Toronto Asks: How Dense Is Too Dense?

A decade of high-rise condo construction has transformed Toronto's skyline. But it appears the sky's not the limit when it comes to more skyscrapers. A proposal to build three 80-story towers designed by Frank Gehry has sparked a debate over density.

1 minute read

October 14, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Toronto from the CN Tower

Michael Verdi / Flickr

As densification becomes the mantra for planners and public officials across North America, cities are struggling to determine the right balance between infrastructure, compact growth, and quality of life. How to find this balance "reverberates in the debate over the grandiose triple-tower development proposal on King St. W. that’s being pushed by theatre magnate David Mirvish and renowned architect Frank Gehry," writes Alex Ballingall. 

"Toronto’s chief planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, has expressed 'serious concerns' over how the already jam-packed downtown strip can handle an influx of people living in three new 80-storey towers. 'I don’t think we as a city have an obligation to absorb this much density,' she recently told the Star’s Christopher Hume."

"And yet, many agree — including Keesmaat — the city must get denser; the question of how, and how much, is vital to shaping the Toronto of tomorrow."


Friday, October 11, 2013 in The Toronto Star

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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