[carrefour]

There's a cool idea happening in Montreal.

'In Japanese, shukō, is an idea, a project, a plan. I'm throwing out a challenge to our creative community with these five shukō. Designers, visionaries, rational thinkers, old hands and newcomers. Five inspirational shukō, five opportunities to express Montréal's unique personality and join forces to bring Montréal, City of Design, to a new level. Our metropolis is bursting with ideas, overflowing with talent. As mayor, I'm committed to doing what it takes to turn these five shukō into accomplishments that all Montréalers can look upon with pride.'
- Gerald Tremblay
http://www.shukomontreal.com/index.php?lang=en

The Five things they are looking at are:
1. CHAMP-DE-MARS METRO STATION Public Space
2. EASTERN WALL OF THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE
3. BUS SHELTERS
4. SIGNATURE TAXIS
5. TEMPORARY FESTIVAL FURNITURE

The premise is, the little things make a city great. I wonder, what would be the 5 things we would do in Toronto.

p.s. They also mention Montreal is a UNESCO design capital. I didn't know it was a design capital...

 

[wyliepoon]

Spacing Magazine's recent ThinkToronto competition could be considered Toronto's version of shukō. Too bad the City is not involved in the competition (I don't even know if the City knows about the competition).

 

[junctionist]

That's the crucial bit, that the city is involved. It makes more complex but still relatively affordable projects a lot easier to implement.