We do some sectoral overviews in clean energy, buildings, and transportation, and I'll direct you to the report if you want to dig into those more deeply.

We characterize the Metro Vancouver story as one of strong deployment without a synergized export focus. Emissions have grown, in part, because the economic logic is still disconnected: We still don't see decarbonization as economic policy.

Bringing it down to BC, things feel even more grim. We're superstars in copper and a few other critical minerals, but our strong cleantech reputation hasn't translated to large-scale exports, even though the *growth* rates (almost 20% per year for five years) are enviable.

Using data from the @transitionaccelerator.ca we found that Canada's industrial capacity in key technology categories was concerningly middling. We compare it to best-in-class China just to show how far behind we are.

A relatively unique contention we have is that urban centres are major unsung leaders not just of climate action (a strong existing claim), but of the energy transition specifically. Just look at this investment data from the Cities Climate Finance Alliance:

Big picture, we all know the energy transition is only accelerating around the world. We're clear, following @ember-energy.org, the @iea.org, and many others, that this is all about what we call "the relentless efficiency of electrotech." (graph via Ember)

It's like the comparisons people have drawn between the concept of patriarchy and "the cathedral." philpapers.org/rec/WOOCMA-4

The John Soane Museum is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Cannot recommend it enough.

Liverpool Street Station - I'm amazed at the amount of (a) light, (b) retail, and (c) trains that they can stuff into these stations. The cleanliness is rarely stellar, but the buzz of these stations is electric well into the night. It made me think about ol' Perkins&Will proposal for Van.

As far as I can tell, and correct me if I am wrong @jimbostanford.bsky.social, it’s probably our pension schemes that RRSP system that helps boost our ranking here.

The UBS report is actually interesting because it talks about housing wealth and, as I read this, excludes it from their definition of liquid wealth.

And yes, I agree with everyone that housing makes up waaaaay too much of our national wealth, but Stanford also cites some other comparisons that help round this out:

Just off Clerkenwell. What I wouldn't give for a city with 150x more Mews and Closes. This one doesn't have it, but the range of micro-retail and serendipitous placemaking you see in these spaces is incredible.

I feel like Little Venice is a bit off the beaten track for most, but if you fancy a walk, especially on a hot day, the canal is life-giving. The range of public spaces, especially with the mooring of barges, is really interesting. I still don't understand the full legal status of these.

The single best fry-up I have ever had in my life at the Elgin, near Maida Vale. I nearly wept.

The number of little thematic details you find everywhere warms the heart. What would our places feel like if we added these extra little bits of personality?

This was probably the strangest and most interesting thing I learned: Because people smoked on the tube, the flooring was arranged so that butts could be swept *along* a grain between the seats, and then *out* the door in the smoothest possible way. A peculiar instance of human-centred design...

So many "firsts" here, as they use a cross-sectional diagram to explain how you could transfer between trains, a totally new concept for most strap-hangers at that time.

As the tour went on, my friend and I stumbled into a tour that a bunch of former Transport for London staff were giving to a friend's son. They were kind enough to let us join in and said it was OK to share some videos. The mechanical genius of the whole system really stands out still.

They have a model of the "cut and cover" method that they used to build the earliest undergrounds in London, limiting the impact that the rush on railway development was having on poorer neighbourhoods. This method is why some tubes have so many twists - they're following the street above.

I probably don't need to tell any of my followers, but the London Transport Museum is incredible. From the earliest stage coaches and canals, right up to the launch of fare gates, it covers some incredible ground.

Obligatory peruse through Bricklane Books in East London, and…. How could I not?

There is a lot of beauty here.

Happy.

Spent pretty much all day in the British Museum. Despite being an utter and complete greenhouse, it was a beautiful place to some drawing.

Some quick sketching of the Royal Albert Hall. Nice to do it on the steps of the Royal Conservatory and hear little ones practicing.

Having a huge institution like the V&A be free speaks to living in a huge, global, former imperial capital, but god what would it be like if museums were free sometimes? What would that do for people’s connection to culture. They even have a free water feature in the middle!

Everything in London always comes back to space. This is a boulevard and extends quite a ways in all directions underground. I didn’t take any photos inside, but actually quite beautiful. Would guess 1930s?

I. Cannot. Believe. I. Saw. This. (Curious how soon until they mothball this)

I do love these street bike parking spots. Not sure if you have to rent it or not, but see them on most residential streets. Great addition for areas with tight apartments without space for parking. Not really needed in an NA context with our abundance of unused parking, but neat all the same.