Is there such a thing as a Bike-Lane NIMBY?
Is there such a thing as a Bike-Lane NIMBY? Written by Robert McQuillan After Smart Density’s recent “Out on the Town” bike tour, I’ve been reflecting on the state of cycling in Toronto. Is there such a thing as a bike lane NIMBY? You’ve heard Naama talk about how NIMBYism stands in the way of […]
Out on the Town with the Smart Density Team
Out on the Town with the Smart Density Team It has been a busy summer at Smart Density! We have been hard at work; collaborating with our clients, planning and designing new concepts, and advancing our mission of changing the conversation about what good development can and should look like. Last week, the Smart Density […]
How Angular Planes Perpetuate Toronto’s Housing Crisis
How Angular Planes Perpetuate Toronto’s Housing Crisis You don’t need to be an architect, urban planner, developer, or realtor to know that Toronto needs more housing. Ask anyone who is trying to find a new home to rent or purchase in the city. It’s competitive, expensive, and the options can be disappointing. Even as real […]
In a search for a 3-bedroom, family unit
In a search for a 3-bedroom, family unit We love our neighbourhood – it has great shops and restaurants, it’s close to work, it has good transit connectivity, and we’ve developed a lineup of favourite parks that we frequent with our little ones. With a growing family, our 2-bedroom home just wasn’t doing the trick […]
I am an architect and here’s what my stroller taught me about architecture
My family does a lot of walking. We don’t own a car, but we do own a stroller. When we were expecting our second child, we knew that a flexible stroller was going to be a key component in our new lives as parents of two little ones. We needed a bassinet for […]
Design will make or break a neighbourhood–building height won’t
Have you ever joined a community meeting about a new development? “It’s too tall,” you’ll hear neighbours proclaim. “The shadows will be unbearable!”Others suggest that mid rise and tall buildings “should only be built in the city’s core or near a highway.” Otherwise,they will “ruin neighbourhood character!”Whether the proposed development consists of six or sixty […]
GO Transit is reimagining its rail service, and you might not even know about it
Metrolinx is making it faster, easier, and more convenient to travel across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) with its GO Expansion project. GO Transit is the GTHA regional transit system consisting of rail and bus services. In its 65-year history, the GO Train network has targeted suburban commuters travelling to and from Downtown Toronto […]
Helsingborg, I’m Coming!
5 Reasons I’m Excited about the Urban Future Global Conference After more than two years in Canada because of the pandemic, I’m looking forward to attending in-person events again! In June, I will be attending Helsingborg 22, the Urban Future Global Conference. The conference is an annual gathering of minds in urbanism and city-building. Change-makers, […]
City of Toronto Mandatory Pre-Application
Mandatory Pre-Application | City of Toronto Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation: Proposed Amendments to the Official Plan and to the Municipal Code – Proposals Report May 26, 2021 Website on these Changes here. What is being proposed: The current development review process includes voluntary pre-application consultation. Applicants may request a pre-application consultation meeting with City staff to discuss, among […]
How Other Cities in the U.S. and Canada Implement Missing Middle Policies?
Written by: Misha Bereznyak and Josh Papernick In July 2019, Mayor John Tory and Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão passed a motion that directed the planning department to consider new forms of development in Toronto’s ‘Neighbourhoods’. ‘Neighbourhood’ is a land use designation in Toronto’s Official Plan, that in most cases, limits development to single-family homes. This […]