Great Canadian Skyline Thread II

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

what would it take to get those horrible power pylons moved/buried? Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to run these right along the water?

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-re...hydro-towers-disappear-a-tall-order.html

It takes a similar lack of foresight or sense to approve sidewalks this narrow. Canada doesn't have a clue how to build an attractive public realm. The sidewalk below should be 3 times wider at the minimum. I wouldn't want to spend a nano-second on it. If you compare how Washington DC builds sidewalks it's lightyears nicer. It will be much wider, landscaped, use quality paving, etc. Ottawa looks backwoods primitive by comparison.


This Ottawa sidewalk is pathetic. This might pass muster in Yellowknife but this is our capital. It's nowhere close to good enough.

Zibi by harley613, on Flickr


Granted it's summer but this DC sidewalk is 6 times wider than what Ottawa just built above. A capital should feel sophisticated not like a northern mining town.

https://goldentriangledc.com/event/19th-street-rain-gardens-groundbreaking/

[Coldrsx]

https://www.instagram.com/atthelookout/?hl=en

[itom 987]

That image has been squished.

[MolsonExport]

wowser Edmonton shot.

[905er]

Edmonton looking in a skinny mirror

[Martin Mtl]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMnoXPJDrTJ/


https://www.instagram.com/p/CMf5G4mje1x/


https://www.instagram.com/p/CMmQb6mnHKe/


https://www.instagram.com/p/CMihARDpnO_/

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by isaidso

It takes a similar lack of foresight or sense to approve sidewalks this narrow. Canada doesn't have a clue how to build an attractive public realm. The sidewalk below should be 3 times wider at the minimum. I wouldn't want to spend a nano-second on it. If you compare how Washington DC builds sidewalks it's lightyears nicer. It will be much wider, landscaped, use quality paving, etc. Ottawa looks backwoods primitive by comparison.


This Ottawa sidewalk is pathetic. This might pass muster in Yellowknife but this is our capital. It's nowhere close to good enough.

Zibi by harley613, on Flickr


Granted it's summer but this DC sidewalk is 6 times wider than what Ottawa just built above. A capital should feel sophisticated not like a northern mining town.

https://goldentriangledc.com/event/19th-street-rain-gardens-groundbreaking/

The sidewalk is wider than it looks, but still narrower than the DC example.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.4233387,-...Emw!2e0!5s20201001T000000!7i16384!8i8192

At the moment, there's practically no one using that sidewalk. There isn't enough population to attract businesses in the retail fronts of that building. There's a grander pedestrian and cyclist plan for the area. We'll be able to make a more complete judgement in about 5 years when this corner of Zibi is (hopefully) complete.

[Monolith]

Vancouver, BC by clearbrook4, on Flickr

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The sidewalk is wider than it looks, but still narrower than the DC example.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.4233387,-...Emw!2e0!5s20201001T000000!7i16384!8i8192

At the moment, there's practically no one using that sidewalk. There isn't enough population to attract businesses in the retail fronts of that building.

And they're making sure there never will be anyone on those sidewalks. Are we working towards building an attractive beautiful city or just enlarging the city with more places people don't want to spend any time in? The public realm is an afterthought nationwide. That DC photo is proof positive that it's not rocket science. We just need to hire the right people to design. Do Ottawans deserve less than DC?

Those who signed off on that Ottawa sidewalk have no sense whatsoever how to do public realm. Same thing happens in Toronto although it's slowly getting better. Build 10-15 foot wide sidewalks with proper paving, a green buffer between the sidewalk and the road, attractive lamp posts, as little clutter as possible, no overhead wiring, etc. A proper public realm is key. You then have a solid foundation upon which to build a vibrant attractive neighbourhood that's more than just a place to sleep. Design it right the first time around and before you know it you have a few blocks of great urbanism.

[J.OT13]

Too be clear, that sidewalk is in Gatineau, not Ottawa. Not sure if the City or the developer decided on the width and design considering this was all private land a decade ago. In any case, it doesn't matter which side of the river it's on.

I agree that that particular sidewalk is, underwhelming, pretty basic. When the development is done, the area will have some of, if not the, best public realm in the NCR. It will just take time.

Here's an example of a good public realm coming in this same development. This is on Chaudiere Island, on the Ottawa side of the project. A large public square will be surrounded by a mix of modern and new buildings. It will feature a few restaurant patios, along with pieces former industrial machinery and an industrial archway as the entrance between Booth Street and the new square.

Note that the sidewalk here is limited by the existing space. It used to be 4 lanes of car traffic with a maybe two foot wide sidewalk. Up until now, the sidewalk has been widened and a bike lane has been added. Cars are down to two lanes. The area will continue to evolve over time as they complete construction on Booth and reallocate space active transportation and the numerous bridge spans.

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4199122,...kgA!2e0!5s20201001T000000!7i16384!8i8192


https://twitter.com/zibiCanada/status/1362442604454031362


https://twitter.com/RodneyWilts/status/1372954415586541568

[zoomer]

Couldn’t agree more with isaidso. My first impression coming into Ottawa was that it felt like a beat up western province town, I was half expecting dirt roads at some point. However, that impression was mainly based on the conditions of the roads, sidewalks and public realm. To be fair that was only based on the ride in, which can be deceiving, and yes, I found it to be a enjoyable, walkable city, with plenty of beautiful older architecture. Too much grit for my liking, but that’s common with older eastern Canadian cities, especially the narrow sidewalks. Maybe it’s just me, but I prefer a more relaxed, friendly pedestrian realm, where you can sit, rest, and re-energize - enjoy some some water features, plants, greenery, and not feel like you need a shower after.

Victoria is fortunate to have existing wider sidewalks and new developments also incorporate that and often add to the public realm. A few examples from downtown for the last summer. In a non-pandemic year of course it would be busier with more people outside enjoying the streets, but you get the idea:

Aussie Coffee and Brunch by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Pandora Street Bike Lane by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Johnson Street - Hey Happy Patio by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Johnson Street Ruby Patio by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Doesn’t have to be fancy and tons of money invested, but wide enough, clean enough and interesting enough so you actually want to linger..

Anyways, this is a skyline thread, so to put it on track here’s a recent skyline shot of Vancouver:

CKNW's Eye In The Sky, Whirlybird, Vancouver BC by SwellMap, on Flickr

[MonctonRad]

Not that recent.........

[giallo]

That shot is recent only if you're around 1000 years old.

Judging the buildings still standing, I'd say it's from 1959 or thereabouts.

[logan5]

1966?

[JHikka]

That old Vancouver skyline looks very San Fran. Don't know why.

[zoomer]

The postcard Flickr link says early 1960s, which makes sense as the BC Hydro building in the middle of this was completed in 1957.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by JHikka

That old Vancouver skyline looks very San Fran. Don't know why.

Just watched a Neverending Story at the cottage. I didn't know it was shot in Vancouver. It gave off a very Queens vibe in that movie.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Just watched a Neverending Story at the cottage. I didn't know it was shot in Vancouver. It gave off a very Queens vibe in that movie.

Oh yeah, The Neverending Story. That was one of the early Hollywood-made movies for Vancouver. If I recall, it was shot in Gastown and the Downtown Eastside.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Just watched a Neverending Story at the cottage. I didn't know it was shot in Vancouver. It gave off a very Queens vibe in that movie.

Jackie Chan's Rumble in the Bronx was filmed in Vancouver. I think there's one shot of a fight on a roof where you can clearly see the mountains which the Bronx...does not have.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Jackie Chan's Rumble in the Bronx was filmed in Vancouver. I think there's one shot of a fight on a roof where you can clearly see the mountains which the Bronx...does not have.

Yeah, they made no attempt at all to conceal the mountains for that one. I think the same is true for Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan; Skytrain even doubles as the New York City subway.

Rumble in the Bronx is also from the era when they still did big crazy car chases and explosions in the streets of downtown (back when the Vancouver Molson Indy, which raced on the downtown peninsula, still existed). Although in Deadpool II they did some pretty big car chases and stunts in the downtown core. In fact, the stunt double for the character who had the power of luck was killed in front of many hundreds of onlookers in downtown during a big stunt.