Quote:
Originally Posted by silvergate
This discussion seems to relate a lot to central planning, but some of the most dynamic cities in the world, the ones you go to to experience the culture, or some local scene, got that way because the people in them made it that way.
It's been discussed here before that local BIAs will fight tooth and nail for street parking, but maybe it's time to consider decentralizing local rule making further. Especially on traditional main streets like Bank, Wellington/Richmond, or Beechwood, maybe a local citizens committee with BIA representation should be at least part of the design of rules for that area.
It may not always work out favorably in terms of parking or bike lanes or on-street patios, but it would help to add a distinctive feel to every main street, and the most effective techniques could be copied by other neighbourhoods.
You might travel to a city to see the major sights, but what makes you fall in love with a city is how it feels to be there. Bringing the people who live into the design conversation is one way to improve the feel.
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I agree,we should be doing a better job promoting our traditional main streets to tourists. With Stage 2, a few of them will be far more accessible/visible.
I would love for the City to rename Gladstone station to
Little Italy and Carling to
Dow's Lake. I think Dominion station is better situated to be called
Westboro (for the beach and the village), though I don't know what the best name would be for the current Westboro station.
Local area maps at Transit stations should highlight traditional main streets and other nearby designations and maybe list local businesses. Add signs pointing the way outside the stations.
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