Vancouver Region Planning and Development News + Events

Hello. Welcome to my weekly newsletter of curated headlines about city building, urban planning, real estate development, transportation, economy, and other eclectic matters in the Vancouver region and the rest of the world.

While it’s sunny summer now, planning for some events in the rainy fall -- please see and share:

Vancouver Mt Pleasant Industrial Lands Walking Tour

· Saturday, Sept 5, 10:30 am – noon: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/industrial-lands-walking-tour-mt-pleasant-vancouver-with-eric-aderneck-tickets-1991840084311

· See, hear, and learn all about industrial lands: www.IndustrialLands.ca

Learn the Basics of Urban Planning – Live, Online, Interactive Classes

· Understand urban planning concepts, terms, issues and how it all contributes to city building. Basically it’s planning for non-planners. Two Options: A one-day (5 hours) or a two-evenings (2.5 X 2 hours):

· One-Day - Saturday, September 19, 9:30 am to 2:45 pm PDT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/learn-the-basics-of-urban-planning-one-day-live-online-class-tickets-1992176071257

· Two-Evenings - Tuesday Oct 6 + Wednesday Oct 7, 6:00 to 8:30 pm PDT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/learn-the-basics-of-urban-planning-two-evening-live-online-class-tickets-1992176270854

· REGISTER NOW: As a newsletter subscriber, get a discount rate (code ‘Newsletter’).

Interested in Becoming an Urban Planner ?

· Consider the Langara College Applied Planning Post-Degree Diploma, where I each three courses. Intake now for the full-time, 12-month program starting in September 2026.

· Let me know if any questions and hope to see you in class: https://langara.ca/programs-courses/applied-planning-post-degree-diploma-we

· Urban Planning Courses and Resources: www.LearnPlanning.ca

Eric Aderneck, rpp, mpl, bcom, dule / eric@aderneck.ca / 604.721.5528 / www.linkedin.com/in/ericaderneck

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ECONOMY / BUSINESS

C1 BC Economic Briefing https://www.central1.com/pdf_files/b-c-economic-briefing-for-june-19-mls-housing-starts-manufacturing-sales-business-confidence

BC should take note of Alberta’s economic performance https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/opinion-bc-should-take-note-of-albertas-economic-performance-12423078

The staggering cost of Canada’s federal and provincial debt interest payments in 2025 https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/federal-and-provincial-debt-interest-costs-for-canadians-2026

What Canada’s ‘demographic recession’ means for the economy https://financialpost.com/news/what-canada-demographic-recession-means-economy

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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

What Will Attract Young Professionals to a New Rental-Apartment Building? https://www.connectcre.ca/stories/guest-column-what-will-attract-young-professionals-to-a-new-rental-apartment-building/

More affordable rentals luring Toronto-area buyers away from real estate. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/article-more-affordable-rentals-luring-toronto-area-buyers-from-real-estate/

It’s time to purge the concept of ‘starter homes’ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-its-time-to-purge-the-concept-of-starter-homes/

Canada Needs Condos People Actually Want to Live In https://macleans.ca/economy/realestateeconomy/canada-is-building-condos-nobody-wants-to-live-in/

Housing Data Dashboard https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/housing-data-dashboard

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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Canada’s ‘other’ condo meltdown could be the worst on record https://vancouversun.com/news/economy/vancouver-condo-meltdown-could-be-worst-on-record

Canadian home sales post first ‘meaningful’ gain in 2026 https://financialpost.com/real-estate/canadian-home-sales-first-meaningful-gain-2026-crea

Lower Mainland housing market stalls in May as buyers stay on the sidelines https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/bryan-yu-lower-mainland-housing-market-stalls-in-may-as-buyers-stay-on-the-sidelines-12423464

Unabsorbed condos at record levels in Metro Vancouver https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate/unabsorbed-condos-at-record-levels-in-metro-vancouver-cmhc-12440153

The Vancouver Rennie Review June 2026 https://rennie.com/blog/the-vancouver-rennie-review-june-2026

The 6 Key Takeaways From CMHC’s 2026 Mid-Year Rental Market Update https://storeys.com/cmhc-mid-year-rental-market/

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

‘Worst housing market in decades’: Non-profit development association in B.C. cancels awards event https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-development-association-cancels-awards-citing-worst-housing-market-in-decades-9.7241275

BC set to backstop $1B in loans to First Nations-led projects https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/bc-set-to-backstop-1b-in-loans-to-first-nations-led-projects-12431861

How 740,000 British Columbians have a stake in the gigantic Oakridge Park project https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/douglas-todd-how-740000-british-columbians-have-a-stake-in-the-gigantic-oakridge-park-project

BC appeals court allows sale of Atmosphere on Richmond’s No. 3 Road https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/bc-appeals-court-allows-sale-of-atmosphere-richmond-no-3-road-12425566

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BUILDING / DEVELOPMENT

Carney and Eby announce $3.2B developer subsidy; plan to buy unsold BC condos. https://www.biv.com/news/carney-and-eby-announce-32b-developer-subsidy-plan-to-buy-unsold-bc-condos-12442807

Carney, Eby announce $5 billion for B.C. housing and related infrastructure https://vancouversun.com/news/carney-eby-announce-5-billion-for-bc-housing-and-related-infrastructure

Critics slam government plan to ‘bail out’ sagging condo sector in BC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/critics-slam-government-plan-to-bail-out-sagging-condo-sector-9.7242851

Room to scale up in Canadian student housing market https://renx.ca/scaling-in-canadas-student-housing-market

Calgary’s efforts to boost non-market housing mired in delay https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/article-calgarys-efforts-to-boost-non-market-housing-mired-in-delay

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URBAN PLANNING

Much fewer detached houses being built in Metro Vancouver https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate/much-fewer-detached-houses-being-built-in-metro-vancouver-12398338

Will Anyone Vote for Abundance? https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/will-anyone-vote-for-abundance

Anmore approves massive development — but its construction isn’t assured https://www.freshetnews.ca/anmore-approves-massive-development-but-its-construction-isnt-assured/

Luxury market ‘decentralizing’ in Canada and Metro Vancouver, say experts https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate/luxury-market-decentralizing-in-canada-and-metro-vancouver-say-experts-12447710

City of Maple Ridge considering new $393 million recreation proposal https://mapleridgenews.com/2026/06/19/city-of-maple-ridge-considering-new-393-recreation-proposal/

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TRANSPORTATION

European contractor to build new George Massey Tunnel fired by BC government. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-government-george-massey-tunnel-contractor-fired

Critics warn beleaguered new George Massey Tunnel could cost at least $9 billion https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/george-massey-tunnel-new-conservatives-delta-city-criticism

E-scooters injuries in Metro Vancouver children more than double in a year https://vancouversun.com/news/e-scooters-injuries-metro-vancouver-children-double

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RESOURCES / ENVIRONMENT

BC eyes two new hydropower dams, including Site E near Alberta border, Dix says https://www.biv.com/news/bc-eyes-two-new-hydropower-dams-including-site-e-near-alberta-border-dix-says-12424364

What you need to know about BC’s Site E and why it’s getting a second look for solar and wind power https://vancouversun.com/business/site-e-bc-power-what-know

Metro Vancouver urges residents to keep saving water as temperatures rise https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-vancouver-water-restrictions-9.7234695

Surrey slammed for flouting Metro Vancouver water restrictions https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-vancouver-surrey-bc-water-restrictions-defy-9.7242638

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INDUSTRIAL / OFFICE

New $100-million steel plant opens in Ingersoll, Ont., despite EV, trade turmoil https://financialpost.com/news/new-100m-steel-plant-opens-in-ingersoll-despite-ev-trade-turmoil/

BC’s new industrial projects face 90% electricity shortfall, warn experts https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/bcs-new-industrial-projects-face-90-electricity-shortfall-warn-experts-12437618

Return-to-office ‘unachievable’: Inside the desk space debacle at the public service pay centre https://vancouversun.com/public-service/return-to-office-unachievable

BC lawyers face AI-driven shakeups in legal work https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/bc-lawyers-face-ai-driven-shakeups-in-legal-work-12415161

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SHOPPING / HOSPITALITY

Vancouver’s buzzy new Oakridge Park mall makes a case for in-person retail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/style-magazine/article-vancouver-new-oakridge-park-mall-luxury-boutiques-in-person-retail/

With 10 giant screens, free World Cup match viewing is everywhere at FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver — not just the amphitheatre https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-fan-festival-vancouver-pne-hastings-park-free-match-viewing-locations

World Cup fans in Vancouver get ready to paint the town red https://www.biv.com/news/world-cup-fans-in-vancouver-get-ready-to-paint-the-town-red-12438628

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POLITICS / PEOPLE

C1 Population contracts for third straight quarter https://central1.com/pdf_files/population-contracts-for-third-straight-quarter

Who Wants Populist Family Policy? https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/who-wants-populist-family-policy

Post-Secondary Is in Crisis. A New Report Proposes a Fix https://thetyee.ca/News/2026/06/09/Post-Secondary-Crisis-New-Report

Dropping opioid death toll hints BC NDP retreat on harm-reduction may be working https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-dropping-opioid-death-toll-hints-bc-ndp-retreat-on-harm-reduction-may-be-working

Canadians grew more wary, discouraged in past 50 years, says veteran pollster https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/douglas-todd-canadians-grew-more-dispirited-in-past-50-years-says-veteran-pollster

Massey bridge cancellation still haunts New Democrats https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/rob-shaw-massey-bridge-cancellation-still-haunts-new-democrats-12433584

In Canadian first, Yukon to get Indigenous-only parking spots https://nationalpost.com/opinion/in-canadian-first-yukon-to-get-indigenous-only-parking-spots

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OTHER / MISC

The coming El Niño could be the strongest ever recorded https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/06/16/the-coming-el-nino-could-be-the-strongest-ever-recorded

Canada’s $80-billion submarine race sparks dealmaking blitz across the industrial heartland https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canada-submarine-contract-sparks-dealmaking-blitz

From Muck To Material: The Second Life Of Transit Tunnels https://storeys.com/transit-tunnels-muck-reuse-ontario/

A New Piece of the Puzzle of Covid’s Origin https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/a-new-piece-of-the-puzzle-of-covids-origin

What is the ultimate ‘dad car’? Or is it the dad who makes the car? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/culture/article-what-is-the-ultimate-dad-car-or-is-it-the-dad-who-makes-the-car/

Video: How Frank Lloyd Wright Predicted Modern Suburbs (Broadacre City)