[M II A II R II K]

Toronto at 200 - What do we want from our city?


05/10/2010

Robert Kirsig

Read More: http://thestar.blogs.com/yourcitymycity/2010/05/toronto-at-200-what-do-we-want-from-our-city.html

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Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff made a point at the recent Montreal conference to dedicate time to thinking about where Canadians want to see Canada at 150. Currently, Toronto is 20-plus years away from celebrating its 200th anniversary, yet I think it’s important for Torontonians to start thinking about what kind of city we want at 200. In terms of actual policy, this may not generate much; however, I would argue that if people become inspired to think about the city and their life and future in it, this will go a long way to defining and clarifying the goals and dreams we want to achieve.

Here’s the kind of Toronto I would like to see at 200:

Toronto is a very welcoming place for newcomers to Canada. I hope this can continue and that our communities - Little India and Italy, Chinatown, the Danforth, etc - continue to be the face of our city. Toronto is truly fortunate in that the world is literally at our doorstep. How many cities can make this claim? Even now, in 2010, I think it is time for Toronto to become even more progressive by finding a way to relax our laws against drugs. By 200, I would like to see a Toronto that has fully legalized marijuana laws and the ability to openly sell it to citizens. I’d also like to see several drug safe houses across the city similar to what is in Vancouver. I would much rather see people safely consume drugs under the watchful eye of health professionals than in alleyways, crack houses and other less-reputable areas.

Back in the 1980s, the city, province and the TTC foresaw the need for expanded transit. According to the plan Toronto should have a downtown relief line running through the downtown core. In a few years I’d like to see a sustainable transit funding program from the Provincial and Federal governments. But the city shouldn’t wait around for something that may, or may not, happen. I’d like to see the city become more regional in developing and executing its transit plans. I’d like to see a new regional transit plan that includes light-rail along city and regional highways. Transit City will help alleviate some congestion but I strongly believe that by 200 there should be a cross-city subway line along Eglinton linking the airport to the Toronto Zoo. While I would like to see more subways built, the reality is that time has passed us by. However, Eglinton is the only suitable candidate now, and in the future, for this kind of development.

For all the negativity surrounding Transit City, this is exactly the kind of risk Toronto needs to take to provide the services we need. I would hope that by the time Toronto reaches 200, the city has decided to take necessary risks in order to improve the city while pushing the limits of design and architecture. If this also comes in the form of burying the Gardiner, or planting an urban garden atop it, an improved and cohesive waterfront plan, etc., I’d rather see Toronto take action than become paralyzed by other levels of government and from fear of the unknown, or worse NIMBYism. I recognize cost is a major issue in taking on something risky, but this city needs to do something bold and gamble a bit to improve its reputation and fix what ails it, but not for the sake of doing something just to do something.

Toronto at its 200th anniversary may look drastically different than we know it now or it may still bear some resemblance to the city we know currently. The decisions we make today will greatly affect how we live, play and commute in the future. I’m sure those back in the 1830s never could have imagined the Toronto we know today with the communities and technology that form the backbone of our city. I hope that as Toronto gets older we are able to see the city we want take shape and contribute to its success.

So I ask you Toronto, what kind of city do you want at 200?

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[hbl33]

Toronto, if it wants to stay as a true global city, should continue learn what all Alpha-rated cities are doing. Culture-wise, they are at good stance with most global cities as do economy and human capital. What they need is something like this for transit:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B5Ni4frCefkOMzUwN2IyMzAtZDBlNi00Yjg1LTkyYjUtMmViYWY2YzU1Yzkz&hl=en *

And get rid of union bases and hapless politicians (Kim Jong-Miller/McGuilty & Co)!




* Sorry that I'm continuing to post this map, but I just can't help it from going bitchfest about TTC, so I refrain with this.

 

[Hipster Duck]

I thought we turned 200 in 1993?

 

[adma]

As a city (and as "Toronto" as opposed to "York"), we turn 200 in 2034. That's why 1984 was the Sesquicentennial...

 

[M II A II R II K]

Toronto, if it wants to stay as a true global city, should continue learn what all Alpha-rated cities are doing. Culture-wise, they are at good stance with most global cities as do economy and human capital. What they need is something like this for transit:

Well by 2015 we'll get the Vaughn Extension, then by 2025 the SRT Extension, and by 2034 and extention to Richmond Hill, but that's about it.

 

[UrbanVigor]

I have to agree with the blog entry. Any large metropolitan city needs transit lines that actually branch throughout the city. The two subway lines that we do have hardly cut it. I salivate when I see that map and wish this city's transit infrastructure looked like that. Somehow Toronto became very reactive (and far too late). But it's never too late to turn a ship around because the longer you wait the bigger and slower the ship becomes.

I like what's happening along the Waterfront and more needs to continue and it needs to be connected to downtown. We're a world class city on the water's edge, but you wouldn't know it.

I want to add something that I feel is very important. Yonge Street Revitalization. When people think Toronto, they think of Yonge Street. So far, we seem to be getting away with that for some reason. But from Bloor to Front, attention needs to be placed upon this street. It's not so much that it's littered with seedy businesses but that seedy and better presentable businesses alike are left with a decrepid strip of buildings. Some major changes need to take place. This street should be a combination of mixed use development that caters to locals and tourists alike. If you look at Yonge Street, I think it's a great opportunity to limit urban sprawl. More mixed use developments with two level retail space on the ground floor along Yonge with terraces on the third floor. The people buying those units will need boutique style shops just as they'll want major retail plus add some charming local establishments with terraces overlooking the heart of the city and Yonge Street has the opportunity to be... charming. That's world class, if you ask me.