Most readers will know I’m an avowed new urbanist. This means that I care about growing up (literally) and not outwards as a city (towards and into the greenbelt). I want our city council to be leaders in sustainability, mixed use venues, and social responsibility. I want more bike lanes and garbage cans downtown and I want others to want this too.

I’ll be contributing twice a month to the Spacing Ottawa election coverage, sharing the stage with one of Ottawa’s most outspoken new urbanists, Vicky Smallman. Some have right pointed out that Vicky and I are both pretty proud New Democrats. While this is true, the municipal election is decidedly a non-partisan affair. So too will be our column–our bias will be towards forward thinking and innovation.

Click here to read my first take on the politics of change in Ottawa.