Originally printed in the Huffington Post. The history of humanity is a history of poverty. This is illustrated in the work of University of California, Davis economist Gregory Clark. According to Clark (Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World):...
Urbanization
Mid-Sized Cities Can Attract Tourists by Being Themselves
People flock to major cities to take advantage of unique experiences. In theory, most of the types of activities tourists seek out can be replicated most anywhere, but people are willing to pay a large premium and go out of their way to see a show on Broadway, or eat...
Craft Beer: A Tool for Urban Revitalization?
Most people don’t think of breweries as tools for economic development. In fact, the default assumption among politicians seems to be that alcohol is an unavoidable evil. However, the growth of the craft brewing industry has been a major boon to urban revitalization...
Heated Sidewalks are Worth Consideration
People laughed when Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman called in the army to help clear snow in 1999. But snow and ice present many challenges for municipal government. When snow is plowed to clear the way for vehicles, parking becomes difficult, and icy sidewalks are also...
Featured News
How to Turn Free Citizens Into Compliant Serfs
Free citizens have minds of their own and want to pursue their lives as they see fit. This is inconvenient for the elites, who wish to be in charge of everyone’s lives so that they can show their superiority and gain benefit for themselves and their friends. So the...
Demographia International Housing Affordability – 2023 Edition Released
Demographia International Housing Affordability rates middle-income housing affordability in 94 major housing markets in eight nations: Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. This edition covers the third...
Portland: Lost in Its Own Reflection
Few cities in North America are as widely feted as Portland. For many, Portland represents the epitome of "smart" urbanism, a paragon that puts other, less-brainy places to shame. Pilgrims travel once or twice a month from as far as California and Canada to study...
The War Against the Car
What would life be like without the automobile. Think about it! The automobile has been an invaluable assest in the advancement of civilization as we know it today. It is not the demon that environmentalists would like us to believe.
Turn Green property tax plan on its head
The Green Party would redesign society by changing the way the property tax works.
Does ‘Peak Oil’ mean an end to the suburbs?
When fuel prices rise, people reduce other auto expenses in order to keep total costs (as a percentage of their incomes) constant. They may keep their cars a little longer, for example, or buy less luxurious cars.
Automobiles, Key to Katrina and Rita Evacuation
Autos worked partly because people who owned autos were not dependent on the effectiveness or competence of public officials.
Up or Out?
Growth managers may have good intentions, but do much real harm. Regions facing rapid growth should insure that growth pays for itself through a combination of user fees and fair taxes, but they should not try to control where or how that growth should take place
Picture imperfect?
Absent a material threat to other individuals or the community, people should be allowed to live and work where and how they like.” -Lone Mountain Compact
Never Mind Light Rail for Winnipeg
Feedback on Winnipeg’s transit plans – a citizen says fix the streets instead.
Transit Disneyland in Winnipeg
Expensive forms of transit such as exclusive busways and rail lines have done little to generate new riders, while their high cost has often forced transit agencies to cut back bus services.