Ep. 13: Fighting the urban parasite

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Is your house a parasite, sucking the very lifeblood out of your city? It might be. On this episode, Luke and Matt conduct an interview with Nathanael Lauster, professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia and author of the new book The Life and Death of the Single-Family House: Lessons from Vancouver on Building a Livable City.

Nathan tells us how the detached, single-family home once came to dominate many parts of Metro Vancouver, and how that dominance was challenged by new kinds of urban housing — dense, multi-family buildings that are better for the environment and help build more livable cities.

We talk about why the detached home remains desirable for so many people in most Canadian cities, and the regulations that have led Vancouver in a different direction. We also discuss why coastlines are terrible places to put highways and Nathan provides some timely advice to sprawly cities.

Meanwhile, Matt reveals that he never wants to mow a lawn again, while Luke professes a habitual affection for biology analogies.

Vass Bednar will return.

Show links

Nathanael Lauster

·         The Life and Death of the Single-Family House: Lessons from Vancouver on Building a Livable City at Indigo.ca

·         Nathanael Lauster on Twitter

Further Reading

·         Globe and Mail: Vancouverites learning to love life with less living space

·         Metro: In Vancouver, the reign of the single family house must end: Author

·         CBC News: Death to the single family home for a more livable Vancouver says UBC professor

·         The Tyee: Abandon the Dream Home, This Prof Says. You’ll Be Happier