Toronto
Toronto Street Furniture Program Blasted
The city of Toronto is rolling out a new street furniture program. Lisa Rochon calls the new additions to the city's sidewalks an "assault on civic life".
The Globe and Mail
Urban Residents Are Accidental Environmentalists
Margaret Wente is surprised to learn from reading David Owen's Green Metropolis that her new city lifestyle is super-green, thanks to the advantages of density.
The Globe and Mail
Toronto Condo Will Provide Carsharing Instead Of Parking
A 42-storey condo building to be built in Toronto will include parking for nine car-share vehicles and 315 bicycles but no on-site parking spaces for residents’ private automobiles.
Toronto Star
Toronto Planner Appointed to UK Commission on Architecture
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.
The Toronto Star
Ignoring Cars in Toronto
The City of Toronto prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists and transit over cars. Some in the city are concerned that the city is ignoring a car congestion problem that is only growing.
The Toronto Sun
Light Rail Expands in Toronto
New light rail projects are taking off in the Toronto area. A new 15km line will be operational by 2013, but the city is still trying to raise funds to replace its aging streetcar stock.
The Toronto Star
Brutalist High-Rises Finding New Life in Toronto
Toronto is moving forward with a plan to re-vision it's aging concrete high-rises as sustainable, mixed-use centers of urban development.
WorldChanging
Green Roofs May Be Mandated in Toronto
Toronto City Council is planning to vote on a measure that would require green roofs on most buildings over 54,000 square feet, which would make it the first North American city to require green roofs. Developers are opposing the move.
The New York Times
Politics-Driven Planning Rules Toronto
During a round table discussion between four of Toronto's most prominent architects conclude that the city's planning, deemed dysfunctional by one, falls short.
Toronto Star
14th Floor: Barnyard Animals
An new exhibition in Toronto called Carrot City: Designing for Urban Agriculture includes a concept for Pig City, a high-rise swine farm.
The Toronto Star
Toronto Better Off As Recession Slows Growth
The recession and the end of the age of fast-growth will be a good thing for Toronto, argues Christopher Hume.
The Toronto Star
"Cost-Effective" Condos Cheaper than Rental
One developer has found a way to build condos at $60,000 less than it costs the average Toronto developer. Through deferrals from the city, money is made available to assist homebuyers with their down payments.
The Tyee
The Planetizen News Brief - 2/5/09
4:20 minutes (3.98 MB)
Honolulu hooks air to rail, Toronto ups plans for a downtown subway, and rehabilitating rainforests prompt debate -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on "Smart City". Read, listen or download.
"Exceptional" Subways to Bring Toronto Up to Speed
Toronto, a land of cheap gas and unclear traffic reduction policies, has a long way to go in improving public transit, according to one architect. But designers are making progress as they make city's new subway stations as enticing as possible.
Toronto Star
Toronto Considers Fast-Tracking Downtown Subway
The city of Toronto is considering a plan to fast-track the construction of a new downtown subway line.
The National Post
Toronto Goes Back to the Tap
Toronto is now the biggest city in North America to ban the sale of bottled water on city premises, a victory which advocates hope will spur a reinvestment in public water facilities, including drinking fountains in new buildings.
Toronto Star
Economic Crunch Puts Toronto's Blue Boxes in Red
The current economic downturn has meant a drop in commodity prices, including for recycled materials. Now Toronto is facing the prospect of warehousing their collected recycleables until the market improves.
The Globe and Mail
Gehry's 'Monumental' Art Gallery
Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario is about to open its spectacular renovation designed by Frank Gehry.
The Globe and Mail
Skyscraper Lights Don't Have to be Dangerous or Wasteful
One architecture critic addresses two skyscraper-related conundrums: Decorative lighting that tops the buildings are energy inefficient, and they are dangerous to migrating birds.
Chicago Tribune
Security Cameras to Remain Secret in Toronto
Officials in Toronto have decided to keep secret the locations of 90 security cameras installed on public buildings. Residents and union officials are outraged.
Toronto Sun




















