What Canadian Towns Have to Teach us About Great Urbanism

"We talk a lot about densification and how compact, connected urbanism generates places where you can easily walk to most of your daily needs. Within these discussions, we're often elaborating on how these sorts of livable places are healthier, wealthier, cleaner, and happier. What we talk about less is how compact neighborhoods take up less space, leave more of the hinterland wild, protect fragile ecosystems, and allow earth to more easily regenerate clean air and water supplies."

Hazel Borys finds inspiration in rural Québec, using an abundance of photos as pointers on how we could legalize more satisfying towns and cities:

"The historic villages of Saint-Jovite and old Mont-Tremblant-Village embody character-based town planning. In the village centres, buildings come right up to the sidewalk, with cars parking on-street or out back. An abundance of places to linger in sidewalk cafés and parks make for a sense of community. Benches, flowers, and shade are gifts to the street. Horizontal and a bit of vertical mixed-use make for a walkable, bikeable, and drivable environment."

Thanks to Scott Doyon