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What do you like/dislike about Toronto (pg. 8)
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| Yohan |
| quote: | Originally posted by rabbitjoker
best city in the world to live! (even) |
that place sounds welsh :p |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by English Rachel
Absolutely I agree with you but I meant, as Emery did (I think) that we don't have a 'culture' of our own which would be a blend of all the cultures that live here. |
in a way, but more specifically without a culture of or own, when you look at this city on the world stage we seem to be more trend followers than trend setters
| quote: | Originally posted by SasH21
Yes, that's what I meant...So, what did I come off as trying to say then? |
you're all good, I understood!
btw. here's a good recent editorial by Hume in the TO Star regarding the Waterfront
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Poor planning undermines waterfront
May 13, 2008
Christopher Hume
So, this is the year we've all been waiting for – the year when things finally start to come together on Toronto's long-suffering waterfront.
The tally includes the almost-complete Unwin Ave. generating station; the massive Filmport studio complex on the shipping channel; the Corus Entertainment headquarters at the foot of Jarvis St.; new housing on the old McCord cement plant at King St. and the Don River; as well as the remake of the Central Waterfront area between Bathurst and Yonge Sts.
These are just the first of many projects that will transform Toronto. Though they are reason for excitement, they're also cause for concern.
The first question that comes to mind is Filmport; no doubt the 20-hectare complex will revive Toronto's flagging movie industry. Just one thing: Why is it located on some of the most desirable property in the Portlands? It sits directly north of the shipping channel, which, lined with housing, could be one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Toronto.
A film studio, on the other hand, could be put anywhere.
Just weeks ago Waterfront Toronto introduced the team (an excellent one) that will build the first residential development, to be located on the former McCord site. That's good news, of course.
The problem is the site is bisected by the on- and off-ramps of the Don Valley Parkway. At a news conference last month, the developers and their architects talked openly about the challenge this poses. As they made clear, it won't be easy creating a neighbourhood in the shadow of a raised highway.
Which raises the question: Why weren't the film studios put there, and the housing located on the shipping channel?
Then there's Corus, an office building done by a local architect that looks like nothing so much as a design/build project along Highway 400. So much for setting a standard of architectural excellence on the waterfront. The design review panel fought it tooth and nail, but it seems to have caved to the bottom feeders – make that, bottom liners.
One understands – even applauds – the desire to bring jobs to the waterfront, but at what price? As both Corus and Filmport make clear, some of the most significant and potentially valuable sites have been set aside for lesser uses.
In both cases, we see the heavy hand of the Toronto Economic Development Corp., or TEDCO, at work. It has been a thorn in the side of Waterfront Toronto since the start. In its rush to make deals, it has messed up both these projects. Why the city and Mayor David Miller don't intervene remains a mystery.
An even worse example is the Portlands Energy Centre, a behemoth that sits just east of the decommissioned Hearn Generating Station, near the entrance to the Leslie St. Spit. Aside from the issue of whether we should be spending $750 million on such a power plant, there's the nasty little problem of putting it where there was to have been a residential neighbourhood. Why not put it in Ashbridge's Bay, beside the sewage plant that's going nowhere?
The province chose Unwin because the distribution system is in place. According to Queen's Park, this trumps waterfront revitalization.
Wasted opportunities such as these are heartbreaking, and deeply disturbing.
The waterfront represents our last chance to get it right. That means compact, sustainable, transit-based neighbourhoods in places people want to live. But again and again, Toronto's best intentions are done in by bad governance.
The waterfront is one of those rare instances where everyone could get what they want.
The task is to remember that no matter what the project, we're constructing a city, not a building.
Christopher Hume can be reached at [email protected].
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source:
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/424700
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| kaniz |
| quote: | Originally posted by Capo di tutti
I thought i was going to witness a holy war on saturday afternoon when the "Jesus is Lord" dude, black muslims (wearing black framed glasses, trench coats, fedoras and bowties) and Muslims (mostly Arabs) were recruiting and parading all within 20 feet of each other outside the sears doors. |
Oh, forgot to add to my con-list
- pedestrian gridlock/cluster @ Younge & Dundas not even amusing crazies save that.
When I worked at City Hall, I'd always cut through the Atrium on Bay to avoid that corner. |
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| kitchTA |
| quote: | Originally posted by SasH21
Things I don't like:
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- Don't see too many people who dress up, it's mostly very casual, which is ok, but I expected that in a big city as Toronto people would dress better
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totally agree
its more than just people in toronto that dont dress up its canadians in general. im also european and im shocked at people who are not embarrassed to prance around town in their PJ's. If something like this happened in europe people would think the person is insane. |
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| Djsketchbag |
I don't live in the city so i don't get to expiriance these things everyday but the things i love are the diversity, the night life, museums, art galleries, that there are alwyas different events going on throughout the city etc
Don't like traffic and smog |
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| yankeeBaby |
I love the people :) :)
Soooo many nice people compared to NYC :whip:
Edit: I dont really looove the shopping. Not as much selection, but then I am spoiled in that aspect, so its probably not as bad as it seems ;) |
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| Jayx1 |
i see a trend. Women generally tend to like or not mind the people here. Men seem to mention attitude and coldness often.
Hmmmmmm
Ive noticed this alot in real life too. |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
i see a trend. Women generally tend to like or not mind the people here. Men seem to mention attitude and coldness often. |
There was a really funny Dilbert cartoon written about 15 years ago. Things never change:
Most of the time, women - no matter where they go - find a lot of people around them to be pretty friendly. It makes sense. As guys, we tend to notice the difference a lot more, and Toronto is honestly not a very friendly city compared to, say, Barcelona, or most of France, or even London or Montreal.
Over the years I've tried very hard to change my personal attitude and be more sociable and courteous toward others, and I would say that no fewer than half of the people I say "hello" to don't respond at all, or maybe respond with a grunt or a nod. Like I'm a serial killer or something. People do seem slightly (slightly!) less hostile if I'm dressed semi-formally.
While I was out for lunch with one of my coworkers, some random guy said hello to her, and she thought it was really weird and creepy that someone who she doesn't even know would say hello. She's honestly one of the friendlier and more fun people I know, but that's how it is here, people just don't like strangers.
And no, that's not how it is in any big city, although I'll admit that it's more likely in a big city. |
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| Silky Johnson |
| It's amazing how dumbfounded it makes people to look them directly in the eye as you pass them, smile, and say hello. |
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| Intangible |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
i see a trend. Women generally tend to like or not mind the people here. Men seem to mention attitude and coldness often.
Hmmmmmm
Ive noticed this alot in real life too. |
This city is cold.
I miss being able to walk down the street and smile at someone or say hello and receive a hello, smile or at least a nod in return. Here you just get weird looks.
And yes guys hold doors open for girls, but its only to stare at their ass as they walk through ;) |
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| Intangible |
| quote: | Originally posted by jennypie
It's amazing how dumbfounded it makes people to look them directly in the eye as you pass them, smile, and say hello. |
Lol proof you are from Barrie
Even though Barrie is becoming a lot less friendly as well. |
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