iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Once again it’s all about the politics of bike lanes in Alberta. I’ll be sitting in today on the CBC to provide a planning perspective… what do Albertans need to know about how we plan for freedom and choice in how we move in our cities?

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Few places spark joy in my heart like Burnaby’s Crystal Mall… and I know @bychrischeung.bsky.social understands its magic. This seems like a must listen for Metro Van aficionados.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

One of the Edmonton bike community events of the year… a chance for women to get fancy and cycle (and for others to support). Happening tomorrow (Sunday June 14)

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Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

This news gutted me. I don’t won’t go into details, but Raul was publicly, bravely KIND to me at a very low point in my professional life when so others were cowardly, weak, and mean. He owed me nothing. He gave because he wanted to. A rare occurrence in my life. jovanevery.co.uk/in-memoriam-...

jovanevery.co.uk

In memoriam: Raul Pacheco-Vega - Jo VanEvery

Raul had been conscious of his mortality for a long time. Many years ago he came to terms with his workaholism and took serious steps to change his behaviour for the sake of his health. I know he stil...

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Unbelievable and heartbreaking. I knew Raúl from his Vancouver days and he was always a joy to chat with. Kind, generous of spirit and intellect, and such a lively mind. A huge help to so many developing researchers. I will always remember him fondly.

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J.Day @thejeffday.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Red is the colour of life — it's blood, passion, beginnings, endings, love, cheeks, and cracked lips. Red is a warning, a distraction and a seduction, all at once. #Photography #ForestFriday #Red #Woods #Landscape #Nature #EastCoastKin #Winter #LandscapePhotography #yeg #Prairie #Winter

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

We are losing a good one, Carne Asada was my fave local taco spot too. And I'm with Keaton, we have great local entrepreneurs and we would all benefit from better streets and sidewalks to support them.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

From the region to the city, from the block to the building, we have challenges but also great opportunities to deliver climate positive + resilient places. Learn the basics from a planning and architecture perspective.

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Alex Bozikovic @alexbozikovic.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Make that pavement work harder.

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Euan Thomson @drugdatadecoded.ca · 16/12/2025

We have faced down this threat twice already via public backlash. First time was under Kenney in 2021. They backed down. Second time was a UCP-city council alliance in 2024. They backed down again. Don’t let this seem inevitable. Start organizing — they do not have the support they project.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Who in Alberta, apart from the corporate donor class, is asking for this? All part of a slippery slope away from an Alberta for all to an Alberta for the few.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Last chance to join us for a wonderfully nerdy deep dive on design guidelines (and lots that’s applicable to policy craft). Not sure when the next one will be!

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Personally I’m very proud to have flipped off the Alberta Sovereignty pickup truck driving down Whyte Avenue today

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

The typical origin story of zoning was separating ‘incompatible uses’ such as industrial + residential. But it was much much more about class (+ race), designed to keep multi family apart from ‘good’ families.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

The only true freedom is that which is afforded all of us without exception. In Alberta, as in the US, our fundamental freedoms all now have an asterisk… dependent on the whims of a skittish fearful government. So much has been taken from us.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Yes to this… the way forward on climate is through positive change that is tangible and experienced in great places. The behind the scenes/technocratic approach got some big wins but can’t get us there.

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Andy Yan @ayan604.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Starts Wednesday! Want to learn about how the Real Estate Development Process works? Consider taking @sfucity.bsky.social 755: Real Estate Development from the Inside Out Starting Wed, Nov 5 | 6 pm PST| Online | Register: www.sfu.ca/continuing-s...

sfu.ca

City Program

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Troy Pavlek @troypavlek.ca · 28/10/2025

The canary in the coal mine has died. Around the world, authoritarianism is taking hold of once strong democracies. If we ignore the seeds being planted in our own legislature, it will be at our peril. Using Notwithstanding in this way is a BIG step over a "do not cross" line

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Growing up in Alberta, the world was full of possibilities because we had the best public education system. Our kids won’t have that benefit. And to take away constitutional rights in place of good faith negotiations sets us back even more. It’s a sad day.

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Aaron @abud.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

No one wants taxes to be higher than they need to be. No one wants to feel or be unsafe in their community, on their commute, or in their home. No one wants crime or homelessness. Progressive policies are the solution to all of the above, as has been demonstrated elsewhere but never tried here.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

People of Edmonton… design week is here! An (almost) full week celebration of design and creativity in YEG. The agenda is packed so make your pick before it’s too late. Edmontondesignweek.com

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Bikeology Guild of Canada @bikeology.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

The video is up! Many thanks to @markiemoose.ca for directing, recording & editing 🙏🏼 If you're in Edmonton, join us October 18th. Bring your favourite old bike, wear your best tweed www.instagram.com/reel/DPZH8_C... #bikesky #yegbike

Photograph daytime autumn. Brilliant Blue and Gold Sky and leaves are the backdrop for the photo of a man and a woman dressed in 1890s clothing styles. Each is holding a bicycle.

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Jen @envirojen.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

“…bikes tend to allow community to happen by taking away the boundaries that exist between people in cities”

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Beyond devastating… one of YEG’s best people, always caring, thoughtful, clever, inspiring. And the most amazing handlebar barista.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

A simple ‘hack’ to get better design outcomes is to make sure the hiring processes is fair + nimble enough to hire a good designer for the particular job. Great to see Toronto + Ottawa take this on (we’ve had some wins in YEG)

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Paths for People @pathsforpeople.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Join us and @etriders.bsky.social for this fun all ages event - it’s FREE to attend! You won’t want to miss this special opportunity to join international guest speaker Anna Zivarts and community members as they share their experiences moving around #edmonton Visit pathsforpeople.org/events

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Cities should connect us to a broader story of time in place... not just through heritage preservation but storytelling. Montreal is very good at this.

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Alex Wenzel @alexwenzel.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Focusing only on the “efficiency” of AI is like focusing on driving time in cities. The cost of building to save a few minutes is social services not provided, reinforced economic stratification, and the mental and physical effects of cars having more right to exist in public than people.

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Daphne Jackson @djacks.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

This is the way

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Protected bike lanes are a triple word score for urban mobility: more safety, more choice, and more bang for the buck traffic reduction. Yet we are stuck playing politics all over again.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Spot on... we are going through a housing reset in Canada as the frothiness of speculative capital has settled and options to the shoebox condo have expanded. There is huge pressure to repair the balloon but we should embrace the reset.

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Brian Doucet @briandoucet.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Of all the ways to describe Rue St Catherine in downtown Montreal, ‘closed’ sure isn’t one of them!

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Visiting a dense complex city with frequent transit and a public bike share system is a true taste of freedom.

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Cars, trucks & SUVs have become driver weapons. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes in the way streets & vehicles are designed. We should admit that we are very much OK w a certain amount of death & life-changing injuries in order to not inconvenience driving. My column this week. Pls read n share.

thestar.com

Shawn Micallef: Vehicles have become weapons by design — and public space is in their crosshairs

A culture like ours weaponizes vehicles — from the way they are designed to the way the roads they run on are designed.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Valuable research and insight on a key flaw in traffic impact studies: emphasizing reducing delays at the expense of safety and creating 'fixes that fail'...

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Design matters… therefore it’s critical to craft urban design guidelines well. We’re doing our one day crash course at @sfucity.bsky.social next week. I think the only time this year.

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Philip Oldfield @sustainabletall.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Bitcoin causes air pollution!!! Researchers show the 34 biggest bitcoin mines in the US combined use 33% more electricity than Los Angeles This has exposed nearly 2 million Americans to higher levels of air pollution www.nature.com/articles/s41...

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

A city that won't building housing for young people AND makes it hard for young people to dance is a city in decline.

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Christopher Cheung @bychrischeung.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

A nice surprise this week! I'm nominated for the Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes alongside these great folks with impactful work. @bcyukonbookprizes.bsky.social

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Nicolette Little @nicolettelittle.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Congrats to my friend and colleague @brianfauteux.bsky.social on his new book and successful launch! What interesting and nuanced work, Brian.

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Dylan Reid @dylanreid.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

A long time ago I was on a panel about the Transport for London program of commissioning artists to create the covers for its ride guides. So glad the TTC took this idea up, and I love the current Richard Scarry-inspired cover! Loved those books as a kid.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

One of many reasons why plans focused on ‘corridors’ tend to be problematic. We’ve known about environmental risks for years but I still see these ideas proliferate.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

An American opining on Canadian politics telling us not to worry about American imperialism. This needs a huge disclaimer. (We urbanists know Kotkin well… he’s a long time contrarian conservative crank)

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Seventy years ago, the writer Lewis Mumford warned that urban highways would be a disaster: “This is pyramid building with a vengeance, a tomb of concrete roads and ramps covering the dead corpse of a city.” He was right. We just didn’t listen. Me, in CityLab 🧵

bloomberg.com

The Dark Prophet of Car-Clogged Cities

70 years before congestion pricing landed in New York City, Lewis Mumford sounded the alarm on letting automobiles run amok in America’s downtowns.

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Neal LaMontagne @nlamontagne.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Our public library has generally been a local leader for inclusivity so this is a big step backwards. EPL execs must know that ‘neutrality’ in an unequal + inequitable system isn’t inclusive or neutral at all.

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