It’s too bad what’s happening around Metrotown. The diversity that Metrotown has is quickly being routed out. The City of Burnaby just doesn’t care I guess because they could easily apply stipulations for these redevelopments of affordable walk-ups to include at least enough social housing to replace the displaced units. Metrotown is a dense neighbourhood (as dense as Mt. Pleasant) and will get much denser, but all for not, as it becomes more homogenized with every walk-up that comes down and every tower that goes up. A depressing place.

Frances, you are so close to rennes-le-chateau! (I think..) There is some crazy history there, I would love to see the mysterious church and le tour magdalen built by abbe sauniere with the mysterious money that mysteriously appeared after he (apparently) discovered some mysterious documents while renovating the ancient church. Oh, mysteries. So there is one example of something very, very, wrong with Vancouver, what little history or evidence of times past we DO have is being destroyed at an astounding pace. This city has sold it’s soul, thank god I live on the east side, where there are no lululemon stores, Chip Wilsons, or Gregor Robertsons.

Midi, here means South and is the nickname given to the area around Toulouse – Montpellier (see area covered by the eponym newspaper) – in french it also means midday but in a different context.

so “Midi libre”, means “free South”.

As in Italian Mezzogiorno (Mid Day) the hot, dry peasant land south of Rome where the sun is high in the sky.

The Region (not the smaller “Departments”) one of 27 ‘regions’ and is now called Midi-Pyrénées (Occitan language: Miègjorn-Pirenèus ).

The name chosen for the largest new region of 27 was decided by the French government without reference to the historical provinces (too many of them inside the region). The name was based on geography, Midi (i.e. “southern France”) – Pyrénées (Pyrenees mountains that serve as the region’s southern boundary), although the region also includes the southernmost part of the Massif Central, which has better communications with the coastal region Languedoc-Roussillon than with Toulouse.

Midi-Libre is a Montpellier (further south than Beziers, Toulouse) regional daily founded in 1944. It was part of the Le Monde stable, but now part of the Bordeaux-based Groupe SudOuest. There are 14 city editions of Midi, but circulation like most dailies is as small as the Vancouver Sun at 143,000. They publish several weeklies too.

Hola Peakie, Nanaimo es muy hermoso, especialmente la costa del puerto fueron. Pero sí es aburrido demasiado. En cuanto a mí, haber tenido una vida tan interesante, soy demasiado viejo para cuidar. ¡Guan! Usted hablar Espanole tambien. Es una milagro para una Vancouverite.

Midi means south? I feel like Kim Kardashian all of a sudden. My dog’s name was actually the acronym MIDI though. Musical instrument digital interface.

[Hello Peakie, Nanaimo is very beautiful, especially the harbor shore. But it is too boring. As for me, having had such an interesting life, I’m too old to care. Guan! You talk Espanole too. It is a miracle for a Vancouverite.]

[ And I read Contacto Directo weekly newspaper and lived near their office once. I attend The Latin American Summer Festival of Food and music at Trout Lake on August 16th with 12 countries represented.

VLAFF at September 3 to 13 2015 with Guest Country Mexico http://www.vlaff.org
Though early shows 7-Jul-2015 7:00 pm Lion’s Heart 9:00 pm Gonzalez: The False Prophet at the Vancouver Cinematheque (Howe Street). part of Latin American Week in partnership with Latincouver.

As for Spanish, I read some RSS sections of Spanish papers like El Pais and other “serious” newspapers on occasion. There are many Spanish radio broadcasts (to and from South America that one can hear with a cheap short wave radio as well as the Saturday pockets of local “ethnic” stations.

Don’t forget that Frances Bula is multi-lingual and is entirely working the French language for the next few weeks before a report to Radio-Canada’s local shows. We should all pay attention.
She had a spot in a program “Vancouver, Qui va?” [ title? ] that showed at the Hollywood and several times on Radio-Canada TV about city planning with Paris and local sociology experts.]

Y leí Contacto Directo periódico semanal y vivía cerca de su oficina una vez. Asisto El Festival de Verano Latinoamericana de Alimentos y música en Trout Lake el 16 de agosto con 12 países representados.

VLAFF en 3-13 septiembre 2015 con el País Invitado México http://www.vlaff.org
Aunque espectáculos primeros 7-Jul-2015 19:00 de Lion Heart 21:00 González: El Falso Profeta en la Cinemateca de Vancouver (Howe Street). parte de la Semana de América Latina en colaboración con Latincouver.

Como español, leí algunas secciones RSS de documentos españoles como otros periódicos “serios” El País y. Hay muchos programas de radio españolas (desde y hacia América del Sur) que se puede escuchar con un radio de onda corta baratos, así como los bolsillos Sábado de estaciones locales “étnicos”.

No hay que olvidar que Frances Bula es multilingüe y está trabajando en su totalidad la lengua francesa para las próximas semanas antes de un informe a los espectáculos locales de Radio-Canadá. Todos debemos prestar atención.
Ella tenía un puesto en un programa de “Vancouver, Qui va?” [Título? ] Que mostró en el Hollywood y varias veces en Radio-Canadá televisión sobre la planificación de la ciudad con París y expertos sociología locales.

[Ne pas oublier que Frances Bula est multilingue et fonctionne entièrement la langue française pour les prochaines semaines avant un rapport à des spectacles locaux de Radio-Canada. Nous devrions tous faire attention.
Elle avait une place dans un programme “de Vancouver, Qui va?” [Titre? ] Qui a montré à la Hollywood et plusieurs fois sur la télévision de Radio-Canada sur la planification de la ville avec Paris et les experts en sociologie locales.}

No, midi doesn’t mean south. It really means middle. Yet, in France, le midi is referring to the southern part of France. It’s colloquial.

I hope you are not holding Vancouver to the standards of Nanaimo. What city could match the achievements of Nanaimo:
– the Nanaimo Bar, have you ever met anyone who is not hooked after one bite?
– that contribution to fashion, the full Nanaimo (white shoes, and belt, polyester sports jacket and pants)
– and the always exciting Nanaimo Bath Tube race.
Fortunately for you, Nanaimo is a hidden gem, a very, very, very hidden gem, and you will never have to worry about seeing “unaffordable” and “Nanaimo” used in the same sentence.

I cannot remember eating a NanBar: way too sickly for me! I came to live in Nanaimo 1998, after a couple of years living in Mexico City, previously practicing architecture in Vancouver for over forty years. I was not impressed with the quality of clientelle in that city, as any perceptive observer will concur, accordingly I have lived on the waterfront overlooking Nan harbour ever since, keeping my sail boat in the harbour where I can see it. For years I sailed the Gulf Islands and Salish Sea until I got too old. I keep to myself. I now enjoy my life walking the seafronf promenade or in inclement weather, on the net, twicking the egos of people like you! Nanaimoites are just as dumb and disconnected as Vancouverites.

Big high res map to with relevant place names “before the white man came” according to Vancouver archives description. Click the image in the link for the embiggened version:

http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/index.php/draft-map-of-indian-villages-and-landmarks-burrard-inlet-and-english-bay-before-whiteman-came

You can count on the Left to address serious issues with feel good symbolic gestures stopping only to congratulate each other on being so progressive before moving on to the next symbolic gesture while the underlying problems go untreated.

From the Nanaimo News Bulletin Year 2014 in review.
“The City of Nanaimo also purchased land in Linley Valley to create a 71-hectare greenspace in the city’s north end. The purchase was a surprise, as council had repeatedly rejected the possibility of buying the land from developers.”
Now when would Vancouver do that, or is it too late?

Meanwhile, Nanaimo doesn’t have a convention centre to huff and puff about losses, yet.
“For nearly a decade the property on the corner of Gordon Street and Museum Way sat empty, reserved for a conference centre hotel.”

You can count on the right to address serious economic issues with the same failed policies of the last 35 years: cut taxes and regulations. When the tax rate is zero and the environment is coal black, they will call for tax cuts that will “pay for themselves” with the increase in GDP and self regulation for all industries.

Why hasn’t all the capital in the world landed in the lowest tax jurisdiction. Because there are other factors in the capital investment decision that are never part of the dialogue, why?

Hard to believe we have invented a new yoga position for politicians. Standing on your policy head while speaking.

So.. This implies we need more east west connections, not less so i guess the viaducts aren’t going anywhere! It’s funny that he’s still talking about rapid transit and traffic congestion as though he’s never driven along cambie street… As if..

Like all of the Mayor’s grand plans – end homelessness, make housing more affordable, etc – he is unable to accomplish his transit plan without the help of senior governments and because of his partisan attacks on both levels he is unlikely to find a receptive audience at either level. Surrey is probably going to be the big winner of a “No” vote, especially when Dianne Watts is the new Minister for Infrastructure in the re-elected Harper government in October.

With the cancellation of the cult practice yoga fest promoted by the evil Norman Stowe on the Burrard Bridge for today June 21, Solstice and National Aboriginal Day [ Who went to the Oppenheimer park fest yesterday?]

[ Stress-busting with yoga? Not in India
http://www.dw.com/en/stress-busting-with-yoga-not-in-india/a-18526663?maca=en-newsletter_asia_taeglich-5132-html-newsletter
What can be controversial about stretching and doing breathing exercises? Plenty, it seems, as India’s preparations for Yoga Day are marred by an unlikely row over the government’s enthusiasm for the ancient discipline. ]

Should we be examining the closures of roads in Vancouver and Metro for “special events”

I see that Viva, that strange city-supported urban planner thingy, has cut back Granville Street closures to one this year instead of diverting taxis and buses EVERY weekend to side streets because of their differentially (unsuccessful?) weekend festivals on the street. LatinVancouver is moving to False Creek for example.
That interfering Vancouver Spacing Network (VPSN Annual General Meeting today at Third Beach 3 pm ) still has Robson closed for their dreadful “Porches” construction, thus messing up the Robson-Davie bus circuit.
The Jazz festival closes Howe Street for concerts on weekends nearby.

Numerous district-retail-promotional (BIA) groups have West 10th, Commercial Drive (Italy), Fraser, West 4th closed off for a day in the summer.
Is it all too much? Other than a bunch of lookie-loos and drinkers does it bring any commerce to a district?

“This project has been conceived and designed with the support and advice of the City Special Events Office. Much thanks and credit is owed to Dave Reiberger and Cael Hopwood. carfreevancouver.org/supporters/”
Since 60 percent of the cost is fees levied by the city, is this another Vision Version of “panem et circenses”?

[Bread and Circuses]?

Should the Jericho lands be set aside for the poor and inadequately housed?

While Frances Bula is swimming in the Piscine du Rhône à Lyon, and showing La Pyramide how to cook turkey, she may also bring back housing solutions to Vancouver.
I don’t know what she is finding in Lyon, (home of Interpol, (Nazis, political bias scandals, FIFA, etc.) and now Canada’s dear friend Giuliano Zaccardelli, (the infamous Commissioner of the RCMP from 2000 to 2006. Zaccardelli’s departure from the RCMP was linked to the force’s involvement in the Maher Arar Affair and later impugned during inquiries into irregularities in the management of the RCMP’s pension and insurance fund. Now assigned to the Africa section at Interpol), but she may have noted the intricacies in the Interpol housing advice for Lyon.
http://www.interpol.int/Recruitment/Other-recruitment-pages/Specifics-about-renting-apartments-in-Lyon
with nominal rates.

Being in the south of France, one notices the public housing of Montpellier on the coast, and the recent showpiece, Antigone, a neighbourhood east of the city centre. It is best known for its architectural design by the Spanish (Catalan) architect Ricardo Bofill. His firm also built some of Paris’ New Towns

Mr. Kemble might find it overly ticky-tacky, and find Mr. Bofill’s many projects overwrought with classical finishes.

The district is built on the grounds of the former Joffre Barracks, of which only Montpellier’s citadel remains.
The Antigone project, on a 36 hectares plot, has been one of the largest single development completed in France and attracted worldwide interest. In 1979, the newly elected leftistmunicipal council of Montpellier decided to undertake urban development and develop a new district on a site near the city centre.
It has 4000 dwellings and is a kilometre long on the banks of the Lez river across from the regional government headquarters.
See housingprototypes.org/project?File_No=FRA010
——
Now can we compare it to the empty (ex-PMQ etc.) of the Jericho lands, that the mayor’s ghostwriters brought up in a speech last week to [Vision donors] Urban Land Institute luncheon.

“In Vancouver, we’re seeing Mr. Harper’s government liquidating their holdings in the Jericho lands and the RCMP lands – some of the most desirable real estate in the country. I think it’s short-sighted to take these out of public hands. Let’s not turn these public assets into an enclave for the wealthy.”

So we will place the poor and underhoused in Point Grey and Oakridge at cheap rates?

The French Loi Besson of 1990 required the 96 Départements to establish programs to house low-income families. The National Code
continues however to promote gentrification of Old Towns.

For example of public housing in Rennes (Bretagne) 22 percent of the housing units (in 1990) were publicly subsidized. Rennes used a lot of metro and regional resources and aggressive local planning. See the South ZUP of Rennes.

In Montpellier, “Le Programme Local de l’Habitat de l’Agglomération de Montpellier fixe un objectif de production de 5 000 logements par an, dont au moins 25 % de logements sociaux.
Ainsi, jusqu’au 30 juin 2012, les subventions de l’Agence Nationale de l’Habitat (Anah) sont complétées par celles de la Communauté d’Agglomération de Montpellier afin de favoriser, notamment dans les centres villageois, un habitat de qualité, économe en énergie et accessible aux ménages à ressources modestes.”
(from the 100 page report “Se loger dans la Communauté d’Agglomération de Montpellier (2012)” From l’Agence Départementale d’Information sur le Logement)

Here in Canada, Toronto is the second-largest housing provider in North America The agency has over 58,000 units of housing and an estimated 164,000 tenants.
“Toronto Community Housing is home to over 120,000 tenants living in communities across Toronto. Our housing portfolio includes more than 350 high-rise and low-rise apartment buildings.
If you are interested in making Toronto Community Housing your home, you can apply as a: 1) Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) applicant, 2) Affordable rent applicant, 3) Market rent applicant
About RGI (subsidized rent): About 93% of Toronto Community Housing tenants pay rent-geared-to-income(RGI). RGI is about 30 per cent of your gross income.”
Frances Bula did studies on this as part of her Atkinson Fellowship at the University of Toronto.

And back in the year,
What if the Downtown Eastside ceased to exist?
By Frances Bula. Published October 22, 2008 12:59 am
– See more at: thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Municipal-Politics/2008/10/22/LeadershipVancouverMayoralDebate
“Given that the neighbourhood is a source of embarrassment and that it attracts addicts and crime,” said the debate chair, “what if the Downtown Eastside ceased to exist? What if gentrification consumed the Downtown Eastside? Would you think that was bad or beneficial?”

So, should the Jericho lands be set aside for the poor and inadequately housed?

Maybe they should be used for seniors and veterans. Oh wait, isn’t that who was living there previously?

It was the Permanent Married Quarters (PMQ), tiny 4 room bungalows for servicemen and servicewomen and families recently.
It was the Jericho Barracks in the 1950s, ’60s and many of the CMHC 3-storey walkups along 4th Avenue and Broadway just east of the Alma Road were built to move them off. These were sold off to be torn down, diplacing senior old veterans to be built as 4 storey condos in the 1970s, 80s (See also the many, many standard housing models in the Southeast Vancouver, east of Victoria through Kerr Road.) [:In 1946, CMHC opened its doors to house returning war veterans and to lead the nation’s housing programs.” CMHC history
At its inception, CMHC primarily provided financing for new homeowners,
but it also provided a catalogue of blueprints or “small house plan[s]”
designed by leading Canadian architects to build those new homes. (a Windsor, Ont. set at: http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2006/02/17/victory-housing/ and a Heritage Minute video with Alan Hawco (Jake Doyle) as an injured returned vet. ]

Now it hold the ex-Jericho Blind and Deaf School (Point Grey Academy), a few Armed Forces offices “Garrison” (4050 W 4th Ave)

Did anyone else read this article?
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/28/london-the-city-that-ate-itself-rowan-moore

Now Robertson says: No Plan B

…”The mayors’ council met after the results were released and still plans to push for the transit improvements the region needs, said
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, speaking for the council.
He said without new funding, transit service will be cut at a time when the population is growing.
As for how to fund improvements,
“there is no Plan B,” said Robertson, who said mayors would not consider increased property taxes in the region. “We need an alternate solution from the B.C. government.”

cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/transit-referendum-voters-say-no-to-new-metro-vancouver-tax-transit-improvements-1.3134857