In this week’s YIMBY, Raymond explores the growing push for AI infrastructure in Alberta through the proposed Synapse data centre development in Olds. As governments promote data centres as engines of economic growth, projects like this raise important planning questions about land use, environmental impacts, and community consultation. From noise and water use to power generation and development timelines, Raymond unpacks both the opportunities and the concerns surrounding these massive facilities. With AI infrastructure likely to expand across the province, this piece asks planners to start paying attention now. Curious about what data centres could mean for Alberta communities? Give it a read.

What if the Olympics didn’t belong to one city, but an entire region? In this week’s YIMBY, Logan explores how Milano Cortina 2026 redefined the host-city model by dispersing events across Northern Italy. With competitions spread across multiple hubs, mobility networks replaced a single Olympic core, reducing new construction while challenging cohesion and the traditional Village experience. The result? A Games that prioritized reuse and regional balance — but sacrificed centrality and spectacle. Curious what this shift could mean for the future of mega-events and urban planning? Give it a read and join the conversation.

In this week’s YIMBY, Luka introduces Edmonton’s newest (and arguably most reliable) forecaster: Edmonton Earl, the transit-predicting magpie of Emily Murphy Park. Move over Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie — this bird doesn’t predict spring, he predicts transit chaos. Through sharp satire and suspiciously accurate “evidence,” Luka connects corvid behaviour to LRT delays, bus expansions, and the fate of Edmonton commuters. Clever, chaotic, and deeply local, this piece pokes fun at prediction culture while giving us a new February tradition to rally around. Grab your binoculars and an umbrella — transit destiny awaits.

In this week’s YIMBY, Izzy S. reflects on public transportation as more than just a way to get from point A to point B. From collecting transit maps to romanticizing LRT rides and sharing fleeting moments with strangers, Izzy explores the quiet sense of community that emerges in everyday commutes. With warmth and honesty, this piece balances what makes transit joyful—imagination, affordability, and connection—alongside its very real shortcomings, including accessibility gaps and the stigmatization of unhoused people in public spaces. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this YIMBY reminds us why transit matters beyond efficiency. Hop on and give it a read.

In this week’s YIMBY, Anjeli turns our attention to one of winter’s most underrated urban features: warming huts. While Edmonton often talks about winter city design, many residents have never encountered these small but impactful structures tucked along skating trails, the River Valley, or even near City Hall. Drawing inspiration from Winnipeg’s well-known warming hut program and design competition, Anjeli reflects on how passive heating and thoughtful design can make outdoor spaces more inviting—even in the coldest months. Cozy, creative, and full of potential, this piece asks us to imagine how Edmonton could embrace winter even better. Give it a read and keep an eye out for warmth along your next winter walk

In this week’s YIMBY, written by Vanessa, we’re invited into a love letter to Vancouver—one shaped by frequent visits, fleeting weekends, and a healthy dose of romanticization. From spontaneous nightlife and festival memories to experiencing the city through the eyes of local friends, this piece reflects on how place, density, and transit shape the way we imagine our futures. The SkyTrain, walkable neighbourhoods, and endless urban energy make it hard not to dream, even when affordability looms large. Honest, nostalgic, and self-aware, this YIMBY explores why some cities capture our hearts—even if they never fully capture us. Give it a read and indulge in a little west coast dreaming.

In this week’s YIMBY, VP Marketing Eli reflects on the long-awaited redesign of the University of Alberta’s iconic Sports Pavilion—better known as the Butterdome. As plans move forward to transform the building’s unmistakable yellow curves into a sleeker, more sustainable design, Eli explores the mix of nostalgia, controversy, and opportunity surrounding the change. From safety and energy efficiency concerns to thoughtful design elements like river-inspired motifs and improved street engagement, this piece asks what it really means to modernize a beloved landmark. Love it or loathe it, the Butterdome’s next chapter is worth talking about. Read more to see where you land.

In this week’s YIMBY, Raymond reflects on his experience winter cycling in Edmonton—and keeps it very real. From inconsistent snow clearing in suburban neighbourhoods to the cost of proper gear, he breaks down why winter cycling can feel less like a lifestyle choice and more like a test of endurance. While bike lanes and shared pathways offer some relief, Raymond questions who winter cycling actually works for, and at what cost. Honest, funny, and a little masochistic, this piece digs into the gap between policy optimism and lived experience. Read the full article to see if winter cycling is worth the ride.

In this week’s YIMBY, Bronwyn takes us along on her Reading Week trip to Stratford, Ontario, a postcard-perfect town of Victorian buildings, family-run shops, and unmistakable Hallmark-movie energy. But beyond the charm, she digs into a classic planning question: does better transit threaten small-town character, or help it thrive? From cat cafés to GO-Train hypotheticals, this piece blends travel, nostalgia, and urban planning insight. Read the full article to follow Bronwyn’s journey and weigh in on whether accessibility and quaintness can truly coexist.

GAPSS media committee member Logan takes a fresh look at Whyte Avenue. Riding the bus along this vehicle-heavy corridor, Logan reflects on the cancelled LRT plans and asks whether Edmonton missed a major opportunity to transform the street. While rapid bus service offers some benefits, a Whyte Avenue LRT could encourage more transit use, improve walkability, and strengthen connections between Downtown and Old Strathcona. Curious about the full vision for Whyte? Read Logan’s full piece to see why this corridor deserves a second chance at rail and a more people-focused future.

In this YIMBY post, Anjeli proves Edmonton is anything but boring. She attended the 2025 Edmonton Urban Design Awards with fellow GAPSS friends and discovered incredible projects shaping the city. Highlights include Public City Architects’ award-winning plan for the Northeast River Valley Park, which thoughtfully integrates Indigenous knowledge, and the upcoming Coronation Park Recreation Centre, celebrated for its organic design and community focus. There’s so much happening right here in our urban fabric. Check out the awards booklet or explore the city yourself to see what’s new!

Rachel takes us to Milan, where the 2026 Olympic Village is just one part of a major railyard redevelopment. After the Games, the Village becomes student housing, while the wider site transforms into a car-free district with mixed housing, public plazas, offices, eco-zones, and a large park of native plants. A suspended forest will even cover the metro line, reconnecting two previously divided neighbourhoods. Curious about the full project? Check out the full article to see everything this ambitious plan includes!

Join us as GAPSS media committee member Hussain C. dives into the world of ghost tours and how they bring cities to life after dark. From New Orleans’s haunted French Quarter to self-guided spooky walks, ghost tours don’t just share eerie tales—they boost tourism, preserve heritage sites, and promote walkability in creative, unexpected ways!

GAPSS media committee member Raymond L. shares his experience attending the 2025 APPI Conference in Banff, after winning his spot through the GAPSS AGM random draw. Over three days, he attended sessions on regional planning, networked with industry professionals, and represented U of A among planners and grad students from across Alberta. From “Planner Bob Ross” to insightful talks on diversity and district planning, Raymond offers a witty and engaging reflection on the student perspective at a professional conference.

In this week’s YIMBY, VP Internal Vanessa explores how alleyways—once overlooked, gritty spaces—are being transformed into vibrant community hubs. From Melbourne’s iconic laneways to Edmonton’s own revitalized Old Strathcona alley, these urban redesigns show how cities can turn narrow backstreets into spaces for art, food, and connection. With local gems like the Woodrack Café leading the way, Vanessa highlights the power of creative urban renewal.  Read the full post to see how reimagining alleyways could shape the future of our city!

For the first YIMBY post of the year, GAPSS' new VP Internal Vanessa reflects on a recent trip to Berlin, highlighting the city’s creative approach to public parks and playgrounds. From uniquely themed “adventure playgrounds” that foster imagination and risk-taking, to the surprising abundance of ping pong tables, Berlin’s parks illustrate a deep commitment to accessible, community-centered urban spaces. Vanessa contrasts this with Edmonton’s public spaces, sparking a question: how might we reimagine our own parks to foster similar engagement, creativity, and inclusivity?

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.