Louis James is an opinion writer for Strong Towns Nanaimo. Through his work as a refugee resettlement worker in both Canada and the United States, Louis wants to bring awareness to how the design of our cities prevent newcomers from flourishing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Vancouver Island University, and his writing and advocacy focus on how we can make Nanaimo a more creative, prosperous, and equitable city for everyone.
As Nanaimo grapples with a growing housing crisis, this article challenges us to confront the contradictions between our values and our actions—asking whether we’re building a future for our children or preserving the past at their expense.
The Regional District of Nanaimo will increase annual transit service hours by 8,700 starting January 5th, a boost of over 5%, supporting a more connected and sustainable community. This is a major win for transit in Nanaimo! This will help more people choose transit over their personal vehicle, and we think that's neat.
I'm optimistic about Nanaimo's transportation future. New mobility options, like bike lanes, e-bike share, and the Hullo Ferry help flesh out our transportation system.
This article is the first in a series following the changes in our city relating to housing. Check back in later to see what Nanaimo has been doing to make Missing Middle Housing possible.
Our group sees the development partnership of Te’tuxwtun as an opportunity to add to the increasing vitality and diversity of the Harewood Neighbourhood.
The proposed transit exchange in Nanaimo is essential for promoting equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Investing in the exchange enhances Nanaimo's livability and productivity. Opposition may not represent the thousands who rely on buses daily. Supporting this initiative aligns with a vision for a more inclusive and accessible city.
Nanaimo plans to amend its zoning bylaws to allow more “missing middle” housing. Fill out the survey and have your say! Survey ends on September 29th, 2023. The survey contains a section for each of the four proposed initiatives and will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes to complete, depending on which initiatives you would like to provide feedback on.
