The wild success of a "pop-up urban intervention” transforming Toronto's Yonge Street has Christopher Hume and the city's residents excited about the ability of small moves to have a big impact.
Despite recent reports of city leaders questioning the appropriateness of raising a family downtown, trying to trash an award-winning waterfront plan, and bickering over transit plans, not all of the urban news out of Toronto is doom and gloom.
Thanks to a project spearheaded by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Association that has replaced traffic lanes with outdoor patios, planter gardens and seating areas, "Yonge is basking in the sudden love of a city
excitedly rediscovering itself," observes Hume. "From Gerrard south to Queen, the street
has been transformed into boulevard where people sit, eat, drink, stop,
look, walk, talk and generally carry on like inhabitants of a big city."
"On Yonge, a few tables, chairs and planters completely alter our
response. These few items have the power to transform an otherwise
inhospitable expanse of the public realm into a more human space, one we
actually want to use and can."
To Hume, the message is clear: "Streets have much better uses than driving on them."
FULL STORY: Hume: Yonge basking in the sudden love of a city
Pedestrian-Friendly Makeover of a Busy Toronto Street Stops Short of the Car-Free Ideal
The yongeTOmorrrow project is heading toward the finish line with widespread support from advocates, but a few want the plan to go one step further.
A Pedestrian-Forward Vision for Toronto Roadway
Toronto’s iconic Yonge Street is heavily used by pedestrians, and, according to this article, it's time for a revamp that acknowledges all of the street's users.
Urban Taxidermy: When Authenticity and Artificiality Collide
A new breed of preservation has sprung up in Toronto, where existing structures are partially preserved to give new building's old facades. But is this attempt to preserve the existing streetscape actually succeeding?
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
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?
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service