CiTR -- The City

We hear from several commentators on the possible loss of an East Vancouver music hub, and the City of Vancouver?s response, as well as the impending eviction of the W2 Community Media Arts Society. We discuss more broadly the growing cultural deficit in the city ? and specifically the lack of all ages venues and how this should be remedied.

We continue our ongoing exploration of urban economies and the future of economic development by examining the worker-owned co-operative as a model for transforming our urban economies to achieve social, environmental, and economic justice. The City heads to Portland, Maine to hear about Local Sprouts, a worker-owned cafe cooperative and community kitchen, which works to put its workers and the community first by embracing the principles of socio-economic and environmental justice. We hear from Jonah Fertig, a worker-owner and co-founder of Local Sprouts, about how the co-op operates, why it was founded, and how it is part of a larger food system and regional economy.

On the podcast, we continue our ongoing series examining urban economic landscapes and the future of economic development. We hear three perspectives on the future of Vancouver?s regional economy, including a small, laneway home developer, an economist, and a politician.

In the first podcast of an ongoing series exploring urban economies, The City talks with urban geographer Winifred Curran about industrial displacement in New York City, the future of economic development in North American cities, and the assumed inevitability of deindustrialization and the post-industrial urban economy. What type of industries prosper in particular places? Why? And what are some of the pressures industries face in a globalized economy and in so-called global cities?

In the 1970s, 34 young women left cities across Canada to find a different lifestyle and build community in rural, coastal Prince Rupert, BC. Many were unsatisfied with the cold, modernist landscape of cities, and some just wanted an adventure. Their stories are documented in a new book, Gumboot Girls. On the podcast, we hear some of their tales and explore the reasons why these women migrated and their experiences in the small, rural - and booming ? resource community of Prince Rupert. We conclude by discussing whether this vision for an alternative (non-urban) lifestyle is possible or desirable for young people today.

The City hears from Vision Vancouver Councillor Andrea Reimer as we mark the one-year anniversary of the 2011 municipal election. She talks at length about a number of issues, including neighbourhood engagement, which has come under fire in recent weeks. We also discuss the controversial Rize condo tower in Mount Pleasant, rental housing, affordability, and questions of how the city should continue to develop.

On November 4, 2012, downtown's Granville 7 was added to a long list of recent movie theatre closures. The City reflects on the recent Granville 7 closing and the case of Vancouver's disappearing cinemas. We look at the history of the Granville 7 and discuss why so many cinemas are closing with CiTR Arts Director Maegan Thomas and local film critics Ray Tomlin and Jason Whyte.

We examine a current labour struggle in the city. The City talks with executive members from CUPE 2278, the local representing UBC teaching assistants, markers, tutors, and instructors at the English Language Institute. We?ll discuss why the union is currently engaged in a job action within the global and local contexts of neoliberalism and labour mobilizations.

On October 25th, 2012, the Province of BC and the City of Vancouver announced that the four remaining tenant-households at the Little Mountain social housing development would not be evicted, and that up to 50 social housing units would be fast-tracked and built on the site. Previously, the existing tenants (in the remaining townhouse who refused to be displaced) were served eviction notices, despite the fact that site redevelopment had not even reached the rezoning stage (and construction completion still years away).

On the podcast, we evaluate the recent social housing victory at Vancouver's Little Mountain site and reflect on the history of the struggle. We first hear from David Vaisbond, a documentary filmmaker, who has thoroughly and intimately documented the history of the Little Mountain housing struggle. We ask him to reflect on some of the most profound moments of documenting this struggle. Secondly, former MLA David Chudnovsky reflects on this victory and puts it in historical context.

What does a billionaire mining magnate have in common with Vancouver's rent bank? The City critically unpacks the recently launched Vancouver rent bank with the editors of The Mainlander. We look into the issue of charity vs. justice, and we turn to renowned political philosopher Slavoj Zizek for some assistance.