Living City - a critical guide

“My favourite city in the world would hands down be Vienna or Wein as it is called in German. The beautiful white city, has so much to discover. As a young hosteler, Wombats is probably the best hostel I have ever been to. The city has culture everywhere you look, whether you are looking for art, shopping, music or just there to site see, you will not be dissapointed. While there for what was only 4 days, I was able to see a ballet, a free concert in the park put on by the Vienna philharmonic orchestra and then was able to see many musicians simply playing top class music in the street. It truly is a city of musicians. Getting around is simple in their vintage street cars that take you back in time or you can simply take the metro. If you visit you will meet some of the most amazing people out there. I was able to catch Bill and Hilary Clinton attending the concert or else you may meet Canadians backpacking abroad and you can remenisce about the amazing times you have had in Europe. This cultural capital is something everyone should visit in their lifetime, it will not dissapoint. Just talking about it makes me want to be there.
p.s. If you go in May, the temperature is already in the high 20's or low 30's! ”

- Daniel Kilgallon

“The Living City piece by Christopher conveys a misguided message. The charming columnist seems to have suggested that compactness and high density ought to be the solution to the problem of urban sprawl. I would argue that city as a concept has become obsolete. People do not have to travel to a city centre to work any more. What brings people together in the Internet age is the virtual network, not a community of brick and mortar. Therefore, what is truly sustainable will be a 21st century village model implemented on two levels. Canadians should spread out over the vast land of ours. On the physical level, residents of the new village will develop a strong sense of belonging and mutual support. On the virtual level, subscribers to the global network will form their own "village" for professional, business and social purposes. Compactness and high density has been a recipe for most of our social ills and a modern city amounts to nothing but a congregation of strangers. Furthermore, the threat of a catastrophic viral outbreak is indeed overwhelming. Imagine the consequence of such an outbreak in Hong Kong. The only people who embrace 80 story condos are greedy land developers. We must not follow them. Instead, we must use our common sense to build what is truly sustainable.”

- Andrew Chan

“My favourite place is the neighbourhood of Lowertown, Ottawa, in the 1930's and 40's. This community was an example of a very simple urban planning approach that resulted in brilliant outcomes. Like many communities in Canada, Lowertown was affected by urban planning at the turn of the century (1900). Those policies included the "greening" of neighbourhoods by the inclusion of elm trees, pavement, sidewalks, and victorian-styled parks and lighting. Lowertown was a densely populated, ethnically diverse, and mixed-use model, which included a variety of businesses, homes, schools, hospitals, churches, etc, all built within walking distance. Apart from university, my grandfather lived his entire life within a ten-block radius and he did not live in a highrise.

I think this is the real key to the future - we need to build cities as if there were no such thing as cars. Only then will we return to a pattern of urban planning that makes a city for pedestrians and not for cars - cities dominated by large trees instead of highways and overpasses. The obsession with building cities for cars has led to a sick pattern of destructive urban planning in the major cities in Canada, which leads to a total focus on the "efficiency" of moving cars rather than the "effectiveness" and quality of life of the city. Ottawa is no stranger to this pattern and its continued lack of vision for urban planning is a disgrace. When will we return to building traditional neighbourhoods and cities and reclaim the older neighbhourhoods that have been destroyed by poor urban planning fixated on car transportation?”

- Marc Aubin

“I loved watching this program last night. I grew up in Halifax and often go back for visits. The history, architectural beauty, people friendly attractions and ease of getting around are in sharp contrast to Toronto where I have lived for the past 40 years. Toronto has changed for the worse over the last decade. Urban sprawl and horrendous traffic make it nearly impossible to get out of the city, there are few downtown parks (and they are badly maintained), the waterfront is inaccessible to people, shootings seem to be a daily occurrence and taxes have gone through the roof. I am seriously thinking of moving back to Halifax and Living City reinforced that urge.”

- Heather Grant

“Why knock the Gardiner Expressway? It’s brilliant. It moves traffic, it has great views and it is out of the way. People say it cuts the downtown off from the waterfront. The Lakeshore Boulevard does that. Just try walking south from Front Street to the waterfront and you will find out - you take your life in your hands!”

- Stan Lake

“I am privileged to be in the St. Clair/Christie neighbourhood and right next door to the new Artscape Wychwood Barns that recently opened in November. Talk about the Urban Retrofit - this land sat vacant for years, but after major zoning battles and environmental clean-up the project finally took off. They now have a wonderful Farmer's Market on Saturdays, plus studio/live-in space for 26 artists, experimental green house, theatre, skating rinks, playground, aqua park, outdoor pizza over, volleyball court, etc. I have never seen a neighbourhood so excited before - everyone is taking personal ownership and contributing on an unprecedented level.”

- John Rahme

“I am a huge fan of A Nature Of Things and the topics it covers. Living City is no exception. I love seeing some of the most beautiful places in Canada.

Unfortunately though, and I suppose those in Saskatchewan could be equally disappointed, you did not visit my beloved home town of St. John's, Newfoundland. I understand your time restraints. I would imagine that you would have a similar opinion of St. John's as you do of Halifax. However, unlike Halifax it also suffers from the same plight of urban sprawl as Toronto. More money is coming into the province and middle class (with their political clout, or apathy) is moving into the small suburban towns around the city. It's downtown core is showing this stress, but that's not to say that it is not vibrant if you know where to look. It could use the criticisms of an outsider to make Newfoundlanders realize that they are not immune from the problems that plague the cities of the mainland. Interestingly, I have just made a vote for the most livable city and have discovered that it's tied for 3rd place with Montreal. I will assume, for now, that this is because of the time difference. Not a bad showing for a city of just 120,000 or so people.

I wish that this could be a mini-series. The same challenge exists in many other cities that need to be addressed or have values that should be recognized. I hear Quebec city is an absolutely beautiful town, and would love to know what it is like to live there. Ottawa, from my experience, is an interesting town, but again has it's challenges. Similarly, Hamilton is a town living in the shadow of Toronto, trying to become more "for the people". Edmonton and Victoria I'm sure could also bare examination.

Once again, fantastic show. If only there were more time.”

- Dave House

“I live in Buffalo ,New York, a city that has been in decline pretty much my entire life, and I'm pushing 50. It is filled with a great many architectural treasures that are finally being recognized in the larger global community. Many mistakes have been made to Joseph Ellicott's masterful design and continue today. There are many obstacles to the city's chance to reinvigorate and reinvent itself....and make it the center for creative and advanced thinking it once was. I look to Toronto as a fine example of what a city can be despite the pitfalls Mr. Hume pointed out so clearly on his "Livable City" program on the "Nature of Things". Education, planning and doing things for the greater good instead of what's good for a select few seem to be what we are lacking here in my home city. I would like to gather all of our leaders in a room to watch the very insightful program that Mr. Hume's presented, an excellent documentary! ”

- Joseph Verrastro

“Ottawa is a city that once was the darling of urban planning with it's downtown pedestrian mall, lavish green spaces, and accessible canal that runs through the heart of the city. Parliament's character mixed with the charm of the Byward Market and the elegance of Sussex Drive brought visitors from across Canada. Today however, the city's charm has been overtaken by suburbia, sucking away at any sense of downtown livelihood. The NHL hockey arena was built in a field past the furthest of suburbs, and Lebreton Flats (once he home of the arts community) has been taken over by a sprawling was museum and heartless condominiums. Even the trees that once hung over Wellington St. are gone. What's left is a public transit nightmare and a city that experiences a mass exodus daily by 6pm. Such a shame.”

- Anonymous

“Although I can get very frustrated by my home city, Toronto. After traveling elsewhere in the world, I have come to appreciate the livability of its downtown. My favourite place is Toronto Island. In what other city in the world can you escape the hubbub of the city so easily? Just don't tell anyone please. The island is really diverse to suite all tastes, from secluded beaches, parkland to children rides on Centre island. Now if only our governments would just start invest in better public transport, like maybe with a link to the airport then we could start thinking of our city being comparable to European cities.”

- Kim Saunders

“My favourite city is Barcelona, Spain. Out of all of the worldwide cities (many) I've traveled to, it's the only one that comes close to my home city of Toronto. There's a intriguing mix of old and new. And walking down those tiny winding streets on a hot balmy evening to happen upon a crowd listening to an artist playing the spanish guitar in a fragrant garden is divine!.”

- Annette Bradford