I will have to agree to disagree with you on Nimbies for various reasons including the value of the investment in their properties and antiquated NZ Compensation provisions.

I am always impressed by Inner Sydney. They have interesting street layouts and still provide service lanes for the properties too. However providing the rear service lane is important when you have terraced houses.

I have only had a fleeting visit to Vancouver driving from Seattle. However it is a well laid out city and it felt like coming home when crossing over from Washington state!