Sprawlcast

The story and struggle of Calgary's urban forest Calgary's urban tree canopy coverage is among the lowest in Canada. We dig into why—and what city hall is doing about it.

The Deerfoot Divide In the 1970s, a new freeway cut one side of Calgary off from the other. We dig into why the city remains divided when it comes to amenities and infrastructure on each side of Deerfoot Trail.

The Deerfoot Divide In the 1970s, a new freeway cut one side of Calgary off from the other. We dig into why the city remains divided when it comes to amenities and infrastructure on each side of Deerfoot Trail.

The Battle of Glenmore Landing We dig into a 60-year fight against density by the reservoir shores in southwest Calgary. It's a saga about class, conservation and community politics. History is repeating itself at Glenmore Landing—but with some new twists.

How The UCP Is Rejigging Calgary's Next Election Will municipal parties strengthen local democracy or undermine it? We speak with some of the candidates and parties that will be on the ballot—and dig into how the 2025 election will be different.

How The UCP Is Rejigging Calgary's Next Election Will municipal parties strengthen local democracy or undermine it? We speak with some of the candidates and parties that will be on the ballot—and dig into how the 2025 election will be different.

The Politics of Property Taxes City hall's decision to close Inglewood's swimming pool left many Calgarians scratching their heads. We dig into why city council cut inner-city pools in the first place after oil prices crashed a decade ago.

2024 Funding Drive Episode A live episode of Sprawlcast hosted by Jeremy and Lauz (host of Rock Bottom on Tuesdays at 12pm on CJSW), celebrating the 2024 Funding Drive and The Sounds of Radiotown.

The Tycoons Reshaping Calgary-Area Transit When it comes to rail projects in Alberta, the Green Line is one piece of a larger puzzle. We dig into who's been setting the agenda when it comes to these projects—and to what extent they are complementary or competing with each other as Calgary city hall's Green Line plans collapse.

The Tycoons Reshaping Calgary-Area Transit When it comes to rail projects in Alberta, the Green Line is one piece of a larger puzzle. We dig into who's been setting the agenda when it comes to these projects—and to what extent they are complementary or competing with each other as Calgary city hall's Green Line plans collapse.

The Downsizing of the Green Line A week after the groundbreaking for the new Flames arena, city hall cut the Green Line nearly in half. We dig into the Green Line's delay-plagued history—and how one city megaproject has affected the other.

The Downsizing of the Green Line A week after the groundbreaking for the new Flames arena, city hall cut the Green Line nearly in half. We dig into the Green Line's delay-plagued history—and how one city megaproject has affected the other.

The Fragility of Calgary's Water Supply Where does our water come from—and how is climate change altering that water source? We zoom out from the feeder main that broke in June, following a drop of water from the Rocky Mountains and glaciers west of Calgary, into the pipes beneath our feet, and out the taps in our homes.

The Fragility of Calgary's Water Supply Where does our water come from—and how is climate change altering that water source? We zoom out from the feeder main that broke in June, following a drop of water from the Rocky Mountains and glaciers west of Calgary, into the pipes beneath our feet, and out the taps in our homes.

The Real Costs of Calgary's New BMO Centre City hall went big—and is feeling the pinch. We dig into what it really cost to build a new convention centre building and what it means for the city's finances.

Bill 20 and Danielle Smith's municipal 'power grab' It's not unusual for Alberta governments to tinker with municipal election laws. But Bill 20 is far more than the usual tinkering. We dig into the evolution of municipal elections in Alberta and look at what Bill 20 means for local democracy in Calgary—and beyond.

The Rumble Over Rezoning Should neighbourhoods set their own direction? Should city hall impose it from the top down? Or is there a role for both? We go to Inglewood, Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, in search of answers.

The Nuances of NIMBYism As the debate about blanket rezoning heats up in Calgary, we dig into the Sprawlcast vault for a deep-dive on NIMBYism.

The Nuances of NIMBYism As the debate about blanket rezoning heats up in Calgary, we dig into the Sprawlcast vault for a deep-dive on NIMBYism.

Undermined: Canmore's Futile Attempt To Curb Sprawl Canmore town council nixed plans for two developments that would cut into critical wildlife habitat and nearly double the town's population. Then a court order forced the town to backtrack. We dig into what happened—and what it means for the Bow Valley's future. This episode is Part 2 in a Sprawlcast series. Read a full transcript of this episode on The Sprawl's website. This episode is a collaboration with The Narwhal, an independent news outlet that dives deep to tell stories about the natural world in Canada. Drew Anderson contributed research and reporting.

Undermined: The Long Fight Over Canmore's Future A saga of coal, 'cronies' and courts. We dig into the decades of controversy around the Three Sisters Mountain Village development in Canmore. This episode is a collaboration with The Narwhal, an independent news outlet that dives deep to tell stories about the natural world in Canada. Drew Anderson contributed research and reporting. Read his article on the Three Sisters saga on The Narwhal's website. This episode is Part 1 in a Sprawlcast series.

Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek & Calgary's Upside Down Politics Two years ago, progressives were rooting for Jyoti Gondek to defeat Jeromy Farkas in the race for mayor. But numerous Calgarians who voted for Mayor Gondek have found themselves in agreement with Farkas more recently—and disappointed by the mayor on files like the arena deal. We speak with both Farkas and Gondek, looking at what's changed since the last election and what's taking shape for the next one.

Episode 74 The Real Costs of Calgary's Arena Deal We dig into a deal that's less transparent—and far more expensive—than the 2019 one. We also follow up with with city councillors who campaigned against more subsidies for the Flames, but voted "yes" to hundreds of millions more.

City Council's Hesitation on Housing In June 2022, city council created an affordable housing task force—and then balked at its recommendations, particularly on upzoning.

The Confluence: As Long As The Rivers Flow Revisiting Calgary's early history—and our present. Featuring Sikapinakii Low Horn, Hal Eagletail, Tony Snow and Matt Hiltermann.

No Summary

Hark! A Year-End Sprawliday Special We gather by the (metaphorical) fireside to reflect on the year that was—and to look ahead. Featuring Ximena González and Sam Hester.

Game Over: How Calgary Killed Its Primary Transit Network It was supposed to be the foundation of Calgary's transit system: CTrains and buses arriving every 10 minutes. But it didn't last long. We dig into what happened—and what's next.

2022 CJSW Funding Drive Episode (Live)

The Battle of Banff Trail To thwart densification, two residents of the northwest Calgary community of Banff Trail fight developers and the City of Calgary in court. Their case against multifamily housing is built on a little-known planning instrument from 1952—and is being closely watched outside the neighbourhood.

City council's tormented 'yes' to more suburban sprawl After fast-tracking five new communities this summer, council members grapple with whether or not to go through with it.

Mayor Gondek's push to de-politicize suburban growth The mayor wants admin — not council — to decide which communities proceed.

'I'm a bad boy': The Stephen Carter story Some love him. Some hate him. But for better or worse, Stephen Carter has altered Alberta politics. Journalist Taylor Lambert digs into the many ups and downs of Carter's career: his business debts, his politics, his graceless departures from three chief-of-staff roles, and his many grievances.

Inside Calgary's new climate strategy In July, Calgary city council is slated to vote on a new climate strategy. But will this one be any different than past plans that have been passed—and then ignored? This episode features interviews with Christine Laing of the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and Tony Snow of the Calgary Climate Hub.

Inside Calgary's new climate strategy In July, Calgary city council is slated to vote on a new climate strategy. But will this one be any different than past plans that have been passed—and then ignored? This episode features interviews with Christine Laing of the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and Tony Snow of the Calgary Climate Hub.

Renowned Blackfoot scholar Dr. Leroy Little Bear speaks to Calgary city council on April 27 on the differences between Western and Blackfoot understandings of reality—and how they intersect with climate change.

Leroy Little Bear on Blackfoot metaphysics and climate change Renowned Blackfoot scholar Dr. Leroy Little Bear speaks to Calgary city council on April 27 on the differences between Western and Blackfoot understandings of reality—and how they intersect with climate change.

Who's policing the Calgary police? Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Councillor Courtney Walcott, who sits on the Calgary Police Commission. Why has the thin blue line patch become such a flashpoint—and what's really beneath the controversy?

The Gifts And Challenges Of The Suburbs Jeremy Klaszus visits Mahogany in the city's deep southeast for a conversation with Councillor Evan Spencer. They discuss the idea of “abundant community,” how to build connections in new neighbourhoods, and the realities versus the myths of the suburbs.

Taking on Racism in the Classroom Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Iman Bukhari and Michelle Casten Magbanua about a gap they saw in Alberta classrooms—and how they mobilized to fill it. Iman Bukhari is founder and CEO of the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation. Michelle Casten Magbanua is a teacher.

How Alberta's Political Culture Is (And Isn't) Changing Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Jared Wesley, a University of Alberta political scientist who leads the Common Ground project. They discuss political polarization, what an Albertan looks like, the rise of white nationalism, and that tricky question of what to do when your family or friends are sympathetic to political views you find abhorrent.

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with David Goa, a religious scholar who lives in Edmonton's Old Strathcona neighbourhood, about the need for difference and conviviality—rather than homogeneity—in communities.