Opinion | No wonder Shenzhen is drawing diners and shoppers from Hong Kong – it is close by, clean and food is much cheaper

It would be a marvel of urban planning except for the flaws I spotted, such as what I view as shoddy workmanship and lack of attention to detail – visible in pedestrian passages with uneven steps. People queue to enter the Shenzhen branch of Costco in January, 2024. Photo Getty Images Admittedly, I’m not one … Read more

Zurich, Oslo top list of world’s smartest cities

These are the ten smartest cities in the world, according to IMD. Anton Aleksenko | Istock | Getty Images Smart cities in Europe and Asia are gaining ground globally while North American cities have fallen down the ranks, according to the 2024 Smart City Index released April. Of the top 10 smart cities on the … Read more

Time’s up for some short-term rentals in B.C. as new housing rules look set to transform scene

Nancy Paine’s short-term rental business is dead in the water. As co-founder and CEO of Victoria-based Superhost, Paine said she had been at the forefront of the Airbnb revolution for seven years, acting as a “liaison” for homeowners needing help with the logistics of running a listing on the accommodation site. At the peak of … Read more