Canadian Urban Canyons - Page 73

Rico Rommheim · #**1441** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 6:27 PM**

Some Montreal streetscapes from last week.

Rene-Levesque

The_Wall_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

Rene-Levesque at Beaver Hall

In_it_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

McGill College

McGill_Street_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

St-Paul Street

The_Gate_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

St-Sulpice street

Spires_and_Cones_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

St-Paul street (again)

St-Paul_(01)_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

McTavish Street

McTavish_(01)_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

isaidso · #**1442** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 7:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

They don't necessary help the skyline's looks from a distance, but in situ rhey do create interesting landscapes.

A slope/hill makes a skyline look taller than it actually is. If Montreal were flat the skyline would look shorter. Edmonton's skyline benefits massively from its position high above the river. Montreal's skyline benefits too, but to a lesser extent.

Rico Rommheim · #**1443** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 7:27 PM**

The problem with Montreal's skyline is that the tallest buildings are build on the lowest points possible and as far away as the mountain as possible, and at varying spots, making the skyline look thinner and lacking depth.

Griffintown has mitigated this somewhat. But some flaws still exist, like the Tour de la bourse, which usually looks pretty stubby, and even invisible from certain angles.

TorontoDrew · #**1444** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 2:31 AM**

The longest canyon in the country.

Downtown Toronto by Tara Fathers, on Flickr

isaidso · #**1445** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 6:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

The problem with Montreal's skyline is that the tallest buildings are build on the lowest points possible and as far away as the mountain as possible, and at varying spots, making the skyline look thinner and lacking depth.

Griffintown has mitigated this somewhat. But some flaws still exist, like the Tour de la bourse, which usually looks pretty stubby, and even invisible from certain angles.

If viewed from atop Mont Royal I can see that. The same phenomenon happens in Halifax. From the west side of Citadel Hill you can barely see downtown as it's hidden behind it. From atop Citadel Hill you look down towards the 'tall' buildings.

Conversely, if you look at Halifax from the harbour or Montreal from the river both do benefit form elevation. Despite not being built high up the hill they're still quite a bit higher than where the water is. They do benefit from elevation just not to the same degree as Edmonton.

Rico Rommheim · #**1446** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 4:38 PM**

The ever-growing Bleury street canyon. Still a work in progress.

Bleury_Street_Canyon_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

St-Jacques street. With the 120m 628 st-jacques rising.

St-Jacques_Canyon_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

St-Paul street

St-Paul_Taxi_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

McTavish street

McTavish_Colours_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

TorontoDrew · #**1447** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 5:17 PM**

Not sure I would call McTavish street a canyon but it's very pretty.

Rico Rommheim · #**1448** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 5:22 PM**

McTavish is most definitely not a canyon. But I don't care I still wanted to wedge it in there.

TorontoDrew · #**1449** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 5:28 PM**

Well that section isn't but I like it.

TorontoDrew · #**1450** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 5:45 PM**

Toronto Bay street by Jack Tome, on Flickr

Looking Down James Street in Toronto (in Explore) by A Great Capture, on Flickr

Exhibit Residences by Jack Landau, on Flickr

Rico Rommheim · #**1451** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Well that section isn't but I like it.

McTavish is a strange and quaint little street. It's really unique in how short it is, how it is essentially useless as a through-fare (which is why it was pedestrianized) and the polarized set of views it offers. For example, McTavish looking south:

McTavish_(01)_2020_10_08 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

Kilgore Trout · #**1452** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 10:39 PM**

When I was a student at McGill, McTavish had not yet been pedestrianized and it was used as a rush hour shortcut to Doctor Penfield. Very annoying and unsafe (which is why cars were eventually banned).