Michael Drescher – The Conversation

A tree-lined street in downtown Vancouver providing shade to pedestrians. (Adam Skoyles)

September 16, 2025

Canadian cities can prepare for climate change by building with nature

Adam Skoyles, University of Waterloo and Michael Drescher, University of Waterloo

Incorporating nature-based solutions can help cities meet both their development and climate change goals.

Bill 23 proposes to eliminate or weaken many housing development regulations including site plan controls, which keep us and our natural environment safe from the negative effects of poorly controlled development. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

November 20, 2022

Ontario’s Bill 23 proposes more homes built faster, but this comes at an environmental cost

Michael Drescher, University of Waterloo and Luna Khirfan, University of Waterloo

Poorly regulated housing is leading to more greenhouse gas emissions through energy loss, increased energy requirements and greater exposure to weather extremes.

Aerial view of a residential neighbourhood with abundant urban forest around it. (Ollie Craig/pexels)

September 5, 2022

Residential green spaces protect growing cities against climate change

Michael Drescher, University of Waterloo; Dawn Parker, University of Waterloo, and Rebecca Rooney, University of Waterloo

Well-designed residential developments with abundant tree cover can help protect cities against urban heat and flooding.

Investing in natural assets like ponds can help prevent cities from flooding — and save municipalities money. (Shutterstock)

June 17, 2020

How investing in green infrastructure can jump‑start the post‑coronavirus economy

Michael Drescher, University of Waterloo and Lucas Mollame, University of Waterloo

Natural assets produce important city services and complement engineered infrastructure. Investing in natural assets can help protect our environment, reduce municipal service costs and create jobs.

Flood waters rise in the Montreal neighbourhood of Cartierville in May 2017. (Fred/flickr)

May 14, 2018

Urban floods: We can pay now or later

Michael Drescher, University of Waterloo

The risk of urban flooding is rising. Overall, residents and municipalities are ill prepared, but there are steps homeowners can take to protect themselves.

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