Sign in or 
Share this
Fact checking: who is the densest?
This is a letter I sent to the Times-Colonist after being annoyed by all the hyperbole bandied about in the local press about which is the densest, most built-up neighbourhood in Victoria (or, if you want to get really hyperbolic: in BC...). This letter was not published.
April 12, 2006 to Times-Colonist (unpublished):
Dear Editor:
It seems to me that journalists might want to engage in a bit of fact-checking before publishing statements that can quickly degenerate into urban myths believed by thousands. In his April 11 article on the Roundhouse development, Malcolm Curtis states that "some Victoria West residents are worried about more large buildings in what is becoming the densest residential area of the city." Meanwhile, in the April issue of Focus Magazine, Sara Cassidy writes that James Bay is "the most densely populated neighbourhood in BC," second only to Vancouver's West End. I'd like to know what statistics these assumptions are based on, and also how the statistics are being interpreted. At face value, the statement that James Bay is second in density only to the West End strikes me as absurd, since there are a number of other Vancouver neighbourhoods that seem much denser. And if James Bay is so densely populated, how come Vic West is "becoming the densest residential area" in Victoria? Is Mr. Curtis simply echoing what fearful Vic West residents have said to him? If so, he should check the facts before repeating the sentiment as truth.
Sincerely,
Yule Heibel
April 12, 2006 to Times-Colonist (unpublished):
Dear Editor:
It seems to me that journalists might want to engage in a bit of fact-checking before publishing statements that can quickly degenerate into urban myths believed by thousands. In his April 11 article on the Roundhouse development, Malcolm Curtis states that "some Victoria West residents are worried about more large buildings in what is becoming the densest residential area of the city." Meanwhile, in the April issue of Focus Magazine, Sara Cassidy writes that James Bay is "the most densely populated neighbourhood in BC," second only to Vancouver's West End. I'd like to know what statistics these assumptions are based on, and also how the statistics are being interpreted. At face value, the statement that James Bay is second in density only to the West End strikes me as absurd, since there are a number of other Vancouver neighbourhoods that seem much denser. And if James Bay is so densely populated, how come Vic West is "becoming the densest residential area" in Victoria? Is Mr. Curtis simply echoing what fearful Vic West residents have said to him? If so, he should check the facts before repeating the sentiment as truth.
Sincerely,
Yule Heibel
Yule |
Latest page update: made by Yule
, Sep 14 2006, 11:56 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
density/ facts-questioned letter added
- Yule
248 words added view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
cities
opinion
socialtheory
More Info: links to this page
|
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart_de_Stael | West End Vancouver density | 4 | Oct 11 2006, 11:38 PM EDT by Yule | ||
|
Thread started: Sep 18 2006, 8:17 PM EDT
Watch
Councillor Pam Madoff claims density in the West End actually decreased when single family homes replaced by highrises in the 1960s due to the large grassy setbacks. I would like to see the stats that back up this remarkable claim.
|
|||||
Showing 1 of 1 threads for this page
