The last time PLANifax made a video on the Centre Plan, we discussed the new buildings that are coming up the city. This time, we’re talking about the old buildings—the Victorian, Georgian, pre-World War architecture that we’ve grown to love in Halifax as part of its heritage. Because when you just focus on the buildings, […]
PLANifax
PLANifax is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness and educating the public to urban planning issues and principles.
Posted inNews + Opinion
Growing Halifax without messing it up
Ask the right people, and you’ll discover Halifax is about to get a lot bigger. Looking at recent statistics, the population of HRM rose from 359,111 in 2001 to 390,096 in 2011. That’s an average growth rate of nearly 1% every year. While past performance is no guarantee of future results, at that rate we’re […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How to poster a pole, the video
The city’s march towards being a dynamic destination full of culture and life continues its lurching progress. Today’s case in point: putting posters on power poles. Walk down any busy street in Halifax or Dartmouth and you’re sure to see utility poles with posters covering them (provided you don’t run into them first). What isn’t […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Video report: Nova Centre vs. its downtown neighbours
The new convention centre is supposed to be a gleaming jewel that attracts people from all over the world to downtown Halifax. Exactly like the Central Library…if the library was closed most of the time; less architecturally interesting; intended for use only by private groups the likes of orthodontists and data miners; put multiple levels […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
6 developments that are changing the face of Halifax
City council has to deal with a lot of petty stuff, from potholes to leash laws. It’s not quite as glamorous as today’s federal politicians, who get to play Santa Claus and hand out a bunch of Tru-dough across the country. But local leaders rule when it comes to development, which is probably the most […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How you can help Halifax Transit make the buses run on time
If you liked The Force Awakens and are wondering what excellent sequel to watch next, you’re in luck. Today we’re launching “Why are the buses late in Halifax? Part 2,” the follow-up to last summer’s blockbuster municipal services video “Why are the buses late in Halifax? Part 1.” Without giving away any spoilers, we can […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Video: See how the giant jaywalking fine is missing the point
The uproar over Nova Scotia’s new $697.50 jaywalking fine is sure to follow the law into 2016, when it will be officially proclaimed. But with any luck, the discussion will evolve. If we really want safer roads, it will have to. Currently the arguments are in two camps. The main one is pedestrians vs cars, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Why the mayor’s Statement of Reconciliation is important
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission wrapped up its examination of the Indian Residential Schools system in June, but the TRC’s final report really marked the beginning of the healing process. Witness that six months later, Halifax council just adopted a Statement of Reconciliation. This statement would only attract negative attention if Halifax was Donald Trump. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Argyle Street’s permanent awesome
After years (decades?) of talk about how downtown would be a lot more inviting if Argyle Street was a pedestrian-only zone, in 2015 the city did something about it. The “Mingle on Argyle” pilot project brought a fresh coat of paint to the street, along with a refreshing take on the whole “streets are for […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How to park a car on bike lanes
The Hollis Street bike lane has taken so long to get here, you might think you’re dreaming when you see it. Which is about the only excuse drivers have for parking their cars in the bike lane. Brand-new as the Hollis lane is, we’ve already seen so much rude parking that we decided to make […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Why the Halifax Green Network plan matters
One of the best things about Halifax is the handy access to unspoiled wilderness. Taking a bus to the lake. Getting lost in the woods a 10-minute drive from downtown. Embarking on a canoe trip right behind Kent Building Supplies in the Bayers Lake Industrial Park. Visitors can’t believe how #blessed the locals are to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Two new water taxis give you the keys to Halifax Harbour
There are lots of benefits to not using your harbour as a toilet. While Olympic sailors are getting scared about Rio’s crappy water, Halifax’s clean harbour is enabling business start-ups. This summer saw the launch of two water-based cab companies—Harbour Water Taxi and Chebucto Water Taxi —and we went for a ride with both. The […]