Waterfront Toronto is a public advocacy group formed in 2001 to plan the city's extensive waterfront revitalization. In early Sept., Mayor Rob Ford announced he was taking over and turning the land into a giant mall park. Urbanists to the rescue!
Urbanist powers, activate! Richard Florida (a resident of Toronto) and 147 urbanist professionals and academics wrote a letter to the Toronto City Council asking them to prevent the power grab. Yesterday, 9/22, Royson James reports that the urbanists' message was heard:
"In an unprecedented, mind-bending political reversal, Toronto City Council dismissed the Rob Ford administration's planned takeover of the waterfront, leaving Waterfront Toronto in charge of the multi-billion-dollar revitalization."
Richard Florida comments: "It is a tremendous victory for urbanism-and for a greener, more prosperous, and more sustainable tomorrow."
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