AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
Even if Vimy Circle is built, there are no guarantees any buildings around it - presumably constructed at the same time - would have made it through the 50-70s.
AoD
AoD
^ What might have been:
Source: http://mathewborrett.squarespace.com/illustration/spacing-magazine-illustrations/
Wooow , that's soo nicee ! Why didnt they do this ?
raze vast areas of aging cites
Wide, straight, avenues are in fact a product of authoritarian rule in Baroque Europe. Razing the more spontaneous built form of the medieval city, the straight lines and controlled vistas, and restrained Neoclassical architecture of a grand Baroque boulevard emphasize the rigidity of absolute power and allow for military parades for the ruler to demonstrate his power. They tend to lead to the houses of power. Something like Vimy Circle is difficult to achieve without authoritarian rule: every building must be built at once in the same style and according to the plan. Any changes then must follow the plan. But they're not the only way to have a beautiful city. Even if a lot of people enjoy that aesthetic, myself included, we still have opportunities for grand streets in places like Spadina Avenue, enhancing University Avenue, and all over the suburbs. It's doable in a democratic system, but its difficulty should not be underestimated in light of the historical context from which these urban design ideas emerged.