The push to beautify Toronto will inevitably encounter the paralyzing effect of bureaucracy.
As in many cities, Toronto's bureaucracy is arranged by function, so a mayoral push to beautify the city will inevitably encounter the paralyzing effect of too many departments and organizations in charge of the portions making up the single public space.A local architect/planner "proposes the creation of a new department responsible for the public realm. It would take the lead on related issues as they go through the bureaucratic process, much as the health or planning departments do now when appropriate."
"What this means is that to change the way the city looks you have to change the way city hall works. That's why Mayor David Miller's laudable desire to beautify Toronto is doomed to failure unless we come up with a different system of running the place."
Thanks to Eric Arzola
FULL STORY: Beauty's lost in bureaucratic beast

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.

Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions