[canrocks]

The centrepiece of Dundas Square are the water fountains. They're the people magnet, they're the place where everybody congregates around. Too bad they don't work during the winter.

Also, they're not really somewhere where you can sit and relax. Nor are they somewhere to meet someone. Most uses for a city square involve not getting wet. And most people on Dundas Square aren't walking there because they need to go somewhere; it is not the most direct route between any two points (except for maybe between Hard Rock Cafe and the yet-to-be completed TLS, if you like jaywalking) No, if you're at Dundas Square, you're there to chill out, and chilling needs somewhere to sit. Patio chairs and tables don't cut it, we need steps. Don't get me wrong, I love Dundas Square; and I know it well because I live a minute's walk away. But when I go there I never feel like I can sit and relax, even for just a moment. There's something formal about a chair at a table; you have to pull it out, sit down, put your stuff on the table, etc. There's a whole set of social etiquette rules that go along with sitting at a table. With steps you can just flop down, in all your unpretentious glory. It makes you feel welcome.

Urban Shocker, a WLM statue is an abosolutely fantastic idea. So appropriate in so many ways. But at the same time, i feel like it would be a small piece of historica overpowered by the commercialism that surrounds it. That's why I was thinking something modern (and a little interactive) by a local artist.

 

[MetroMan]

The best interactive modern art piece I can think of is Crown Fountain in Chicago's Millenium Park.

Every time I see it, I die of envy. Kids splash in it, adults walk through the half inch high water. Everybody watches the local faces on the monolith screens, eventually spitting out water. I love it, I love it, I love it!

I'm not sure we could reproduce something like that at Dundas Square, but we could invite the artist, Jaume Plensa, to think of something appropriate for that space and relative to Toronto.

Perhaps we could keep the fountains on year round by heating the water. It would have a nice effect I'm sure. The heated water would fly through the cold air and produce steam. Add some coloured LED lights in for the mix and you got yourself a really cool effect (no pun intended).

As for the steps, they're already there on the stage. I often walk up to the stage, drop my stuff and sit back on a step and take in the sights.

Along the fountains there are several stone benches, another form of informal seating.

 

[OnceAThief]

I agree with you canrocks.

Where do you live that you're a minute away?

 

[MisterF]

Also, they're not really somewhere where you can sit and relax. Nor are they somewhere to meet someone. Most uses for a city square involve not getting wet. And most people on Dundas Square aren't walking there because they need to go somewhere; it is not the most direct route between any two points (except for maybe between Hard Rock Cafe and the yet-to-be completed TLS, if you like jaywalking) No, if you're at Dundas Square, you're there to chill out, and chilling needs somewhere to sit. Patio chairs and tables don't cut it, we need steps. Don't get me wrong, I love Dundas Square; and I know it well because I live a minute's walk away. But when I go there I never feel like I can sit and relax, even for just a moment. There's something formal about a chair at a table; you have to pull it out, sit down, put your stuff on the table, etc. There's a whole set of social etiquette rules that go along with sitting at a table. With steps you can just flop down, in all your unpretentious glory. It makes you feel welcome.

Urban Shocker, a WLM statue is an abosolutely fantastic idea. So appropriate in so many ways. But at the same time, i feel like it would be a small piece of historica overpowered by the commercialism that surrounds it. That's why I was thinking something modern (and a little interactive) by a local artist.

In the squares I mentioned people do exactly what you're describing. The reflecting pool at Nathan Philips Square has the same kind of informality. That's missing at Dundas.

 

[TO City of Light]

TLS Wannabe??

Consider this a short break but, hopefully Mister Administrator, not too OT - yes, I know this is a site devoted to TORONTO.

However, some additional perspective beyond the usual suspects - Times Sq, Picadilly Circus, Shibuya, might be interesting.

Below are some very recent shots from Bangkok of what is really just a wide street but with signage that would do TLS proud or, if signs are not enough, why not cover all of your 30 story building with a message.

A very nice feature of this area in Bangkok is a massive galleria, starting at third floor level and extending up 6 stories, overlooking the street.

And, finally, a warning in the form of the latest slogan the folks in Bangkok have dreamed up. "Bangkok: City of Life" has real meaning as those of you who know this city will no doubt attest. I say warning because of the danger of some future wag making reference to life in Toronto being a square.


These are serious signs

And a jumbotron up the steet

If you've got a good product, let people know about it.

Would that this were the Eaton Centre

Bangkok: City of Life - truer word were never spoken (or written)

 

[alklay]

The real Times Square beats everyone, hands down, when it comes to ads and electronic advertising. They have 6' tickers in that square that are full colour and fullly animated (and wrap around the entire building). The vintage 1971 red LED tickers on TLS are a joke in comparison.

 

[syn]

The real Times Square beats everyone, hands down, when it comes to ads and electronic advertising. They have 6' tickers in that square that are full colour and fullly animated (and wrap around the entire building). The vintage 1971 red LED tickers on TLS are a joke in comparison.

I agree.

I think a near total glass facade for TLS would've actually worked really well after seeing some of those pics. You'd get to see all the activity going on inside, adding even more energy to the area.

 

[canrocks]

I agree with you canrocks.

Where do you live that you're a minute away?

in residence at Ryerson. It's a dream come true.

 

[khris]

Personally I think the advertising in Bangkok is not that nice.
Also, what is that ugly parking garage with whatever it is above it? An unfinished building?

 

[BobBob]

This area doesn't seem to have any of that "big-city excitement" feel. It looks more like North York Centre or, at best, the Vegas Strip.

 

[taal]

I completely agree...

Moreover, I've been to Bangkok 2 years ago and most of the city feels that way! there's no way I'd trade what we have for that.

Any area that's overly clean always seems suburban to me (no mater how nice the area is) .. reminds me of Houston (Which is an insult I'd rather not inflict on anyone/anyplace) .. yikes.

 

[ProjectEnd]

How are we measuring 'life' here?

Bangkok - 5, 658, 953

Toronto - 2, 503, 281

(as of 2006)

They seem to have a hell of a lot more 'life' than we do!

I agree with your point about cleanliness though. Whenever I'm in Italy (usually Rome, Florence or Siena) one of the things that stands out most to me is the sense that the urban area is 'lived in,' not just visited by outsiders. I know that there are many people living in the D/t core of Toronto but its just not on the same scale. The condos that are currently being constructed downtown do much to remedy this (we've added something like 50,000 people to the downtown population) but somehow the city lacks that sense of density that many European (such as those mentioned above) and Asian cities (such as Bangkok) have. I strangely don't even mind the public drunkenness and urination - somehow it just adds to that 'lived in' feeling....good times all 'round!

 

[canrocks]

As for the steps, they're already there on the stage. I often walk up to the stage, drop my stuff and sit back on a step and take in the sights.

Along the fountains there are several stone benches, another form of informal seating.

Both very good points. The thing with the steps on the stage is that there's sort of a perception that the stage isn't public space. And the informality of it is weakened by the fact that the stage is the focus of the square's attention; It's all meant to face the stage; you only go up there if you're about to perform or something. The benches on the side are kind of nice, but they're not visually dominant enough to matter; it's almost like they're not there.

Feel free to call me out on this people, I'm just pulling all this stuff out of the air. Public space is more about emotion than science.

 

[TO City of Light]

I completely agree...

Moreover, I've been to Bangkok 2 years ago and most of the city feels that way! there's no way I'd trade what we have for that.

Any area that's overly clean always seems suburban to me (no mater how nice the area is) .. reminds me of Houston (Which is an insult I'd rather not inflict on anyone/anyplace) .. yikes.

Interesting views. There is no other living being in the known universe that has ever suggested that Bangkok is overly clean! and suburban!! and comparable to Houston!!! - and indeed any of these individually would be an insult but together they are an Armageddon level curse on any place. Luckily, I suspect also there is no person in Thailand that reads this blog so we are all safe.

Anyway, I am going there tomorrow afternoon and will try to cope.

But also, and I mean this seriously, if this was you experience and if you ever come back to this part of the world, let me know. I will ensure that you have an experience that is far from clean, suburban and Houstonish. I will not join you but I will give you guidance.

 

[Tewder]

I love US's idea. It's so dramatic, historic and locally significant...how 'untoronto'!!!

As for the draw of steps and such, the corner of Church and Wellesley used to function this way and when 'the steps' were taken away people just migrated south until they found more steps. Also, works around Eros in Picadilly. People love steps!!