Over the last 2 years, the city of Vancouver has been engaged in creating an Eco-Density Charter, which is now in its third revision. Critics agree that there is merit in denser living arrangements - they can enhance livability and ensure more use of transit amongst other things.

But the creators of the document have put no mechanisms in place to prevent the loss of rental units and the cost of housing from spiralling ever upward.

Erick Villagomez is a professor in UBC's architecture and landscape architecture program. He's co-author of a report for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives called Affordable Ecodensity. >> get more info

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