In this YIMBY post, Field Schooler Gary Poliquin shares a transformative experience during the HGEO 499 Field School walk in East Village, Calgary, led by Nathan Flach of CMLC and Matt Knapik of O2 Planning and Design.

Reflecting on his memories from 30 years ago, he compares the area’s dramatic transformation from a rundown neighborhood to a thriving urban district. Key highlights of the tour include forward-thinking developments like “The Platform” parkade, which can be repurposed in the future, and the success of Calgary’s CRL funding mechanism.

With over $400 million invested since 2007 and a $3 billion return in private investment, Gary concludes that Calgary's municipally-driven urban development outshines Edmonton’s efforts.

In this YIMBY post, Field School Student Jaden Macyk explores the evolution of the Calgary Drop-In Centre, North America’s largest shelter for unhoused individuals. Macyk highlights how the Centre’s massive size—once seen as a measure of success—now clashes with its newer Housing First approach, which prioritizes helping individuals transition into stable housing. The post outlines how the Centre has adapted its six-floor layout to support this shift, while also recognizing the building’s limitations in scale, accessibility, and flexibility. Macyk emphasizes the need for smaller, cohort-based facilities that better address individual needs, noting ongoing challenges like public perception and neighborhood pressure. Ultimately, the post presents the Centre as a resilient and compassionate organization navigating complex social issues with a focus on dignity and long-term solutions.

In this YIMBY post, Field School Student Jaclynn Mah reflects on how Calgary’s Central Library goes far beyond simply lending books. She highlights how the library serves as a hub for community connection, offering a wide range of inclusive programs and services—from English language learner workshops to teen spaces, children’s play areas, and even free room rentals and printing for library cardholders. Mah emphasizes how the library actively works to reduce barriers—supporting artists, providing creator spaces, and welcoming unhoused individuals without discrimination. Ultimately, she argues that the Central Library embodies the values of accessibility, inclusivity, and community support, striving to be a welcoming space for everyone.

This integrative project explores the intersection of sustainability, community development, and placemaking within Alberta’s craft beer industry. Positioned against the backdrop of mass production and globalized economies, the study advocates for the value of craft economies as locally rooted, environmentally responsible, and socially enriching alternatives. Drawing from literature on craft traditions, the project highlights how artisanal methods—especially in food and drink—promote cultural heritage, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen regional identities. Although historically constrained by restrictive regulations, Alberta's craft beer scene has evolved into a hub for innovation and community-building. Breweries like Village Brewery and Mountain Tap exemplify how local sourcing, zero-waste practices, and community engagement align craft brewing with sustainable development. Craft brewers resist industrial norms by emphasizing manual skill, slow production, and ecological ethics and instead cultivate shared spaces, participatory governance, and economic resilience. This review underscores the potential of the craft economy not as a nostalgic return to the past but as a forward-thinking, place-based model for sustainable and inclusive development in Alberta and beyond.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Internal Beth Bennett reflects on the joy and creativity of helping revive the YIMBY blog alongside fellow media execs.

Celebrating the space as a refreshing break from academic writing and a source of community within GAPSS, the post also looks ahead with excitement to YIMBY’s future under new leadership.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP External Rylee Thomson reflects on the bittersweet end of her undergraduate journey, framed by the unexpected absence of Dewey’s beloved menu.

What begins as a lament for a missing grilled cheese becomes a heartfelt tribute to campus life, lasting friendships, and the moments—big and small—that made university feel like home.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Marketing Eric Prefontaine reflects on John Green’s Everything is Tuberculosis, exploring how the often-overlooked disease intersects with planning, poverty, and public health.

Drawing connections between historical housing reforms and modern disparities—particularly among Indigenous communities—the post highlights how TB remains a powerful indicator of systemic inequality.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Hussain Cochinwala explores the urban design of Cyberpunk 2077's Night City, highlighting how its immersive, dystopian landscape reflects real-world planning issues—from urban sprawl and digital divides to corporate control and environmental neglect.

The post offers a thoughtful critique of the city as both a planner’s nightmare and a powerful cautionary tale.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Elise Beaton shares practical and encouraging interview tips for students and new grads facing the job hunt.

From saving job postings to preparing talking points and asking thoughtful questions, the post offers a helpful guide to navigating interviews with confidence and clarity.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP HGEO Lauren Slevinsky reflects on the strange exclusivity of Edmonton’s last remaining Chili’s, tucked behind airport security.

What was once a suburban staple has become a symbol of privilege and biopolitical control, accessible only to the mobile and authorized.

Through wit and critical insight, the post explores how a casual dining chain became part of a geography of exclusion—where mozzarella sticks meet metal detectors.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Marketing Eric Prefontaine discusses the overuse of the "NIMBY" label in planning debates, arguing that it oversimplifies complex issues and alienates residents from meaningful discourse.

They highlight the divide between community members and elected officials, suggesting that labels like "NIMBY" contribute to this rift.

Drawing inspiration from the book High Conflict, the post emphasizes the importance of active listening, thoughtful questioning, and more inclusive meeting formats to foster understanding and bridge the "backyard divide" in development discussions.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Vanessa Wietrzyk reflects on her first year in the Planning major, sharing 10 key lessons learned.

From developing a deep appreciation for bike lanes and urban design to understanding the challenges of funding in planning, the post highlights personal growth and insights gained through coursework, creativity in assignments, and engaging with fellow students.

Vanessa also express gratitude for their involvement with GAPSS and look forward to what the future holds in planning and beyond.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Internal Beth Bennett shares her top picks for Edmonton’s "Happy Beer Street," a vibrant neighbourhood known for its walkability and community-driven breweries.

Highlighting favourites like Bent Stick Brewing, Shiddy’s Rumpus Room, and ODD Company Brewing, she explores the area’s charm, offering a blend of great beer, local food, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this area is a must-see for beer lovers looking to support local businesses while enjoying Edmonton’s unique culture. Cheers!

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Marketing Eric Prefontaine imagines the ultimate team of Pokémon to bring along on any public transit adventure.

From Jirachi, who could grant a wish for timely buses, to Meowth, a germaphobic treasure hunter, each Pokémon offers a unique advantage for a smooth ride. This fun list is sure to make any commute more exciting!

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Cole Swanson explores the concept of "psychogeography," a term coined by the Parisian art collective, the Letterist International, in the 1950s.

Originally linked to the practice of aimless wandering (the "dérive"), psychogeography examines how the environment influences emotions and behaviour. The post delves into its roots in radical urban proposals and its connection to Marxism, noting its influence on modern movements like parkour and video games such as Disco Elysium.

Despite its historical associations with extreme leftist ideology, psychogeography endures today, inspiring urban exploration and creative thinking.

In this YIMBY Rant, GAPSS VP Internal Beth Bennett discusses the many issues surrounding the Tesla Cybertruck, from its unattractive design and safety concerns to its hefty price tag and environmental impact.

Beth highlights how the vehicle’s design flaws, including blind spots and frequent technical failures, raise significant urban wellbeing concerns.

Ultimately, Beth expresses strong disdain for the Cybertruck, questioning its practical value and appeal.

In this YIMBY post, GAPSS Member Hussain Cochinwala reflects on the challenges of navigating icy and wet sidewalks during the colder months.

While heated sidewalks in busy areas offer a solution, they are expensive and difficult to maintain. A potential alternative, developed by researchers at Drexel University, is self-heating concrete that uses low-temperature liquid paraffin to prevent ice buildup. Currently being tested on Drexel's campus, the new concrete shows promise in keeping sidewalks clear without the environmental drawbacks of salting.

The long-term durability of this solution remains to be seen, but it could significantly improve commuter safety and comfort.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Robbie Brooks highlights the City of Surrey's plan to develop a new entertainment district along the Fraser River, aiming to create a vibrant area with restaurants, bars, and public spaces.

However, this land is currently vital industrial space, which is increasingly scarce in Metro Vancouver. The post discusses the need to balance urban development with preserving critical industrial land that supports the region's economy, particularly its port operations and job market.

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS VP Internal Beth Bennett explores the origins and global popularity of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, focusing on Chicago’s iconic green river tradition.

From the Irish roots of St. Patrick, who played a key role in spreading Catholicism to Ireland, to the origins of Chicago’s green river in 1961, the post delves into why this holiday has become a worldwide event.

Celebrating Irish culture through food, drink, music, and parades, St. Patrick's Day has become a global celebration of culture and connection—whether or not you're Irish!

In this YIMBY Post, GAPSS Member Raymond Li reflects on the long-standing vacancy of the Northlands Coliseum, a building that has stood empty for nearly a decade.

Despite various attempts to repurpose it, including a failed Hockey Canada bid, the building is now set for demolition as part of a larger transit-oriented development plan. The City of Edmonton, now the owner, is focused on revitalizing the area with a transit village and new LRT stations, but the transformation is expected to take time.

This post highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the site and its future.