Architecture and Urbanism in Vic City
Embedded Files
What's this page all about? Think of it as a curated hub where we'll share a wide range of opinions and perspectives from the local architecture and urbanist scene. We'll tease you with a snippet and encourage you to dive deeper by checking out the original source.
Gene's View, Take 2 - Posted December 9, 2025
Gene's View, Take 2 - Posted December 9, 2025
Does anyone else comment on or care about modern local architecture? Well besides me and Gene that is. If you're also part of the club send me an email at mappingvictoria@gmail.com and we'll publish your take.
This time Gene Miller's December 7, 2025 opinion piece in the TC focuses on View Street and his four beauty pageant contestants. A couple surprises here, I'll take his recommendation to check out the buildings in more detail before commenting further, which ironically I've planning to do for some time. In fact when MappingVictoria first launched at the beginning of November 2025 I had a View Street placeholder article under the How About This section. When I finally write that piece I'll circle back here and include the link. In the unlikely event that Mr. Miller is checking out this site and writing pre-emptive opinion pieces I'm looking forward to his missive on the Christ Church Cathedral proposal. Or at least include the code word guacamole in your next TC piece as a nod that you're an avid reader and fan of MappingVictoria. You're Welcome Gene.
How to Build a Bike City...FAST - Posted December 5, 2025
How to Build a Bike City...FAST - Posted December 5, 2025
Look like Victoria is on a roll when it comes to YouTube cycling features. This week the city is featured by Vancouver creator Nic Laporte in his December 3, 2025 video. Laporte's micro-mobility and urbanism focused YouTube channel has over 27,000 subscribers.
The video includes excellent drone and bike footage as he tours the city with Roy Symons of ISL and Tim Hewett, Senior Transportation Planner, Streetscape Designer with the City of Victoria.
The evolution of cycling infrastructure and cycling culture is discussed in what is a glowing review of the city's efforts and results to date. "The cycling capital of North America .. at least the bike capital of Canada".
Davis, California (located 18 km west of Sacramento) has the statistical lead for now, helped by the fact it's a college town - home of UC Davis. Kudos to Davis especially considering how dang hot it gets during the summer.
Oh the Urbanity Comes To Victoria - Posted November 26, 2025
Oh the Urbanity Comes To Victoria - Posted November 26, 2025
Popular Montreal based YouTuber Patrick Murphy shares his take on the city's cycling scene in a November 26, 2025 video. With over 100,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel Oh the Urbanity! Patrick Murphy and Jasmine Steffler have gained a worldwide following with their videos on urbanism and cycling in Canada and beyond.
In the Victoria episode local politicians and cycling advocates are interviewed and Murphy provides an overview on the evolution of the city's cycling infrastructure alongside footage of the regional trails and bike paths.
A couple of interesting quotes from Murphy:
"I have never seen so many cargo bikes in one city before. Outside of Europe."
"Victoria is one of the few places where I really felt: yah, I could live here and get around by by bike more-or-less like I do in Montreal. And that's really cool to see from a small city."
Gene Miller and New Rules - Posted November 23, 2025
Gene Miller and New Rules - Posted November 23, 2025
Love him or somewhat dislike him, the cantankerous Gene Miller is passionate about architecture in Victoria. While I'm not a fan of his personal attacks and simplified black and white perspective, his November 23, 2025 Times Colonist opinion piece Downtown Victoria's New Buildings Could Be Anywhere hits the bullseye:
"City hall has never presented city values or a “social signature” as architectural imperatives; has never proclaimed the idea that every
new building has a job to do in terms of visual interest, appeal, warmth and welcome, and the buttressing of civic identity."
"If only a mayor would get up on his or her hind legs and say to project proponents: “New rule: architecture is art.”
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse