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Valerie Bruce's avatar

Larger cities like London have villages within them - a few commercial streets surrounded by residences. Residents are close to local shops. They walk or use bus/subway transportation. Fewer cars. Sounds reasonable to me. I live in the West End, my own village. Love it. People are so resistant to change, unfortunately. Everything changes.

Brian Palmquist's avatar

Valerie, resistance to change arises when, as in the Villages case it is imposed top down with no regard at all for existing neighbourhoods. In London it’s happened organically literally over centuries.

The west end is a neighbourhood, not a village as staff define it. It has schools, parks and open spaces,etc. the proposed villages have none of that.

Thanks for reading.

Annie Rose's avatar

This is a fascinating post. I enjoyed reading about this author/speaker's writing process and the important (and exhausting) work he is doing to care for our city. Thank you.

Brian Palmquist's avatar

Annie, thanks for your kind words. Every once in a while it’s important to step back from the fray for a bit. I hope the Villages Plan is defeated. Thanks for reading.

Katarina Halm's avatar

Blue ink on your planned notes are

inspiring as is the sketch you give us

of your

dedicated writing process.

Brian Palmquist's avatar

Thanks for your kind words

Katarina Halm's avatar

Gratefully noting

Here is the url to sign up for next part of the Public Hearing

(July 20, 2026 at 1pm)

https://app.vancouver.ca/councilMeetingPublic/

Brian Palmquist's avatar

Katarina, thanks for reading and for the link!