Planning & Environment Archives
An interesting compilation of the reoccupation of vacant American big boxes. FYI: there are more than 300 abandoned Wal-Mart stores in the US. [via Bird to the North][0]
My dear Christopher Hume has a bias against Stephen Harper vis a vis the Toronto Waterfront initiative.[0]
Billboards can kill urban spaces, but who knew it could actally hurt someone.[0]
Communities in Northwestern Ontario are debating about redrawing provincial borders to be part of Manitoba.[0]
My answer is no, no, no! Toronto has enough social problems as it is. No large sum of money can justify its construction.[2]
I love reading about street signs.[0]
It's about time. After seeing Chicago's news stand, you will understand how far Toronto has to go to regain control of its urban spaces.[0]
Jane Jacobs is dead at 89, as crazily circulating in the planning blogosphere.[1]
What a sad article about my teeny trees in Markham.[1]
A great article about the pressing growth issues in many UK regions like Oxfordshire.[0]
Website showcasing Downtown Markham's current developments. Laurence thinks "Downtown Markham" is an oxymoron-- you can be the judge.[0]
Ministry of Health Promotion discusses the myths and truths associated with banning smoking.[0]
More pictures from Tiff.[0]
Update: City of Toronto has assumed responsibility for installing the bins.[0]
I'll believe it when I see it. The parking lot abutting Dufferin is like a planning sin.[0]
"A $3-billion mixed-use community in Markham will be home to 9,500."[0]
It's about time, some of the driveways here in the Milliken area are just awful.[0]
I love this new City of Toronto campaign. Enough with the bottled water guys. Buy a nalgene, and you're set![0]
Christopher Hume discusses why Toronto is not as internationally recognised. His bitterness actually has some merit this time.[2]
"Would I recommend Toronto to my Houston host now? Yes, I would. I might even book another holiday here myself."[2]
[Scroll down] There are test models of two super newspaper boxes at the corner of Yonge and Dundas. I'm so excited to check it out.[1]
I'm a Markhamite and a Torontonian-- Chris says so.[1]
Damn Alberta and its crazy economic growth.[1]
"[U of T] is investing $1.75 million [...] into the creation of a new Cities Centre to serve as an academic think-tank and political lightning rod on urban issues."[0]
Daniel Burnham: Make no little plans. That quote reminds me of first year in Prof Kashef's PLAN 100 class.[0]
I love the square, and it's a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle around the intersection.[1]
A beautiful panorama of Queen's Quay.[0]
Time for the big crunch.[0]
Markham's tallest office tower-- at 12 storeys-- is expected to be ready for occupancy in February.[1]
Markhamites love their green, lush, and manicured lawn. Sigh.[0]
Is the Bahamas copying our Toronto Unlimited campaign?[0]
They look fantastic![1]
Found this while working on my dreadful 'sense of place' assignment. There were some interesting proposals for the space.[0]
"Nova Scotia has welcomed Ontario's double cohort, only to find itself taken over by Toronto students."[0]
Old CBC archive footage in 1954 about the opening of the subway. The host speaks so funny... really![1]
This is so cute. Good old tongue-in-cheek Torontonians.[1]
The municipal website for Markham Centre received a revamp.[0]
One of a few medium-rise residential developments springing up in the Milliken area.[0]
Document recommending to amend Markham's Official Plan to implement a Milliken Main Street-- which is adjacent to Pacific Mall/Market Village.[0]
“Our position is clear. Do the Quebecois form a nation within Canada? The answer is yes. Do the Quebecois form an independent nation? The answer is no and the answer will always be no.”[1]
Cornell gets award for it's newly built live-work units.[0]
The casino will take on the famous "Caesars" brand after some extensive renovations.[0]
The federal government is investing in an Evergreen development the old Brick Works site in the Don Valley. Our cool big-shot developer lecturer told us week after week about their involvement in Evergreen.[1]
Some good shots of the lights spectacle at Yonge and Dundas.[0]
After some important land title tranfers, will we finally see something in this awful piece of the TO urban landscape?[0]
According to the author, "[a] real Liberal 'dream team' would comprise the next generation of youthful activists, especially women."[0]
An ancient ice sheet breaking from Ellesmere Island.[0]
The new City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Statute Amendment Act are put into effect as of today.[0]
The Star sources say John Baird will get the environment file in the latest federal cabinet shuffle. This is the man mainly responsible for the termination of the Ottawa O-Train extension project.[1]
If you're willing to work in Alberta for a year, head to where the 'new money' and consider this opportunity.[0]
Hume goes on yet another ranty and slanted article. Although I don't agree with the decision to allow an 18 storey building abutting the street in West Queen West, Hume fails to point out the importance of the OMB to take the politics out of planning-- which is sometimes necessary.[2]
James believes the city should retain the undeveloped lands in North York Centre as a hub for office use, rather than have it rezoned for further condominium development. I agree, but office development is not in high demand in this area.[2]
Yes, according to fastcompany.com. Urban planners are #5 on the list. Reading this gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling. Haha.[0]
Let's hope he actually follows Jacobs' principles.[0]
This transit epicentre is in desperate need of some regeneration; perhaps this is a good start. [via Torontoist][1]
I agree with this article, how did we become so environmentally conscious? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great.[0]
The Telus Tower just west of Air Canada Centre is among a few skyscrapers that are going green.[1]
Seems like he's very 'hot' these days. Pardon the pun.[0]
Boisclair's hot. Too bad he's a separatist. Quebec provincial elections are set for March 26.[1]
I have to agree with Tyndorf. I think congestion taxes will choke the city, and it will diminish Toronto's competitiveness causing people and businesses to relocate. London's solutions cannot be translated here-- we're so different.[1]
They gave me urban design orgasms. Well, not all of them; I faked a few. Astral Media's collection is my favourite.[0]
Tiff would be happy about this.[1]
Skyscraper alert! This so-called neo-deco building is needed change at this dingy intersection.[0]
These models are amazingly good. Looking at the images, Astral Media's design has my vote.[1]
Another "green" documentary coming to a theatre near you. The "Radiant City" was envisioned by modernist architect Le Corbusier [via blogTO][5]
A beautiful photo. If I wasn't going to grad school, and if I had a money tree, I'd want to live in this gorgeous "art-deco inspired" residence.[0]
Undergrads committed $4.3 million toward energy conservation measures on campus, from lighting and heating to water efficiency to retrofitting.[0]
While I am no advocate for the clubs in the entertainment district, Vaughan's suggestion is ridiculous. Lineups and policing have no relationship with one another. Let's focus on the nitty gritty planning and introduce other uses and disperse the nightclub concentration.[0]
My two-year old blog article resurfaces all thanks to a user on redflagdeals.com, who is thinking twice about living in my neighbourhood. One user goes as far as to respond by calling me a "****ing lunatic"-- but it's all thanks to people like UrbanPoet, who's got my back. What is awful is how the forum discussion trails to talk about unrelated topics like racism. Internet forum users, especially those that are rarely moderated, can be very anal-retentive. Thanks Bev for the link![1]
"Implementing the Growth Plan will be dangerous for governments because it requires lots of tough decisions, decisions that go against established patterns and very effective industries."[0]
A warm fuzzy from Hume himself, and it's completely warranted. I love the TD Centre.[0]
Wow, they put Toronto's street furniture to shame, particularly the cleanly designed info pillars.[0]
I agree with him, the Transcontinental Railway is definitely Canada's greatest wonder.[0]
Raymond, Crispian, Clarissa and Wai Yan's second-place design for Nathan Phillips Square is featured on the ES website.[1]
Yikes, let's hold, hold, hold, the development.[0]
Right on. It's a good start-- it's about time we place a price on the environment.[6]
Looks quite nice.[0]
Environment minister Laurel Broten has gas-guzzling SUVs. I bet you she's so hated at her ministry.[1]
The newest condo development in Milliken, located at Midland and Steeles. If you look at the features page, you can see that they intend to retain the historical school located there. Very neat. (The rederings look very sketchup-y.)[0]
The highly anticipated master planned community finally has a website. There doesn't seem to be a lot of development near Bessarion Station, which is disappointing.[2]
Apparently, raised planters are not a good idea for healthy tree growth.[3]
The Sitara in Scarborough will be the largest indoor South Asian mall in the GTA. This development is located almost adjacent to The Landmark, an unexciting Asian-themed retail centre with tonnes of surface parking.[0]
Queen Street West is now just an extension of the Eaton Centre, but I still love it.[0]
I wholeheartedly agree with Coyle. I've alluded to this issue in Ram's blog.[0]
This Youtuber puts things into perspective.[1]
Peace Village, located in the outskirts of Vaughan, is Canada's first Islamic subdivision. Man, some cool vistas feature the mosque could have been implemented here, but that's not the case. Where were the urban designers?[2]
This structure is oddly constructed, but I think a TV facility is the perfect addition to Yonge and Dundas. I've always dreamed of Muchmusic moving to the Metropolis development.[0]
The controversial Minto development at Yonge and Eglinton is finally near completion.[0]
Let's keep 'em coming. Toronto is the largest condo site in North America. In other news, people are desperately trying to get their hands on units in the new 1 Bloor project.[0]
Toronto begins its Target70 program, which aims to divert 70% of household waste by 2010[1]
Who loves Yonge and Dundas as much as I do?[0]
It's not 1 Bloor East, but Phase 3 of the College Park development called Aura.[0]
TTC makes a proposal different from the City, which includes left-turn prohibitions to keep streetcars flowing on this extremely busy route. The presentation includes some great visualizations, with unrealistically lush trees! [via Steve Munro][4]
Liberty Developments is seeking approval to amend the town OP on a large swath of land at Yonge and Meadowview (north of Steeles), to allow for high-residental towers, an office tower with a hotel component, as well as a retail component on the ground level. Awesome! Here's a dated backgrounder.[0]
A photo essay. I can't imagine having to be displaced from my home without any certainty about the consequences of a nuclear disaster at the time. Gives me chills. It definitely puts a different spin from CNA's commercials a few months ago [via Tiff].[0]
Tuesday, April 8th, at 7:00 pm.[0]
I look forward to operating those new garbage/recycling cans! Maybe they couldn't incorporated a green bin as well! That would be phenomenal.[0]
This is bad news. I hate tokens-- I always lose them. Tickets however fit coveniently in my wallet.[0]
A councillor report raised issues about fire trucks not being able to fully utilize the right-of-way due to the centre hydro poles. These poles are different from the Queens Quay and Spadina ROW designs, which have hydro poles to the sides of the entire roadway. It does seem to be an impediment-- not to mention that it doesn't create a nice streetscape.[0]
It's about time. Let the transit building era begin![0]
Spacing features the Heritage preservation efforts of Markham Village.[0]
I think not.[0]
This is so awesome.[0]
My good friend Garrett talks about how we can overcome the systemic barriers to become agents of change.[0]
Development is moving forward in the area immediately south of Highway 7 between Sheridan Nurseries and Warden Avenue.[0]
It's an exciting time to be a planner in New York for sure [via Bird to the North][0]
What a refreshing take by Hume.[0]
How about a hockey facility right dab in the anticipated Langstaff Gateway plan?[0]
I need to take a trip there. From the photos, it looks pretty good![0]
Hume praises the Langstaff Gateway plan.[0]
Good on the community for voicing its concerns, and good on Metrolinx for listening.[0]
I checked out the new Wave Deck at the Waterfront during Luminato, and it's awesome.[0]
Is Toronto's urban renaissance in full swing? It's a great time to be a planner.[0]
The question is 'why?' The problems with the Gardiner is the uninviting space beneath the expressway.[0]
Why? Is there an unusual low supply of parking? Or an unusually high demand for parking? I'm guessing the latter.[0]
I love articles on Canadian demographics.[0]
It's great to see this kind of impromptu uses in Dundas Square. The public space has surely brought the kind of city vibrancy that's so needed in the city.[0]
C'mon Canada, it's time to step up.[0]
Some cities are best just to accept decline and strive to work on a few core strengths.[0]
Main St Unionville is #6![0]
Toronto's waterfront will soon me something to be envied![0]
Urban Cartography explains.[0]
Looks quite nice! Leon's seem like a complementary addition to the site![0]
An interesting compilation of the reoccupation of vacant American big boxes. FYI: there are more than 300 abandoned Wal-Mart stores in the US. [via Bird to the North][0]
My dear Christopher Hume has a bias against Stephen Harper vis a vis the Toronto Waterfront initiative.[0]
Billboards can kill urban spaces, but who knew it could actally hurt someone.[0]
Communities in Northwestern Ontario are debating about redrawing provincial borders to be part of Manitoba.[0]
My answer is no, no, no! Toronto has enough social problems as it is. No large sum of money can justify its construction.[2]
I love reading about street signs.[0]
It's about time. After seeing Chicago's news stand, you will understand how far Toronto has to go to regain control of its urban spaces.[0]
Jane Jacobs is dead at 89, as crazily circulating in the planning blogosphere.[1]
What a sad article about my teeny trees in Markham.[1]
A great article about the pressing growth issues in many UK regions like Oxfordshire.[0]
Website showcasing Downtown Markham's current developments. Laurence thinks "Downtown Markham" is an oxymoron-- you can be the judge.[0]
Ministry of Health Promotion discusses the myths and truths associated with banning smoking.[0]
More pictures from Tiff.[0]
Update: City of Toronto has assumed responsibility for installing the bins.[0]
I'll believe it when I see it. The parking lot abutting Dufferin is like a planning sin.[0]
"A $3-billion mixed-use community in Markham will be home to 9,500."[0]
It's about time, some of the driveways here in the Milliken area are just awful.[0]
I love this new City of Toronto campaign. Enough with the bottled water guys. Buy a nalgene, and you're set![0]
Christopher Hume discusses why Toronto is not as internationally recognised. His bitterness actually has some merit this time.[2]
"Would I recommend Toronto to my Houston host now? Yes, I would. I might even book another holiday here myself."[2]
[Scroll down] There are test models of two super newspaper boxes at the corner of Yonge and Dundas. I'm so excited to check it out.[1]
I'm a Markhamite and a Torontonian-- Chris says so.[1]
Damn Alberta and its crazy economic growth.[1]
"[U of T] is investing $1.75 million [...] into the creation of a new Cities Centre to serve as an academic think-tank and political lightning rod on urban issues."[0]
Daniel Burnham: Make no little plans. That quote reminds me of first year in Prof Kashef's PLAN 100 class.[0]
I love the square, and it's a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle around the intersection.[1]
A beautiful panorama of Queen's Quay.[0]
Time for the big crunch.[0]
Markham's tallest office tower-- at 12 storeys-- is expected to be ready for occupancy in February.[1]
Markhamites love their green, lush, and manicured lawn. Sigh.[0]
Is the Bahamas copying our Toronto Unlimited campaign?[0]
They look fantastic![1]
Found this while working on my dreadful 'sense of place' assignment. There were some interesting proposals for the space.[0]
"Nova Scotia has welcomed Ontario's double cohort, only to find itself taken over by Toronto students."[0]
Old CBC archive footage in 1954 about the opening of the subway. The host speaks so funny... really![1]
This is so cute. Good old tongue-in-cheek Torontonians.[1]
The municipal website for Markham Centre received a revamp.[0]
One of a few medium-rise residential developments springing up in the Milliken area.[0]
Document recommending to amend Markham's Official Plan to implement a Milliken Main Street-- which is adjacent to Pacific Mall/Market Village.[0]
“Our position is clear. Do the Quebecois form a nation within Canada? The answer is yes. Do the Quebecois form an independent nation? The answer is no and the answer will always be no.”[1]
Cornell gets award for it's newly built live-work units.[0]
The casino will take on the famous "Caesars" brand after some extensive renovations.[0]
The federal government is investing in an Evergreen development the old Brick Works site in the Don Valley. Our cool big-shot developer lecturer told us week after week about their involvement in Evergreen.[1]
Some good shots of the lights spectacle at Yonge and Dundas.[0]
After some important land title tranfers, will we finally see something in this awful piece of the TO urban landscape?[0]
According to the author, "[a] real Liberal 'dream team' would comprise the next generation of youthful activists, especially women."[0]
An ancient ice sheet breaking from Ellesmere Island.[0]
The new City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Statute Amendment Act are put into effect as of today.[0]
The Star sources say John Baird will get the environment file in the latest federal cabinet shuffle. This is the man mainly responsible for the termination of the Ottawa O-Train extension project.[1]
If you're willing to work in Alberta for a year, head to where the 'new money' and consider this opportunity.[0]
Hume goes on yet another ranty and slanted article. Although I don't agree with the decision to allow an 18 storey building abutting the street in West Queen West, Hume fails to point out the importance of the OMB to take the politics out of planning-- which is sometimes necessary.[2]
James believes the city should retain the undeveloped lands in North York Centre as a hub for office use, rather than have it rezoned for further condominium development. I agree, but office development is not in high demand in this area.[2]
Yes, according to fastcompany.com. Urban planners are #5 on the list. Reading this gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling. Haha.[0]
Let's hope he actually follows Jacobs' principles.[0]
This transit epicentre is in desperate need of some regeneration; perhaps this is a good start. [via Torontoist][1]
I agree with this article, how did we become so environmentally conscious? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great.[0]
The Telus Tower just west of Air Canada Centre is among a few skyscrapers that are going green.[1]
Seems like he's very 'hot' these days. Pardon the pun.[0]
Boisclair's hot. Too bad he's a separatist. Quebec provincial elections are set for March 26.[1]
I have to agree with Tyndorf. I think congestion taxes will choke the city, and it will diminish Toronto's competitiveness causing people and businesses to relocate. London's solutions cannot be translated here-- we're so different.[1]
They gave me urban design orgasms. Well, not all of them; I faked a few. Astral Media's collection is my favourite.[0]
Tiff would be happy about this.[1]
Skyscraper alert! This so-called neo-deco building is needed change at this dingy intersection.[0]
These models are amazingly good. Looking at the images, Astral Media's design has my vote.[1]
Another "green" documentary coming to a theatre near you. The "Radiant City" was envisioned by modernist architect Le Corbusier [via blogTO][5]
A beautiful photo. If I wasn't going to grad school, and if I had a money tree, I'd want to live in this gorgeous "art-deco inspired" residence.[0]
Undergrads committed $4.3 million toward energy conservation measures on campus, from lighting and heating to water efficiency to retrofitting.[0]
While I am no advocate for the clubs in the entertainment district, Vaughan's suggestion is ridiculous. Lineups and policing have no relationship with one another. Let's focus on the nitty gritty planning and introduce other uses and disperse the nightclub concentration.[0]
My two-year old blog article resurfaces all thanks to a user on redflagdeals.com, who is thinking twice about living in my neighbourhood. One user goes as far as to respond by calling me a "****ing lunatic"-- but it's all thanks to people like UrbanPoet, who's got my back. What is awful is how the forum discussion trails to talk about unrelated topics like racism. Internet forum users, especially those that are rarely moderated, can be very anal-retentive. Thanks Bev for the link![1]
"Implementing the Growth Plan will be dangerous for governments because it requires lots of tough decisions, decisions that go against established patterns and very effective industries."[0]
A warm fuzzy from Hume himself, and it's completely warranted. I love the TD Centre.[0]
Wow, they put Toronto's street furniture to shame, particularly the cleanly designed info pillars.[0]
I agree with him, the Transcontinental Railway is definitely Canada's greatest wonder.[0]
Raymond, Crispian, Clarissa and Wai Yan's second-place design for Nathan Phillips Square is featured on the ES website.[1]
Yikes, let's hold, hold, hold, the development.[0]
Right on. It's a good start-- it's about time we place a price on the environment.[6]
Looks quite nice.[0]
Environment minister Laurel Broten has gas-guzzling SUVs. I bet you she's so hated at her ministry.[1]
The newest condo development in Milliken, located at Midland and Steeles. If you look at the features page, you can see that they intend to retain the historical school located there. Very neat. (The rederings look very sketchup-y.)[0]
The highly anticipated master planned community finally has a website. There doesn't seem to be a lot of development near Bessarion Station, which is disappointing.[2]
Apparently, raised planters are not a good idea for healthy tree growth.[3]
The Sitara in Scarborough will be the largest indoor South Asian mall in the GTA. This development is located almost adjacent to The Landmark, an unexciting Asian-themed retail centre with tonnes of surface parking.[0]
Queen Street West is now just an extension of the Eaton Centre, but I still love it.[0]
I wholeheartedly agree with Coyle. I've alluded to this issue in Ram's blog.[0]
This Youtuber puts things into perspective.[1]
Peace Village, located in the outskirts of Vaughan, is Canada's first Islamic subdivision. Man, some cool vistas feature the mosque could have been implemented here, but that's not the case. Where were the urban designers?[2]
This structure is oddly constructed, but I think a TV facility is the perfect addition to Yonge and Dundas. I've always dreamed of Muchmusic moving to the Metropolis development.[0]
The controversial Minto development at Yonge and Eglinton is finally near completion.[0]
Let's keep 'em coming. Toronto is the largest condo site in North America. In other news, people are desperately trying to get their hands on units in the new 1 Bloor project.[0]
Toronto begins its Target70 program, which aims to divert 70% of household waste by 2010[1]
Who loves Yonge and Dundas as much as I do?[0]
It's not 1 Bloor East, but Phase 3 of the College Park development called Aura.[0]
TTC makes a proposal different from the City, which includes left-turn prohibitions to keep streetcars flowing on this extremely busy route. The presentation includes some great visualizations, with unrealistically lush trees! [via Steve Munro][4]
Liberty Developments is seeking approval to amend the town OP on a large swath of land at Yonge and Meadowview (north of Steeles), to allow for high-residental towers, an office tower with a hotel component, as well as a retail component on the ground level. Awesome! Here's a dated backgrounder.[0]
A photo essay. I can't imagine having to be displaced from my home without any certainty about the consequences of a nuclear disaster at the time. Gives me chills. It definitely puts a different spin from CNA's commercials a few months ago [via Tiff].[0]
Tuesday, April 8th, at 7:00 pm.[0]
I look forward to operating those new garbage/recycling cans! Maybe they couldn't incorporated a green bin as well! That would be phenomenal.[0]
This is bad news. I hate tokens-- I always lose them. Tickets however fit coveniently in my wallet.[0]
A councillor report raised issues about fire trucks not being able to fully utilize the right-of-way due to the centre hydro poles. These poles are different from the Queens Quay and Spadina ROW designs, which have hydro poles to the sides of the entire roadway. It does seem to be an impediment-- not to mention that it doesn't create a nice streetscape.[0]
It's about time. Let the transit building era begin![0]
Spacing features the Heritage preservation efforts of Markham Village.[0]
I think not.[0]
This is so awesome.[0]
My good friend Garrett talks about how we can overcome the systemic barriers to become agents of change.[0]
Development is moving forward in the area immediately south of Highway 7 between Sheridan Nurseries and Warden Avenue.[0]
It's an exciting time to be a planner in New York for sure [via Bird to the North][0]
What a refreshing take by Hume.[0]
How about a hockey facility right dab in the anticipated Langstaff Gateway plan?[0]
I need to take a trip there. From the photos, it looks pretty good![0]
Hume praises the Langstaff Gateway plan.[0]
Good on the community for voicing its concerns, and good on Metrolinx for listening.[0]
I checked out the new Wave Deck at the Waterfront during Luminato, and it's awesome.[0]
Is Toronto's urban renaissance in full swing? It's a great time to be a planner.[0]
The question is 'why?' The problems with the Gardiner is the uninviting space beneath the expressway.[0]
Why? Is there an unusual low supply of parking? Or an unusually high demand for parking? I'm guessing the latter.[0]
I love articles on Canadian demographics.[0]
It's great to see this kind of impromptu uses in Dundas Square. The public space has surely brought the kind of city vibrancy that's so needed in the city.[0]
C'mon Canada, it's time to step up.[0]
Some cities are best just to accept decline and strive to work on a few core strengths.[0]
Main St Unionville is #6![0]
Toronto's waterfront will soon me something to be envied![0]
Urban Cartography explains.[0]
Looks quite nice! Leon's seem like a complementary addition to the site![0]
