Each week, BIV staff will share with you some of the interesting stories we have found from around the web.
Timothy Renshaw, managing editor:
This likely won't quality as bedtime reading for a lot of people, but it's a treasure trove of insights into White House budgeting Trump style. Amazing what you can get up to when you're a self-professed stable genius with trillions of American dollars to toss around.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/budget_fy21.pdf
Glen Korstrom, reporter:
This good long read examines the political struggle for developers to build sufficient housing for supply and demand dynamics to take effect and make rents affordable. It’s told in part through one city manager who was originally against density but then saw the light. It also documents the YIMBY movement, including a link to an opinion piece on what’s happening in Vancouver. If a second opinion is needed, Barack Obama pointed out in a tweet that this article was “worth reading.” – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/business/economy/housing-crisis-conor-dougherty-golden-gates.html
It’s been a perplexing week with the TSX, S&P500 and the Nasdaq hitting all-time highs despite clear evidence that the COVID-19 coronavirus is hobbling many giant companies and that this will have an impact on the global economy. – New York Times
Good to see James Taylor alive and well and promoting a new album. This article, however, delves into his past, and is based on an interview where he is remarkably upfront about past addictions. – The Guardian
There's been a lot of talk recently about shopping malls turning into experience-laden destinations. This article grounds that theory in specifics, with data and examples – Curbed
https://www.curbed.com/2020/2/18/21137819/malls-real-estate-entertainment
Mark Falkenberg, deputy managing editor:
Meat exporters in Canada and Mexico are the biggest beneficiaries as Japan takes advantage of lower tariffs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Economic Partnership Agreement. – Nikkei Asian Review
Most commonly seen around the Lower Mainland as temporary shelters or ad hoc offices, refurbished steel shipping containers are showing up elsewhere in Canada as laneway houses. An Alberta company has one of its sleek homes on display at the B.C. Home and Garden Show. – Georgia Strait
Hayley Woodin, reporter:
I’ve enjoyed listening to WeCrashed, a podcast about the spectacular rise and fall of WeWork. The episodes offer insight on WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann, what it was like to work at the company, and what WeWork as a company is (and isn’t). – Wondery
https://wondery.com/shows/we-crashed/
There is a vending machine in Vancouver that dispenses opioids nearly two-times as strong as heroin. The pilot project is founded on the belief that providing a clean supply of drugs is key to addressing addiction issues in Vancouver (and beyond). Not everyone agrees. – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/17/opioid-vending-machine-opens-vancouver-mysafe-canada
