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Toronto Planner Appointed to UK Commission on Architecture

Posted by: Tim Halbur

15 September 2009 - 10:00am

Christopher Hume talks to Joe Berridge, a Toronto planner who has been appointed to Britain's Commission on Architecture and the Built Environment, about the power of urban design.

Joe describes what his role will be on the commission, and if he thinks such a commission would work in Canada.

"'You can't fix a sinking town with urban design,' Berridge argues. 'We've been lucky in Canada, mainly because of immigration. It's amazing how successful Toronto has been. Our global ranking is improving and the social harmony that characterizes the city will only become more valuable. The crash brought out the worst in the British and the Europeans, but it brought out the best in Canadians. We will see huge social friction in the U.K. in the years ahead. But in this city the urban social ethic is strong.'"

Full Story: When urban design is of national importance
Source: The Toronto Star, September 14, 2009
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If hundreds of people in your community raised reasonable concerns about a planning program you developed, how would you respond? Perhaps you might call a community meeting, or ask community elected officials to reach out to community leaders.
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