Following Canada Post’s announcement of plans to replace urban door-to-door mail service with community mail box nodes, The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) cautions that careful planning and design of these retrofits is critical.
"Canada Post needs to deliver excellent design if it goes ahead with a controversial plan to replace door-to-door service with community mailboxes, says the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)," writes Spacing.
"The RAIC, who advocates for a livable built environment, says group mailboxes will affect the urban landscape and quality of life of Canadians."
Concerns voiced by the institute include accessibility for seniors and the disabled, particularly with respect to snow and winter weather. There are also questions about the scheme's sustainability, if the community mail box nodes' design and distance from homes will encourage access by driving.
"Allan Teramura, RAIC regional director for Ontario North, East and Nunavut, says the impact on streets and green spaces will be significant."
“'The problem of retrofitting these to existing neighborhoods is going to be extremely challenging,' he says. 'There’s no information provided to date that shows how this will be done in a way that’s acceptable to anyone.'”
FULL STORY: RELEASE: RAIC Architects issue statement on Canada Post community mailboxes
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