, desert and ocean.
https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/downtown-los-angeles-skyline-snow-capped-mountains.html
The North_Shore_Mountains of Greater_Vancouver in Canada. https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1qrljv5/vancouver , https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1sjsbp9/vancouver
It would take until almost the mid 1970s for extremely restrictive Vancouver to permit a building to be taller than the LA City Hall. While the the LA City Hall has become like a stump, it would still be a prominent building if it was in provincial Vancouver.
https://www.facebook.com/emanuelsimonian/posts/those-of-you-who-are-not-from-southern-california-or-are-unfamiliar-with-it-have/10233451000642533 Despite Canada being the worlds 2nd largest country in overall area, it has less than 1% of the worlds population. Its so amazing to see the larger scale of things around the world.
https://www.facebook.com/LAinaMinute/videos/do-you-know-that-la-is-the-only-major-us-city-with-a-mountain-range-running-thro/862918836117580 Unlike California and Switzerland, the BC part of Canada uses mountains as an excuse to keep the scale of things small and inefficient.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotia_Tower 137.8 m or 452 feet. https://skyscraperpage.com/b65/vancouver/the-scotia-tower
Friday, August 14, 2026
Dubai Can't Fix the Burj Khalifa problems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzV1PyMKObA
It Would Take Hours to Escape the Burj Khalifa — Here's Why That's a Problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgc6pp-Xsnw
The Toronto skyline
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vnlxwe/toronto_ca/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westin_Harbour_Castle_Hotel A stump in Toronto, yet it would still be a prominent building on the Vancouver skyline.
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/westin-harbour-castle-south/18985 127 m / 417 ft
This Vancouver stump is only 20 m taller than the Harbour_Castle_Hotel.
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/harbour-centre/4144 147 m / 482 ft
The office floors don't even reach 30. The bottom of the flag pole is equivalent to 40 floors.
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vq77hq/toronto_skyline/
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fvo1wxbeknsjh1.jpeg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotia_Plaza 275 m (902 ft) Toronto 68 stories
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotia_Tower The Vancouver version is half the height and half the width. If the windows went right up to the top, it would be 38 floors.
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/scotia-tower/4396 138 m / 453 ft 35 stories
No office tower in BC has a 50th floor, not even 40.
https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/the-stack/35667 162.3 m / 533 ft Only 38 stories.
North Arm (Skytrain) Bridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Arm_Bridge This is supposed to be a vital modern connection between Vancouver, YVR and Richmond. Yet since 2009, only 2 car joke trains go over it and there is only 1 combined bike and foot path.
This strange bridge wasn't designed to have 2 express bus lanes, even though the YVR train service isn't open 24 hours. Even more strange is that there aren't 2 bike lanes and 2 sidewalks. Its all just crammed into one narrow path on the west side of the North Arm Bridge.
The Knight+Street+Bridge, Oak+Street+Bridge and Arthur+Laing+Bridge, are all 4 lane chokepoints. These bridges are so narrow, there isn't enough space to have 2 bus lanes on them. An express bus-bridge should have been built next to all 3 bridges.
https://structurae.net/en/structures/north-arm-bridge This bridge really should have had 2 express lanes or 2 BRT lanes, but Greater Vancouver doesn't seem to be that interested in having a proper regional BRT network, despite no 24 hour train service..
https://www.structuraltechnologies.com/projects/north-arm-fraser-river-crossing
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Skybridge in BC, Canada
Unfortunately, the SkyBridge_(TransLink) wasn't designed to be wide enough for 2 bus lanes, 2 bike lanes and 2 footpaths. Its just a double track LRT crossing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyBridge_(TransLink)#Details
Since the Skytrain isn't a 24 hour system, a regional BRT or at least an express bus network should have been seriously considered. Most bridges in greater Vancouver are too narrow for proper express bus lanes, let alone BRT. Thus, there should be a series of bus-bridges built, but that would go against the congestive transportation agenda of Greater Vancouver.
A very narrow Skybridge and a 4 lane Pattullo+Bridge+replacement that's still a chokepoint. This new bridge should have opened with at least 3 lanes each way, plus 2 bus lanes and 2 emergency lanes, or 2 wide shoulders. Instead, the new bridge is only 2 lanes each way.
The Largest Airports In The World
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/the-largest-airports-in-the-world
https://www.worldatlas.com/transportation/the-largest-airports-in-the-world-by-size.html
https://www.oag.com/busiest-airports-world
https://wise.com/ca/blog/top-10-largest-airports-in-the-world
https://www.reddit.com/r/flightsim/comments/1clok8l/15_biggest_airports_in_the_world_ranked_by_size/
AI’s Newest Buildings Are Already Obsolete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JOmHYyQoO4 Stewart Hicks/videos
Its utterly foolish to design most large buildings for just one type of use.
O’Hare airport one of the largest indoor structures on the continent, and it’s still growing. By the end of its current expansion, the place will hold nearly *9* million square feet of connected interior space. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Krc5JUsu0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O'Hare_International_Airport 4 of its 8 runways can accommodate the largest class of planes.
If not initially by design, major airports must be adaptable by overall expansion intent.
John_F._Kennedy_International_Airport , Los_Angeles_International_Airport and San_Francisco_International_Airport all have 4 main runways to handle the biggest planes.
The San_Diego_International_Airport only has enough room for just one runway.
Sometimes an airport might be smaller in area, but still handles more traffic than some larger ones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_busiest_airports_by_passenger_traffic
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
NYC's 5 Broken Skyscrapers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQBBSDpWids
Sometimes a skinny or narrow tall building might make sense, but a big, WIDE and tall tower is better than a pencil or twig like tower.
Pushing the limit of Skyscraper Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mia3AZZRt6I
Why A Mile-High Skyscraper Is Almost Impossible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DaEmvKWsEA
https://jf-databits.blogspot.com/search?q=432+Park+Avenue+Tower
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Olympic Peninsula in Washington state
The Olympic_Peninsula is like a provincial backwater in Washington_(state).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Peninsula#Cities_and_towns_in_the_Olympic_Peninsula
Most people don't want to live in a provincial backwater, because of limited employment options. Many services provided in big cities and towns just aren't there in the sticks.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/olympic/wilderness
However, small town life, or living in the wilderness is just right for people who want to get away from all the urban B$.
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-wilderness.htm
The Olympic Peninsula is a heavily protected wilderness. Aside from some small towns, there is no reason to ever have a big city there.
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington_(state)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Washington Most of the population is concentrated in the Seattle_metropolitan_area, or the Puget_Sound_region. Then, the Portland and Vancouver, WA area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Washington
Perhaps Spokane,_Washington might become as big as S.L. City, or even Denver, some day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane,_Washington#Infrastructure
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vjslfy/california_vs_texas_vs_canada_vs_australia_a/
Vancouver Island and the rest of BC, Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_KsRnUT1hc
Vancouver_Island could have remained as its own provincial backwater, but merged with the BC mainland. Tasmania remained as its own state, but its like a provincial backwater, in some ways.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Island#Geography
https://www.comparea.org/AU_TS+CA_BC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Island#Demographics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Rail_Corridor
https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/vancouver-island-rail-history-how-did-we-get-here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_of_Vancouver_Island
50 Wild Things About British Columbia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eElxxXIeV1A
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vjslfy/california_vs_texas_vs_canada_vs_australia_a/
Monday, August 10, 2026
Tasmania, Australia
While Tasmania is a full fledge Australian state, it seems more like a provincial backwater, in some ways.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania#Geography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania#Demography
Could there ever be a big city in Tasmania on the scale of Melbourne, Singapore, or Cape_Town? Hobart is nowhere near the scale of Auckland. First, Hobart would have to get to a similar scale to that of Christchurch or Wellington. However, most residents might never want Hobart to rival Adelaide and especially Perth. Perhaps Hobart might rival Newcastle, some day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Tasmania
https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/experiences/stories/heritage-railways/
https://tasrail.com.au , https://railtasmania.com/lines/
https://www.comparea.org/AU_TS+CA_BC
https://tasmanian.com.au/live/tasmanian-regions/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_of_Tasmania
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_of_Tasmania#Federation
Despite being a state, Tasmania is still more like a provincial backwater.
https://littleduckie.com.au/tasmania-love-hate-home-state/
https://www.reddit.com/r/tasmania/comments/1286pye/what_differences_have_you_noticed_between/
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyscrapers/comments/1vjslfy/california_vs_texas_vs_canada_vs_australia_a/
Switzerland
Switzerland has over 9 million people, with plenty of mountain wilderness remaining.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Switzerland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland#Urbanisation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Switzerland#List_of_towns_and_cities
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Switzerland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Switzerland#Z%C3%BCrich_S-Bahn
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Forest City: A Failed $100 Billion Ghost City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhUExv6_ud8
Forest_City,_Johor is hardly up to a similar standard as Singapore. Its more like an empty human labyrinth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_City,_Johor#Geography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_City,_Johor#Safety_considerations
This Forest+City B$, when so many people around the world are homeless.
https://thedigitallabyrinth.blogspot.com/search?q=Forest+City
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
Friday, July 24, 2026
Friday, July 17, 2026
How a Historic Church Turned Its Land into Housing and Community Space with The Butterfly Tower
https://reveryarchitecture.com/projects/butterfly/
https://www.canadianarchitect.com/the-butterfly-takes-flight-the-butterfly-vancouver-bc/
https://www.urbanyvr.com/butterfly-westbank-first-baptist/
https://thebutterflyvancouver.ca/gallery
https://jf-databits.blogspot.com/search?q=The+Butterfly+Tower
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Monday, July 6, 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es
https://frenchmoments.eu/avenue-des-champs-elysees-paris/
https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-champs-elysees-a708
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl-Marx-Allee
https://www.walkingtoursinberlin.com/blog/the-wide-streets-of-berlin-an-urbanistic-tale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurf%C3%BCrstendamm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Place
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_Foch Now, only 4 lanes wide.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/east-broadway-main-quebec-street-full-reopening-broadway-subway W. Broadway is reduced to 4 lanes.
Platform screen doors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_screen_doors
A person might be drunk or naturally disoriented and clumsy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_screen_doors#Types
They might collapse or intentionally want to jump onto the tracks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_screen_doors#Variable-type_platform_screen_doors
Some day such a safety barrier will become standard all over the world.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1umw7oe/everyone_getting_kicked_off_the_train_at/
The Vancouver Mind Virus (VMV) and occasionally remaining aspects of NFC
Despite Expo86, the 2010 Winter Olympics and the World Cup, the VMV still occasionally flares up in various shapes and forms. Vancouver can never quite totally get rid of its No Fun City aspect.
https://commons.bcit.ca/evolution1079/2025/09/10/why-is-vancouver-called-no-fun-city NFC
https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/graduateresearch/42591/items/1.0417464 NFC
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/12cs3lx/why_vancouver_is_called_a_nofun_city NFC
https://quillette.com/2024/11/11/why-mind-viruses-are-real VMV
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Crappy cold and damp weather in Vancouver, BC
https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6c/july-weather/53286 July 2nd only got to 16C or 61F. A totally cold and crappy rainy fall day in summer.
https://604now.com/vancouver-british-columbia-july-forecast-2026
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Monday, June 29, 2026
Seattle and leftwashington.org
https://leftwashington.org , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9R3w3GHnyM
https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/1t4gy58/nearly_1in4_washington_employers_considering/
https://www.thecentersquare.com/issues/economy/article_2a3d52fc-dbef-4f2e-98c1-c3ae4b8624f0.html
While Vancouver has had several decades of having provincial backwater tendencies, Seattle and Calgary chose to become proper big cities, several decades ago.
While Seattle's economy might be scaling down, nothing like the VMV will be shortening the Seattle trains and stations, narrowing the bridges and cutting the buildings in half.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Skyline Train (Honolulu)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_(Honolulu)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_(Honolulu)#Rolling_stock "The line uses 256 ft (78 m) four-car train sets, each with the capacity to carry nearly 800 passengers..."
https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/rapid-transit/skyline-opens-in-honolulu/
The Copenhagen Metro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Metro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Metro#Trains "The trains are 39 m (127 ft 11+3⁄8 in) long, 2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) wide, and weigh 52 t (51 long tons; 57 short tons). Each train consists of three articulated cars with a total of six automated, 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) wide doors, holding up to 96 seated and 204 standing passengers (300 in total)."
Monday, June 22, 2026
Car and Truck Bottlenecks
https://truckingresearch.org/2026/02/top-100-truck-bottlenecks-2026/
https://landline.media/bottleneck-hell-study-examines-costly-traffic-issue/
https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/atri-releases-2025-top-100-truck-bottlenecks-list
https://www.anwebber.com/news/top-100-truck-bottlenecks-of-2025
https://www.automotive-fleet.com/news/highway-users-rank-americas-worst-50-traffic-bottlenecks
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Massey Tunnel replacement project riddled with problems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlEk4Wbzz4
Province of BC fires Massey Tunnel builder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A69cEG_mDWg
Province terminates deal with contractor on George Massey Tunnel replacement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scvTOSOH7W0
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1mdqbjr/its_8pm_still_like_this/
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1ssvqkx/vancouver_ranked_4th_worst_congestion_in_north/
Highway 99 and Interstate 5
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_99 Of course the BC part of the 99 has to be difficult, congested and constipated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_5_in_Washington
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_5_in_Oregon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_5#History
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_99
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_99#Washington
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Route_99E
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Blue Line officially continuing 8 car trains on the weekend
https://www.reddit.com/r/cta/comments/1u0pn0g/blue_line_officially_continuing_8_car_trains_on/
Any major city should be able to run 8-10 car trains. The Montreal metro can run 9 car trains. BART in the SF BA was designed to run 10 car trains when needed.
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