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Originally Posted by csbvan
Victoria is developing so perfectly. A great mid-density city with solid historic bones. If it keeps its history while incorporating wide-spread infill across the region, it will create true European density in North America. Bravo.
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I think Victoria is lucky to have a sizeable heritage portion to protect in the Old Town District. Because of this, the City is not rushing in to becoming another typical North American city. I also like the fact that in the city centre proper, retail/commercial is encouraged in almost all developments, resulting in the ease of smaller businesses to set up all over, and the kind of vibrancy missing in even much larger cities.
Still, there were past mistakes made and as a result, some jarring taller buildings from the 60s and 70s spoil the overall mid-density European feel of the city. Also, the suburbs are also experiencing the kind of single-family housing sprawl just like every other North American city, with the exception of Quebec City and to a certain extent, Montreal plus a couple others. It is certainly not a pretty sight driving from Saanich area along Douglas heading into the city centre, with strip malls and auto sale centres lining alongside the major thoroughfare.
To retain its current charm, the city centre should continue to expand with a largely mid-density build-up all the way north and east, and west towards Esquimalt, and at the same time regional district authorities should discourage further urban sprawl by designating green lungs around the Greater Victoria region. There should be designated taller clusters of buildings in the region, but definitely not everywhere.
There is good reason why Victoria is constantly voted one of the best small-cities in the world, and that has to do with its Old Town District (mid-density walkable urban landscape with most attractions and amenities within walking distance) and the fact that it is so close to nature (smaller urban sprawl footprint means it is easy to get out of the city).