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Michael Geller

@michaelgeller.bsky.social
1.4K followers 265 following 167 posts

An aging Vancouver-based urban planner, developer, retired architect, writer and SFU Adjunct Professor with a longstanding interest in urban design and affordable housing.

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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
I can't believe someone from Union Gospel Mission is telling @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social he opposes a slight change in bus stop locations because it may impact some people struggling with addiction who have difficulty walking more than a block.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Hoping there will be some community support for this innovative, affordable North Vancouver project that encourages buyers to invest in a home rather than a car! engage.zencity.io/dnv/en-US/pr...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Hoping there will be some community support for this innovative, affordable North Vancouver project that encourages buyers to invest in a home rather than a car! engage.zencity.io/dnv/en-US/pr...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Why are condo presales down 95%? Because with investors gone, presale programs no longer work. Would you buy a new home 3 or 4 years in advance of completion? It's time for lenders to relax presale requirements. www.connectcre.ca/stories/cond...
connectcre.ca
Condo Project Lenders Must Relax Presale Requirements: Geller - Connect CRE Canada
Canadian condo-project lenders must relax presale requirements to help revive the sinking market, says a legendary architect and developer.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
I posted this on facebook this morning and was pleased to see I am not the only one who would like to see Moe Sihota replaced on CBC's Early Edition political panel by someone who is willing to show respect for the other panelists and the moderator @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
So true. Pleased to read I am not the only one who finds it absurd we expect those who DON'T own homes to finance the cost of growth rather than those who DO own homes (often mortgage free).
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
I don't think @cityofvancouver.bsky.social should forego more than $1 million in property taxes to create community gardens like this. Do you? globalnews.ca/video/115898...
globalnews.ca
Developers’ community gardens questioned | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Developers’ community gardens questioned Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
I only mentioned you because you are an authoritative voice!
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
I am pleased to share this housing forecast from today's @vancouversun.bsky.social vancouversun.com/homes/michae...
vancouversun.com
Michael Geller: How B.C. real estate is shaping up for the year ahead
Vancouver real estate commentator: 'During the past year, I was often asked what I thought would happen to Vancouver’s housing market.'
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
I thought Paul Kershaw's Generation Squeeze and young people hoping to purchase their first home would appreciate this early response to tomorrow's Vancouver Sun real estate outlook column vancouversun.com/homes/michae...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
The new DTES Area Plan going to Public Hearing this week is going to fail just like the 2014 plan failed unless there are major changes. Why? This is why. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/12/prop...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Proposed new DTES Plan. Sadly, I predict this will fail just as I correctly predicted the 2014 plan would fail
My letter to senior staff, Mayor and Council  In advance of tonight's Public Hearing on a new DTES plan, I would like to confirm a couple of...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Pleased to hear @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social is as sceptical as me when it comes to getting from Fletchers dry cleaning at Arbutus & Broadway to UBC. What a ridiculous decision that was!
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
You must own a house. Because one day you will be old and owning a house is the best way to obtain some financial security. Just don't by and sell within three to five years.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
On Tuesday morning, Vancouver City Council will be voting on the staff recommendations regarding the Social Housing Initiative. For the life of me I don't understand why they would approve this. It makes absolutely no sense at all. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/11/vanc...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Vancouver's Social Housing Initiative Public Hearing - Geller Speaking Notes - November 27, 2025
While the Social Housing Initiative is proposing the blanket rezoning of a third of the city for highrises, you wouldn't know this from the ...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Still waiting to know why Vancouver police are not arresting and charging with manslaughter more known drug dealers who are essentially killing people.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Listening to @sarahblyth.bsky.social & @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social discussing overdoses and drug-related deaths in the DTES and elsewhere. How many of the dealers who police know are selling these drugs ever been charged with manslaughter?
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT! My letter and speaking notes in opposition to Vancouver's Social Housing Initiative gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/11/vanc...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Hey @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social how dare you suggest the Saab convertible looked like a bathtub? It was a beautiful car. We were the proud owners of one for more than a decade.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Interesting interview between former mayor now, housing minister Gregor Robertson and @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social this morning. As a former CMHC Program Manager Social Housing, overseeing 1000s of nonprofit homes I can't understand why federal government wants to create a NEW ENTITY to build homes.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
I fear the city of Vancouver is about to make a terrible and expensive mistake. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/10/i-fe...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
I fear the City of Vancouver is about to make a terrible mistake -
URGENT - Establishing a Wholly Owned Government Business Enterprise for the purpose of developing market rental housing Michael Geller   <...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Were you aware the City of Vancouver has issued a Draft Official Development Plan for public review and comments? Nor was I until I received a call from a delightful @ctvnewsvancouver.bsky.social journalist yesterday morning. You can find details here: gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/10/ctv-...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
CTV Interview regarding Vancouver's forthcoming Official Development Plan - October 8, 2025
Yesterday morning a got a call from a very delightful Demetra Maragos, a journalist with CTV. She was doing a story about the City of Vancou...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
I recently discussed with Jas Johal the sad reality that we are losing 20,000 development/construction industry jobs in Metro. Why? You can find out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFYY...
youtube.com
"WE ARE IN DIRE STRAITS" || Developer Michael Geller on layoffs in the housing sector || 730 CKNW
YouTube video by 730CKNW
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
While I am the first to agree we need to build more housing to bring down rents and home prices, we also need to make better use of the housing we already have. What do I mean? Read on. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/10/usin...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Using Lateral Thinking to solve Housing problems - Vancouver is Awesome October 7, 2019
Edward de Bono Malcolm Gladwell Six years ago I wrote this article for the Vancouver Courier on alternative approaches to addressing the hou...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
So how did I end up on the front page of yesterday's Vancouver Sun? Here's some background. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/10/defe...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Deferring Property Taxes - Vancouver Sun October 4, 2025
Last week I received a telephone call from Dan Fumano of the Vancouver Sun. He was writing a story about deferring property taxes and came a...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
at least this proves there are people out there listening to you early in the morning!
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
:-)
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
thanks for this. now you need to correct yourself since it won't be the Blue Jays playing the Seattle Mariners in the world series. but perhaps in the American League Championship series. they are both American League teams. the World series is the American League versus the National League
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
@cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social Hang on Stephen. It won't be the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners in the World Series. They may be playing for the American League Championship. The World Weries is an American League Team against a National League team. See below.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
One problem is that if too many ugly multiplex homes are built, neighbouring residents will ultimately convince politicians to shut down the multiplex program. Also, if the ugly homes don't sell, builders will be liable for Empty Home Taxes. So better designs will be in everyone's best interest
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
for some reason nearly all the multiplexes I have seen are big boxy ugly structures
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
How to advance housing affordability in BC? Some background and a link to this morning's CBC Early Edition interview with David Ley and me. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/08/cbc-...
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Reposted by Michael Geller
Stephen Quinn @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Another bad day for America... An effort to gut another source of reliable, accurate, local news... www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
This is an approval. Not a start!
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
I have two things to say about this. I'm sure some of these purchases were due to the fact that foreign buyers are banned in Canada. That said, I'm surprised the second most active buyers were Canadians.
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Reposted by Michael Geller
Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Oh, Honey! America has functioned for 249 years with every president having co-equal branches of government checking their power. It was set up that way on purpose by the Founding Fathers. You really skipped civics class, didn't you?
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
thanks for being there and supporting this. it's going to make life much more appealing to a lot of households that have been building laneways as intergenerational Housing solutions
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
I've asked for this in numerous Vancouver Sun Year-end Outlook columns. I certainly hope Council approves this change
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
At the Canadian Institute of Planners Conference @alexbozikovic.bsky.social asks panelists to identify small changes that could enhance public life. One panelist asks "Why not allow small kiosks in parks that sell coffee in the day and other drinks at night?"
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
I sure hope Mark Carney and Gregor Roberston read this since it confirms all of my concerns about their federal housing supply ambitions! nationalpost.com/news/politic...
nationalpost.com
Failed New Zealand scheme is cautionary tale for Carney's homebuilding agency: report
Free-market think tank the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) says Canada's new federal homebuilding agency is likely to overpromise.
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
How literate are you about Artificial Intelligence? You might enjoy reading this. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Artificial Intelligence - Canada among least AI Literate Nations
I woke up today to the news that Canada ranks 44 out of 47 countries when it comes to our  Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy. https://kp...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/vanc...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Vancouver's Proposed Social Housing Initiative - What are they thinking?
While I am the first to admit, as some of my critics claim, that I am becoming a grumpy old man with old fashioned planning ideas and should...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/deve...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Developer pulls the plug on Anmore South Proposal - Memories of the 1989 Spetifore Lands
Last night the developer of the Anmore South development proposal pulled the plug on their highly  controversial   application just hours be...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
The most ridiculous thing I heard last week was Vancouver Councillor Brian Montague telling @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social how the city was going to keep taxes low by making $$$ developing rental housing on lands in Property Endowment Fund. Trust me. Quinn will be a grandfather before any $$$ come in!
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/vanc...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Vancouver's new rental apartments are not very 'livable'
I read today's Douglas Todd column in the Vancouver Sun about the poor design of so many new apartments with considerable interest. While I ...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Some background to yesterday's media coverage of my successful Property Assessment Appeal of Holborn's Dunsmuir Hotel property. gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
How undervaluation of Vancouver sites could cost millions in property taxes - Canadian Press June 12, 2025
Readers of this blog may recall that earlier this year I initiated a third-party appeal of the BC Property Assessment of the Dunsmuir Hotel ...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Here are some thoughts on what has caused today's housing crisis and what the federal gov't should and shouldn't do about it. People who usually tell me I don't know what I'm talking about have told me this interview is worth listening to! :-) vancouversun.com/business/con... @amybell.bsky.social
vancouversun.com
Conversations That Matter: Canada's housing crisis
A conversations with Michael Geller about the direction of federal housing policy
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Thx for your response. I agree it's a vast conversation. What prompted my comment is when a developer says approx. $350,000 of a $1 million condo can be attributable to government fees and taxes, this should warrant at least some response from the interviewer, if only "really?"
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I am pleased to share this in the hope that it will encourage more developers to build 'mortgage helpers in the sky'! gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2025/06/lock...
gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com
Lock-off Suites gaining increased popularity - CBC- June 9th 2025
Last week I had a call from Jon Hernandez, a video journalist with CBC. He was doing a story about a developer who had decided to include 8 ...
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Michael Geller @michaelgeller.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
Listening to a good discussion on CBC's On The Coast on why housing is too expensive. I hope these conversations continue since I don't think today's host @amybell.bsky.social really understands what's being said. And; fnshe doesn't most people won't.
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