Saying something matters. In January 2023, I made a deputation at the City of Vaughan’s budget committee outlining numerous concerns, including the need for more trees to be planted in my neighbourhood. When I was first told by urban forestry staff a few weeks later that a food forest was being considered in Vaughan, IContinue reading "Vaughan’s first edible food forest"
Looking back on 2023, looking forward to 2024
Design credit: Ednalyn Lazaro via Canva The Urban Hulk has had a positive year of growth in 2023. New business came up. There are exciting projects for 2024. A year in review:1) Working with Ivey Business School at Western University on regenerative agriculture / climate-smart agriculture projects. A major report on regenerative agriculture is comingContinue reading "Looking back on 2023, looking forward to 2024"
Letter to City of Vaughan Council re: Municipal Housing Pledge – March 7, 2023
This letter was submitted to the City of Vaughan's Committee of the Whole meeting on March 8, 2023, Item #13. For more on the Missing Middle, read my blog post from January 30, 2023. Implementing the province’s housing pledge must emphasize development that does not encourage sprawl, which would risk placing future financial pressure onContinue reading "Letter to City of Vaughan Council re: Municipal Housing Pledge – March 7, 2023"
Imagining The Missing Middle In Vaughan
By: Jean-François Obregón January 30, 2023 Cities like my hometown Vaughan, Ontario, Canada are defined by single-detached homes with backyards. An increase in condominium construction in recent years has changed the skyline but, there is little in-between. Many young people move to exurban municipalities because that is where they can afford a house. Given aContinue reading "Imagining The Missing Middle In Vaughan"
Letter to City of Toronto Executive Committee – July 12, 2022
Today, the City of Toronto's Executive Committee will be deciding whether to provide staff with more time to consult on a new Alternative Parkland Dedication Rate. Staff's proposed rate would yield more parkland from development as it is based on density than the current Alternative Parkland Dedication Rate, which is based on site size. StaffContinue reading "Letter to City of Toronto Executive Committee – July 12, 2022"
Biodiversity Finance for Cities
Download the one-pager here. Download the full report here. In early-2020, I wondered how financial markets could help achieve positive conservation outcomes. I worried about disappearing forests and animals. I approached my manager at Sustainalytics pitching an article about conservation finance. Global green bond issuances had come off another record-breaking year reaching USD 257.7 billionContinue reading "Biodiversity Finance for Cities"
The time is ripe for ambition on parkland acquisition in Toronto
Cottonwood Flats, Toronto. Credit: Jean-François Obregón Download the "Time is Ripe" report here. This blog is cross-posted on the Prof. Nina-Marie Lister's Ecological Design Lab website. “Amsterdam is known for its canals. Why can’t Toronto be known for its ravines?”, asks Philip Jessup, ex-Executive Director of The Atmospheric Fund. Many have sought refuge in parksContinue reading "The time is ripe for ambition on parkland acquisition in Toronto"
